Such Charming Liars by Karen M McManus

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Although I am not the target audience for Karen M. McManus’ YA thriller fiction, I always find myself purchasing each one. They are also very satisfying on the shelf next to each other, and the latest, ‘Such Charming Liars’, is a rather wonderful shade of purple on the shelf.

In ‘Such Charming Liars’, we meet Kat and Liam, who are step-siblings who appear to be reunited by chance as Kat’s mum, Jamie, is sent to carry out a mission for her ’employer’, Gem. They find themselves on the rather impressive Sutherland estate. Neither of them is there for totally honest reasons; however, things take a turn that neither of them could have predicted.

As we all know, this site needs to be spoiler-free, which is never easy when I am trying to share thoughts about titles such as this one. However, what I can say is that returning to a Karen M. McManus novel in autumn is like returning to an old friend. They are quite a comfort read, despite being a YA thriller. They are always full of great characters, and strong female characters, which I think is something that is important for YA novels in the modern age. Alongside this, she is a pro at planting red herrings that can send you off on the wrong path, only for you to suddenly be thrown onto a different path altogether. Alongside this, the final quarter of this book comes at quite a pace, with a twist that I did not see coming as it hit. Which, surely, is always a sign of a good read?

So, if you are looking for a thriller that is great escapism for these autumn evenings, then Karen M. McManus is always a good idea. And if you have a YA reader in your life, maybe this is a set of books you can introduce them to.

This Motherless Land by Nikki May

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

If you have been here a while you will know that I absolutely loved ‘Wahala‘ – to the point that I know where I was when I read it. I even remember telling Nikki May herself (thanks to The Book Taster) that she had created one of the best villains of all time and I still stand by that.

So, I am sure you have worked out that I absolutely loved ‘This Motherless Land’, too. And, I do not know why I left it on my shelf for so long. Well, in fact, I do know why, because I did not want to finish it and then know that I would not be able to read it for the first time again.

This book, inspired by ‘Mansfield Park’, was everything that I hoped it would be and probably a little more. Nikki May has a skill of creating the most wonderful characters who you can visualise from the moment you start reading, and seems to have a particular skill of creating characters you quite like to dislike. However, this book touched on some really important issues. ‘Mansfield Park’ may have addressed the prejudice of the rich-poor divide; ‘This Motherless Land’ also addresses this, but also the racial prejudice faced by our wonderful central character Funke. Funke is Anglo-Nigerian, and fabulous; however, some of her family members in England do not seem to be willing to accept her with the love and acceptance that they should. However, she does form a bond with her cousin, until the day that an accident tears them apart and they lead two different lives, and we reflect on the paths their lives take.

I genuinely adored this book, just as I have so much admiration for Nikki May, especially as I was lucky enough to meet her at a ‘The Book Taster Live’ event. She really writes stories we want to read, but does not shy away from topics that we should probably all be thinking about and reflecting on, on a regular basis. This retelling brings the story bang up to date and becomes the story we need in this time, and just like ‘Wahala’ has brilliantly strong female lead characters, putting women right in the middle of the action. I am pretty sure that Jane Austen would throughly approve of this book, as it brings a social issue to the attention of readers, and gives women a loud and proud voice in the modern age.

I will be recommending this book to everyone – a modern classic in the making. Thank you Nikki May, and I can’t wait to see what other stories you will be sharing with us.

The Names by Florence Knapp

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

‘The Names’ is a book that had started to make a few appearences on Bookstagram, so of course it caught my eye, because a title like that just sounds like it is going to be a fascinating read. In fact, the first time it truly came to my attention was thanks to ‘The Book Taster’, as there was a little teaser of the book in our wonderful goody bags.

This book is beautiful. This book is fascinating. This is a book that I could not put down. And, it is a book that I cannot really review because I think you need to read it, almost with no idea what it is about (other than names). I did not know what it was about as, surprise, I did not read the blurb, and I think that actually increased my enjoyment of the book.

All I feel I can share is that this book is beautifully written. The characters are conjured up for you so wonderfully that you feel you know them. And, it is okay not to like them if they are not a very nice character. It also touches your heart almost immediately as you begin your journey with the collection of characters. I just needed to know what was going to happen; was everyone going to end up on the path they deserved? And are our paths determined from the moment we are born?

Also, I am over the moon that Florence Knapp will be at the next ‘Book Taster Live’ event (which I am, of course, hoping I will be grabbing a ticket for) and I can’t wait to hear what inspired her to write this rather beautiful book.

If you really want to know what this book is about, please pick up a copy, because I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. And if you do manage to read it, please let me know, because I would absolutely love to know what you think about it – because I think it is a wonderful read.

