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And Then There Were None (Biggest Inspiration) by Agatha Christie

 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

This edition published 10th October 2024 by Harper Collins.

Originally published 1939.

From the cover of the book:

Ten strangers are lured to an island mansion on an isolated rock near the Devon coast. Cut off from the mainland, with their generous hosts mysteriously absent, they are each accused of a terrible crime. When one of the party dies suddenly, the guests realise they may be harbouring a murderer among their number.

The ten strangers include a reckless playboy, a troubled doctor, a formidable judge, an uncouth detective, an unscrupulous mercenary, a religious spinster, two restless housekeepers, a highly decorated general and an anxious secretary. As one by one they are picked off, the dwindling group must stay one step ahead of their deadly stalker. Who will survive? And who is the killer?

And in every room hangs a copy of an ominous nursery rhyme, foreshadowing the awful fates of ten people doomed to die…

For the first time ever, this unique edition of Agatha Christie's masterpiece presents her story in a format that is entirely faithful to her original conception, with the final solution presented in a letter that can only be revealed once you have finished the story and discovered if you have solved the deadly puzzle correctly.

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And Then There Were None is the best selling crime novel of all time. Its captivating plot about ten guilty strangers lured to a tiny island off the coast of Devon, and successively bumped off, is one which has made it a worldwide hit. In 2015, on Christie's 125th anniversary, it was voted the global Favourite Christie novel, and its plot has gone on to inspire so many authors since it was published in 1939.

There are many things about this novel that make it memorable: the quite brilliant concept of bringing ten murderers together who have gotten away with their crimes; the cracking locked-room setting; the disturbing ways they meet their ends in relation to a macabre nursery rhyme; and the almost impossible task of identifying the murderer. Only Christie could pull this off, and she was pretty pleased with herself when she managed to her satisfaction.

The marks of Christie's genius are all over this mystery. The cast of characters is so beautifully 'Christie' - doctor, judge, detective, mercenary, spinster, general, secretary, playboy, and two apparently meek servants - handpicked from her usual fayre - and her favourite methods of murder are here in abundance. 

This is a very fast-paced novel for Christie. Even though her more typical slow-burn style is absent, she still manages to create a palpable atmosphere of menace on Soldier Island - so near, and yet so far from, the safety of the mainland - especially when a storm sets in. Placing her characters in a stylish, modern house, rather than a creaky old manor, is curiously unsettling too. 

I think my favourite thing of all though is the awesome way Christie keeps loyalities divided, constantly splitting her characters off into smaller groups that eye each other with suspicion as their numbers dwindle... until they aee all gone!

This is my November pick for #ReadChristie2026 prompt of Biggest Inspiration, and it was lovely to spend time with the wonderful Hugh Fraser via the audio book for my revisit.  

And Then There Were None is available to buy in multiple formats.

About the author:

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in over 70 foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and in any language, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 80 crime novels and short story collections, 20 plays, and six novels written under the name of Mary Westmacott.

The Bohemian Queen (Queens Of Europe Book Two) by Jean Findlay

 

The Bohemian Queen (Queens Of Europe Book Two) by Jean Findlay.

Published 15th November 2026 by Scotland Street Press.

From the cover of the book:

Brings one of Europe’s most extraordinary women back to life.

A sweeping new historical novel about James I of England’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth Stuart: the exiled queen who shaped the future of Europe

Sequel to the Queen’s Lender which won the Hawthornden Fellowship, the Lavigny International Writer’s Fellowship and was Longlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award

Acclaimed author Jean Findlay returns with The Bohemian Queen, the sequel to the award-winning The Queen’s Lender and the second novel in her Queens of Europe series. The novel tells the remarkable story of Elizabeth Stuart - daughter of James I of England and VI of Scotland - whose brief reign as Queen of Bohemia helped ignite the catastrophic Thirty Years’ War and reshape Europe forever.

Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, religious conflict and exile, the novel leads to 1620 as Elizabeth, heavily pregnant with her fifth child, flees Prague following the Battle of White Mountain. Married to Frederick, Elector Palatine, Elizabeth had accepted the crown of Bohemia in a move that would plunge Europe into decades of war. But exile does not diminish her influence. Through court politics, diplomacy and dynastic ambition, Elizabeth continues to shape the future of Europe while giving birth to eight more children, ensuring her descendants become woven into the ruling houses of an emerging continent.

