Well hello to you my reader chums! There's no better feeling than being utterly obsessed with a book, so much so, that you can't wait to find out what happens - and that's how I felt about The Hunting Party. I'm a huge thriller fan because I love the build-up, the suspense and the twists and turns you wouldn't expect. It leaves me on the edge of my seat wanting more.

If you're searching for an incredible thriller, here is my full review of The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley.

Plotline

The story follows a group of old friends as they stay in a remote hunting lodge, deep in the Scottish wilderness over the New Year period, to ring in 2019. The group know each other from their school and university days and this includes several couples and a singleton. During their stay, one of them is found dead, and it's not an accident. There's a murderer amongst the friends, but who is it?

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite ways books are written is when the perspective changes between different characters as I find it paces the novel quicker and builds more suspense, and really helps me understand more about the characters. The book did exactly that, telling the perspective of a few of the friends including Katie, Miranda, Emma, and the two people who worked at the lodge, Heather and Doug.

My favourite character had to be Katie. The more I learnt about her and how she lived in the shadow of Miranda, the more I resonated with and liked how normal and lovely she seemed. Miranda on the other hand, I wasn't a fan of. She came across as a big bully, someone who liked to control the situation and be the centre of attention, causing drama. Not exactly, someone, you'd like to have around and although I learnt she did it because of her own insecurities, it still made me angry for the other characters.

Emma is an interesting character and to be honest, I didn't really get her. She seemed a bit too perfect and too nice throughout the course of the book and had a disliking towards Katie which was strange. Katie and Miranda had an odd relationship, Miranda made out as if Katie was her project, their entire life since school and now Katie didn't want to be in Miranda's full attention - and I loved that for her.

The two lodge workers were completely different. My heart went out to Heather because the way she told her story, I could feel the heartbreak she went through, to arrive in such a place and work in the middle of nowhere. Doug, as a character had a lot more depth than met the eye.

The other friends were an interesting bunch and an odd group.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I haven't felt this excited about a book in a very long time. There was something about the character development, how the short chapters were mapped out and the many twists and turns changing my opinion constantly, which hooked me in. It's probably one of the best murder mystery books I've read. I loved the descriptions of the setting and how much detail the author went into. I love how there was so much focus on the character's history and how they all knew each other. And, I loved how the layers of their history came together to create drama and unveil completely unexpected surprises.

Honestly, I'm obsessed with the book. It had everything a good thriller needs: the right level of suspense, paced out fast enough to hook you in, but slow enough to give things away at the right time. The change of character's perspective really moved the novel in a way which I loved and added depth.

It's a book I'd happily recommend to everyone!

Ending

The ending was as genius as the rest of the book. As I said, throughout the book, there were so many twists and turns and many potential suspects and victims, I didn't know what the ending will be. However, when it came to it, it's as if the novel came together and everything spoken about previously, just made sense.

I hope you enjoyed this book review. What's next on your TBR pile?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've fallen back in love with reading this year and have been prioritising reading as part of my routine, ensuring I get through my to-be-read pile. Backpacking really helped amplify that prioritisation as I read a lot when travelling to new destinations on buses, planes and trains.

I've had the pleasure of reading some incredible novels, some I've fallen in love with, some I've been rather curious about and a few I didn't like as much. Over the course of the year, I've collected a list of many books and here are my favourite books of 2023.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley is one of my favourite crime, murder-mystery thriller authors and her books are GENIUS. One of the first books I read this year and one of the best is The Guest List. It's a book that honestly blew my mind with the amount of twists and turns and the intelligent crafting which went into making such a solid novel. The Guest List I've raved about again and again as it sparked my curiosity throughout the entire plot. When it ended, I was gutted as it was so brilliant.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Another brilliant novel by Lucy Foley is The Paris Apartment. Although I preferred the characters and overall storyline of The Guest List, The Paris Apartment was completely brilliant with the plot. Like The Guest List, it's a book with a clever plot with unexpected twists and turns, figuring out who the murderer was and what happened. I loved the setting of The Paris Apartment as it's all set in one building about one family and all of their secrets.

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary

Beth O'Leary is also one of my favourite authors as I've loved every one of her books. She has this beautiful way of crafting realistic and likeable characters with her romantic and fast-paced storylines. I particularly loved The No-Show because it focuses on three different women and their lives and how they're connected in one way. I loved getting to learn more about the characters and becoming invested in their lives.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Now a TV show on Apple TV, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a thriller I absolutely adored. Following the disappearance of a father, his daughter and wife are left completely clueless about his whereabouts, and the novel follows them as they try and figure out what happened. As the book unfolds, more layers and secrets are involved - and I love how genius it all is.

Found by Erin Kinsley

I came across Found by Erin Kinsley unexpectedly and it surprised me about how great it was. I love how it was a thriller but flipped as the tragedy was solved before the story was answered if that makes sense. A child goes missing and he's found, however, he is silent and won't say what has happened to him. However, the plot unveils what happened to him, with the aim of helping other children from potential danger. 

