Book After Book

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

WATERSTONES

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.

Publication: 8th April 2025 – Quercus Books

Lexi is looking for no-strings-attached fun with a stranger. She deserves one night for herself, doesn’t she?

Zeke is looking for love. But for one night with a woman like Lexi, he’ll break his rules . . .

Sparks fly at the pub, one passionate kiss leads to another and they end up stumbling home to the marina together.

The next morning, hungover and shaken by an amazing night together, Lexi is more than ready for Zeke to leave. There’s just one small problem . . . the houseboat they stayed on has been swept out to sea.

As their supplies start to run dangerously low, and the waves pick up, Zeke and Lexi soon realise there’s much more on the line than their new relationship.

How long can they really survive on a drifting houseboat in the North Sea? Will search and rescue find them? And who will they be if they both make it back to dry land?

Swept Away is the epic new romance from the million-copy bestselling author of The Flatshare and The No-Show about your one-night stand becoming your one and only lifeline.

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

The new novel by Beth O’Leary is an immersive and entertaining novel featuring two relatable and complex characters, romance, adventure, and a seagull named Eugene.

So far, I’ve read most of Beth O’Leary’s novels (I still have a couple of my kindle to enjoy) and I’ve loved and appreciated all of them. My favourite remains The Wake-Up Call but Swept Away is a close second. It all starts with drinks in a pub, a one-night stand, and a bit of misunderstanding and then the two protagonists, Lexi and Zeke, find themselves in a boat in the middle of the sea with no way to ask for help. Stuck together, Lexi and Zeke have no choice but to try to find a way to survive, while also facing their past, their fears, and their feelings for each other.

I love Beth O’Leary’s writing and the idea of setting the story in the middle of the sea is unique and refreshing, keeping the two protagonists in close proximity and in isolation and providing them with a few (some quite scary) challenges to face.

Beth O’Leary not only creates beautiful stories, but also wonderful, authentic, and likable characters. Lexi is smart and strong, but she’s always put others before her, putting her own dreams on hold. On the other hand, Zeke has always felt something missing from his life and he is haunted by his relationship with his family, especially his father. I loved their relationship, their chemistry and how they slowly learn to be honest with each other.

Swept Away is a fun, exciting, and also emotional escapist read that kept me immersed from the first to the last page!

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

Beth O’Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over a million copies and is now a major TV series. Her subsequent novels, The Switch, The Road Trip, The No-Show and The Wake-Up Call, were all instant bestsellers. A TV series of The Road Trip was first aired in 2024. Beth lives in the Hampshire countryside, and if she’s not in her writing shed, you’ll probably find her chasing a toddler, with a strong coffee in hand . . .

Publication: 10th April 2025 – HarperCollins

He’s a rogue. She’s a liar. Together, they’re scandalous…

Mira Marleigh hides behind a pen name to write scandalous stories about the lords and ladies of society at the court of Queen Charlotte. Her world is turned upside down when an outrageous circular she writes sends Regency buck, Finnegan Underwood, on the run for murder.

As Mira heads to the Devon coast in search of the real culprit, she finds herself caught in a den of ruffians and scoundrels, not least Finnegan himself. Now turned smuggler, he is proving to be one lawbreaker who is very hard to resist.

Can Mira keep her head, and her heart, in her quest for the truth…?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I have been reading and enjoying the Marleigh Sisters series since the first book and each time a new story comes out it becomes my new favourite. I love the writing style and there is the right mix of romance and mystery, and, in An Unladylike Secret, we have murder, scandal, smuggling, and adventure.

The protagonist of the novel is the third younger of the Marleigh Sisters. Daughters of an English lord and his Indian mistress, the three sisters were brought to England after the death of their parents and raised (and mistreated) by their father’s wife and their son. The three sisters became estranged and started leading an independent life and now Mira is the true writer behind Aurelius, the famous journalist who reveals all the aristocracy scandals. Her latest circular about the disagreement she overheard between the two Underwood brothers led everyone to believe that Finnegan Underwood had murdered his brother a few days later and he is now on the run. Feeling responsible and not sure of Finnegan’s guilt, Mira heads to Devonshire to investigate. She certainly doesn’t expect to find herself involved with smugglers or adrift on a boat in the middle of the night with a handsome and charming suspect. Used to be alone and independent, Mira is surprised to find herself surrounded by friends ready to help her and a man who becomes harder and harder to resist.

I must admit that I couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, the mystery, the romance between Mira and Finnegan, and also the setting of the coast of Devon. Mira, like her sisters, is still haunted by her past and her upbringing and Finnegan, too, has his own demons to face. Their characters develop quite well and the story flows easily, keeping me glued to the pages. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

A huge thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a proof of this fantastic novel, in exchange for my honest review.

