Book After Book

Publication: 19th November 2024 – Tor Bramble

Mische lost everything when she was forcibly Turned into a vampire – her home, her humanity and, most devastating of all, the love of the sun god to whom she had devoted her life. Now, sentenced to death for murdering the vampire prince who Turned her, redemption feels impossible.

When Mische is saved by Asar, the bastard prince of the House of Shadow with a brutal past, she is forced into a mission worse than execution: a journey to the underworld to resurrect the god of death himself. But Mische is offered a chance at salvation by her sun god. All she has to do is betray Asar – and kill the god of death.

In the underworld, Mische and Asar must face treacherous trials, colossal beasts and the vengeful ghosts of their pasts. But most dangerous of all is the alluring call of the darkness, and Mische’s forbidden attraction to Asar. As the moment of her betrayal looms, Mische is forced to choose between faith and love – a decision that could lead to her redemption or her ruin . . .

The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is the third book of the New York Times bestselling Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carissa Broadbent, a heart-wrenching, epic fantasy romance of love and treachery between mortals and gods.

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Let me start by saying that I should have reread the first two books in the Crown of Nyaxia series before getting into The Songbird and the Heart of Stone because even though, last year, I read and adored the first two books, there is a fair amount of things that I didn’t remember about it, especially about the character of Mische, as then I was more focused on its two protagonists, Oraya and Raihn. So, when I was initially reading The Songbird & the Heart of Stone, there were a few things that left me confused or lost. Despite this, I really enjoyed it and I found myself completely immersed in the story, especially after I started to catch up.

I really liked the two protagonists, Mische, one of the brides of the god of sun, recently turned into a Vampire, and Asar, the bastard prince and now new heir of the House of Shadow. They have a slow-burning and sexy enemies-to-lovers romance as they travel to the underworld to bring back to life the god of death. They are complex, engaging, and courageous characters, both haunted by their past, their grief and guilt over the loss of the people they cared about, and they are both caught right in the middle of a game of revenge and scheming among the gods.

If you loved the first two books, you are going to adore The Songbird & the Heart of Stone. Addictive, dark, intriguing, and full of surprises, it keeps you glued to the pages until that final explosive cliffhanger that makes you eager for more.

A huge thank you to Tor Bramble and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

Carissa Broadbent has been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since she was roughly nine years old. Since then, her stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, she writes novels that blend epic fantasy plots with a heaping dose of romance. She lives with her husband, her son, one very badly behaved rabbit and one perpetually sceptical cat in Rhode Island.

Publication: 24th October 2024 – Storm Publishing

A body in the swimming pool, a disappearing suspect and a killer hiding in plain sight…

When mystery novelist turned private detective, Marius Quin, is invited to speak at a gala dinner by the mysterious Mrs Thistlethwaite he jumps at the chance of a weekend away on the English Riviera. With his sleuthing partner, Lady Bella Montague, in tow, Marius arrives at Torquay’s Grand Hotel. But they soon realise that, behind the shiny exteriors, all is not what it seems. After Thistlethwaite turns Marius’s big night into a character assassination at his expense, he wonders why he was invited in the first place.

Things go from bad to worse when Marius discovers the body of his cantankerous host in the hotel pool. But how can the duo catch a killer when every piece of evidence they uncover is contradicted by two more? Faced with a hostile police sergeant, evasive witnesses and a conspiracy to conceal the truth, Bella and Marius must call upon every resource they possess to uncover the secret of the body at the Grand Hotel.

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I am so excited to get into yet another Marius Quin mystery. I love this series so much. It’s entertaining, fun, full of surprises, and with a cast of quirky and unique characters. I also love that the story is narrated in first person by the protagonist himself, bestselling author and occasional private detective Marius Quin, who is quite charming and witty. 

In this fourth adventure, Marius, who should be writing his third novel, is invited to give a talk at the Mystery and Detection Society in Torquay. As usual he is accompanied by his loyal hound Percy, his mother, his uncle and his aunt, and, of course, his first love and now close friend and partner-in-crime-solving Lady Isabella (Bella) Montague. The conference is not at all what he expected, but at least he gets to enjoy a luxurious weekend in what is considered the English Riviera. And while Percy seems to get a more special treatment than him, Marius and Bella get involved in another investigation when a body is found in the pool and it turns out that the victim was hated and loved in equal measure.

