3.5+ Stars

  • HER PERFECT LIES by Lana Newton, Review: Engrossing read

    Lana Newton’s Her Perfect Lies is a dark twisting web of lies that will hold fans of psychological drama and domestic thrillers captive. Her Perfect Lies Synopsis When Claire Wright wakes in hospital, she doesn’t recognise the person staring back at…

  • THE CHAIN by Adrian McKinty, Book Review: A chilling plot

    The Chain, Adrian McKinty’s unashamedly commercial new stand-alone thriller, features a chilling plot and seems written for the big screen. The ChainBook Synopsis VICTIM. KIDNAPPER. CRIMINAL. YOU WILL BECOME EACH ONE. The morning starts like any other. Rachel Klein drops her…

  • Where the Forest Meets the Stars, Review: Book club spark

    Where the Forest Meets the Stars is sure to spark book club debate. Glendy Vanderah’s novel is an immersive read and creative take on challenging subject matter. Read on for our full review. * Not to be confused with the wonderful…

  • All My Friends Are Superheroes by Andrew Kaufman: Charming

    Andrew Kaufman’s debut novella All My Friends Are Superheroes was originally published in 1999. All My Friends Are Superheroes Synopsis All Tom’s friends really are superheroes. Tom even married a superhero, the Perfectionist. But at their wedding the Perfectionist is hypnotized…

  • The Dinosaur Artist by Paige Williams, Review: Prehistoric fascinations

    The Dinosaur Artist… obsession, betrayal, and the quest for Earth’s ultimate trophy. New Yorker magazine staff writer Paige Williams delves into the surprisingly perilous world of fossil collectors in this fascinating true tale. Read on for our full review. The Dinosaur Artist Synopsis:…

  • THE DEPTHS by Kirk Kjeldsen, Book Review

     The Depths is Kirk Kjeldsen’s third novel. The Depths Synopsis: After trailing spouse Marah Lenaerts suffers her third miscarriage in as many years, her husband Eden surprises her with a vacation to Malaysia, hoping it will lift her spirits. And it…

  • IN THE GARDEN OF THE FUGITIVES by Ceridwen Dovey, Book Review

    Praise for Ceridwen Dovey’s In the Garden of the Fugitives “In a novel unabashedly about ideas, Dovey does not shy away from bluntly confronting big questions head-on, and yet—a testament to her skill—the book, while trembling with meaning, is neither obvious…

  • EGYPTIAN ENIGMA by L J M Owen, Review: Cosy foodie mystery

    Filled with ancient murder, family secrets and really good food, Egyptian Enigma is the third adventure in L J M Owen’s charming series Dr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth. Really cold cases. Egyptian Enigma, Book 3 Dr Pimms Intermillennial Sleuth Synopsis: Dr Elizabeth Pimms,…

  • FUTURE’S ORPHANS by A K Alliss, Book Review

    Future’s Orphans is the second title in AK Alliss’ cyberpunk series Ouroboros Cycle. Future’s Orphans Synopsis: In an uncertain future, the truth can get you killed. Cassidy Nolan is a drug addicted journalist, disgraced after releasing one of the most iconic…

  • CROSSTALK by Connie Willis, Review: Easily digestible escapism

    Crosstalk, Connie Willis’ latest romantic comedy. Crosstalk Synopsis: Briddey is about to get exactly what she thinks she wants . . . Briddey is a high-powered exec in the mobile phone industry, overseeing new products from concept (‘anything to beat…

  • SOURDOUGH by Robin Sloan, Book Review

    New novel from the author of Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore Robin Sloan, about a life-changing loaf of bread. Sourdough Synopsis Lois Clary, a software engineer at a San Francisco robotics company, codes all day and collapses at night. When her favourite sandwich shop…

  • The Red-Haired Woman by Orhan Pamuk, Review: Insightful

    Orhan Pamuk’s latest novel The Red-Haired Woman — a beguiling mystery tale of family and romance, of east and west, tradition and modernity, by one of the great storytellers of our time. The Red-Haired Woman Synopsis From the Nobel Prize winner and…

  • KILL ME TWICE by Simon Booker, Book Review

    Kill Me Twice is the second title in Simon Booker’s thriller series starring investigative reporter Morgan Vine. Kill Me Twice Synopsis: ‘They got the right matches. But did they get the right person?’ Kill Me Twice finds investigative journalist Morgan Vine…

  • SPRING GARDEN by Tomoka Shibasaki, Book Review

    Spring Garden, winner of the Akutagawa Prize, is a sharp, photo-realistic novella of memory and thwarted hope. Spring Garden Synopsis: Divorced and cut off from his family, Taro lives alone in one of the few occupied apartments in his block, a…