Rich in historical detail and psychological insight, The Bohemian Queen explores power, motherhood, survival and female influence during one of Europe’s most turbulent eras.

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Jean Finlay's fascinating novel, The Bohemian Queen, follows the life of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of James I of England (named for her Tudor godmother Elizabeth I). This is the follow-up to Findlay's first Queens of Europe novel, set in the court of James I, but can be read as a stand-alone... which is exactly how I came to it.

Forged in the stoic Scottish Protestant court, under the tutelage of a father bent of keeping peace in Europe, Elizabeth was married to Frederick V of the Palatinate. The couple settled into a happy marriage in Heidelberg, where Elizabeth established a spectacular (and expensive) garden, but their fortunes changed when Frederick was offered the throne of Bohemia. The family moved to Prague to take up the throne (whilst Elizabeth was expecting her fifth child). A lavish coronation, rumours of Elizabeth's extravagance, and religious reformation led to dissent. The Winter King and Queen (named for the brevity of their reign, and the season) were forced to flee, and decades of war followed.

Heidelberg, foolishly left unprotected after their move to Prague, was no longer an option, which sent the family into exile. Frederick became embroiled in battle for the remainder of his life, while Elizabeth settled in The Hague, gave birth to eight more children, and played a long diplomatic game which ensured their lineage became one which shaped the course history - in fact, her grandson succeeded the English throne in 1714 as George I (the first Hanover king).

The book is rather fragmented, frequently jumping forward in time to fit in the important moments of Elizabeth's life. There is quite a lot to cover, which means you do not get to know Elizabeth in as much detail as I would have liked, but Findlay does allow you to get the impression of a woman who learnt a great deal from her experiences. She was a passionate horsewoman and hunter (even throughout her many pregnancies), and she was very progressive when it came to learning, reason and thought (including for her daughters), and in advancing the arts. She was adept at balancing the books, and promoting trade, which were vital for her family's survival, all while negotiating the demands of motherhood (and a tricky father, and difficult mother-in-law).

Findlay's writing is engaging, and she does a great job of giving you an overview of Europe of this period, with all its political and religious turmoil at the tipping point between the divine right of kings and the divine necessity - which normally concentrates on Stuart kings and civil war. It was so interesting to view this from a female perspective, and I expect Findlay's first book in the Queens of Europe series, The Queen's Lender, is equally enlightening (definitely adding it to my reading list).

Absolutely required reading if the royal house of Stuart is your history reading jam!

The Bohemian Queen is available to buy now in hardcover.

Thank you to Scotland Street Press for sending me a review copy of this book, and Folk PR for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

Jean Findlay is the author of Chasing Lost Time – the Life of CK Scott Moncrieff, Soldier, Spy and Translator published in 2014 by Chatto and Windus, London, and by FSG, New York. The Queen's Lender was awarded the Hawthornden Fellowship 2018 and Lavigny International Writer’s Fellowship 2019.

Miss Bates: Emma Revisited: A Novel by Catherine Cliff

 

Miss Bates: Emma Revisited: A Novel by Catherine Cliff.

Published 22nd October 2026 by Pegasus Books.

From the cover of the book:

Miss Bates, creepy, funny, and heartbreaking, is a daring reimagining of the world of Jane Austen's Emma. But make no mistake, this is no marriage plot; it is a spinster plot. Or maybe, it is the spinster’s plot.

Henrietta Bates, the iconic bore of Emma, is the opposite of handsome, clever, and rich Emma: she is plain, ill-educated, and impoverished. An unmarried woman of quite a different order from that novel's proudly single heroine, she is an object of scorn and pity, whose survival depends upon the generosity of her neighbours which she barters for with an unrelenting shower of banal and grateful chatter.

But what if the woman we see in Emma were actually deliberately assuming a role, donning a mask, as a means of managing an untenable situation? What if there was a world of difference between her inward and outward voice? What would the Woodhouses’s Highbury look like from her perspective?