Amita is a writer, based in London. She first discovered her love for Georgette Heyer’s sparkling banter and runaway horses when she found one of Heyer’s romantic adventures in a second-hand bookstall as a teenager. There was no looking back – as in, it took another few decades to realise that Heyer was more than just a delicious obsession. Amita’s first Regency, Unladylike Lessons in Love, comes out in 2023 and takes readers on a ride through a diverse 19th century London landscape like you’ve never seen it before. Amita’s Arya Winters series of mysteries is published with Agora. The first came out in 2021. Get in touch @AmitaMurray and amitamurray.Wordpress.com

Publication: 8th April 2025 – Bookouture

When the family gardener is murdered near a site of legendary buried treasure, dog-lover and mystery-solver Cressida Fawcett is on the case!

1926, Sussex. The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is delighted to return to her parents’ rambling mansion to introduce them to her pug Ruby’s puppies. But when the pups go running off with Cressida in hot pursuit, they lead her to a bubbling stream – Hell’s Ditch. And the body of Bob the gardener is floating there, his outstretched hand clutching a soggy cheese and pickle sandwich.

Everyone assumes Bob died of natural causes. But when Cressida finds a glittering gold coin grasped in his other fist, she realises this is part of the long-hidden Saxon hoard. Was Bob struck down by the gold’s ancient curse? As Cressida interviews the colourful members of the local historical society, she learns that Bobhad been boasting of new-found wealth, much to the annoyance of his wife, and perhaps deadly jealousy of the other members…

Luckily for Cressida, eminent historian Sir James Colston, friend of the family, arrives at the mansion with tantalising information on the whereabouts of the rest of the Saxon gold. He promises to tell all, but the very next day he collapses into his morning porridge…

To Cressida’s horror, Marian -Bob’s widow and her parents’ cook – is accused of poisoning both the porridge and Bob’s sandwich and is carted off to jail. But Cressida is sure the answers are buried in the past. Just how far would a history boffin or a hard-up local go for an ancient pot of gold? And can Cressida dig up the truth before poison worms its way into her family’s kitchen again?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

It’s my turn on the blog tour for Death in an English Village, the new enjoyable novel by Fliss Chester.

Death In An English Village is the seventh book in which the Honourable Cressida Fawcett finds herself solving a murder with the help of her pug Ruby. This time the murder is close to home, at her parents’ mansion in Sussex, and the victim is their gardener Bob. Initially it seems that Bob died of natural causes while eating his lunch, but Cressida is not so convinced, especially because she found him clutching in his hand a gold coin that could be linked to a missing Anglo-Saxon hoard which the local historical society is actively looking for. While everyone thinks that the killer is his wife Marianne, Cressida is convinced of her innocence and is determined to prove it with the help of her best friend Dotty and her brother (and Cressida’s possible future husband) Alfred, and DI Andrews and DS Kirby also arrive from London to help.

I quite enjoy this series. It is set in the 1920s and it features intriguing mysteries and a cast of engaging and likable characters. Cressida Fawcett is a wonderful protagonist. A young woman who loves her independence and is opposed to marriage, although a charming and understanding Alfred seems to be making huge steps in changing her mind; she is a fantastic interior designer and her two big loves are her puppy Ruby and her car, a Bugatti. She lives in London, but she is back to her parents’ house to introduce them to Ruby’s puppies, who create havoc among the staff and hilarious scenes in the story. The mystery left me guessing until the end, but Cressida’s investigative skills prove that she is an amazing sleuth. I can’t wait for her next investigation!

A huge thank you to Sarah Hardy and Bookouture for inviting me to join the book tour.

Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.

https://www.instagram.com/flisschester/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester here: https://www.bookouture.com/fliss-chester

Publication: 24th April 2025 – Simon & Schuster UK

The brilliantly escapist and gloriously romantic new summer read from million-copy Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Swain!

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.  

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I read Best Summer Ever back in January and it made me dream of the sea, summer, fantastic friendships, and wonderful romance. Also, experience has taught me that if you are looking for uplifting and immersive stories you can’t ever go wrong with a Heidi Swain’s novel.

The protagonist of the novel is Daisy who is returning home to Wynmouth after quitting the job she didn’t like and leaving the cheating boyfriend who was trying to turn her into the perfect girlfriend. Daisy doesn’t know what to do with her life yet and she has never been good at sticking to jobs or boyfriends, something that caused a kind of rift with her parents, so she is not expecting a warm welcome from them. After an unexpected encounter with a handsome and charming and yet annoying American backpacker who keeps turning up wherever she goes, Daisy settles down back at home and even though her relationship with her parents is strained, she can count on her two best friends, Penny and Nick, and Algy, the owner of Wynbrooke Manor. 