A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

Paula Hawkins is an iconic author and I hadn't read her novels for a few years until I picked this one up recently, A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins. The plot follows three women as they're all connected to a brutal crime, the death of Daniel Sutherland. It's a novel packed with secrets, resentment, lies and dark history and how all of their lives link in some way, providing the answer to the murder.

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Thrillers are my favourite type of novel. I love a book to suck me and keep me hooked with lots of twists and turns. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors of this genre because I adored her books, The Girl on the Train and Into the Water. 

Whether you're a fan of thrillers like me or fancy a new novel to jump into, here is my full book review on Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins.

Plotline

The plot follows three women, all connected to one brutal crime. Three women who are determined to right the wrongs done to them, and all who have everything to hide. With hard life experiences, these women all have the potential to do terrible things, but only one of them could have killed Daniel Sutherland.

It's a plot with plenty of secrets, resentment, lies and dark history of each woman's life and I love how that's intertwined into the blot.

Characters and relationships

The plot has many main characters and focal people in the plot, including Carla, Laura, Irene, Miriam, Angela and Theo. The character descriptions and build-up in this book were written beautifully and thoughtfully, and it really added value to the plot. My favourite character has to be Irene because she was just a completely normal older woman and I liked how she friended Laura and their relationship evolved. Angela and Carla are sisters and honestly, their relationship saddened me as the plot panned out.

My least favourite characters were Miriam and Theo as the entire time I didn't get a great feeling from them and that was apparent in the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I adored every part of this book. Paula Hawkins is one of my favourite authors and her books never fail to disappoint. This book had the perfect pace for a murder mystery, that balance of revealing information at the best time but enough suspense to make it an incredible thriller. I loved how the characters unveiled as the plot moved on and I learnt how they link to one another and the overall plot, which was genius.

I would 100% recommend this book to any thriller or murder mystery fans and those who love to dive in deep with a book straight away.

Ending

The ending was better than I expected as I never know if a brilliant book lives up to expectations. I thought this book was going to go one way and then it made a turn with a completely different ending.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite book at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! You know when you read a book and think this is so relatable to a character's feelings and I want to read more and more? This was how I felt about The Missing Wife. 

If you're looking for a light-hearted but slightly thriller stylebook for your holiday, this is one to pick up on your next book shop trip, and here is my full review.

*This post contains an affiliate links.

Plotline

It looks like Imogen and Vince Naughton had a perfect and happy marriage, and were always on cloud nine together. However, when Imogen randomly disappears, everyone, she knows is in shock including her husband Vince. He treated her like a princess and she always tells everyone how lucky she is to have him.

But what goes on behind close is often different from what the outside world sees and Imogen surprises herself by taking the leap to get back to her old self. However, what she doesn't realise is that her past is right behind her, getting nearer by the day. The plot is all about whether that past catches up with her and Imogen on her journey of self-discovery and learning to love herself again.

Characters and relationships

The beauty of fictional books is reading about characters and watching their personalities and journey in a story unveil.  Imogen is a character that I loved from the off as I related to her in so many ways, but also really appreciated her courage, her organisation, and her desire to get back to the life she once has. The book really focuses on a whole look at her life and all the trauma she'd experienced before this point and the life events which shaped her existence into who she is now - and how those things made her choose to go back to France and get her life back. Imogen is one of those characters that seems down to earth, strong and loving, and that's apparent in every relationship she makes when departing to France.

Vince, Imogen's husband I disliked from the off. The way he spoke, the way he described his and Imogen's life actually made my skin crawl at times. He seemed like an entitled, selfish, and controlling man in every single sense, and even from the first few pages, I can understand why Imogen left him. But as the story unveils and Vince sets off to find Imogen, things become a lot clearer to what their relationship really was like.

The other characters I adored are all of the lovely people Imogen meets in France and become great friends of her including Celine and Rene and many other people that end up intertwining in her overall story. They bring an element of positivity into her life and for the first time in a while, give her the hope and courage that she needs.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. The development of the plot, the growth of character development, and the setting descriptions were enough to hook me in. Plus, I also loved the slight thriller element as I couldn't tell what was going to happen next or how the story will pan out.

The way Imogen and Vince's relationship was written is genius and so apt in many ways. The writer nailed the plot to every little detail and I really enjoyed learning what was coming for Imogen and if she would get the happy ending she deserved. It's a long old read but I enjoyed every page; the author has this way of hooking you in with every page and that's how I know I've found a good book.

Ending`

I'm obviously not going to give away the ending, however, what I can say is it made me feel very content and uplifted. Everything was brought together so well and it made sense how the author panned for Imogen's story to end and for some good to come her way. In my opinion, it was the perfect ending for all of the characters in the book.

If you'd like to buy yourself a copy, you can do so here. I highly recommend this book!

I hope you enjoyed this review. What books are you loving at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I love a thriller as there's something about a quick-paced plot with suspense that I adore. I heard many people rave about the book Magpie and honestly, I didn't actually realise what it was about until I bought it - and I'm glad I did.