The Two Loves of Sophie Strom by Sam Taylor

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Isn’t it funny how sometimes you read two books with similar themes in quick succession, without even planning to? This has happened to me this month, as I have read ‘The Names’ and ‘The Two Loves of Sophie Strom’, both of which have a little of a ‘sliding doors’ theme to them – the whole idea of ‘what if?’

‘The Two Loves of Sophie Strom’ is a book I have absolutely loved. I appreciate that some readers may find the start of the book a little confusing, but it is a slow burn that is absolutely worth sticking with as it is a great story. We meet Max, a Jew living in Austria, at the start of the build-up of nationalism and the success of Hitler’s Nazi Party; one night, his life is changed for ever as his family’s business is attacked.

However, this attack creates a sliding-door moment, as we also meet Hans, who leads the life that Max could have lived if the outcome of the attack on his family’s music shop was different. Both of these boys, and later men, appear to be leading parallel lives, with very different experiences through the war years. But they are both in love with Sophie Strom, and will do all they can to protect her.

This is a fantastic piece of historical fiction, which investigates human nature in the time of war-torn Europe (specifically, occupied Paris). It really makes you think about the decisions that people have to make to survive – you really consider the light and dark of human nature in difficult times. Is Hans someone who really exists within Max, or is Max someone who really exists within Hans?

I thought this book was very skilfully written, with the dual narrative; it really takes some skill to write this story and keep it entwined. The novel also tells a beautiful story about love, survival, human nature and what it means to exist in even the darkest times. The characters are beautifully created, and they become very vivid for the reader (Karl is one of the most hateful characters I have ever read about, everything wrong with humans, especially in difficult times).

I am already ready to pass this book onto another reader, because I am pretty sure they will enjoy it. I think it is a book that will be with me for quite some time, and it has really made me think about the human experience, not only in World War Two, but in all situations of war. It is a unique idea for a book, and I hope that it finds many readers who will enjoy it as much as I did.

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Reader, Banjo and Finlay have stolen my heart – in a way I do not think any characters have stolen my heart before (apart from possibly Charlie and Nick from Heartstopper). These two ‘Glasgow Boys’ deserve all the love in the world, as well as the life that neither of them has managed to experience yet – and that you hope they will experience by the end of the book.

Banjo and Finlay have grown up in the care system, they have had different paths that get them there but sadly they both do not understand that it is the adults and the system that have let them down. And, they are not to blame for the sort of life they have sadly ended up living – in fact, Finlay has managed to get himself to university, which is an achievement he does not seem to think he deserves. As we read their story, first separately and then as a pair, as we realise they were once friends, but what tore them apart? And we see what they really both need is people to love them and for them to love, and an understanding that they deserve this – and any success that they have in life.

This book made me ugly cry, and I am not afraid to admit it. The story is beautifully told, with sensitivity and emotion. The characters are well-rounded and you believe in every moment, incident and conversation on the page. The chapters alternate between Banjo and Finlay’s viewpoint, and I think that brings you closer to the characters, as you see how they are feeling, what they are thinking and what makes them who they are.

Margaret McDonald is a very talented writer and it is hard to believe that this is a debut novel, but it is definitely one that deserved to win the ‘Carnegie Medal for Writing’. It is clear that she loves her characters as much as the readers do. I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen to me. It may be a YA novel, but it can be enjoyed and loved by adult readers also – and rightfully so.

If you have seen this book around and ever been tempted to read it, take this as your sign that you should, because you will not be disappointed.

Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

No surprise, ‘Sixteen Horses’ has been sitting on the tbr pile for quite some time. I spotted it ages ago, and as we know I do not read blurbs, but the cover appeared to absolutely be something I would read and I had seen some great reviews of it too on Bookstagram. So, when I spotted a copy in my favourite second-hand bookshop, I picked it up – it just now happens to have been ages ago.

‘Sixteen Horses’ is a great thriller – the heads of sixteen horses are found buried on some farmland. There appears to be absolutely no reason for it, and what happened to the corpses. This gives Detective Alec Nichols, supported by Dr Copper Allen (forensic veterinarian), quite a case to investigate, and it will be no surprise that there is so much about this quiet seaside town that is quite as it seems. Of course, if you want to know what specifically, you are going to have to read the book, as this is a spoiler-free zone.

