She lost her memory. Now she might lose her life. A beautiful woman wakes in a hospital bed, t confused. She’s been in a coma for weeks. And can only remember her first name—Blue. Blue learns she fell from a window on the fourth floor of a hotel. Did she jump? Or was she pushed? To discover the truth, Blue must figure out who she is and what she was doing in that hotel. And she needs to do it fast. Because someone is out there, hunting Blue down, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Not knowing where to turn or who to trust, Blue must rely on her instincts to survive. Gradually, her memories begin to return, and they’re darker than she could ever have imagined. Will she put the pieces of her life back together before she’s silenced forever?
The premise of The Forgotten Girl really intrigued me, despite the book being a hefty read with quite a lot of pages. That said, I felt it could’ve been about 100-150 pages shorter. I also found myself feeling wary of characters like Lorraine and DeLuca. Something about Blue suddenly having this amazing friend who was so willing to support her didn’t quite sit right with me. And the fact that Blue was so open about her memory loss with people she certainly wouldn’t have known before her fall seemed like a bit of a stretch.
On the positive side, I really liked Blue’s mother and the farmhands—they brought some warmth to the story. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something just wasn’t clicking in my mind. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been in a massive reading slump this year due to some personal and family issues, or if the book simply didn’t have that spark I was hoping for.
Overall, the book had a fantastic premise, great pacing, and vivid descriptions that really brought the story to life. I applaud Auffendorf for such a clever idea. That said, I hope her future works are slightly shorter and a bit more engaging. The plot twist was good, but in my opinion, it didn’t quite hit the mark., but don’t let that put you off; as writers engage more with their readers their skills deepen and future works do improve (because every writer wants to cater for an audience after all!)
Author Bio
Daco S. Auffenorde is an award-winning author of thrilling suspense stories. Her books have been discussed in several interviews, including on Bob Kustra’s National Public Radio show Reader’s Corner and at George R.R. Martin’s Jean Cocteau Cinema. A southern girl from Huntsville, Alabama—known as Rocket City for its pivotal role in building the rocket that took astronauts into space—Daco is the daughter of a physicist and crafts fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Daco holds a B.A. and M.A.S. from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law. She is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Authors Guild, and the Alabama State Bar. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys long hikes, painting with watercolors, and hacking away at golf balls.
The Forgotten Girl is her first psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.
Karen and Tom Krupp are happy—they’ve got a lovely home in upstate New York, they’re practically newlyweds, and they have no kids to interrupt their comfortable life together. But one day, Tom returns home to find Karen has vanished—her car’s gone and it seems she left in a rush. She even left her purse—complete with phone and ID—behind. There’s a knock on the door—the police are there to take Tom to the hospital where his wife has been admitted. She had a car accident, and lost control as she sped through the worst part of town. The accident has left Karen with a concussion and a few scrapes. Still, she’s mostly okay—except that she can’t remember what she was doing or where she was when she crashed. The cops think her memory loss is highly convenient, and they suspect she was up to no good. Karen returns home with Tom, determined to heal and move on with her life. Then she realizes something’s been moved. Something’s not quite right. Someone’s been in her house. And the police won’t stop asking questions Because in this house, everyone’s a stranger. Everyone has something they’d rather keep hidden. Something they might even kill to keep quiet.
A Stranger in the House isn’t the first book by Lapena I’ve read (I started with The Couple Next Door, which I highly recommend!), and I really enjoyed it! Lapena has truly earned the title of “Queen of the One-Sit Read,” and it’s easy to see why. Her writing is absolutely captivating, and the plot twists are insane yet believable, keeping you hooked until the very last page!
Karen and Tom are written so well—I wanted to dislike them at first, but for a long time, I actually found myself liking this couple! Brigid, on the other hand, is that nosy neighbor we all try to avoid. She loves to hear the sound of her own voice, and as the story progresses, she turns into a truly nasty piece of work. I’m still not entirely sure whether her behavior is driven by wanting something she can’t have and manipulating the situation to get it, or if she’s simply been pushed over the edge by her obsession—probably a mix of both, as I continue to think about it.