A Body at the Grand Hotel was another five stars for me. I loved the mystery, the humour, and the relationship between Bella and Marius and their easy banter. The story is well-written and intriguing. There is a victim of murder who used to bully all those around her, so the list of suspects is quite long; there are also an incompetent police detective, a group of amateur know-it-all detectives, and witnesses who keep secrets. It won’t be easy for Marius and Bella to figure out the truth. If you love cozy mystery and historical novels, then I can’t recommend this series enough. Also, the ending was quite unexpected and shocking and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

A huge thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living in Burgos, a beautiful medieval city in the north of Spain, with my French-Spanish wife and two our ridiculously international children. Writing has always been my passion. It was my favourite half-an-hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing.I grew up in a crime-fiction-mad family and had made a few clumsy attempts at writing one over the years before coming up with the idea for my contemporary whodunits “The Izzy Palmer Mysteries”. My second series, the 1920s-set “Lord Edgington Investigates…”, has been a great success, with each of the books making a mark on the mystery charts, and I’m about to launch a second historical series.If you’d like to tell me what you think about my detectives, my writing or the world at large, feel free to get in touch at www.benedictbrown.net where you can also download my free mystery novellas.

Publication: 11th November 2024 – Boldwood Books

Spring, 1811… A stranger arrives at Wyverne Hall

Sophie Delavallois is the new companion to the ageing Dowager Marchioness, but she also has another reason for coming to the infamous Wyverne mansion, one that will shake the family to their core.

Lord Drake left his childhood home many years ago, and only returns now to see his beloved grandmother. He takes little interest in the goings on of the house, until the arrival of Mademoiselle Delavallois. There’s something about her that he can’t put his finger on; it’s as if he’s seen her before, but surely, that is not possible…

Sophie is also drawn to Drake, but he is a Wyverne, and she cannot allow herself to fall for him, because her intentions towards the family are resolute – revenge. But inside the walls of Wyverne Hall, she discovers the rumours about the family barely scratch the surface, and she can’t escape the dangerous allure of the Viscount.

Once her plans are set in motion, will he be her saviour or her ruin?

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I am delighted to kick off the blog tour for The Viscount and the Thief, the new entertaining novel by Emma Orchard, which is out today.

The protagonists are a strong, smart, and independent heroine and a loyal, generous, and protective hero in a story full of passion and intrigue. Sophie Delavallois is a young woman who takes a job as companion to the Dowager Marchioness with every intention to get her revenge for what happened to her family, and Lord Drake, the Viscount of Wyverne, has always known the shame that his family name brings and only returns home to visit his grandmother.

Sophie is a thief, but she has also a more complex past that leads her to Wyverne mansion with a clear and well-thought out plan to get her revenge against the Marquess who destroyed her family. However, when she meets Lord Drake and their attraction keeps growing, that plan becomes more complicated. Lord Drake knows that his father’s cruel and repulsive behaviour has brought only shame and isolation to the family and he would do anything to protect those he cares about, including Sophie.

If you are looking for a Regency romance with lots of spice and a bit of mystery, then The Viscount and the Thief is the right read for you. It has enemies to lovers, fake identity, a heroine looking for revenge and with a plan for a heist, close proximity, and quite a few steamy scenes!

A huge thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for inviting me to join the blog tour and providing me with a proof of the novel.

Follow the rest of blog tour:

Emma Orchard grew up in Salford and was given tickets to the grown-up library at the age of 11 because she’d read all the children’s books and the librarians were sick of the sight of her. She became obsessed with Georgette Heyer and hasn’t stopped reading her novels since. She studied English Literature at university and went on to work at Mills & Boon and behind the scenes in television and in publishing.

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Publication: 24th October 2024 – HQ

Will this Christmas finally bring comfort and joy?