Miss Bates by Catherine Cliff imagines answers to these questions as it chronicles Henrietta Bates's unexpected and, at times, violent life, navigating a world with no ready-made opportunities, where the stakes are of the highest order. In a debut that is by turns comedic, tragic, startling, and altogether brilliant, Miss Bates turns Austen’s poignant and ridiculous side character into a feminist force who understands innately the life she has been dealt and how to slyly play it to her advantage.

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Emma by Jane Austen was published in 1815, and is a romance and comedy of manners set in the fictional village of Highbury. The story centres around Emma Woodhouse, the eponymous heroine of the novel, but the story includes many other characters of note - including plain, impoverished Miss Bates, with a never-ending line in inane chatter.

In this novel, Catherine Cliff reimagines Austen's story from the point of view of the much maligned Miss Henrietta Bates, giving an alternative view of events - as well as providing her with a backstory,.. and a glimpse of her future. 

I have to confess that I rarely venture in the pages of an Austen retelling, because I am not a fan of liberties being taken with my beloved Miss A. However, I was drawn to this one because Miss Bates is something of an oddity in the Austen canon. Yes, she is ridiculous, and often an object of Austen's sharp wit, but she is also a person Austen goes to pains to point out is more than that - hence My Knightley's pivotal scolding of Emma after she publicly humiliates her at the Box Hill picnic. I was curious to see what Cliff would make of her...

Cliff begins with Henrie's childhood, in a family scarred by tragedy. Once happy, Henrie adopts a defence mechanism - endless chatter - which hides the dark, intrusive thoughts that have begun to pop into her mind. It is a habit that grows out of all proportion as she ages into a woman who has to suffer more than her fair share of hardship.

Once we get into the part of the novel, that runs in parallel to Austen's original, it is fascinating to fill in the parts of the story in the Bates' household that you can only imagine in Emma. This was my favourite part of the book, as I know Austen's novel so well, and I really enjoyed the way cliff adds layers to Henrie's character with her need to act with humility and gratitude while inwardly seething with hatred - especially for Miss Woodhouse!

It is the ending of the novel that really gives me pause for thought. This is where the story diverges into the realms of dark fairy tale, in keeping with the complementary themes of spinsterhood and witchcraft that run through the story. I really enjoyed what Cliff does with this idea, but found it quite hard to reconcile this direction with my beloved Austen - especially when it comes to the fate of some of the characters. Definitely thought-provoking! 

This is an intriguing novel. It is bold, and inventive, and does an excellent job of examining the role women of reduced circumstances were expected to play in Regency society, how they are viewed by others, and the real feelings they must bury deep inside. It really is a novel of spinsterhood, rather than one of marriage, which makes it stand out of the Regency novel crowd. And it is worth reading alone just for the inner voice Cliff imagines for Miss Bates. She is not always easy to like, but the evolution of her character will make you think very differently about the voluble Miss Henrietta Bates in Austen's novel.

Miss Bates is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Pegasus Books for sending me a review copy of this book.

About the author:

Catherine Cliff grew up in New York City. She has a BA in Classics and English from Harvard and a doctorate in English literature from Yale, specializing in English Renaissance poetry. She lived in London and Basel for many years and is now settled in western Massachusetts. This is her first novel.

The Seekers Of Deer Creek by Thao Thai

 

The Seekers Of Deer Creek by Thao Thai.

Published 4th August 2026 by Quercus.

From the cover of the book:

TWO SISTERS. ONE PAINTING. A LONG-LOST SECRET.

From the bestselling author of Banyan Moon comes a captivating, evocative story of two estranged sisters on a quest to find a painting by a forgotten Vietnamese artist that holds the truth of their family's fractured past.

Aside from the fact they are sisters, Vivi and Calla Nguyễn have little in common.

Vivi, the eldest, lives an orderly and predictable life. Working as an art conservator at a museum in Chicago, she carefully preserves pieces of the past, all the while refusing to examine her own dark history.

Calla leads a much bolder, if occasionally reckless, existence. An accomplished artist with a flair for the dramatic, she is charming and intriguing to everyone she meets. She's also a recovering addict, constantly causing Vivi to worry.