Karen was absolutely fantastic! Without giving away the major plot twist, I was left wanting more and secretly hoping for a sequel!
If A Stranger in the House were ever adapted into a TV show, I would expect a bit of a follow-up at the end, but I think it would make for easy viewing. There are no complicated time jumps or character changes, and the plot twist was intense without being confusing (like some twists can be). I didn’t have to read the chapter twice to fully understand it, which is always a plus! It had the perfect ending for a reader who likes to see loose ends tied up but also enjoys a “I know what’s coming next—time to grab the popcorn!” moment.
I highly recommend Lapena’s books overall. Even though I’ve only read half of her available titles so far, the characters are written in such a relatable way, whether it’s their personalities or the circumstances surrounding them. Lapena has a way of making you empathize with them, only to pull the rug out from under you with a sharp and satisfying twist that leaves you reeling.
Author Bio.
Before becoming a bestselling novelist, Shari Lapena was a Canadian-born lawyer and English teacher. Her debut novel, Things Go Flying, was published in 2008, and she hasn’t looked back since. Lapena has since written a series of gripping thriller novels, including The Couple Next Door, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, and The End of Her. Her latest title, Not A Happy Family, is available for purchase now.
Where is Stef Campbell? And who can be trusted to bring her home? Paramedic Andy Campbell has a secret he can’t tell anyone, not least the police. But when his missing wife’s image is found at the home of a suspected killer, detectives start asking questions, and they’re not the only ones. The race for truth leads them far from their Edinburgh home – but who will find her first, and will they save her life or take it?
I bought Find Her First from the Amazon Kindle store when it was on special offer for just 99p, thinking it would be one of those books I’d eventually get around to reading in a few months. However, as I kept seeing it discussed in various online book clubs, with people praising its suspense, I decided to start reading it just before a mini break. I ended up finishing it right before landing in Europe, so it didn’t take long to read—which usually means the book was good, right? Well, sort of.
Christie’s writing style is solid, and most of the characters were decent. I really liked Steph, and Andy was written in such a way that I was convinced he was the bad guy. I even thought Alyson might be involved. The twist surrounding what was happening was definitely the highlight of the book—honestly, it was the best part! Helen, on the other hand, was a bit odd. She was interesting, but also kind of a loner. The twist involving her connections to a major suspect made me wonder if they even needed to be linked at all. But, I suppose, if they weren’t, the story might have felt incomplete.
As for a TV adaptation, I can’t say I’d be watching it. The reason I finished the book quickly was because I just wanted to get to the end. It dragged a little at times and didn’t hold my interest consistently, though the final chapters definitely picked up the pace. I think it would have worked better if those pivotal chapters were brought forward earlier in the story—maybe with a colleague discovering why Stef had been reported as drunk on shift?
That said, based on the glowing reviews on Goodreads, Waterstones, and Amazon, it seems like many readers are absolutely loving Christie’s second novel. It just didn’t quite grab me the way I’d hoped.
Author Biography.
Christie was born and raised in Scotland, where she initially pursued a law degree before switching to literature and medieval history. After graduating, she spent five years working as a reporter for two well-known newspapers. Her debut novel, The Silent Daughter, was awarded the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2021, shortlisted for the Scottish Crime Debut of the Year 2021, and longlisted for the Crime Writers Association John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger Award 2021. Both The Silent Daughter and Find Her First are set in Portobello, Edinburgh’s charming seaside area.
As if writing novels wasn’t enough, Christie also founded the Diary of a Debut Novelist festival, an online series of events designed to promote and inspire new UK authors. She also established the Caledonia Crime Collective, a group of seven Scottish writers aiming to support fresh voices in the tartan noir genre and beyond. Christie is a proud member of the Crime Writers Association.
Now living in beautiful Barcelona with her partner, Maria Jose, and their campervan, Jarry, Christie enjoys spending her time hiking up mountains, swimming in the sea, or sipping vermouth in a dusty bodega when she’s not writing.