A PAINFUL SECRET

Imogen loves her job as an events organiser, and her colleagues are in awe of her. But Imogen isn’t the person she pretends to be, and she’s hiding painful truths about her past. But as long as she can keep on top of her work, Imogen can put everything else to one side.

AN ACT OF KINDNESS

And then Imogen makes a catastrophic mistake at work, and finally realises it’s time to reset. When her favourite client, Dorothy, invites her to spend Christmas with her and her family, in her cottage in the Cotswolds, it sounds like the perfect way for Imogen to take stock.

FINDING HAPPINESS AT CHRISTMAS

Imogen soon settles into idyllic cottage life, especially with the prospect of a new romance on the horizon … but when long-buried secrets and unwanted faces from the past resurface, Imogen’s new peace is threatened. Will Imogen end up alone this Christmas, or can she find it in her heart to forgive and move on?

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Sarah Morgan truly knows how to deliver immersive and heart-warming Christmas stories that will get you right in the holiday mood. Her characters are authentic, dynamic, engaging, and lovable, the setting is the beautiful and evocative Cotswolds, and the Christmas atmosphere seeps through the pages. Add a farm of alpacas, some romance, second chances, new starts and new family and you will have this festive and entertaining Christmas novel that you won’t be able to put down.

The Christmas Cottage is the story of three women. Imogen, workaholic with a fantastic made-up life that hides a difficult past and loneliness. Dorothy’s life revolves around her family, her winery, and her animals. She and her daughter Sara are preparing to spend Christmas together, hoping to keep the ghosts of the past away. However, when Imogen is forced to a whole month off work, Dorothy offers her to stay at Holly Cottage and, as the past resurfaces for all three women, their Christmas won’t be at all what they expected.

I loved everything in this book. The many Christmas activities, the adorable romantic and supportive hero who comes to the rescue, the children and the animals who add hilarity when needed, the vivid descriptions, the fantastic food, the magical vibe of the village, and the author’s beautiful writing. The Christmas Cottage is the perfect book to curl up with on those days leading to Christmas: uplifting, romantic, and magical, I didn’t want it to end! 

A huge thank you to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic Christmas novel.

USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes lively, sexy contemporary stories for Harlequin. Romantic Times has described her as ‘a magician with words’ and nominated her books for their Reviewer’s Choice Awards and their ‘Top Pick’ slot. In 2012 Sarah received the prestigious RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America. She lives near London with her family. Find out more at www.sararahmorgan.com

Publication: 28th October 2024 – Bookouture

Women from all around the country have joined together to fight for the vote. But when one of them is killed, only amateur sleuth Mabel Canning can halt a murderer’s campaign…

Fellbridge Hall, England: Mabel Canning is thrilled to be organising a suffragette conference. But when all the women are settled in the sprawling country mansion, she barely has time for a sip of gin before chaos ensues. Leading suffragette Annie Harkin has been found murdered in her bed, clutching a white feather in her outstretched hand…

As the guests clamour for justice for Annie, young police officers Ned and Ted arrive in time to trip over the banners and be roundly ignored. And with a killer on the loose, the suffragettes swiftly vote for Mabel and her pals to take control. When it comes to solving mysteries, there’s nobody equal to the London Ladies’ murder club!

But soon it’s clear many a suffragette is hiding a secret under her sash. Eccentric veteran of the cause Dorothea Goose is acting rather flighty; why is she so afraid of the police? WouldAnnie’s rival go this far to replace her as leader? Or has someone taken a life to stop the cause of women’s lib?

Then Mabel uncovers what happened to Annie’s closest comrade in the years before the war, and she is sure the answers lie in the past. But will Mabel be elected as the killer’s next victim? Or can she crack the case and save the fight for Votes for Women?

A totally addictive whodunnit bursting with suspense and sparkling with wit, from USA Today bestseller Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.

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Murder of a Suffragette is the fourth book in the cozy historical mystery series, London Ladies’ Murder Club, but it can be easily read as a stand-alone. Its protagonist, Mabel Canning, moved to London to be independent and has found employment with the Useful Women Agency, which provides any kind of job, but she often finds herself right in the middle of murder investigations.