Months after the two fall out in the wake of their father's death, Calla appears on the steps of the museum with a sketch and a letter found in their father's belongings. The sketch is an exact copy of Blue Mirror, a striking painting by a Surrealist Vietnamese painter named K.P. Lý. In the letter, Lý writes about a mysterious lost work of art that Calla is convinced is meant for her and Vivi to find together. Intrigued yet reluctant to follow her capricious sister, Vivi must decide whether she's willing to face or shut the door to the past.

From the ghostly Wisconsin woods to a glittering estate in the French countryside to a disintegrating ancestral home teetering on the edge of a ravine in Việt Nam, The Seekers of Deer Creek is a story of sisters, art, and the irresistible gravity of the past-how it endures across time and generations, always present even when buried.

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Sisters, Vivi and Calla Nguyễn have little in common. Quiet and controlled, Vivi is a respected art conservator at a museum in Chicago. Reckless Calla is an artist, whose life is filled with chaos and drama. From their youth in rural Wisconsin, Vivi has been used to keeping Calla safe - originally from their father, who lost himself to drink once his wife left; and then as adults, from the addictions that always threaten to pull her down... something that is becoming increasingly more difficult.

Following their father's death Vivi and Calla have been at odds, with Vivi unable to forgive the transgressions that made their childhood so difficult. Vivi has thrown herself into her work, preparing for an exhibition about enigmatic Surrealist Vietnamese painter K.P. Lý - with the striking portrait Blue Mirror at its heart. Meanwhile, Calla has returned home to Deer Creek, grieving the loss of a man she has tried unsuccessfully to convince Vivi was not the one she remembers. 

Months after their fall out, Calla appears on the steps of the museum with a letter and sketch she has found in their father's belongings - both of which seem to have no place amongst them. The sketch is an exact copy of Blue Mirror and the letter, in K.P. Lý's handwriting, speaks of a lost work of art. Calla ia sure there is a mystery to unravel connected to their own family - one that she and Vivi were destined to solve...

This incredible novel is equal parts poignant journey into family secrets, and intriguing art mystery - both of which are very much on my list of favourite things to read about!

The story bleeds between present and past, through the perspective of Vivi and glimpses of their complex family history, as they follow a trail of clues that lead to the truth about K.P. Lý and their legacy. An ocean of pain and trauma lies between the sisters, and there are a lot of emotional hurdles to overcome on a journey that takes them from American galleries and lecture halls, to the French countryside, and eventually to a village in Vietnam where the answers they seek free them from the things that bind them.

Thao's writing is wonderful: lyrical and compelling, full of poetical turns of phrase, and thrumming with evocative themes that explore sisterhood, alienation, the things we deny ourselves, and dysfunctional families torn apart by the weight of their emotional burdens. She beautifully explores the barriers that are thrown up between parents and children that make them strangers, particularly when it comes to immigrants - and I am in awe of the way she uses the notion of 'seeking' on many levels, as well as the echoing theme of the colour blue.

This is one of those books filled to the brim with atmospheric locations that become backdrops for stirring moments in history and relationships, set against the rich and varied world of art. I was utterly consumed by a mystery that tugs you gently onwards as the sisters discover heart-breaking truths, confront things unsaid, and find a way to move forward with their lives... tears were shed.

Easily one of my favourite books of the year. I adored it!

The Seekers of Deer Creek is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats. 

Thank you to Quercus for sending me a review copy of this book:

About the author:

Thao Thai is a writer living in Ohio with her husband and daughter. Her work engages with tangled family relationships and the intersections of motherhood and identity. She's been published in Cup of Jo, Eater, Catapult, Sunday Long Read, and more. A recipient of the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, she has also been nominated for multiple Pushcart Prizes and earned fellowships in creative writing. She received her MFA from the Ohio State University and her MA from the University of Chicago.

 October 2026 Reading Round-Up

I packed as many books into October as I could manage, with fourteen books reviewed on my blog (a couple more October book reviews to come this month).

Seasonally spooky reads, gripping thrillers, heartwarming romances, cosy crime, literary delights, thought-provoking translated noir, and historical fiction stunners all had their moments here!

You can find your way to my reviews by clicking on the photos below...

