Book Review: Rachel Lynch – Blood Rites (DI Kelly Porter book 6)

The sixth book in Rachel Lynch's thrilling detective series set in the Lake District is another entertaining story, with twists, turns, and ritualistic murders of a Pagan group who worship the seasons and elements... If truth be told, I worked out the killer within 100 pages. Nevertheless, it was entertaining to watch Kelly be completely …

Book Review: James Patterson – 21st Birthday

I must open my review of the latest instalment of James Patterson's hugely successful 'Women's Murder Club' series with a disclaimer. I don't read these books because I love them and can't wait for the next one. I read them because I've read all of them, and I have an interest in how the characters …

The Best Songs of 2021

In a year full of brilliant music and not enough concerts, I somehow managed to listen to 1,814 different artists (according to my Spotify Wrapped). Here are some of my favourite songs which have came out since January 1st, complete with playlist at the end. I hope you find something you enjoy 🙂 Possibly the …

Book Review: Richard Osman – The Thursday Murder Club

My first review, and indeed, blog post, in over three months, is the brilliant debut from one of the nicest, and cleverest, people in television. I intend to be writing more often again in 2022. 'The Thursday Murder Club' is not your average murder mystery. It's not really your average anything to be honest. The …

Book Review: Mick Herron – Slough House (Slough House book 7)

Mick Herron's legion of MI5 super-flops return for another jolly jaunt in Slough House's seventh installment, which although satisfying and entertaining in equal measure, is probably the weakest in the series. On the surface, this one ticks all the boxes needed of a modern spy thriller.Well-developed and advanced characters? Tick.Suitably complicated plot with lots of …

Book Review: Kimberley Chambers – The Wronged (Butlers book 3)

If there's one thing which Kimberley Chambers does in her stories which sets her apart from everyone else - and this could be quite a long list - is that she knows how to wrap up one novel and set up just enough plotlines for the next in the series. Fast-paced and exciting as ever, …

Book Review: Martin Edwards – Mortmain Hall

The second of the Rachel Savernake 1930s mystery-thrilers, Martin Edwards' talent to combine mind-bending, intricate plots with the theatrical flair of a Hollywood drama makes this a pleasure to read Although it must be said, until the dramatic conclusion of the novel it felt like a less-developed sequel to an author's opus magnum. The ending …

Album Review: Becky Hill – Only Honest On The Weekend (2021)

Everything about Becky Hill's (somehow) debut album is injected with an urgency. An urgency to appear authentic and break the barrier between being the voice of endless club bangers and becoming an album artist who's releases are eagerly waited on by waves of fans. Somehow it's been nine years since she burst onto the scene …

Album Review: Jake Bugg – Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (2021)

Jake Bugg's fifth album, and first in four years, is perhaps his most important. Get it right and his career gets reinvigorated in the shadows of other acoustic singer-songwriters in the UK charts at the moment. Get it wrong, and he's in the wilderness for good. Can you believe that it's been nine years since …

Book Review: Jo Spain – Dirty Little Secrets

When Olive Collins is found dead after rotting away in her living room for three months after succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning, no-one from the other 6 houses in Withered Vale seems too sad about it. Turns out, they all had reasons to want her dead.... An entertaining twist on the locked room mystery, 'Dirty …