When the body of Sharon Reese, a dedicated government employee, washes up on the shores of Lake Templeton, a small town on the coast of Vancouver Island, Private Investigator, Fati Rizvi, is determined to find out why. Everyone liked her, but no one knew much about her. Was she hiding something? Maybe a questionable past riddled with scandal. And did it lead to her plunge to death, in a drunken stupor, off the dock outside her secluded lakefront lodge? Was it an accident? A suicide? Or cold-blooded murder? With so many questions and secrets than run deeper than anyone could have imagined, it’s up to Fati to figure out how Sharon’s murder is connected to a cult escape, corrupt politics, a failing business and a multi-million dollar project before another body is discovered.
This debut novel from Burnley really caught my attention, especially with the unique angle of the protagonist defying her Muslim family’s wishes to join the Vancouver Police Force. Her journey then takes an unexpected turn as she becomes a Private Investigator after discovering that red tape was preventing her from doing the job to her high standards. Plus, she’s in her mid-30s, unmarried, which is still somewhat unconventional in her community. It made me like her even more—who doesn’t love a rebellious daughter who kicks butt and saves the day?!
The characters are well-developed and solidly written, the plot is engaging, and the twists are cleverly hidden just under the surface. You don’t notice them until they’re right in front of you—exactly what any crime thriller fan hopes for in a debut. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Admittedly, it took me longer than expected to finish the book, partly due to some formatting issues with my Kindle (I’m not sure if that was on my end or an issue with the file provided for review). Despite some personal challenges that have been taking up most of my energy lately, I found myself consistently drawn to this story.
Keep an eye on Burnley in the coming years. This is an author to watch!
Author Biography.
HS Burney is a talented author soon to be known for her fast-paced, action-packed mysteries set against the stunning landscapes of West Coast Canada, where majestic mountains meet the crystalline ocean. With a knack for creating characters that keep readers on their toes, she delivers thrilling tales that are sure to captivate. By day, she works as a corporate executive, and by night, she pursues her passion for writing.
Burney holds a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing from Lafayette College, and as a proud Canadian immigrant, she crafts stories that showcase diverse characters from unique cultural backgrounds. When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her out hiking, waiting for the next story idea to strike and pull her into a new adventure.
Gill Merton is the non de plume of five writers based around Edinburgh and the Lothians: Simon Bramwell, Coreen Connell, Sheila Corrigan, Anne Hamilton and Elizabeth Nallon. I was given the amazing opportunity to take part in an author Q&A with the group after the release of their first collaborative novel Entitled as part of the blog tour via ZooLoo’s Book Tours.
1. First things first; how did you come up with the name of Gill Merton? There are five of you so how did you settle on this name? Strangely, this was probably the easiest decision of all! Our writing group meets at the GilmertonCommunity Centre, in Edinburgh, so by democratic vote Gil became Gill and we had our name. It was that or an acronym of our initials, and that doesn’t have the same ring to it.
2. The book is adapted from a short story by Sheila Corrigan, whose idea was it to elaborate on the characters and themes already in situ and how did you work out who was writing what? It was one of those off-the-cuff remarks from a previous member of the group that started the whole project. Sheila’s story came from a (now long-forgotten) writing prompt, and the reaction was, ‘That could be a novel’. At the time, we weren’t thinking that big, but we did decide to expand the story – a novel-in-flash, perhaps. There was only loose planning: each week we had a chat (a lot of chat!) about plot, shared out characters and scenes – and then we wrote. We expected duplication and contradiction and confusion, as the story was evolving all the time, but the aim was to get some words down. Then we could chat some more, and edit, edit, edit. It was much later on we realised we had a potential novel.
3. The book flows so well, even the narrative from other characters, that it’s really hard to sense a shift or change in writing style- was that tricky to navigate with five authors? You couldn’t get five more different writers (or people!) so yes, it was a bit like mixing Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Scottish and sushi into one recipe and producing a not only edible but tempting plate of food. For us, the bonus was having been together as a group for a number of years and having already produced an anthology and a collaborative audio play. We’ve learned the hard, hard lesson of not getting too attached to ‘our’ characters or scenes, and being willing to ‘kill our darlings’ for the good of the bigger picture. Mutual respect, a lot of laughs and only seeing each other once a week – less through lockdown – helped. One of our members, Anne, is also our tutor, so she took on some of the initial development editing to maintain one voice, and having chapters narrated by different characters gave us the best of both worlds.