The Marchesa by Sarah Dunant

Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie

Roman Mornings by Matson Taylor

Dear Little Corpses by Nicola Upson

A Lady's Guide To Vampire Hunting by Michelle Maxstoke

Ice, Flower, Herbarium by Džena Andersone

The Deadly Inheritance Of Everest Macdonald by A.J. West

All Our Almosts by Allie Moffatt

Last Christmas by Liz Fenwick

Nightcats by Kristen J. Sollée

Shot With Crimson by Nicola Upson

Codex Of The Gods by Murray Bailey

The Moriarty Murders by Jack Gatland

The Sugar And Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page

More goodies in November!

The Sugar And Spice Bookshop Bakery (Bookshop Bakery Book One) by Jennifer Page

 

The Sugar And Spice Bookshop Bakery (Bookshop Bakery Book One) by Jennifer Page.

Published 8th October 2026 by Aria.

From the cover of the book:

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

But now in her forties, she's quit her job – and no, she doesn't want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn't feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.

It also doesn't help that her mother is convinced she's here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can't get enough of Louise's legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who's unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise's second chance begins to take shape.

After a lifetime spent polishing other people's happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?

***********

Louise Dearnley's career as a book editor has ended rather abruptly with her resignation, following a mix-up with the latest novel of famous author Sheila Penhaligon. The prospect of facing a new start in her forties is daunting, so she heads home to the Yorkshire village of Applethwaite to consider her options.

Her mother is delighted to see her, but is under the misapprehension that Louise has come back to take over the family bakery shop, now she has retired. As much as Louise loves baking, this is not part of her plans. However, spending time in the empty shop gives her an idea...

Having loved Jennifer's Little Board Game Café books, I knew I was going to enjoy this first instalment of her brand new cosy rom-com series - and I was right.

Louise comes home to Applethwaite with her tail between her legs, hiding a secret about the precise circumstances of her abrupt change of career. She knows she wants to continue working with books, rather than take on the family bakery, and comes up with the idea of converting the premises into a bookshop.

But putting her plan into action is not going to be easy - she will need to break bad news to her mother; find the money for renovations; and deal with the locals who are addicted to her grandmother's famous ginger cake... as well as negotiate the unexpected drama that comes with her ex-stepdaughter Maddie needing a place to stay, just when Louise was hoping a romance with handsome Italian Jack might be on the menu.

As the story unfurls, a lovely slow-burn romance develops between Louise and Jack, set against the hurdles of getting the bookshop off the ground. There is a bit more spice than in Jennifer's previous books, which works well with the bakery theme and Louise's occasional reflections on the romantic tropes she is used to vs real life. 

Louise, Jack and Maddie end up making a great team, and lots of stuff crops up about all three that delves into themes of parental expectation, bad relationships, guilt, and second chances. The layer of mystery that comes with gradually revealing what lies behind Louise's departure from her previous job is very enjoyable too - and packed with intriguing reflections on the bookish world.

Jennifer always has the right touch when it comes to building a wider community around her central characters, threading storylines into the main event to get you invested in their lives, and saving some nice twists for the end. This book introduces lots of opportunities for future instalments, which I am really looking forward to reading as the series develops.

This was an enchanting gentle read, with a warm and hopeful ending that hits the perfect note for this time of year. I cannot wait to meet the Applethwaite gang again in book two, Love and Lattes at the Bookshop Bakery, which will be about single mum Anna!

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Aria for sending me a review copy of this book.

About the author:

Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn't writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children's opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

The Moriarty Murders (Moriarty & Co. Book One) by Jack Gatland

 

The Moriarty Murders (Moriarty & Co. Book One) by Jack Gatland.

Published 27th October 2026 by Simon Stream.

Audio book narrated by Heather Long.

From the cover of the book:

Welcome to Moriarty & Co: who would have thought that solving crimes is more fun than committing them?

Investigative journalist Abigail Wren has spent her career chasing cases no one else cares about. But everything changes when Abbie learns she's the last living heir to the Moriarty criminal empire (yes, that Moriarty). Now, not only has she inherited a crumbling country house, she’s also acquired a cellar full of ageing operatives who've spent their lives on the wrong side of the law. She wants none of it.

