Book After Book

Publication: 17th April 2025 – Hodderscape

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.

After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.

Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal – Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth – the Dragon proxy – will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists – the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.

If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne – whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death – and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

The Raven Scholar was exactly the type of fantasy novel I was looking for: addictive, with a wonderful world-building, fantastic characters, and beautifully-written.

The story is witty and funny, told by a narrator who tells the story with humor and boldness, and there is political intrigue, murder mystery, and a deadly competition to become the next emperor that kept me on the edge of my seat.

At the center of the story there is Neema Kraa, a Raven Scholar who spends more time among books than people and then suddenly finds herself thrown into the competition. She is not prepared for the tournament and no one wants to see her win. Also, the current emperor tasks her in solving the murder of another contestant, everyone is keeping secrets, and there is a sentient raven who won’t leave her alone. I really liked the character of Neema: socially awkward, often lonely, and too smart for her own good, I found her relatable and compelling. The secondary characters are also very interesting: Cain is charming and entertaining, Benna is quite overenthusiastic, Bersun is not what I expected, and even Ruko is still a mystery, so I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the sequel!

The story is very well-plotted and the writing kept me glued to the pages: there are intrigue, twists and mystery, there are malevolent gods and interfering ravens, and there is also some romance that it’s not central to the story, but still kept me intrigued. The ending was explosive and unexpected and left me looking forward to reading the sequel!

A huge thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this gripping novel.

Antonia Hodgson has written four acclaimed historical crime novels. She won the CWA Historical Dagger for The Devil in the Marshalsea, and her work has also been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year.

Antonia’s first (unpublished) novel was a gothic fantasy and her dream has always been to write an epic series, given the chance. In 2020 she set to work on The Raven Scholar and is now busy finishing its sequel.

Publication: 6th May 2025 – Simon & Schuster Children’s UK

Fall head over broomstick in love with this swoon-worthy, witchy romantic fantasy, perfect for fans of Twin Crowns, Divine Rivals and Stephanie Garber.

For the Kingdom. For the magic. And for love . . .

Seventeen-year-old Aurelia Wycherley is entering her debutante season as a witch. Aurelia should be excited about finding the perfect match to tether her magic to. But her magic is cursed – dark, dangerous, and not the kind that her peers want to match with – and, without a tether, she faces losing her magic completely.

But when Aurelia learns that enigmatic, aloof Jules, a member of arch enemy family the Nightlys, is searching for a way that a witch can keep their magic without tethering, she realises he may be her only hope. A forbidden alliance is formed . . . but as they navigate the Magical Season with its glamoured balls and perilous trials, they uncover dark forces that threaten their families and the magical world they live in.

Expect family secrets, generational curses, forbidden romance, gorgeous ballgowns, bribery, extortion, trespass, magic and kissing . . . lots of kissing.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

This was such a delightful read! I read it during the weekend and, every time I put it down, I couldn’t wait to go back and immerse myself again in this fantastic alternate Regency London, where young people entering society must find a magical partner with whom to tether to retain their magic.

The protagonist, Aurelia Wycherley, is a young witch who, because of a centuries old curse, won’t be able to tether with anyone, so she will lose her magic. For this reason, most of the witches have excluded her and keep away from her, except for her family and her best friend Constance. I really liked the character of Aurelia. She is strong and smart and even when everyone shuns her out, she doesn’t give up, especially when she finds out that there could be a way to retain her magic without tethering. Enter Jules Nightly. The Wycherleys and the Nightlys are archenemies, but Aurelia would do anything to keep her magic even if it means first blackmailing and then team up with Jules. I loved their chemistry and their witty exchanges and I can’t wait to explore more of their relationship in the sequel.

The story is fast-paced and compelling. Aside from the romance, I liked the magic bonds between partners, and also the close friendship that Aurelia has with Constance and the relationship with her brother Vaughan. And while the main plot focuses on Aurelia and Jules trying to find an alternative to tethering and their relationship, there is also an intriguing mystery as they get involved in the strange murders of some witches around London.

Overall, The Wycherleys is well-written, action-packed, and immersive and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel.

Annaliese has always loved stories. As a child, she would regularly rollerskate to her local library to stock up on new books to read. She was nearly always in trouble with the librarians for having not returned her books on time. Annaliese would go on to become a librarian herself one day and use her position as library manager to be more understanding to the young readers at her library who returned books late.