Best Summer Ever is a charming, escapist, and entertaining story of self-discovery. Daisy’s return to Wynmouth leads her to reconnect with her friends, embark on a new romance, trying to solve her differences with her parents, and maybe finally finding her dream job. I loved the setting of Wynmouth, with its beautiful scenery and picturesque locations, and the cast of characters is relatable and likable. I can’t recommend it enough! Best Summer Ever is a heartwarming story that will take you right into the summer!

A huge thank you to SJV and Simon & Schuster UK for a proof of this delightful novel.

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction for Simon & Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three locations – the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast, as well as summer standalone titles. Heidi lives in beautiful west Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control! Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website or on social media.

Publication: 27th March 2025 – Raven Books

The Maid meets Only Murders in the Building in this twist-packed cosy mystery set in the smallest residential square in London.

Marchfield Square was meant to be a haven from the outside world. A place for those who need somewhere safe from their pasts, or who could otherwise not afford to stay in the city they call home. That was Celeste Van Duren’s plan. One of her tenants being murdered in his own kitchen, and the police trying to pin it on his long-suffering wife, was not.

So Celeste does what anyone with a lot of money, a strong sense of justice and a bad hip would do: she recruits some help to track down the real murderer. Her cleaner, Audrey, knows everyone in the square and is liked by all, while failed crime writer, Lewis, is known by no one. He hates his job, hates his life, and he’s not that fond of Audrey either, but Celeste is persuasive. In theory his knowledge of police procedure and her way with people should help them find the killer – if they don’t kill each other first…

Despite their differences the two soon discover the victim’s dodgy art deals may hold the key to the mystery – but have they missed something closer to home? After all, how well do you really know your neighbours?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I really enjoyed 10 Marchfield Square, truly an excellent debut! Well-written, clever, and entertaining, I was hooked from the first to the last page. I loved the wonderful cast of characters, the intriguing mystery, and the setting of the gated community was well-thought.

The story is told from the perspective of three characters. First of all, 82-year-old Celeste Van Duren, the formidable owner of Marchfield Square who, from her window, watches over all her tenants. Then there is Audrey, smart and with a bit of a mysterious past, the friendly neighbour everyone likes, who cleans Celeste’s house every Friday. And finally, Lewis, the crime writer with a bestseller novel under his belt and two unsuccessful sequels that forced him to accept a job he hates while he spends all his free time trying to write a new book. He is the antisocial guy in flat 5 who’s been living there for years, but no one knows. Until, one day, a scream is heard in front of flat 10 where the body of its tenant, Richard Glead, is found shot in the chest. Everyone (except Lewis with his noise-cancelling headphones) knew that Richard was a bad man who used to beat up his wife Linda, so no one is sorry for his death, but when the police starts to look to Linda as his killer, Celeste asks Audrey and Lewis to investigate for her and find out who killed Richard. Celeste may have ulterior motives to team up Audrey and Lewis, but as the two dig deeper into the lives not only of the Gleads, but also the other tenants, they discover that they may not truly know their neighbours.

I found 10 Marchfield Square a fun and refreshing read. The story is full of twists, I was completely immersed in the mystery, and Audrey and Lewis make a fantastic duo of sleuths. I loved the ending and it gave me hope for more Audrey and Lewis’s investigations.

A huge thank you to Raven Books and NetGalley for a proof of this gripping novel.

After studying Drama at university, Nicola Whyte worked as a bookseller for several years before going on to work in the digital department at Waterstones. She now runs a small digital agency in the West Country. She was shortlisted for the 2023 Comedy Women in Print Prize and her work has also been listed in the Cheshire Novel Prize (twice), the BPA First Novel Award, and Mslexia, while 10 Marchfield Square was named as first runner up in the 2023 Daily Mail First Novel Award. Nicola lives near Stonehenge with her family.

Publication: 27th March 2025 – MichaelJoseph

‘Who are you, Miss Austen, but a young lady of little experience and no consequence?’

Welcome to Godmersham Park, 1797.

Following many years apart, Jane Austen is set to spend the summer with her estranged brother, Neddy.

As heir to wealthy widow Mrs Knight’s fortune, it is imperative that Neddy stays in his benefactor’s good graces.

But upon arrival in Kent, Jane quickly realises Neddy is in dire need of her help.

For a mysterious young woman named Eleanor currently resides with Mrs Knight – a stranger who threatens to swindle the inheritance for herself.

Jane must uncover who Mrs Knight’s guest really is, to protect the fate of her entire family. When she discovers a series of threatening letters meant for Eleanor, her investigation takes an unexpected turn.

Because the dangers aren’t just within the walls of Godmersham Park. Jane knows someone else is out there watching, waiting – but for what?

Is this curious Eleanor friend, or foe? And can Jane solve the mystery, before danger comes for them all?

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

I have been waiting to read this second book in the Miss Austen Investigates series since last year when, at the end of the first novel, I read its first chapter promising more intriguing adventures for my favourite author and I wasn’t disappointed.