4. Not having read the original short by Corrigan, how vastly does Entitled differ from its early roots? Sheila’s original was a few hundred words long – flash fiction at its best. Sally and Malcolm were there from the start, along with the traumatic events that bind them, and subsequently lead Sally to do what she does. The rest? All that came later, ideas flying in from everywhere. The Scottish island setting and the little twist at the end of the story evolved as we wrote.
5. Will you be collaborating on novels again in the future as a group or pairs or will you be writing solo for the most part? Entitled has been three years, at least, in the making. It’s publication is funded by a National Lottery community grant. Could we do it again? We’ve done it once – something we never dreamed of at the start – so why not? The same goes for writing a sequel, because the novel’s ending is (as in all good stories!) is also a beginning. But would we? The lifeblood of the group is that we’re always trying new things, challenging ourselves, but mostly as individual writers supported by each other. So it’s back to our own projects for now – but let it be noted, we’re quite happy to try our hand at a screen adaptation, especially if it’s on location and we can all have cameo roles!
6. I imagine each of you will have a secret favourite character and a character you love to hate-who are they and why? Elizabeth says, ‘I love Sandy, he’s a practical, down to earth man, not one to stand on ceremony or who attempts to impress. He surrounds himself with those who matter most to him and their lives are all the better for knowing Sandy. His turn of phrase reminds me of older people and their conversations, when I was growing up.’ Coreen adds, ‘Aunt Maud reminds me of my Granny – I aways thought she had her own secret or two and she always kept mine. Like Maud, Granny survived the war, and her husband was her one true love. I would love to live Miss Maud’s life on the island!’ The most flawed characters have to be Malcolm and Martha, and their breathtakingly self-centred lives, which made them a guilty pleasure to write. Thecomic relief, then, comes in the form of Sergeant McLeish and Alisdair, a pair with whom Simon (his sci-fi and fantasy skills stoically put aside to write Entitled!) would have a wee cheeky dram and put the world to rights. Elizabeth sums it up: ‘The story involving the doctors is a cold one – the life on the island is a warm and colourful one.’ We all secretly want to live on Inniscuillin.
7. This will be one that I’m sure crops up frequently, but are any of the characters based on traits you have all come across in people in the past? The characters are as real as people we know by now – as is Inniscuillin, which is a totally fictional island. Sally is an enigma for all of us: we know why she does what she does; we might empathise – but is she justified? (Now there’s a reading group discussion!) None of them are based on real people – even if they once were, having five authors writing them would certainly change them beyond recognition. But Sheila’s first creations were pure fiction then, and we’ve just taken their traits and their flaws – and run with them.
8. How did you find working on the geographical locations? You’re all Scotland based so it’s not hard to imagine the terrain, but it’s a vast part of the country with differing locales and backdrops-did this help build up a location profile or was it awkward to navigate and get everyone’s vision down on paper to create the scenes?The story starts in England: Sally is from Yorkshire, has her life turned upside down in London, and ends up in Cambridge. From there, it’s a slow and revealing journey to Inniscuillin. The island is so integral to Entitled now, it’s strange to think it was something of a later addition. For a while, France, then Portugal featured, but international travel – for all kinds of plot-related reasons – was too complex. What we needed was somewhere remote, and since we are Scotland-based, where better than the Highlands and Islands? In the 1970s, links to the mainland were far fewer than they are now, and that suited the story perfectly. Naming Inniscuillin (and then spelling it consistently!) and pinpointing it geographically was a highly entertaining puzzle. Life on the island itself, we based on our own collective experiences, and literally made up as we went along. The trickiest thing of all was getting the book cover right: a rugged coastline, figures on the beach and a hint of the Big House – brought to life by our designer, Marta Lis – and then made into the dream of a real book of our own, by Claire Morley of myepublishbook.com
In 1971, Nan Douglas and her toddler twins arrive on the remote island of Inniscuiilin, long-lost family of the eccentric Miss Campbell. For fifteen years they all live quietly up at the Big House, until the twins start planning their future – forcing Nan to confront their past…. Because someone, somewhere believes that the twins aren’t twins. That they’re not even Nan’s children. And that Nan isn’t Nan. Only Nan herself can prove them wrong – but it’s a gamble. Win or lose, she’s still at risk of losing her beloved family.