Annaliese has always felt the power of good stories but equally enjoys being lost in the wonder of books with facts/non-fiction. As a child, Annaliese read her way through all 20 volumes of THE NEW CAXTON ENCYCLOPEDIA. She also collected a magazine series called Quest, and its exploration of science helped trigger a love of physics and astronomy.

In 2013 Annaliese founded an astronomical society, DASH Astro.

One of her ambitions in life is to have her own observing dome.

Publication: 14th May 2025 – Bookouture

Move over, Inspector! Lady Poppy Proudfoot is here to solve her very first case.

Scotland, 1924: When Lady Poppy Proudfoot travels to the Highlands for a midsummer party, the last thing she and her fellow guests expect is for a body to wash up beside the loch.

Despite protests that it could have been an accident, Poppy is convinced it’s murder and decides to dust off her law degree and hunt for clues. But when the police arrive, the grumpy Inspector MacKenzie dismisses her evidence, insisting a crime scene is no place for a Lady. The nerve!

With the help of her trusted Labrador, Major, Poppy begins to unpick the case. But she soon has two mysteries to solve, as her host Lady Constance Balfour claims a diamond and emerald bracelet has been stolen. Could the two cases be linked? Was it Freddy the footman, a favourite of her ladyship? Or American actress Miss Cornett, with a keen eye for jewels? Or with such a dazzling guestlist, was someone from the local village tempted into the grounds by the party?

When a woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Poppy is attacked, she realizes that someone wants her off the case. Someone connected to Balfour House is a murderer and a thief, but who? And can Poppy solve the mystery before she, too, washes up beside the loch?

A warm, unputdownable page-turning historical whodunnit, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey and Catherine Coles.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Death at the Highland Loch is my first novel by Lydia Travers and I enjoyed it very much. The writing is immersive and the story is fun, mysterious, and fast-paced with a strong female protagonist.

The novel is set in Scotland in 1924, specifically in a house party in the Highlands. The protagonist, Lady Poppy Proudfoot, is independent and strong-minded, having also gained her own law degree. Accompanied by her loyal labrador, Major, Poppy is expecting a relaxing stay with Lady Balfour and her guests, which include actors and movie producers, when, first she is asked to find a diamond that has disappeared and then someone is found murdered by the loch. Poppy, with a passion for solving mysteries and armed with a notebook and a pen, starts to investigate, very much to the annoyance of the grumpy Inspector MacKenzie. 

First of all, I loved the setting of the Highlands with also a brief stop at Edinburgh, having finally visited Scotland myself and being now completely obsessed with it. The story and the mysteries are also well-plotted. There is the disappearance of a jewelry and a murder and I liked how the twists in both cases kept me quite intrigued. Poppy is an interesting character. Her determination in solving the cases puts her (and also those close to her) in danger, but I enjoyed how she turns into a resourceful amateur sleuth and her witty exchanges with Inspector MacKenzie were quite entertaining.

Death at the Highland Loch is an engaging and compelling cozy historical mystery and I am looking forward to reading more about Poppy and Major’s adventures!

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

Lydia Travers writes historical cosy crimes; and historical romances under the name Linda Tyler. She is an award-winning author. Born in London, she moved progressively north until settling with her husband in a village on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. She has kept chickens, bred dogs and raised children. A former legal academic and practitioner, she runs self-catering holiday accommodation, sings in a local choir and is walked daily by her dog. She loves to read reviews from readers who have enjoyed her novels. Lydia is a member of the Crime Writers Association.

Publication: 27th March 2025 – Quercus

Annie thought the murders were over.
She was wrong.

It is autumn in Castle Knoll and Annie Adams is busy settling into her new home. She doesn’t find Gravesdown Hall particularly cosy, especially since she found two dead bodies there over the summer. What’s more, ever since she arrived in the village, Annie has had the creeping sense she’s being watched.

Lonely, and desperate for some company, Annie starts talking to a stranger she meets in the grounds of the estate. The striking old woman introduces herself as Peony Lane, the fortune-teller who predicted Great Aunt Frances’ murder all those years ago. And now she has a fortune to tell Annie.

Desperate not to fall into the same trap as Frances, Annie flees Peony Lane, refusing to hear any of her grim predictions. But she can’t outrun Peony for long, as hours later she finds her, dead on the floor of Gravesdown Hall, a ruby-hilted dagger plunged into her back.