Her new “employees” aren’t too thrilled either. They want a Moriarty in charge – not someone who's only ever solved crimes, not committed them. But when Maurice Finch, one of the old guard, is found dead in circumstances nobody believes were accidental, the team wants revenge.

Abbie sees an opportunity: she decides they’re switching sides and going straight to find Finch’s killer. But pulling at the threads of Finch's death turns up a second body, and a name that keeps surfacing where it shouldn't. Because someone else thinks the Moriarty inheritance should have been theirs, and he's only just getting started...

With time running out to catch the killer, can they solve the case before another body turns up? Or is the world’s most unconventional detective agency also going to be its most short-lived?

***********

Investigative journalist Abigail (Abbie) Wren has made a career out of getting to the bottom of cases that go nowhere. Her latest investigation into shady business Gordon Vennett has just gone spectacularly sideways, and she has lost her job as a result. 

Having to rely on part-time bar work to pay the bills is less than ideal, but she really does not know what to make of the opportunity that comes her way when mild-mannered solicitor Arthur Pemberton informs she has inherited a legacy that will change her life - namely that she the last living member of the Moriarty criminal empire (yes, that Moriarty).

The legacy comes with a crumbling manor house, and a cellar that contains the aging operatives of what remains of the Moriarty crime syndicate, who are not thrilled about her arrival. However, they are in need of someone with her skills to help them get to the bottom of the murder of one of their own. Abbie is not at all sure about suddenly being on the wrong side of the law, but this just might be a profitable working partnership for them all...

This first instalment of a brand new cosy crime series, Moriarty & Co. is an absolute delight from start to finish!

Abbie has never known her parentage, so the discovery that she is the last remaining legitimate heir of the infamous James Moriarty, arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, is a big surprise. Finding her legacy somewhat diminished, Abbie meets the gang of a handful of (mostly) aging ' Old Guard' operatives who are now her 'employees' - Graves (sizeable chap in-charge of the armoury), Patch (IT expert), Sable (the one youngster, and an androgenous chameleon), Evie (disavowed coroner), and Arthur Pemberton (solicitor, aka Pembers).

The Old Guard have been keeping the dwindling fires burning, and are smarting from the loss of Finch (accountant), who was auditing the books of the 'new age' Worshipful Company of Mercantile Venturers (dodgy financial types), and apparently fell off a roof. Convinced he was murdered, they want revenge. The gang head of to the hall where the Worshipful Company are gathering for a swanky dinner, and set about ferreting out the truth under the guise of a real historical department of the Home Office. Along the way, they get to know each others strengths and secrets, and Abbie discovers a part of herself she did not even know existed. 

This is equal parts super-slick murder mystery, quirky crime caper, and gangland thriller with a twist, that thrums with cosy Richard Osman-type vibes. The Moriarty gang are a riot, and work beautifully as a team to solve Finch's murder, and reach satisfying conclusions in other areas of the story in a way that will make you punch the air with glee. There is extra frisson from a potential love interest for Abbie in the form of (clearly smitten) DCI Hale, and the element of a dangerous pretender to the Moriarty crown adds an edge to the whole proceedings which provides a cracking twist at the end - and a fabulous hook into the next book in the Moriarty & Co series.

I ended up listening to the audio book of this gem, narrated with aplomb by Heather Long, and loved every glorious moment. I cannot wait for book two!

The Moriarty Murders is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Simon Stream for providing me with a review copy of this book.

About the author:

Jack Gatland is the crime-writing pen name of Tony Lee, a British #1 New York Times bestselling writer, novelist, screenwriter, audio dramatist and comics writer. As Jack Gatland, he is best known for his fast-paced crime fiction, including the DI Declan Walsh series, and has built a strong indie readership through prolific series publishing.

Codex Of The Gods (The Egyptian Stones Book Three) by Murray Bailey

 

Codex of The Gods (The Egyptian Stones Book Three) by Murray Bailey.

Published in hardcover 1st October 2026.

From the cover of the book:

A murdered billionaire. A vanished relic. A conspiracy older than the pyramids.

When Alex MacLure takes the job of curator of a private collection, little does he know that the billionaire owner has a mysterious stone. Or that things will rapidly spiral out of control. Competing parties want the stones and will do anything to obtain them.