If you love psychological thrillers or a book which will constantly surprise you, here's my book review of Magpie by Elizabeth Day.

Plot

Magpie follows the life of Marissa when she meets Jake and everything falls into place. However, when their new lodger Kae arrives, everything changes. Marissa thinks something isn't right about her because of the way she acts, what she says or that she's constantly asking questions about the baby they're trying for. But maybe it's all in Marissa's head? That's what Jake thinks and she thinks she trusts him. Marissa is determined to discover what is wrong even if it costs her everything.

Characters and relationships

Marissa is the protagonist and the book starts out with her, honestly, I love her as a character at the start as she's painted like a regular woman with insecurities and problems. She talks about her traumatic experiences and past relationships, friends and how she meets Jake. Their relationship in my opinion seems rushed from the beginning and a bit suspicious as if they fell into it all a little quickly and she doesn't really know him or trust him in fact.

Jake seems like a nice and caring guy but as it's told from Marissa's perspective I can't really get a full grasp of him as a character. With Kate, Marissa doesn't seem to like her but in all honesty, it sounds like she's jealous of her and everything she stands for.

It's hard to talk about Jake and Kate in more detail as characters without giving away the plot, however, the more I learnt about the characters, the more who they are shaped up and I started to really dive into the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, despite being a little uncertain when the book began, once I got a grasp of what the plot was about, I gained a full perspective of the characters' personalities and how they played a role in the story. I would describe this plot as a psychological thriller, even though at first it sounded more like a dramatic story where Marissa is making out Jake is cheating on her with Kate.

The book covers many themes, such as infertility, pregnancy, mental illness, troubling family dynamics and traumatic experiences. With plenty of problematic issues woven throughout the plot, it adds plenty of depth and suspense - and made me gain another level of appreciation. 

The book overall was certainly a page-turner as I was keen to see which way the story turns and the next layer is uncovered. I'd highly recommend it if psychological plots intrigue you. 

Ending

I can't give away the ending, however, despite the tragic element of the plot, this book has a content and happy ending, leaving my mind at bay and wrapping everything up in a beautiful way. It also shares how the power of caring for people is the most amazing thing.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Which book is on your TBR pile?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know murder mystery books are my favourite, I love discovering a mystery unveiled throughout the book, especially in a crime fiction novel. I've read my fair share of murder mysteries and continue to pick them up as it's a genre that thrills me. 

A recent book I picked up was The Maid on a whim and I didn't expect such a random purchase to be such a fab choice. If you're looking for a new novel to read, here is my book review of The Maid by Nita Prose.

Plotline

This novel follows Molly Gray, a maid working in the luxury Regency Grand Hotel. She is a cleaning whizz, taking her duty seriously and loving every moment of her job. One day, she discovers a very famous guest, Mr Black, dead in his bed, in Suite 401 and a messy mystery begins to unravel. Molly becomes the heart of the investigation because if anyone knows the secrets beyond the dirt, it's the maid.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book were everything, especially Molly Gray. Molly is the most honest character, her authentic self every day, even at times when she doesn't mean to be. She isn't like a normal 25-year-old as she's mainly grown up with her nan, doesn't have many friends and isn't on board with the social cues. I love this about her though because she's always unapologetically herself and tries her best in every way to be kind to others and work hard in her job.

Molly had the most precious relationship with her late nan and references her throughout the novel and all the things she's taught her which has shaped who she is today. It's apparent how much she misses her nan and how navigating life without her is a massive challenge.

Another character I loved was Mr Preston, one of the older men working in the hotel and a character that always looks out for Molly in every way as he understands she's too nice, and can't comprehend when many people are joking about her or causing her harm.

Giselle is another staple character and as Mr Black's wife, a big suspect in the case. However, what's most important about her is their connection with Molly and how she offers a sense of friendship.

Overall thoughts

Overall I loved this novel in every way. It's a murder mystery that wasn't too heavy, with a big heart to it and a lighter tone. I love how even though it wasn't terrifying or too much of a thriller, the book had its fast pace, honest appeal and twists and turns adding to the overall thriller element.

It's a book that shows the true power of the good and bad people in your life, how good work goes a long way and who will always stand by you.

Ending

The ending of this book was a hopeful one, and honestly, throughout, I wasn't sure if the book would get to that point. However, I can say, I finished the book feeling satisfied for Molly and the other characters.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know thrillers, especially crime thrillers are my thing and when I was recommended this book on my trip to Bath, I couldn't wait to read it. I actually ended up reading it in only a few sittings as I couldn't get enough of the hard-hitting plot.

If you enjoy a crime thriller and an honest, first-person perspective, here's my full review of The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean.