After struggling through a major reading slump since February—life’s been a bit overwhelming lately—Entitled was exactly what I needed to dive back into the world of books! I was hooked from the third page, and by the time I texted my partner, telling him I wouldn’t be able to put it down, I knew I was in for a treat.
What really drew me in was the unique way the author introduced us to the character of Nan. We first meet her as a young girl, one of the few women breaking barriers to attend medical school. Watching her grow and adapt to an entirely new environment, all while navigating her personal struggles, was deeply satisfying. The transitions between different phases of her life, including her painful betrayal and the formation of her character, kept me intrigued.
As the story unfolded, I started to piece together that Nan wasn’t just a standalone character—she was, in many ways, the creation of Malcolm, whose roguish personality and God-complex behavior influenced her in ways I hadn’t expected. It was fascinating to watch their lives intertwine.
There were a few plot twists, and while I won’t give anything away, the final twist had me completely shocked yet not entirely surprised—it was perfectly executed. The ending was a satisfying cliffhanger that left me eager to know more about the story and its characters. I felt a bit heartbroken that one of the children followed in Malcolm’s footsteps, but so relieved that the other didn’t. It definitely opens the door for a deeper exploration of these dynamics, and I’m hoping for a sequel (fingers crossed!).
If you’re looking for a book that combines intense twists, emotional depth, and well-developed characters, Entitled is a must-read. I can’t recommend it enough!
Author Biography.
Gill Merton is the non de plume of five writers based around Edinburgh and the Lothians: Simon Bramwell Coreen Connell Sheila Corrigan Anne Hamilton Elizabeth Nallon. Entitled is their first collaborative novel, adapted from an original short story by Sheila Corrigan, and was made possible by funding from The National Lottery Awards For All. Earlier publications include: The Writing Group: an original stage/radio play (First recorded 2017) A Way With Words: an anthology of prose and poetry (Pilrig Press, 2015)
Scott will do anything to protect his wife, Erin. That’s why he secretly installs a tracking app on her phone and watches her through hidden cameras in their home.
When he learns there’s a chance one of Erin’s kidneys will fail, he vows to shield her from the truth and find a donor for her at any cost.
That’s how he meets Kathleen. She is the answer to his dreams, a perfect match for Erin. There’s only one problem – Kathleen has no intention of becoming a donor. That doesn’t bother Scott – he is confident he can manipulate her into giving him what he wants.
But Kathleen isn’t as innocent as she looks, she has her own agenda. And she doesn’t care who she hurts as long as she gets what she needs.
As lives hang in the balance, Erin and Kathleen are bound together by a terrible promise. But when that promise is broken, who will pay the ultimate price?
Zoë over at ZooLoo’s Book Tours has done it again! She sent me a book with an intriguing description that initially made me think, “This isn’t really my thing…” but boy, was I wrong! After just a few chapters, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down.
The story is told from the perspectives of three main characters: Erin, the trusting and somewhat naive housewife; Scott, the controlling and manipulative criminal defense lawyer; and Katherine, the woman who, in her own twisted way, believes she’s saving her daughter from the fate she’s convinced awaits her, by poisoning her to make her feel as unwell as herself.
While that might sound complicated, the way Shiner weaves their stories together is seamless. Each chapter shifts between characters, and the transitions are handled so well that it never feels jarring. It’s a real skill to manage multiple points of view and make each character’s voice distinct, and Shiner absolutely nails it.
A couple of times, I was slightly confused, but it quickly became clear that the character who seemed to be orchestrating the whole plot was also experiencing confusion at the same time. So I didn’t feel too bad for having a “wait, what?” moment! By the time I reached the final pages, everything fell into place.