It’s the year 1922 and Mabel has returned to her village to work as the personal secretary for Lady Fellbridge who is organizing a week-long conference of suffragettes to plan their new campaign for the women’s right to vote. When one of the women is found murdered and the only police available are two constables who seem to have just come out of school, it’s up to Mabel and her London Ladies’ Murder Club to investigate.

I really enjoyed this novel. The mystery is intriguing and full of surprises. The list of suspects is long: was the killer an outsider or was it one of the suffragettes? Or, like in any good mystery novel, was it the butler? Mabel needs to figure it out before someone else gets hurt and helping her are her two friends, Cora and Skeff, her beau and former policeman Park Winstone, and the adorable dog Gladys. Thanks to the presence of Park there is some romance as Mabel introduces him to her protective father for an entertaining family dinner and a surprising epilogue. I also really liked the historical aspects of the novel. In 1918, women over thirty had gained the right to vote, but their fight goes on until they are considered equal to men and have the right to vote at the age of twenty-one.

The London Ladies’ Murder Club series is another fabulous series for historical mystery fans and I am looking forward to more adventures!

A huge thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel.

Publication: 24th October 2024 – HarperCollins UK

Can their Christmas love story last a lifetime?

In a village by the sea, where wintry skies bring a dusting of sparkling snow, somebody is opening an unexpected gift…

When Sophie receives a surprise package, she’s intrigued to find a beautifully bound book inside.

Sophie is desperate to discover the mystery sender, and her hunt draws her to the enigmatic Harry. The subject of much gossip since his return from London, Harry keeps to himself in his crumbling manor house.

But they are both about to learn that the best stories can take on a life of their own.

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The Secret Christmas Bookshop is a heartwarming and entertaining novel featuring a small town community, found family, Christmas festivities, and a mysterious donor of beautiful editions of classics.

The protagonist is Sophie Stevens, whose rough upbringing has left her distrustful of those around her and she is always ready to pack everything up and move to a new place. Even though she has found good friends in Mistingham, Sophie is already thinking about moving on somewhere new when the arrival of a mysterious package stops all her plans: a beautiful edition of Jane Eyre, accompanied by a cryptic message. Curious to find out more, Sophie volunteers to organize the local Christmas festival, hoping to figure out who, among the residents, left her the book. What she didn’t expect was that Harry Anderly, the Dark Demon Lord of Mistingham, would be co-organizing with her and she certainly didn’t expect that he is not the grumpy and unfriendly master of Mistingham Manor everyone claims him to be.

This novel really gets you into the Christmas mood. The idyllic village of Mistingham is described as a place taken straight out of a period drama on Norfolk’s coastline, with a sandy beach, a wide promenade, and the sea that changes colours depending on the weather. I loved the festive atmosphere and the sense of community. The organizing of the festival kept me quite entertained and there is romance, friendship, and also a bit of mystery, themes of loss, abandonment, and grief, there is a wonderful cast of relatable and likable characters, and, best of all, Felix, the goat who wears jumpers and created the funniest scenes in the book.

The Secret Christmas Bookshop is a fantastic and engaging escapist novel, the perfect story to enjoy at this time of the year!

A huge thank you to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel.

Cressida McLaughlin is a bestselling author of contemporary romance who has sold over a million copies of her books. Her feel-good, escapist fiction, featuring unforgettable characters who find their happy place, has established her as a firm favourite among readers and fellow authors alike.

Cressida lives in Norwich with her husband David and when not writing her bestsellers, spends her spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.

Publication: 22nd October 2024 – Kensington Books

First in a captivating new series, Jane Austen’s Emma Knightley entertains a different role in Highbury—going from clever matchmaker to Regency England’s shrewdest sleuth.

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .  

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .  

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

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​​I do enjoy mystery adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels where her characters turn into amateur investigators and solve crimes. I have been reading quite a few lately and my latest favourite is Murder in Highbury by Vanessa Kelly, featuring Emma Knightley (former Miss Emma Woodhouse) and all the other characters from the novel involved in a murder mystery.