Plotline

Set on an isolated farm in the UK, a woman is trapped by the monster who kidnapped her over seven years ago. The everyday motions she goes through and the punishment he gives her if she doesn't obey his every order. He films her every single move meaning that when he's away from the house, he knows what she's up to. When she discovers she's pregnant, she strives to protect her child no matter the cost and begins planning an escape away from him. In the meantime, another woman is kidnapped into the farm and it's down to her to escape with the woman and her child - but will she save them all?

Characters and relationships

Told from the perspective of 'Jane', the name her kidnapper gives her, I really came to grips with her raw feelings, the everyday emotions and what she has been through. The rules of the land she has to live, the pain she feels, the abuse she tolerates and the punishment she endures. It's an honest and heartbreaking account to hear the trials she deals with every day by this monster. 

'Jane's' relationship with her monster is honestly hard to describe or write as at times I could feel her pain and desperation for how he treated her. It made me so angry to see a human treat another human being in that way like they were absolutely nothing. 

'Jane's' relationship with her child, however, is the most beautiful thing to read. It really does show the power a mother's love will have to protect their child and sacrifice everything to do just that. The love she shows for her daughter broke my heart in every way as I wanted to leap onto the page and help her out. 

Overall thoughts

Overall this book is an intense page-turner and one which is impossible to put down. I could have easily read the entire book in one sitting as I desperately wanted to know she gets out and ends up okay. It's a gripping book, a psychological thriller showing the rawness of humanity and the desperate things people will do when they're truly suffering. 

It's a book highlighting the awful truth of what happens to victims of human trafficking and the abuse they endure every single day. Even though this story is fiction, I know it's based on many of the real stories of people who are kidnapped, trafficked and abused. If you read it, expect that sense of desperation in the words of 'Jane', the fear factor on every page and feeling every kind of awful emotion as you make your way through the story.

Ending

Like always, I won't give away the ending and honestly, with this book, I wasn't sure which way it was going to go. I sat in hope throughout the entire book as I wished for a happy and content ending. Luckily, the ending is positive and hopeful, everything this novel needs.

I hope you've enjoyed this post. What's next on your TBR?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you may know, I adore a good thriller, especially one where you don't see the ending coming and I can get fully engrossed in the plot. I love the addictive element of them and how I'm always surprised one way or another. My latest read was The Accident, a book I didn't expect to get as hooked in as I expected.

If you're looking for a new thriller recommendation, here is my full review of The Accident by C.L Taylor.

This post contains affiliate links but all thoughts are my own.

Plotline

The book follows Sue Jackson who appears to have the perfect family until her daughter Charlotte deliberately steps in front of a bus and lands in a coma - and Sue is forced to face a dark reality. Sue is desperate to figure out why Charlotte would do this and retraces her steps, realising she may not know her daughter as much as she thought. And, the answer to what happened to her daughter could lie in her own secrets. 

Characters and relationships

This book was very much focused on the protagonist Sue who told the story from the past and the present. The book flipped from chapter to chapter with the past being entries of Sue's diary and what happened to her twenty years ago and to the present day. Sue was a character to who my heart went out to. Reading her past experience and relating to a lot of what she went through, made me admire her even more, especially in the present day as she got through some terrible times. Her strength and perseverance are apparent in the search to find her daughter, despite it bringing up lots of dark secrets.

Sue's relationship with her husband Brian is realistic and wholesome. It shows what a long marriage should be like and how much two people can care for each other when they've been through a lot together. Her daughter Charlotte is spoken more about than actually to and you learn who Charlotte is as Sue uncovers parts of her life throughout the plot. To me, Charlotte is a typical teenager, testing things out for the first time, pushing boundaries, and ultimately wanting to have fun, but ends up getting twisted up in a bad situation. Charlotte's friends were typical teenagers. Ella, her ex-best friend took a while to warm up to Sue but I could just tell it was because she had been hurt from the friendship and eventually opened up. 

One of the most notable characters is Sue's ex James, which is what the majority of the past chapters are about - their relationship and what happened between them. I hated him as a character and as the plot went on, my stomach turned with what he was like. I didn't understand why their relationship was relevant at first but as the plot pans out, it becomes apparent.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I loved this book a lot! It's a book that gripped me with every page and for a while had that intrigue about it, to what the actual mystery was. Because this element was held back for so long, it made me more excited to find out what actually happened as I had no idea. I loved the pace of this book, I loved how the past and present tense were separated and the detail of each of the characters. It's a tense read, with twists and turns I wouldn't have expected. I would 100% recommend it to anyone.

One thing I would however note is that this book can be triggering and you should be mindful of that before purchasing. It contains themes of emotional abuse, domestic abuse, and sexual assault.

Ending

The ending really hooked me in and was incredible. The author of this book really did build the intensity up so much throughout the novel that the last few chapters were just genius. I love how the ending unfolded with so much drama and scary moments. But, it was a brilliant and right ending for an epic novel.

You can pick up your copy of The Accident here.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Is this book on your to-be-read list?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I'm a big fan of thrillers and fast-moving novels that I don't want to put down - and this book captured the description perfectly. It has been on my to-be-read pile for ages and I wish I picked it up sooner as I read it within a few days ( and could have happily read it in one sitting if I had the time). It's a book which is incredibly intriguing, packed with twists and every type of emotion.