But who killed the mysterious fortune teller and why? And can Frances’ library of evidence help Annie solve the case?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

How To Seal Your Own Fate is the fantastic sequel to one of my favourite books from last year, How To Solve Your Own Murder.

As in the first book, the story alternates between the present, with Annie Adams solving another mystery, and the past, in the 1960s, told in the form of a diary from Annie’s great aunt, Frances. There is mystery in the form of murder, right in Annie’s garden, and there are family secrets to uncover as Annie tries to figure out the past of her formidable great-aunt.

I loved how the author deftly alternates between the past and the present, between two different points of views, keeping me intrigued from the first to the last page. In the present time,  Annie has now settled down in Gravesdown Estate and Castle Knoll, even though people have not been exactly welcoming and her great-aunt’s personality seems to haunt the big house she lives in all alone. To distract her there is yet another murder. Peony Lane was the same fortune teller who had predicted Frances’ murder and, right before she was found murdered in Annie’s solarium, gave her a mysterious message. Now, it’s up to Annie to figure out who wanted her dead and to do that she needs not only to investigate the people of Castle Knoll, but also look into her great-aunt’s diaries. In the past, a young Frances Adams is still trying to figure out her future, but, in the meantime, she keeps herself busy looking into a car crash that may have not been an accident.  

I enjoyed How To Seal Your Own Fate as much as the first book. I loved the small-town setting and the amateur detectives and the complex and twisty mystery kept me guessing until the end. How To Seal Your Own Fate is a smart, gripping, and compelling read and I am really hoping there will be yet more mysteries to solve!

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

Kristen Perrin is originally from Seattle, Washington, where she spent several years working as a bookseller before moving to the UK to do a master’s and a PhD. She lives with her family in Surrey, where she can be found poking around vintage bookstores, stomping in the mud with her two kids, and collecting too many plants. How To Solve Your Own Murder is her debut adult novel.

Publication: 22nd May 2025 – One More Chapter

1812 The Lake District

Despite their attempts to keep their forbidden romance away from the disapproving eyes of society, Dr Jacob Sandys and his lover, the actress Dora Fitz-Pennington, find themselves drawn into the scandals of the British elite once more when William Wordsworth’s prized notebook of unpublished poems goes missing.

When news arrives of a disturbing murder in London – a body pulled from the Thames with a shepherd’s crook wedged in the victim’s mouth – Dora and Jacob are compelled to investigate.

What links a poet’s stolen treasure to a high-society murder? And will Dora and Jacob’s love weather the storm, or will dark secrets doom their happiness?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Historical mystery novels, especially the ones set in the Regency and Victorian era, are my favourite at the moment and I always enjoy discovering new series. The latest one is The Regency Secrets series by Julia Golding, which I easily read starting from the third book, The Wordsworth Key (I got my hands on the first two books, but I haven’t had the chance to read them, yet).

Set in 1812, the protagonists are Dora Fitz-Pennington, an illegitimate actress and forger, and Dr Jacob Sandy, the third son of a viscount and a physician, both turned into professional sleuths. Throughout the novel, not only they will have to investigate a theft and a murder, but also face their class differences and their feelings for each other.

The novel starts with Dora and Jacob taking a break from their London life and their investigations in the Lake District. However, first Jacob is called away to his family home while Dora helps a neighbour to find a manuscript that has been stolen and then, unexpected visitors keep turning up at their cottage. And when the theft is followed up by a murder, Dora and Jacob will have to say goodbye to their holiday and get deep into the investigation.

The Wordsworth Key is such a fun, delightful, and intriguing read. I liked the characters of Dora and Jacob and how their relationship develops and I love that the story features real historical figures of the times (like William Wordsworth). The mystery is well-developed and kept me guessing and there is also some family and romantic drama to keep the reader entertained. Highly recommended!

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

My journey to becoming an author has been a roundabout one, taking in many other careers. I grew up on the edge of Epping Forest and was that dreamy kind of child who was always writing stories. After reading English at Cambridge, I decided to find out as much as I could about the wider world so joined the Foreign Office and served in Poland. My work as a diplomat took me from the high point of town twinning in the Tatra Mountains to the low of inspecting the bottom of a Silesian coal mine.

On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones – a cause about which I still feel very passionate.

Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees.

My first novel, ‘The Diamond of Drury Lane’, won the Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children’s Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone’s in 2007 as one of their ‘Twenty-five authors for the future’. In the US, ‘Secret of the Sirens’ won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.