The ending is a major cliffhanger, and I can see a ton of potential for a sequel that could focus on the daughters of these characters. It’s not often I find myself eager for a follow-up, but I’d definitely be interested in seeing where Shiner takes the story next.
All in all, [Book Title] was an excellent read with only a few moments that made me pause. If you’re looking for a thrilling, rollercoaster of a book, I highly recommend giving this one a try!
Author Bio
Emily Shiner always dreamed of becoming an author but first served her time as a banker and a teacher. After a lifetime of devouring stacks of thrillers, she decided to try her hand at writing them herself. Now she gets to live out her dream of writing novels and sharing her stories with people around the world. She lives in the Appalachian Mountains and loves hiking with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs. Emily writes psychological thrillers. The Secret Wife will be her first novel published with Inkubator Books.
Jess’s life is back on track again: the messy divorce, bitter inheritance feud, and terrifying home invasion are well and truly behind her. After two years abroad, she is excited for a new beginning in a sleepy English seaside town where nobody knows her. So when Jess is attacked in the street, she thinks it’s rotten luck – her troubles are firmly in the past, after all. But, as more creepy things start to happen, she becomes convinced she’s being targeted. As the frightening events escalate, Jess is certain someone she thought she’d left behind has finally caught up with her – and they want revenge. But who? And just how far will they go to push her over the edge and into oblivion?
Before I dive into my review, I want to address something important: Here For You touches on some heavy themes, including domestic abuse, rape, miscarriages, and gaslighting. These topics are integral to the story, and while they’re handled thoughtfully, I do feel that books dealing with such sensitive issues should come with a content warning. Personally, these elements triggered some distressing emotions for me, and I nearly didn’t continue reading because of how unprepared I was for the emotional toll it took. Please be mindful of this if you decide to read the book.
Now that I’ve said that, let me share my overall thoughts. I ended up reading 95% of this book in a single day! The story had me hooked, and despite my initial reservations, I found myself unable to put it down.
At first, I wasn’t sure about the characters. Jess, in particular, irked me because, frankly, I’ve never bonded with anyone the way she does in Here For You. The rapid pace at which she trusted people and formed relationships felt a bit unrealistic to me. However, after finishing the book, I understand why the author chose to develop the characters and plot in this way—it was crucial for the storyline to unfold as it did.
Jess was a character I genuinely sympathized with, and her journey resonated with me on a deeper level. Kevin, on the other hand, never won me over. He felt uncomfortable and lacked depth, making him a somewhat two-dimensional character in my eyes. Alex, while a bit pushy at times, became more understandable by the end, though I wish there had been a bit more time spent on the evolution of her and Jess’s friendship. As for Tim, I had hoped he’d be a standout character, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the impact I was hoping for.
The ending, however, was a much-needed, feel-good resolution. It was heartwarming to see Jess and Noah stay together, although I’m not sure that would be as realistic in real life. But then again, this is fiction, and sometimes, a hopeful ending is exactly what we need.
If I had to rate this book out of 10, I’d give it a solid 7. My main reason for this score is the lack of a content warning, and I felt the friendship between Jess and Alex needed more build-up before it reached the point it did.
I want to thank ZooLoo’s Book Tours for providing me with a spot on the tour and for arranging a digital copy of the book for me.
About the Author
Nora Valters grew up in the New Forest in the south of England and has lived in London, Manchester, Bournemouth, Oxford and Dubai.
She studied English Literature and Language at Oxford Brookes University before embarking on a career in marketing and copywriting. Her debut psychological thriller, Her Biggest Fan, was published in October 2020. Her second novel, Now You Know, came out in June 2021. She’s currently writing her third, which will be out soon. Nora loves to travel and has journeyed around the world. She enjoys exploring new places, painting, hiking, and is an avid reader. She’s also a bit obsessed with dogs. Nora writes psychological thrillers. Here For You will be her second novel published with Inkubator Books.
Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a recluse. After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . .
I’ve officially completed my second book of 2022, and it’s only the second week of January! Talk about starting the year strong!