Special Agent Charlie Rebb is called upon to prove MacLure's innocence as he is drawn into a web of murder, deceit and conspiracy.

Does MacLure hold the key to exposing the stones' power? If if he does, what will it mean for humanity?

***********

California, USA. Egyptologist, Alex MacLure, arrives at the home of billionaire collector of antiquities, Simon Blanchard, to take on the role of curator of his private museum. Awed and somewhat unsettled by the collection, and its advanced AI security system, Alex sets to work on a new translation task. Little does Alex know that Blanchard also has a coveted artifact in his collection that is about to get him branded a thief and a murderer.

Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Charlie Rebb travels to Iceland to consult on the murder of a former agent. She is convinced this is linked with the case of the serial killer, The Surgeon, which got her pulled into a dangerous situation in Egypt by Alex. What she does not expect is that she will be dragged into another conspiracy involving Alex... and be called upon to extricate him from murder charges a second time.

Murray goes all out in this third, action-packed instalment of the Egyptian Stones series, bringing everything together in a culmination of the Keeper of Secrets themes from the earlier books, that lead to a set of ancient stones with a terrifying purpose.

Alex's thirst for knowledge carries him to the luxurious complex of Blanchard, where a translation task actually means a lot more that he bargained for. For Blanchard needs him to unlock the secrets of an other-worldly black stone marked with arcane symbols, which emits a radioactive signal. Unfortunately, Alex becomes the pawn in the games of others when he is fitted up for killing Blanchard and taking the stone for himself. All evidence points to his guilt, but Charlie Rebb knows he is no killer, and that the stone has been stolen by someone else - if only she can convince her bosses, deal with the interference of her smarmy ex-husband, and expose a perfidious AI entity.

Alex and Charlie's parts of the story barrel along in very exciting order, with some welcome familiar faces putting in an appearance, including Alex's hacker brother, Andrew, and Charlie's working partner Peter Zhang, Alex falls unwillingly into the company of all manner of interested parties, such as an Egyptian brotherhood (hello again, Champions of the Holy Site), a potential love interest in fellow academic Dr Marie Dubois, a discredited conspiracy-obsessed journalist, misguided French Freemasons, and another billionaire who has lost the plot... all of whom have agendas of their own. In parallel, Charlie has a lot on her plate tracking down clues, while trying to convince the authorities that Alex is not who they think he is, and that something very bad is going to happen if they do not start taking her seriously. 

This has everything you could possibly want in an intelligent thriller, especially if you have read the earlier books, The Heretic Cypher and The Mark of Eternity, which I recommend. The Dan Brown meets Michael Crichton vibes are strong, with very enjoyable echoes of both Stargate and Indiana Jones, and the plot thrums with ancient rituals, assassinations, conspiracy theories, mad billionaires, AI shenanigans, end of the world chills, and secret societies at crossed purposes - mixed with a gripping noir FBI investigation element that carries its weight just as much as the more mystical ones do. And, oh my, the climax of this third book is truly an unexpected delight... roll on book four, because I need to know what happens next!

As an aside, I am thrilled to see that the fabulous Charlie is set to get her own spin-off series. Hurray! Keep your eyes peeling for Identity, A Charlie Rebb Thriller, coming 29th January 2027. I cannot wait to read it, Murray! 

Available to buy now in hardcover, paperback and ebook formats.

Thank you to Murray Bailey for sending me a review copy of this book, and for inviting me to join this blog tour.

About the author:

Murray Bailey Is the author of the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father's experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s. From the prequel series, based in Cyprus and Israel, The Prisoner of Acre won the 2025 Page Turner Award. A post-Singapore series is based in the Philippines. The Heretic Cypher is the first book of a trilogy featuring a young Robert Langdon-type character decrypting secret messages written by an ancient Egyptian.

Murray is well travelled, having worked in the US, South America and a number of European countries throughout his career as a management consultant. However he also managed to find the time to edit books, contribute to articles and act as a part-time magazine editor.

Murray was born in Manchester and now lives on the south coast of England with his family and two dogs, Teddy and Muffin.

Shot With Crimson (Josephine Tey Mysteries Book 11) by Nicola Upson

 

Shot With Crimson (Josephine Tey Mysteries Book 11) by Nicola Upson.