My latest book is The Curious Crime – a murder-mystery set in an amazing science museum. There may be dodos and cake too!

Publication: 29th April 2025 – Kensington

Minnie Harper isn’t used to putting herself first. Not after she moved away from England only to be left raising two children alone on the Greek Island of Corfu following her husband’s unexpected death. But with her daughter begging to be sent to school abroad and her son grasping at his own independence, Minnie realizes she must prepare for the next stage of her life.

When famous mystery author Stephen Dorian settles into a neighboring villa to escape writer’s block and hidden scandals, she is intrigued at first by the handsome Londoner—until he proves to be nothing more than a boorish grump. Determined to avoid the man as much as possible, Minnie is shocked when he offers her a well-paid job as his typist. She isn’t in a position to turn down work, even from a man she has sworn to hate.

But before Minnie can fully regret her decision to take the job, she makes a horrifying discovery that changes everything. A young maid has been murdered, and local authorities aren’t moving fast enough to bring justice to the terrible crime. Unwilling to allow the death to fade into obscurity like the stories of so many other women deemed unworthy by society, Minnie launches an investigation of her own—and reluctantly accepts Stephen’s help. As she embarks on a dangerous search for answers that reveals another side of Corfu, unsettling questions take shape about her employer-turned-confidant and the culprit who just might do whatever it takes to strike again . . .

AMAZON

Death on Corfu is my first Emily Sullivan’s novel and it certainly won’t be my last. I loved her writing and the setting is beautiful and atmospheric. The characters are well-developed and the story kept me completely engrossed.

It’s the turn of the new century, 1898, and the English expats on Corfu are a closed community. The protagonist, Minnie Harper, has been widowed for four years and she’s been raising on her own her two children, fifteen-year-old Cleo, who loves to read and sometimes seems already a grown-up, and eight-year-old Tommy, who loves to collect any kind of animals. Although her husband has left her a little money to live on, their house is in constant need of repairs so she’s accepted a few jobs as a typist, including for her new neighbour, arrogant bestselling mystery author Stephen Dorian. Minnie and Stephen don’t exactly hit it off, but when a maid is found murdered, they decide to investigate together to find the killer.

I really liked the character of Minnie and how she develops throughout the novel. Even though she stood up to her family when she was younger to get an education, she then always relayed to her husband, even promising him to stay in Corfu and never return to England. And even as she now struggles with her own daughter’s desire for an education in England, we see her coming to her own and fighting to find justice for a young woman who no one seems to really care about. I also liked the chemistry between her and Stephen and I am really hoping for a second book to explore it more.

Death on Corfu is a wonderful read: there is mystery, intrigue, lots of historical details, and compelling characters. And while I am keeping my fingers crossed for a follow-up, I am going to get started on the author’s Regency novels!

A huge thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for a proof of this fantastic novel.

Emily Sullivan is the author of multiple critically-acclaimed historical romances, including A Rogue to Remember and Duchess Material. She lives in New England with her family where she enjoys reading about history and writing about rebellious women. A Death on Corfu is her first mystery. She can be found online at EmilySullivanBooks.com.

Publication: 8th May 2025 – Simon & Schuster UK

Anna Whitlock is a people-pleaser, but she is done saying yes. Now she has to learn how to put herself first…
 
After splitting up with her fiancé and ready for a new start, Anna takes a job rewilding the glorious Stonemore Estate in Northumberland.
 
But when she arrives the only thing driving Anna wild is her boss: the sexy, but emotionally unavailable Jamie, who is hellbent on making Anna’s job – and her life – as difficult as possible.  On the plus side, there’s Callum, the gorgeous estate manager, her best friend Fi, and an enthusiastic beagle called Hugo.
 
When romance with Callum blossoms, is Anna’s resolve to stop people-pleasing about to falter? And why can’t she stop thinking about Jamie? Can she truly put herself first and say yes to the thing which will make her happiest, falling truly madly wildly in love…?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Happy Monday, everyone! Excited to start the week by taking part in the blog tour for Wild About You, the wonderful debut novel by Sophie Loxton.

From the synopsis, I expected a romantic and entertaining novel, but I got much more. The story is very well-written, the characters feel authentic, and the beautiful descriptions made me wish that I was in Northumberland, working at the magnificent, yet in need of a new roof, Stonemore Estate.