This was such an entertaining and intriguing read. I loved the characters of Emma and Mr. Knightley, who have been married for a year, who come together to find the murderer of one of the least likable characters in the original novel, Mrs. Augusta Elton. It’s up to Mr. Knightley, in his role as the local magistrate, to find the killer, helped by an inept constable and an arrogant coroner, but it’s Emma the one who finds the body in the church (together with her friend Harriet, now Mrs. Martin) and, of course, she sets out to investigate, asking questions around, wondering if the killer is one of her friends or an outsider, much to the constable and coroner’s irritation and her husband’s amusement. 

The author did an amazing job bringing these Jane Austen’s characters to life. Not only Emma and Mr. Knightley, but also Mr. Woodhouse, Frank and Jane Churchill, Mr and Mrs. Weston, Mrs and Miss Bates and even the annoying Mr. Elton. The mystery was well-developed and there is quite a list of suspects that kept me guessing. I also enjoyed how the mystery blends with Emma’s everyday life as she now manages two estates, Hartfield and Donwell Abbey, indulges her father’s concerns for everybody’s health, and she has also some time to share a few romantic moments with her husband.

Murder in Highbury is a gripping and engaging cozy Regency mystery, the first in a series, and I am already looking forward to reading the next one!

A huge thank you to AustenProse, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph. D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband.

Publication: 17th October 2024 – Boldwood Books

‘When did you become aware something was wrong?’

‘When the screaming began…’

Harriet White is no stranger to odd correspondence. Ensconced in the basement of the Baker Street building society, her job is to reply to the mail they receive on behalf of Sherlock Holmes.

But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip St John, her interest is piqued. The writer describes St John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound.

Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridgeshire under the guise of being Holmes’ assistant. The residents of Thurmwell Manor believe their master is cursed. Harry is sure there must be a logical explanation, but inside the echoey halls of the grand gothic house, her confidence in science and reason begin to crumble…

Can Harry solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim?

Join Harriet White in 1930’s London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett

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The Cursed Writer is the second book in the Baker Street Mysteries series, set in 1930s England. People believing that Sherlock Holmes is a real detective write to his famous 221B Baker Street address asking for help solving a case. But 221B now houses a bank where the protagonist Harriet “Harry” White works. After refusing the advances of her boss, Harry has been demoted from the role of personal assistant to Sherlock Holmes’s secretary. Her only job is to answer the many requests he receives, writing back that the famous detective has now retired. However, when a particular case catches her eye, Harry turns into an investigator, solving the case in the name of Sherlock Holmes.

What gets her attention this time is not only the urgency and the fact that, unlike the other requests, it comes in the form of a telegram, but the mystery itself. In the Fens in Cambridgeshire, famous writer Philip St. John has undergone a sudden and mysterious change in his behaviour and health. His nephew is very worried, so Harry, with the help of her friend Oliver, decides to investigate.

This was a fun and intriguing read. The investigation of the cursed writer is not the only thing keeping Harry busy and I was completely immersed in the story. Harry is a fantastic protagonist. She is clever and kind, a great amateur detective, and she is determined to make it on her own, without the help of her influential family, even if it means working in an uncomfortable environment. The mystery is twisty and spooky, perfect for a Halloween read, and I am looking forward to more books in this fantastic series! 

A huge thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel.

Holly Hepburn writes escapist, swoonsome fiction that sweeps her readers into idyllic locations, from her native Cornwall to the windswept beauty of Orkney. She has turned her hand to cosy crime inspired by Sherlock Holmes himself. Holly lives in leafy Hertfordshire with her adorable partner in crime, Luna the Labrador.

Publication: 22nd October 2024 – Headline Eternal

A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Love, Actually and The Holiday.

A little holiday magic can change everything . . .

Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a Christmas movie, whose fans won’t let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the festive season with her sister.

But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her when she visits Eden Priory, one of the filming locations. When she’s accidentally left behind, she’s forced to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business – and the funds to keep their historic house running – relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows seasons greetings from a certain star would bring in more visitors.

Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time with Graham. Charlotte may not love a Christmas romance . . . but what if she has one of her own?

