Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera

⭐️🧠

CW: emotional abuse, stalking, attempted rape, suicide, sexual harassment, PTSD

This had so much potential and I enjoyed the lyrical quality of the writing. However the characterisation just did not land for me, though I liked the twist on the myth.

The Botanist by M. W. Craven

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, gore, rape, suicide, racism

Craven continues this excellent series, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I keep consuming them in concentrated sittings because I am so drawn into the story. This was another great and grisly puzzle box for Poe and Bradshaw to solve.

I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, misogyny, sexism, racism, xenophobia

Gray’s take on the familiar story is fascinating and I liked how it primarily focuses on Meddy’s backstory. You know where things are headed and yet you root for them to change course anyway. It is a horrible, fateful story but also one that speaks to fighting back, though you want to avoid vengeance consuming you.

Full review here.

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: violence, manipulation, infertility, stalking

This was such a strong debut with a plot that becomes increasingly unhinged and a protagonist who fascinates and repels you in equal measure. A brilliant voice laced with dark humour that I devoured.

An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, coercion, torture, blood, injury, gore, death of a loved one, grief, cheating, suicidal thoughts

This reminded me just why I enjoy Henderson’s work – wonderfully atmospheric with a fantastic magic system and complex characters. It’s dark, unnerving and the twists are stellar.

The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain

🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, gaslighting, manipulation, stalking, suicide, abusive relationship

Fantastic set-up and an opening chapter that sears itself in your brain, but then it felt like it all devolved for me. It wasn’t quite what I was hoping for.

Message Deleted by K. L. Slater

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence , stalking, grief, drowning, death of a child, manipulation, gaslighting

Great set-up and pacey writing that held my attention, but I found some events a bit too implausible and didn’t quite add up for me.

The Exes by Leodora Darlington

⭐️🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, racism, grief, abusive relationships, sexual assault, sexism

This was such an exquisitely taut and tense debut thriller. You are constantly second-guessing what you are being told and the pages keep flowing as you race through to discover the secrets hidden within. Darlington builds on that fantastic premise to knock it out of the park.

Full review to come.

Eternal Ruin by Tigest Girma

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, manipulation, arson, torture, blood, injury, violence, classism, grief

This sinks its teeth into you and will not let you go. It is an incredible sequel that adds so much to the world, story and characters of the original but still leaves you desperate for more.

Full review to come.

Show Me Where It Hurts by Claire Gleeson

🧠

CW: death, murder, grief, death of a child, car accident

This was heart-breaking. It is told with a rawness and an aching heart that spills out into the pages as one woman faces the unimaginable. I loved Gleeson’s style and narrative voice and would definitely read more of her work.

How To Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson

🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexism, sexual assault, injury

This was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. Philipson delivers an enthralling read that will keep you up through the night as you simply have to discover just who Denver is. It is a brilliant cat-and-mouse game with a final chapter that I won’t forget any time soon.

Full review to come.

A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: murder, death, violence, beheading, manipulation

Morpuss delivers a brilliant concept told in an engaging manner. Charles Konig is a fantastic protagonist and I would love to follow more of his stories. It’s a solid legal thriller told over the course of the trial that I enjoyed.

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, gore, violence, injury, torture, sexism, rape, sexual assault

This is a brutal fantasy book that broke my heart. It had such an impactful ending that I will treasure, supported by the phenomenal characterisation and the way it explored this fascinating magic system. One to add to your TBR immediately.

Full review to come.

The Pact by Lisa Walker

🧠

CW: death, murder, drugging, violence, manipulation, abusive relationship

This unfortunately fell under a similar issue for me – great set-up but the execution just didn’t quite land for me. It had some interesting points about writing, inspiration and a Dark Academia atmosphere that worked though.

An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, racism, classism, body horror, anxiety

Cole is resplendent in her adult debut. I have loved her YA work and this is an evolution with style, surprises and sensational characterisation. This is a classic Dark Academia tale with an incredible twist in its tale.

Full review to come.

Who’s All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, indoctrination, cult, gaslighting, manipulation, grief

Springer continues to deliver stories that have you at the edge of your seat. The set-up here is interesting and you can feel everything closing in as the stakes escalate and events descend into chaos.

The Mercy Chair by M. W. Craven

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, torture, violence, suicide, homophobia, bigotry

This was a barnstormer of a book. Craven continually elevates this series with each twisted new instalment and this was a book that feels like the grit under your nails. It is tough and bloody and exacting.

The Rumour by Lesley Kara

⭐️🧠

CW: death, murder, death of a child

This was an impressive debut that captured the claustrophobia of small town secrets so well, particularly the malicious wildfire caused by a rumour. The ending was excellent too and now I need to read more of Kara’s work.