Wild About You is a story of new beginnings, friendship, romance, and found family. The protagonist, Anna Whitlock is relatable and loyal, complex and flawed, determined to leave behind her past and the fiancé who broke her heart and to exchange her exciting and fast-paced life in London for a quiet new one in Stonemore, a picturesque village with greystone cottages where everyone knows everyone. 

It’s the beginning of a new life for Anna who, after her world is turned upside down, makes a decision about her life: not only she does take on a new job in Northern England, but she is going to become a new person. Always a people pleaser, always saying “yes” to other people’s desires, it’s time for Anna to start saying “no” and to put herself first. However, her resolve to say “no” is often tested by the friendly and gorgeous estate manager Callum, her best friend Fi, her snobbish new colleague Tally, the adorable beagle Hugo who brings excitement to the office, and, most of all, the grumpy and distant lord of the manor, Jamie.

Wild About You is a charming, heartwarming, and uplifting novel which addresses sensible themes that sometimes make for a difficult and emotional read. However, there are also hilarious and entertaining scenes as well as romance. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I didn’t want it to end and I can’t wait to read the author’s next book!

A huge thank you to SJV and Simon & Schuster UK for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and providing me with a proof of this wonderful novel.

Sophie Loxton lives in Kent with her husband and dog. She writes her novels on train journeys. You can find her on Instagram @sophieloxtonauthor

Publication: 6th May 2025 – Piatkus

Meet Lady Gus and Lady Julia: unmarried, unruly and ready for adventure.

To most of Regency high society, Lady Augusta ‘Gus’ Colebrook and her twin sister, Julia, are just unmarried ladies of a certain age. But the Colebrook twins are far from useless old maids . . . they are secretly protecting women and children ignored by society and the law.

When Lord Evan, a charming, escaped convict who has captured Gus’s heart, seeks their help to shield his sister and her lover from from their vindictive brother, the twins take the two women into their home. But Lord Evan’s complicated past puts them all in danger. Gus knows that if he is to survive the thieftakers who hunt him, they must clear his name of murder. But it is no easy task. The fatal duel was twenty years ago, and a key witness is nowhere to be found.

Caught in a deadly cat-and-mouse game, Gus, Julia, and Lord Evan are thrust into the ugly underworld of Georgian gentlemen’s clubs, spies, and ruthless bounty hunters, not to mention the everyday threat of narrow-minded brothers. Will the truth be found in time, or will the dangerous secrets from the past destroy family bonds and rip new love and lives apart?

AMAZON

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I have been waiting to read The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin for two years, since I finished reading the first book, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. The adventures of Lady Augusta “Gus” and her twin sister Julia, as they help those in need, kept me completely engrossed and this new book is even better.

Following the events of the first book, Gus is determined to prove the innocence of the man she loves, Lord Evan Belford, accused of murder twenty years earlier. Also, Gus and Julia are hiding his sister, Lady Hester, and her lover, Miss Grant, from their brother who wants to keep her in an asylum. And with Bow Street Runners, ruthless bounty hunters, and insufferable brothers watching their every move, the two sisters are quite busy.

Set in Regency England, the main protagonist of this engaging novel is a witty, strong, and independent 42-year-old woman who, according to society and her own brother, should stay quiet and do what is told. Luckily, Gus has her own mind and she is determined to protect those in need and to find justice for them. She is outspoken and interfering, so that sometimes people, including her own twin, find her controlling, but I liked how she would stop at nothing to get to the truth and protect everyone. On the other hand, Julia is calm and more sensible, always ready to keep peace. They are involved in quite a few adventures, some dangerous and some more exciting, and the sisters both find time for a bit of romance.

Entertaining, intriguing, and well-written, The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin will appeal to those who love Regency mysteries with some romance and humour and great characters. With a compelling ending and teasing of more adventures, I can’t wait to read the next book!

A huge thank you to Piatkus and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this wonderful novel.

Alison Goodman is the bestselling Australian author of several novels including the reknowned Eona and The Two Pearls of Wisdom.

Publication: 24th April 2025 – Aria

They say you should keep your enemies closer.

For Fliss, the prospect of a team building work trip fills her with dread. Mostly because she cannot stand her pushy colleague James, who often attempts to derail her brilliant plans. But when the two arrive in the Scottish Highlands, they find themselves facing a unique challenge: their boss has abandoned them in the middle of nowhere with only one tent, two sleeping bags and a few protein bars.