If you're looking for a brilliant thriller to pick up right now, here is my full review of Book review: The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.

Plotline

The plot follows the family of Owen, his wife Hannah and Owen's daughter, Bailey. Owen disappears one day, but manages to smuggle a note to his wife reading 'protect her'. Hannah knows clearly he is talking about his daughter Bailey, whose mother passed away when she was a child. Bailey wants nothing to do with her stepmother. After a series of unanswered calls to Owen and Owen's boss being arrested for fraud, the police begin to question Hannah, and she realises her husband isn't who he says he is. And Bailey might be the key which can help discover why Owen disappeared. Hannah and Bailey set off together, trying to discover the truth about Owen, but as they reveal some of the pieces of Owen's past life, they realise life will never be the same again.

Characters and relationships

The protagonist Hannah I loved in many ways because she was authentically her and lived a life exactly how she wanted to, thinking of everyone around her. She was a massive success in her business before she met Owen and I love the strength and determination she has as a person. Her connection with her late grandfather also melted my heart because he really showed her what love was, in the absence of her parents. 

Bailey is a typical fiery teenager with no interest initially in getting along with her stepmother Hannah. This made sense really as before Hannah, she only remembered life with her and her dad, it's all she knew. However, after Owen went missing and the two are thrown together in search of him, it was interesting seeing their relationship develop, and see Bailey begin to trust Hannah. Hannah understands Bailey and loves her dearly, doing anything for her, and as the plot thickens, Bailey works towards that mutual feeling.

Hannah and Owen's relationship seems like a fairytale when she talks about it. Their love for each other is natural and how you expect a love story to be. When the plot goes back in time to moments before Owen goes missing, you can really tell that they are meant for each other and it's a shame Owen didn't trust Hannah enough to reveal his past.

Owen is a character that I sympathise with because everything I learn about him makes me understand what he did in a way, but also question his choices too. One thing about Owen which is admirable is his love for his daughter and the lengths he goes to protect her.

Overall thoughts

Overall, this book was a thriller with heart and raw emotion to it that at times it felt real. I felt as if the characters' relationships were real as the author has a powerful way with words, describing the depths of their emotions and what they went through. I enjoyed how at first the book leaves you in suspense with sprinkles of clues and then all at once the answers come out; it's the perfect level of pace in a novel. I was hooked from page one and could read the author's writing again and again. I also loved how the title of each chapter gave away a small clue as to what was going to happen in that chapter.

The book was superbly crafted in a clever way with twists and turns I didn't expect and really showed the lengths we go to and the risks we take to love and protect those around us.

Ending

I wasn't sure how this book was going to end, especially when all the answers were revealed. I won't give anything away, however, I will say it ended on an uplifting and positive note with hope for the main characters in the book and their lives.

I hope you enjoyed this review. What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Being a bookworm is a part of my personality. My love for books has never changed, it's simply evolved and over the past year, I've been trying to focus on reading as much as possible. There's always something new I want to read with so many books in the world!

I'm always up for reading new genres, however, my favourite genres include crime fiction, detective novels, murder mysteries, historical fiction and women's fiction. Recently, I've read some incredible books and wanted to share the books I'm loving at the minute.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I haven't read a Gillian Flynn book since Gone Girl a while back and when I started reading this, I remembered why I loved this author so much and her talent for crafting thriller novels. This novel follows reporter Camille Preaker after she's released from a psych hospital and given a troubling assignment, returning to her small hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another.

Camille hasn't visited her hometown in a long time and hardly spoke to her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows. Visiting her hometown again, she finds herself unravelling a psychological puzzle of her own past and looking further into the people around her. This novel gripped me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down at times, with twists of new characters and various narratives happening all the time. I got an incline of what I thought would happen towards the end and to my surprise, I was correct. This novel was strange and thought-provoking and highlighted many scary issues happening in everyday life to young people.

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

I was recommended this book when I visited Bath in Mrs B's Emporium as I love crime stories, including true crime and this book was just that. This novel follows the disappearance of Zoe Nolan, a nineteen-year-old Manchester University student who went to a party one night in her shared accommodation and was never seen again. Seven years after the disappearance, a writer called Evelyn Mitchell is intrigued by the mystery and begins to investigate.

This book features plenty of interviews with Zoe's friends and family and Mitchell begins piecing together what happens to Zoe. Through investigation, many secrets are revealed of Zoe's life and Evelyn turns to crime writer Joesph Knox to make sense of the case. I loved this book as I could really feel the tragedy on every page and how heart-wrenching the narrative was. The interview style made the book fast-paced and intriguing with every page. I began reading thinking the book would end one way and then it flips with more leads and revealed secrets.

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

My heart broke the entire time I read this book and I read it in two sittings. This novel is set on an isolated farm in the UK where a woman is trapped by her abuser for seven years. It is a very exact novel, following the everyday motions of 'Jane' and the ordeal she goes through with this man and what happens if she doesn't obey him. He films her every move and when she discovers she's pregnant, she begins planning her escape, protecting her and her baby.

