He’s The Devil by Tobi Coventry

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, injury, blood, obsession, manipulation

This took toxic housemates to a whole new level. It was a creeping nightmarish hellscape mixed with intimate characterisation and writing that sank into your skin.

Full review to come.

How The Other Half Kill by P. C. Roscoe

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, suicide, murder, grief, classism, sexism, bullying, addiction

This is an ice-cold thriller with flashes of warmth in its characterisation and a dash of romance. Roscoe continues to explore the darker side of privilege in a shared world with the first book and I would be intrigued to see if this continued into a wider series. There are these closed-off communities where they have been sheltered from the world until disaster hits and they can no longer hide from their secrets.

Full review here.

These Bodies Ain’t Broken

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: murder, death, gore, violence, ableism, bullying, cannibalism, assault, abuse, overdose, grief, homophobia, eugenics, medical trauma, self-mutilation, medical trials, cancer

I think anthologies are not always my cup of tea – I’ve read some stellar ones and ones that are a bit more mixed like this one. Some stories were great but others really fell flat for me which was a shame.

The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White

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CW: murder, death, violence, grief, blood, injury, gore

This is a brilliantly atmospheric and characterful fantasy mystery that introduces a different take on vampirism and ties in wonderfully to existing icongraphy of the genre. It is darkly entrancing as White’s work often is.

Full review to come.

12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas by Natasha Bache

CW: death, violence, murder, injury, gore, grief

This was a dark portrait of the ultimate nightmarish Christmas with horrible family members suddenly meeting an untimely and often gory end. The writing was punchy and compelling but I wasn’t entirely on board with the ending.

The 10:12 by Anna Maloney

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, injury, shooting, grief, terrorist attack

This is a high-concept thriller that is impossible to put down. It has such a wonderfully unrelenting intensity that heightens the breakneck twists and turns Maloney has in store. 

Full review here.

The Final Vow by M. W. Craven

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, shooting, gore

And just like that, I am all caught up on the Poe and Bradshaw series. This was another excellent, blood-soaked entry into the series with some brilliant twists and turns in store. I am very excited to pick up the eighth book later in 2026.

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, sexual assault, drug use, rape

Clark’s writing is as sharp as a razor. It is dark, twisted and takes some unexpected turns along the way. I just felt a little hollow after reading this and it wasn’t quite my favourite of her works.

I, In The Shadows by Tori Bovalino

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, car accident, grief, murder

This is a wonderfully poignant depiction of friendship, grief and living with bereavement. I liked how messy and complicated these characters are, creating problematic scenarios that do not put them in the best light. However Bovalino ensures that you can understand what is driving their decisions, even as you may not agree with them.

Full review here.

The Grapevine by Kate Kemp

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, gore, transphobia, cheating, miscarriage, abusive relationship

I really enjoyed the characterisation and how Kemp elevated these particular types into authentic and three-dimensional people. I just found the ending a little lacklustre but the atmosphere was great.

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, terminal illness

This was such an exhilarating ride. Classic horror tropes met one another in a meta mash-up as these authors are called to claim the legacy of an infamous legend. Arnold’s writing was incisive and wonderful, I cannot wait to see what she does next. That ending was phenomenal.

One by One by Ruth Ware

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, sexual assault, rape, drugging, manipulation

Rich people behaving badly is a subgenre of mysteries/thrillers that I am always going to pick up and this was a shining example. The closed-circle mystery is executed brilliantly and matched by the claustrophobic nightmare of the setting, a dream turned sour.

You’ll Like It When You Get There by Rhys James

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This was an excellent book to close out 2025 with. It felt like a great, tight comedy set with insights into life, James’ character arc and the world we live in, all tied together into excellent punchlines.

The Barbecue at No. 9 by Jennie Godfrey

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, murder, violence, grief, PTSD, stalking, manipulation, cheating, abusive relationship

This proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Godfrey’s characterisation is out of this world. It is a portrait of the secrets we keep behind closed doors and the cost of keeping up a perfect facade. The use of multiple narratives is excellent and offers duelling insights into the dynamics of this strange street. That ending has remained in my mind, rent-free as it were.

Full review to come.

Unapologetic Love Story by Elle McNicoll

🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, grief, ableism

This blew every last expectation I had out of the water. The characters are so well-drawn and three-dimensional, jumping off the page and straight into your heart. Also, the chemistry and tension were palpable, ebbing and flowing excellently. It was the type of book that makes you believe in love again.

Full review to come.

Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin

⭐️🧠

CW: terminal illness, cancer

I have not been able to get this book out of my head. It has everything I adore in a brilliant literary novel: sumptuous prose and characterisation that is layered and pulls you right in. This confirmed Pin as a must-read author for me.

Full review to come.

Heartbreak Era by Sophie Jo

🏳️‍🌈

This was the exact type of YA contemporary romance that I love with sparky dialogue, interesting characters and a dynamic that you root for despite everything. Jo continues to deliver just what the heart needs.

Full review to come.

Love and Other Curses by Annaliese Avery

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: death, grief, murder, violence, injury

This is a wonderful sequel that continues a spell-binding series. It continued that perfect balance of action, characterisation and romance. The lore, the history, the world-building and the twists were all a step and served to flesh out the world further. I adored learning more about the magic and the way this world is set up, especially with Aurelia at the centre of it all

Full review here.

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges

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CW: death, murder, violence, addiction, abusive relationship

Bridges is a fiendish writer. You won’t be able to tear yourself away from this tense game of cat and mouse as we move between timelines in order to discover the long-buried secrets underpinning this toxic dynamic.

Full review to come.

Love, Mom by Iliana Xander

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CW: death, murder, violence, rape, sexual assault, fire

I really enjoyed the set-up of this and the concept is fun, with some good twists and turns along the way. However it felt a bit lacklustre for me and I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending.

Control Alter Delete by K. L. Kettle

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, violence, murder, fire, grief, hospitalisation, dementia, injury

This was was a thought-provoking YA speculative thriller exploring the thin line between fantasy and reality and asking just what you would give up for those you love. Hal was a great protagonist – you completely understood her motivations and I enjoyed her perceptiveness. She was smart, skilled and subtly goes on a journey of recognising her own abilities.

Full review here.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

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CW: death, murder, violence, stalking, abusive relationship

This is a genre-blending story that is at once a heartfelt romance and a thrilling mystery with twists and turns that land all the more because of how nuanced these characters are.

Full review to come.

Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli

⭐️🏳️‍🌈

CW: death, murder, blood, stalking, sexual assault, harassment, blackmail, manipulation, cheating

A star is born! This is a stellar debut and Sterling is the type of protagonist that is instantly iconic. The mix of noir and romance (slow-burning and inclusive) is a heady one that will have you intoxicated. Sexy, sultry and sensational.

Full review to come.

Dollface by Lindy Ryan

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CW: death, murder, violence, gore, suicide, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks, self-harm

I so badly wanted to love this book but sadly that did not transpire. The concept is fun and some of the writing was enjoyable, but I wasn’t a fan of the characterisation or the ending.

Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran

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CW: death, murder, violence, blood, gore, injury, suicide, cannibalism, abuse, grief

This had a great sense of atmosphere and the second half was a spiral into chaos that I relished. The pacing in the first half felt a bit off for me, which slightly lowered my enjoyment, but Curran really brought it back for the finale.

When I Was Death by Alexis Henderson

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, grief

Alexis Henderson’s characterisation always shines for me and her stories have such a deep-rooted sense of atmosphere that permeates every page. This is a poignant examination of death and grief with some astounding twists and turns along the way.

Full review to come.