Published 2nd November 2023 by Faber Books.

From the cover of the book:

I will never understand why murder is considered such a lowbrow speciality in Hollywood.

September, 1939, and the worries of war follow Josephine Tey to Hollywood, where a different sort of battle is raging on the set of Hitchcock's Rebecca.

Then a shocking act of violence reawakens the shadows of the past, with consequences on both sides of the Atlantic, and Josephine and DCI Archie Penrose find themselves on a trail leading back to the house that inspired a young Daphne du Maurier - a trail that echoes Rebecca's timeless themes of obsession, jealousy and murder.

***********

September, 1939. The reality of another war is starting to hit home, as Josephine says goodbye to her friend DCI Archie Penrose, and steps aboard the glamorous Queen Mary on her way across the Atlantic, wondering if she will ever return. She is looking forward to a tender reunion with her lover Marta, who is busy working once again with Alfred Hitchcock, this time on his adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.

After a fraught crossing filled with unexpected drama, in which she falls into company with Hitchcock's wife and daughter, Josephine sets off across-country to Los Angeles. On the way she meets a young man on the brink of throwing himself under a train and stops him just in time. He is also heading to Hollywood, as he is working on Rebecca. She decides to keep a close eye on him, but is unprepared for his confession about what led him to trying to take his own life.

Meanwhile, Archie is called to Milton Hall, the house that inspired du Maurier's Manderley, to investigate a murder. He discovers that the death might be the result of events that actually took place at Milton Hall some twenty years ago, when it was a convalescent home for injured soldiers returning from the trenches - events that involved the young man Josephine has befriended...

"The sky above our heads was inky black. But the sky on the horizon was not dark at all. It was shot with crimson, like a splash of blood. And the ashes blew towards us with the salt wind from the sea."

Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

The eleventh book in this cracking series is one of my favourites for a number of reasons, not least the way Nicola spins two complementary plotlines for Josephine and Archie, in a masterclass that demonstrates every facet of her skills as a writer. Du Maurier's Rebecca sits at the burning heart of this novel (pun intended), through clever use of the problem-struck film directed by Hitchcock, as well as the real childhood memories of du Maurier about Milton Hall and its daunting housekeeper that sparked Manderley and Mrs Danvers into life.

Nicola's settings could not be more different from each other, with Josephine in the weird and wonderful world of Tinsel Town in its heyday, and Archie on a country estate mired in an investigation that has its roots in losses during the Great War. And yet, they form two sides of a many-layered story that can only be unravelled by equal contributions from them both. And, what a story! The subtle shifts in perspective that open up its mysteries are so enjoyable, and I am in awe of the way Nicola manages to explore so many aspects of guilt, shame, suspicion, secrets, love, obsession, jealousy, revenge, and the tragic consequences of a doomed love affair... and keep you guessing until the shocking twists knock you sideways at the completion of the story.

As fitting for a story which revels in du Maurier, Nicola uses her to open and close this novel, bringing it deliciously full circle - and giving her the role of the person who fills in the final pieces of mystery for Archie. Surely her finest use of a famous face in an instalment packed with film and literary royalty like never before. 

I love how this one immerses you completely in the world of movie making of the era, especially when it comes to Hitchcock (all the better for Josephine's previous run-ins with the man) and blockbuster producer David Selznick (who was also working on Gone with the Wind at the same time). And if this was not enough when it comes to atmospheric vibes of time and place, Josephine travels to America on the luxurious Queen Mary too. Bliss!

My reread journey through Nicola's Josephine Tey mysteries, via the excellent audio books narrated by Sandra Duncan, has reached an end. That means that my next adventure is the brand new twelfth book, The Voices of the Dead, which is publishing on 5th November. I am so not ready to leave Sandra's lovely voice behind just yet... so I think I may be listening to this one too!

 Shot with Crimson is available to buy now in hardcover, paperback,ebook and audio formats.

About the author:

Nicola Upson is the author the Josephine Tey mysteries, including An Expert in Murder, a standalone novel The Christmas Clue, and two works of nonfiction. She has worked in theatre and as a freelance journalist. A recipient of an Escalator Award from the Arts Council England, she splits her time between Cambridge and Cornwall.