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I am a huge fan of Martha Waters. I have read and adored all her books in the Regency Vows series, so I was thrilled when not only she announced a contemporary romantic comedy, but also a Christmas novel. Unlike Charlotte Lane, the protagonist of the novel, I love the Christmas season: the lights, the Christmas trees, the songs, the presents, the food. Although, I was a bit shocked by all the Christmas activities Charlotte’s family took part in just six weeks. However, like Charlotte, I don’t like Christmas movies. Not the classic Christmas movies, like Love, Actually, Home Alone, or The Grinch, but the romantic comedies that start, develop, and end all in the same identical way.

Part of the reason Charlotte hates Christmas is that, when she was nine years old, she was one of the protagonists of a successful Christmas movie, but, unlike the rest of her family, she never had any intention of pursuing an acting career. Now she is a successful illustrator and she is also the reason the sequel of the movie is not happening, as she refuse to take part in it, antagonising quite a large of number of fans, so she flies to London to spend the holiday season with her sister and her family where she is forced to take part in the numerous Christmas activities and events they have organized, one of which takes her right into the house where part of her movie was shot.

Needing an excuse to avoid her family’s Christmas obsession, Charlotte accepts a commission from Graham, the handsome owner of house, to illustrate scenes from famous Christmas movies and she starts spending more and more time with him, risking to find herself in a real life Christmas movie.

I had so much fun reading Christmas Is All Around. The story is beautifully-written, entertaining, and immersive and the setting is very atmospheric (I adore London during the Christmas season!).

Charlotte and Graham are adorable together. I enjoyed their banter, the slow-burn romance, and the way both their characters develop. Martha Waters is one of my auto-buy authors and as long as she keeps writing, I will keep reading her novels. And whether you like Christmas or not, you will enjoy Christmas Is All Around!

A huge thank you to Headline Eternal and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel in exchange of an honest review.

Martha Waters was born and raised in sunny South Florida, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She works as a children’s librarian in North Carolina, and spends much of her free time traveling. To Have and To Hoax is her first novel. To discover more find her online at: www.marthawaters.com Twitter and Instagram @marthabwaters

Publication: 17th October 2024 – Constable

Life is never, ever dull in Agatha Raisin’s sleepy Cotswolds village!

Agatha Raisin’s private detective agency is working flat out on a series of burglaries which take a violent turn when a friend of Agatha’s is murdered during a raid on his antiques shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House.

When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Majorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John’s apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life.

Can Agatha track down the would-be killer, nail her friend’s murderers and rescue her romance with John? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when on top of everything else, Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!

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This is my first Agatha Raisin’s novel and certainly not the last one. Agatha Raisin: Killing Time is entertaining, witty, and quite immersive and I have already put my hands on a few other books in the series (although, I should probably read them chronologically and not randomly as I do with Agatha Christie’s novels).

Private detective and PR Agatha Raisin is busy on multiple fronts. She’s organizing a massive promotional event for Sir Charles Fraith at his ancestral home, Barfield House. She is also intrigued by a 400 years old local mystery while trying to solve a series of shop burglaries, the last one of which sent the shop owner to the hospital. And she also needs to find time to fly to Mallorca for a romantic break with her partner John Glass, a former police officer turned cruise dance teacher. And then there are murder, death threats written in riddles, attempts of abductions, and an antic clock that has attracted the attention of a few people.

I really liked the character of Agatha Raisin. She is smart, determined, with her own particular way of doing things and a take-charge attitude that makes everyone around her stand up straight. She doesn’t stop until every mystery is solved, even centuries old ones, and she has quite an interesting love life. Agatha Raisin: Killing Time is the 35th book in the series, but it can be easily read as a stand-alone. I loved the mysteries, the setting, and the cast of characters is wonderful, fun, and engaging, from its protagonist to her many friends, always happy to assist her in her investigations. Highly recommended!

A huge thank you to Constable and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

M.C. Beaton (1936-2019) was the author of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, as well as numerous Regency romances. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages and have sold more than twenty-two million copies worldwide. She is consistently the most borrowed UK adult author in British libraries, and her Agatha Raisin books have been turned into a TV series on Sky.