A Fortune Most Fatal starts with the young author on her way to visit her brother Edward “Neddy” Knight Austen. Jane’s brother, Edward, had attracted the affection of the family’s wealthy relatives, the Knights, who, being childless, adopted him when he was about sixteen years old, making him the sole heir of their estate. In A Fortune Most Fatal, Jane is going to stay with her brother to help his wife before the birth of their fourth child. Usually, it’s her sister Cassandra who is called in these times of need, but she is grieving the death of her fiancé so the responsibility has fallen on Jane. And, it’s not that everyone would have preferred Cassandra that bothers Jane or that her sister-in-law, Elizabeth, is determined to find her a husband (if only Jane would behave in the proper manner of a lady), but it’s the presence of a mysterious young woman that may threaten Neddy’s inheritance from the Knights that keeps Jane’s mind occupied. 

A young woman has been found on the beach near Godmersham Park. She claims to be a Spanish princess who’s been kidnapped and the recently widowed Mrs. Knights has taken her under her protection, preventing anyone from getting close to her, including her own son. Jane is determined to find out the truth, but as her investigation uncovers dark secrets, she wonders not only if the young woman is a fraud or if she is a victim, but who, among those close to her, she can trust.

I loved this second book even more than the first one. Set in 1797, Jane is working on her latest manuscript, The Sisters, which will later become her first published novel, Sense & Sensibility. She is worried about her sister Cassandra who she left in deep grief over the death of her fiancé, while Jane herself is still thinking about Tom Lefroy, the man she loves, but that she can’t marry. Jane is smart, witty, and quite curious, always full of questions and opinions that sometimes annoy those around her, but won’t stop her from getting to the truth.

Brilliantly-written, entertaining, and immersive, A Fortune Most Fatal has a cast of wonderful characters and a mystery that is darker than I expected, but that left me glued to the pages and looking forward to another Jane Austen’s investigation.

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

Jessica Bull grew up in South East London, where she still lives with her husband, two daughters, and far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She began work as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read all day), before becoming a communications consultant.

Her debut novel, Miss Austen Investigates, has sold in eighteen territories and counting. A Fortune Most Fatal is the highly-anticipated second book in the series.

Publication: 13th February 2025 – Usborne Publishing Ltd

From the bestselling author of This Book Kills comes a deadly new YA thriller of murder, mystery and mind-blowing twists. Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus.

Seventeen-year-old Kay left her sleepy hometown after the devastating death of her friend, Ivy. But when Kay is forced to come back, she receives an anonymous letter that turns her life upside down.

The letter tells her that there will be a thrill on Tuesday, a wreckage on Wednesday, treachery on Thursday, a fire on Friday, sabotage on Saturday, a stabbing on Sunday – and her murder on Monday.

And if Kay can’t figure out who is behind the threats, the worst day of the week is about to get deadly…

AMAZON

WATERSTONES

This was an intriguing and clever read. There are threatening letters from a mysterious “Monday”, a death that may not have been accidental, and a young woman determined to find out the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Kay is back in the small village of Longrove a year after she left it with her family. First the death of her friend Ivy in what was considered an accident and then the death from cancer of her aunt Sandra, who always treated her more like a daughter than her own mother did, led her family to move to London. Longrove is a sleepy town run by the sinister town Committee and now Kay is back to stay with her uncle and her cousin Nikki while her parents are enjoying a week away to celebrate their anniversary. However, on her first day back there, Kay finds a message on her bed in which someone, who signs themselves as “Monday”, describes a series of threats for her that will end with her death the following Monday. And as each threat takes place, Kay needs to figure out who is behind it with the help of her aunt’s notebooks and murder boards. From her cousin Nikki to her former best friends Mickey and Sophie, Kay’s list of suspects includes everyone in town and, as the threats become more dangerous and people start dying, Kay needs to figure out who “Monday” is and if their plan is connected to the death of her friend Ivy a year earlier.

I must admit that I had a bit of a slow-start in reading Mondays Are Murder, but as the pace picked up and the characters became more vivid and the story more suspenseful, I found myself completely immersed in the plot, the interesting characters, and the surprising twists. I liked being drawn into the mystery and trying to solve it together with Kay and her friends. Mondays Are Murder is the second book I’ve read by Ravena Guron, I like her writing and I am looking forward to her next story!

A huge thank you to Usborne and NetGalley for a proof of this novel in exchange of my honest review.

Ravena Guron has fast cemented her position as the go-to bestselling, award-winning author of highly-original YA killer thrillers, which combine pacy, twist-packed plots with deeper themes, including race, privilege and class. This Book Kills was the bestselling YA debut thriller of 2023, and has now won and been shortlisted for over ten awards, including the British Book Awards’ Children’s Fiction book of the year 2024.