It's hard to put into words this book's tragedy as it's based on the facts of trafficking victims and the ordeal they experience every single day. I vouched for her safety and escape through the book, pushing me to read on with hope. It's realistic, heart-breaking and honest, an account I can imagine of someone dealing with the abuse of a kidnapper.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

I love a thriller, especially a missing person's case. This book follows a young mum, Tallulah in 2017 where she heads on a date, leaving her baby with her mother, Kim. When the early hours come around, Kim awaits her return but she never comes home. Kim phones Tallulahs's friends who say the last place she was seen was a party in the Dark Place. Two years later, Sophie moved into the boarding school her boyfriend has a new job and sees a note fixed to a tree, so she begins to investigate.

This book was one of the first I read this year and I loved every minute. With every missing person's novel, I wondered about the direction it would go. This included all themes of wealthy people, dysfunctional relationships and how being a teenager is one of the biggest struggles of them all. I liked the perspective change in this book and how I could understand many people's views of the story. It had one of those endings that got even more shocking as I kept reading.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Not all murder mystery books are heavy and dark, some have a lighter tone and The Maid is just that. Following Molly The Maid who works for the Regency Grand Hotel, sees everything as she cleans rooms every day. Her honest and diligent approach to life makes her a brilliant maid, but she isn't so great at understanding social cues. When a famous guest dies and she finds his body, a police investigation is called and she's stuck in the middle.

I adored this book in many ways because it's incredibly honest, to the point and somewhat like a diary entry as she recalls every day as a maid. The book has a comedic aspect to it at times and features many characters who aren't nice to Molly at all but through her experience and understanding more of what it's like to be an adult, she realises who has her back all along.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Which books have you been reading at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! As many of you know, my favourite type of books are crime thrillers, especially murder mysteries or 'who-done-its'. One of my favourite crime thriller authors is Lucy Foley; I absolutely love her books, The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. Since reading all of those books, I've been eager for her to bring out a new novel - and couldn't wait to read The Midnight Feast.

Lucy Foley has an incredible writing style; I love how she builds up a story, develops the characters and structures her book - and how all the big pieces of the puzzle come together in the end. If you're looking for a new murder mystery book, here is my book review of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

Synopsis

Set in the middle of the Dorset coastline in midsummer, it's the opening weekend of The Manor, a new countryside retreat, attracting only the richest guests. Although under the midsummer sunshine and a massive heatwave, old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. The evening just about begins when a body is found and the mystery of who was killed and who did it begins. The story starts with a secret fifteen years ago, one that has crashed into a party, ending in murder. 

Characters and relationships

One of my favourite things about Lucy Foley's books is how she crafts the characters so beautifully with great depth. This book is split into several main characters, Francesca, Bella, Eddie, Owen and DI Walker. 

Francesca is the rich and pretentious main character, opening this new countryside retreat on the site of what used to be her family home. I didn't like her at all as a character; she was mean, harsh to people around us and thought she was better than everyone else. I could gather that she's in this spiritual phase of her life, trying to promote that type of lifestyle, yet really, isn't that wonderful of a person and it's all a cascade. 

The character Bella, I didn't originally understand her purpose in the story as she sounded like an average woman, not similar to the rich and upper-class crowd at this countryside retreat. She's a mum with revenge in her path for something that has happened to her. The longer the book goes on, the more layers are unveiled as to why Bella returns and the past she brought back with her.

Eddie is sweet and a little bit of a lost character, growing up on his parent's farm next to the glorified Manor which is now being turned into the countryside retreat. He's only young and secretly working at the new retreat, keeping the secret from his parents, who are locals of the area. The locals have a big issue with the new estate and Eddie doesn't seem to mind too much as he wants to make money to start a new life, outside of his tiny village. Eddie had a cute and innocent persona like a young man, completely out of his depth. 

DI Walker, I thought initially was just the detective of the book, yet the more the book went on, his role became more prominent.

Overall thoughts

Overall, like any Lucy Foley book, this book didn't disappoint in any way. The fast-paced nature and short chapters added to the book's suspense and speed. I wasn't sure how this book would pan out but every page somehow got better and also darker and deeper. The layers of the story are GENIUS and I love how the book maps out beautifully from the past to the present, and how the two link so well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character development in this novel and how it added to the overall plotline and its heavy secrets. I would 100% recommend this novel to everyone because of the perfectly crafted murder mystery, the intense level of revenge and hatred and the wonderfully paced book, which reveals information exactly at the right moment.

Ending

The ending was just as I wanted it to be, yet there were still plenty of surprises in it to enjoy! A great way to end a book that built up so much suspense.

I hope you enjoyed this book! What are you currently reading?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! There's no doubt in 2024, reading was at the top of my priority list and I've had the pleasure of reading some incredible books, from gripping thrillers to great biographies and murder mysteries. 