Cut off from the outside world, the pair are forced to put aside their differences to weather the unpredictable elements of the Highlands and get home. As they set out on a journey across miles of rugged wilderness – pushing each other to survive and testing their physical and emotional limits – they remain fully aware of their boss’s manipulative plan to orchestrate a hook up between them.

But even with only each other for company, Fliss and James stand firm in their resolve: they won’t give in to any romantic notions. Or will they?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

Work Trip is an engaging and enjoyable novel. I read it right before my first trip to Scotland and the Scottish Highland, where most of the story is set, and it made me even more excited about my holiday. The setting is beautiful and remote, perfect to keep the two protagonists together and isolated from the rest of the world.

The protagonists, James and Fliss, are enemy colleagues, always against each other during the company’s meetings and now on the run for the same promotion. Fliss is determined to get the position of director, after all she’s sacrificed the last six years of her life to this job, spending long hours at the office and giving up on any kind of social life, and James really gets on her nerves, with his perfect hair and perfect suits and his arrogant responses. After yet another animated meeting, their boss organizes a corporate retreat in Scotland. However, when she gets there, Fliss discovers that it’s just for her and James as they are left to survive in the Scottish wilderness with only a tent, two sleeping bags, and an uncomfortable number of condoms and tampons. Forced to work together, Fliss and James start to know each other better and to question their life choices.

I had fun reading this novel. There is quick and witty banter, sexual and romantic chemistry, and a few hilarious adventures and mishaps that make for an easy and entertaining read. And I really liked the character of Fliss. I found her relatable and authentic and, even though she is a bit controlling sometimes, I liked how her character develops throughout the novel.

Work Trip is a fantastic novel full of humour, romance, and charm that makes me look forward to the author’s next novel!

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

Chloe Ford grew up in rural Sussex but is now based in South Gloucestershire. She has an affinity with all things country, from riding horses to muddy walks. Her love for writing began at secondary school when her English teacher would set a writing task for the whole hour. An avid reader, she started sneaking Mills & Boon books out from under her mum’s bed as a teenager and hasn’t stopped devouring romance books ever since.

Publication: 29th April 2025 (ebook), 8th May 2025 (paperback) – One More Chapter

The time has finally come for former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker to wed her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers, But their long-anticipated wedding doesn’t quite go to plan…

As their guests descend on a luxurious Cornish castle for a weekend of pre-wedding activities, the happy couple look forward to spending time with friends and family. But celebrations grind to a halt when an arrow flies off-course during the archery session, and they find the body of a young woman floating face down in an ornamental pond.

With the champagne chilling and canapes assembled, and an old London adversary brought in to investigate, it’s up to Jodie and Nathan to uncover the killer, before they strike again.

Could the murderer be on the guest list?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

The Cornish Castle Murder is the eight book in one of my favourite mystery series, the Jodie “Nosey” Parker series. Set in Cornwall, this is a fantastic cozy mystery full of humour and intrigue featuring a former Met police officer turned caterer and her entertaining family and friends.

In this eighth book, Jodie and her fiancé DCI Nathan Withers are getting married, but, of course, murder is behind the corner. They have organized a weekend of festivities in a beautiful Cornish Castle, but when a woman is found murdered and one of their friends is among the suspects, Jodie and Nathan must put their happiness on hold and find the killer.

The beautiful descriptions of the castle, the atmosphere of celebration and then of mystery kept me completely engrossed. I loved the character of Jodie, witty, smart, and strong-willed, who, somehow, always manages to stumble upon a body, whether it’s at a Christmas party, a festival, or, in this case, her own wedding. I am also a big fan of Nathan and her daughter Daisy, and her mother Shirley is one of my favourite characters. The mystery is compelling and full of twists. Is the killer one of their friends or someone in the victim’s life? And, are some of their friends keeping secrets? Overall, The Cornish Castle Murder is an engaging and immersive read that made me turn page after page and with a perfect ending to celebrate Jodie and Nathan!

A huge thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with a proof of this fantastic novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fiona Leitch is a novelist and screenwriter with a chequered past. She’s written for footballing and motoring magazines, childbirth videos and mail order catalogues; DJ’ed at illegal raves in London, been told off by a children’s TV presenter during a studio debate; and was the Australasian face of a series of TV commercials for a cleaning product. All of which has given her a thorough grounding in the ridiculous, and helped her to write funny stuff.