Where do I even begin with The Cat Who Saved Books? A few months ago, while indulging in some online bookshop retail therapy, I stumbled across this title and thought, “This is going to be a lovely read.” I mean, I love cats, I love books, so it was basically fate that I had to read it! After reading the blurb, I saw it had a talking tabby cat as a central character, and I knew this was a book I absolutely needed in my life. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint in the slightest!
At just 217 pages, this is a quick read, but don’t be fooled by the small page count. Every sentence, every paragraph packs a punch and leaves a lasting impact. The characters are whimsical yet incredibly strong in personality, which makes them so memorable.
What I really loved was the character of Tiger, the talking tabby cat. He appears in Rintaro’s life at just the right moment. At first, Rintaro doesn’t realize it, but as I progressed toward the end of the book, I realized that it wasn’t just Tiger who needed Rintaro—it was Rintaro who needed Tiger’s guidance to truly find himself. Tiger takes Rintaro on an extraordinary adventure that only a lifelong lover of books could truly understand and appreciate.
For me, this was the perfect short read to break up my usual diet of crime thrillers. I can’t recommend it enough! I’d give it a solid 10/10. Every time I read Tiger’s lines, I couldn’t help but hear Eddie Izzard’s voice in my head, which made it all the more fun! Since this is a translated book, you’ll also find a sprinkling of Japanese words and cultural references throughout, which gives it a wonderfully authentic and unique feel.
Sosuke Natsukawa is a doctor in Nagano, Japan. His first book Kamisama No Karute (‘God’s Medical Records’) won the Shogakukan Fiction Prize and received second prize at the Japan Bookseller Awards. It sold over 1.5 million copies and was adapted into a film in Japan.
Day 5 of 2022, and I’ve already finished my first book of the year! (Though let’s just keep between us that I started it back in mid-December… Our little secret, okay?)
I’ve been a fan of Laura Purcell ever since I was loaned a copy of The Silent Companions back in 2017, which, by the way, was the second book ever to give me nightmares! So, it’s safe to say I knew that any book that followed would come with an eerie plot, and The Shape of Darkness did not disappoint.
The twists and turns in this book were absolutely incredible! I must admit, as much as I enjoyed Bone China, it felt like Purcell might’ve been rushing through it to move on to a new idea. It left me with a bit of a deflated feeling at the end (something I sometimes feel with Stephen King novels too). But this time, it was completely different! For me, it felt as though she’d surpassed her own standard and launched into something extraordinary. I loved every second of it!
Admittedly, it took me longer than I’d like to finish this book—thank you, Covid-19—but once I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t put it down! I read obsessively into the late hours, even when my eyes were gritty and I was half-asleep!
The plot centers around a woman who believes her clients are being murdered and seeks the guidance of a young spirit medium. Meanwhile, she’s also juggling the care of her young nephew, elderly mother, and dealing with her own fragile health. But things aren’t what they seem, and that’s when the story gets really interesting!
For a while, I thought Constance might still be alive, taunting Agnes. At one point, I even suspected Montague and bounced back and forth between these two theories for what felt like ages. And then, there were two mind-blowing plot twists at the end that left me reeling! I had to reread the final pages three times for it to sink in… and I still have so many questions!
Honestly, The Shape of Darkness is absolutely worth the read. At first, I wasn’t sure if I found it difficult because of being unwell or because of the historical fiction elements, or maybe a combination of both, but I’m so glad I pushed through. Purcell proves once again that she’s still nailing it when it comes to captivating plots and well-developed characters!
About The Author
Laura Purcell is a former bookseller living in Colchester, Essex with her husband and pet guinea pigs. She began her career with two historical novels about the Hanoverian monarchs, Queen of Bedlam and Mistress of the Court.
Her first Gothic novel The Silent Companions was a Radio 2 Book Club pick, was selected for the Zoe Ball ITV Book Club and was the winner of the Thumping Good Read Award. Her other Gothic titles include The Corset, Bone China and The Shape of Darkness.
In the USA Laura is published by Penguin Books, where The Corset is titled The Poison Thread and Bone China is called The House of Whispers-Which led me to get overly excited thinking there were two more books of hers I had yet to read! Her new title Something Wicked is due for release in August 2022 and available to pre-order now.
Morelli’s Reads 