If you're looking for some new reads, here are my favourite books of the year and the best recommendations. 

The Maid by Nita Prose 

I love murder mysteries and 'who-done-it' novels in all forms, either really thick layered plots or humorous, lighter reads. The Maid is the second, a light, funny read about a murder mystery plot. Molly the Maid works in the Regency Grand Hotel and isn't like the regular person, struggling with social skills and the intentions of others. The plot follows the death of a famous, wealthy guest, Mr Black found in the hotel and the unwind of who did it.

I loved this book in many ways because it was honest and innocent, told through Molly's eyes and how she sees the world. It showed the importance of friendship, work life, the connections you make, and who always has your back.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Gillian Flynn is a brilliant author and I absolutely adore her novels; she has a skill for crafting insane thrillers. I've read two outstanding novels of her this year, Sharp Objects and Dark Places. Sharp Objects follows Camille returning to her hometown to cover a story about a missing girl, a place of her neurotic mother and half-sister she barely knows.

This is one of those books that I was hooked on from page one and didn't want to put down. The twists and narratives were constantly changing which added to the overall suspense.   

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

Some books can break my heart and this was one of those books, that I actually read in two sittings. Set on an isolated farm, the novel follows a woman trapped by her abuser for seven years and her desperation to get away. The book describes her daily motions as 'Jane' and how she has to obey this abuser and the horrific things which happen if she doesn't. When she falls pregnant, she has an even bigger push to escape.

My heart was in my mouth the whole time I read this book as I felt all the pain and emotion for this poor woman. I wanted nothing more for her to escape and live a better life. It paints a picture of the horrible instances of trafficking people and what can happen to them. The language was quite simple, yet the pace and heartbreak of the book are what kept me engaged.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Lucy Foley is my favourite crime thriller author as I adore every single one of her books, including The Hunting Party, The Guest List and The Paris Apartment. I was incredibly excited when The Midnight Feast came out and read quickly, lapping at the story. This novel follows the opening night of The Manor, with no expense spared, however, the night goes from bad to worse with old friends and enemies circulating among the guests. Then a body is discovered and the mystery begins.

I adored this book in so many ways. One thing Foley does incredibly well is crafting unique characters and personalities and cleverly winding their paths together. I liked the build-up of the plot, the introduction of everyone's stories and how they came together in the end, revealing the mystery.

Period Power by Maisie Hill

One of my biggest passions is holistic health and learning more about how my body works and how I can prioritise a healthy way of living to care for my menstrual cycle. Period Power is a practical blueprint for aligning daily life with the menstrual cycle, giving women an explanation of what happens to our hormones every month and how we can use them to our advantage.

This book changed my life and was incredibly fascinating in many ways. It's the first time I've ever felt seen as a woman and understood more of how my body works. I learned a lot about hormones, diet and what to expect at each phase of my cycle. Every woman and person with a uterus NEEDS to read this book.

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

This has got to be one of the darkest books I've ever read, yet I was completely addicted to it all the way through. This book follows Sally Diamond and her strange behaviour, and she can't understand why what she did was so strange. She always did what her father told her and when he died, she put him out with the rubbish, just like he told her.

This book is odd yet gripping.  It follows Sally's life post her father's death and unearths who she is, what happened to her and also a slight personal journey plot in how she changes after this event. It's incredibly dark, triggering and difficult to read but a mind-blowing novel.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman

This has to be a novel I could happily read again as I loved it so much. It touches on some darker topics and what happens to women, however, it's a genus plot, crafted about a female serial killer who is getting revenge on all the men who have wronged women. The book follows Millie Masters who has a hotline called 'Message Men', where she picks up women or young teenagers who feel unsafe when they're out and about. It's a dark and cleverly written novel with a humorous touch, following the level of revenge someone will go to.

I loved reading this book and learning more about the main character and the good she was doing with her hotline, trying to protect all these women from scary situations. It's weird to say I enjoyed it so much as there was dark humour to how the serial killer plot line was crafted. I couldn't put it down and overall, would recommend it for something a little different.

Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher 

I'm a twin and with any books that have twins in the plotline, I love to give a read. I saw this book when book shopping in Canada and absolutely loved it. The novel follows Iris as she tells the tale of how she escaped the abduction of her twin sister as a teenager. With her twin Piper's abduction presumed a runaway, the cops say there's nothing else to investigate, yet Iris wants answers and spends her time figuring that out.

This gripped me well and the layers, twists and turns added to the curiosity, of discovering what happened to her sister. I loved how there was a switch in time to past and present, and the dedication Iris had to discover what happened. It's dark but has the heart of desperation to know the answers. I also loved how it shared the insight of being a twin and what that really means.

Marple - Twelve New Mysteries by Agatha Christie 

As you know, murder mysteries and crime thrillers are my thing and this book encapsulated them all. With 12 short stories from crime authors interpreting the Marple theme, I enjoyed reading the unique nature of each plot and how the author adapted a tale of Marple to their writing and imagination.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite read this year?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Don't you love when you read a book and become obsessed with what's going to happen? That's how I felt about this plot, Found. I'm a big fan of mystery books and crime fiction and this had a brilliant combination of both with twists and turns throughout it. 

If you're looking for a new crime thriller, here is my full book review of Found by Erin Kinsley.

Plotline

The plot follows a missing child story, however with a twist: he is found. 11-year old Evan goes missing without a trace and there's no answer from the police, plunging his parents to live their worst nightmare. A few months later, he is found, terrified and refusing to speak about what happened to him. His family soon realise he's not going to be the same Evan he was before the abduction and that his life may be altered forever. 

DI Naylor is aware that unless they find who abducted Evan, other children may be in danger and it's a race against time to find those responsible before the inevitable happens.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book were incredibly diverse and I loved how their relationships shaped the honesty and humanity of the story. It really amplified the importance and love of a family unit and how you should never give up.

The parents, Claire and Matt are your typical couple and loving parents, with a great bond that breaks slowly with the news of Evan. It's sad to read they fall apart and lose sight of who they are and their love for each other. Evan is a character you don't learn much about until after the incident where he opens up and learns a new way of his life with his grandad. Evan and his grandad's bond has to be my favourite as it's so precious and shows how turning to nature and having a focus can do wonders for your mental health.

I especially loved how the book doesn't just focus on what the plotline is about and finding out the mystery but sheds light on the relationships of the police force. With the heavy plotline, learning about Naylor's love life and her every day really added a human element to the plot.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. The novel had an amazing amount of layers adding twists and turns in every chapter. The author had this wonderful way of talking about the present in the case and then moving to the now of the characters, and describing it in a chronological way that read clearly, and beautifully. I loved how despite the heaviness and sadness of the novel, there was light and positivity throughout and an endless feeling of love.

My favourite thing was the family unit in the novel, the mum, dad, grandparents and Evan himself and the love they had for each other. It made the plot even more heartbreaking at times because the sadness of what the family went through, especially Evan is traumatic. 

Ending

I won't give away the ending like in all my reviews, however, it was a brilliant one. I love when a novel comes together and all the snippets of information described throughout add up - and that's exactly what happened in this book.

I hope you enjoyed this review. What are you reading at the minute?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I love discovering a book and falling in love with it and that's what happened with this book. I picked it up in a local bookshop in one of those surprise packages where you don't know what you're going to read. After I finally picked it up from my TBR pile, I couldn't believe I hadn't read it sooner.

If you're interested in picking up a thriller, here is my full review of Odd Child Out by Gilly Macmillan.

Plotline

The plot follows two best friends, Noah and Abdi who have been inseparable since they met. They were the two kids who always stuck together when their peers excluded them. However, when a horrible accident leaves Noah in a coma fighting for his life, Abdi is too traumatised to say anything about what happened. It also follows the perspective of DI Jim Clemo, who has returned to work after an enforced leave of absence and is tasked to figure out what happened to Noah. Based in a city where racial tensions are running high, it's down to him to figure out what drove two teenage boys into a situation so desperate. It's up to the boys to talk, but one can't one won't.

Characters and relationships

The characters in this book were fascinating as they all had different personalities and backgrounds, and each person's character development was written so cleverly. Noah was a character that I liked at the beginning and sympathised with because of his illness but as the plot thickened, I swayed away from him and was more interested in learning about the other characters. Abdi, was completely different to Noah despite their friendship and I loved reading about them two and how they were the best of friends and what made their relationship so real.

One of the most interesting parts of the characters was the two families, Noah's and Abdi's. Noah was from a rich white background and lived in a huge mansion, whilst Abdi's family was originally from Somalia and were refugees. I think the author does an incredible job of exploring the issue of race in the UK, and how because of that the investigation of what happened was affected and misunderstood.

The detective was an interesting character to learn more about because the book delved into his life as much as it did the two teenage boys which added layers to the overall plotline.

Overall thoughts

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. I started out thinking it was going to go one way, and it took several complete twists and turns multiple times in the book, and I wasn't sure how it would end. It's a book that didn't just have an incredible twist to figure out what happened to Noah but also touched on many issues. The book delves into understanding what living in a refugee camp can entail and the physical and mental effects it can have on the person. It discusses racial and class issues throughout the storyline. The book also focuses on abusive relationships and really encapsulates what a friendship can look like from two different backgrounds. And, it talks about the hardship of a family when a child is diagnosed with cancer. 

I loved how the book has an incredible amount of insight to it and as well as being able to enjoy a read, I also learnt more about different perspectives and what that means for society as a whole.

Ending

The ending of this book was incredible. I felt like in the last section of the book, all the layers that were built up throughout it finally came together and I sat there thinking 'wow'. It was cleverly written and ended on the right note for the plotline. I will say, the whole book and ending were incredibly heartbreaking and touched on many horrific elements which happen to many people around the world.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you like thrillers?

Thank you for reading <3