This story was absolutely gripping, I devoured the book in two days as I just had to know what was going to happen and why there were sixteen horses. The writing was brilliant, which created excellent storytelling, and the characters were complex. I really liked the character of Dr Cooper Allen; not only was she a strong female character, but a forensic veterenarian was a fascinating job role to be involved in an investigation. I have to be honest, that I absolutely would not have solved this mystery and that always makes it a great thriller/crime story in my opinion. I would be interested to know if anyone else had read it and had worked it out?

So, as usual, it has to be short and sweet because it is a thriller post, but it does mean that I am definitely going to be searching out ‘Consumed’ by Greg Buchanan, as I need to know what Dr Cooper Alled does next and how/if she has moved on from the events of ‘Sixteen Horses’.

Dead Lions by Mick Herron

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

‘Slow Horses’ was a top read of mine in January 2024 (as it turns out – I was sure it was so much more recent than that; where does all the time go?), so I knew that I would carry on with the series. So, as I completed a bank holiday readathon with the lovely bookish community, I thought it was about time that I picked this one up.

Spy fiction has never, traditionally, been a genre that I would turn to. However, Mick Herron’s Slough House books have started to change my opinion. And, let’s be honest, I am not sure there is a character quite like Jackson Lamb out there. You know you should be disgusted by some of his personality traits, but there is no denying that he is an intelligent man and loyal to those who show loyalty to him.

When Jackson Lamb hears of the death of a former colleague, which, to all intents and purposes, appears to be completely innocent, he decides that he is going to investigate. A hunch that others are not sure about, but it certainly leads to something – otherwise, well, we would not have a book.

And, of course, there is something very strange when the powers that be decide that they would like to use some of Jackson Lamb’s ‘slow horses’ to help out with the visit of some Russian visitors – giving us even more action.

I think what really works with Mick Herron’s writing and storytelling is that he creates characters that you can see really existing in that world, without it becoming too much. And the stories make sense in the world that we live in, and keep moving without any ridiculous or fantastical ideas – and with a little touch of humour as we go.

In good news, I have also found out that, as a family, we have all the books, so I can keep reading them and following Jackson Lamb and his team, maybe not waiting as long this time.

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Steve Cavanagh never disappoints, and I was recently lucky enough to hear him speak (again) about his latest book (on the tbr pile), which encouraged me to pick up another that I had on the pile first. I am not sure why, as I do not really read them in order.

‘Witness 8’ is a brilliant pacy thriller, with Eddie Flynn being his best self as always. Eddie Flynn is brought in to defend a man who appears to be being framed for the murder of a neighbour. Eddie is convinced of his innocence, so him and his team need to find out who really commited the murder and why this man is being framed. Alongside this, there is a bounty on Eddie Flynn’s head. So, as you can imagine, there are all sorts of thrills along the way as we hope our man Eddie manages to not only save his client but also himself.

Steve Cavanagh just creates the most brilliant characters, heroes and villains alike. They are all so fascinating – especially the villains. You know they are bad, bad people, but somehow Cavanagh’s writing and character creation has you feeling sympathy for some of them, what has really brought them to this point? And, although Mr Christmas may not be a character I had much sympathy for, I did find him very entertaining.

So, it is safe to say that Steve Cavanagh is still cemented in place as one of my favourite authors and, as we enter the ‘-ber’ months, it means it is surely time to spend more time with Eddie Flynn and his team.

Geneva by Richard Armitage

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Let’s be honest, a lot of us are a little suspicious when we see a celebrity name on a book. It may not stop us reading them but it may mean we have a different mindset when we start reading, potentially. I was probably the same when I picked up Geneva by Richard Armitage and in doing so discovered that it was a very enjoyable thriller.

This is a thriller that I can see being on the big screen. It has everything that you look for in a traditional thriller and it is brought bang up to date. The usual issue, writing a post that does not contain a spoiler. However, I suppose it is OK to say that this is a thriller that involves pharmacetucal companies, lies, deceit and characters who are possibly never who they seem to be.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints and that certainly kept me reading as you experience what the characters are experiencing, and that adds to the thrill as you may know something that they don’t know. You find yourself hoping that they uncover it soon, otherwise you know what the consequences may be.

The title ‘Geneva’ is very apt as the place is almost a character in this book. You would not have some of the thrills you have without the atmospheric setting of the story. The darkness, the snow and the moutains bring as much of a thrill to the tale as the action does.

In the acknowledgments Richard Armitage thanks Harlan Coben for encouraging him to write this story – and I think we should all be grateful to Harlan Coben for that as it has brought us a thriller with a little of a feel of the stories of the adventure thrillers of the golden age (a real Paul Temple feel), but it is bang up to date. And that vibe and style to the story really added to the enjoyment of the book for me.

However, I think I have to be honest that, since I found out that Richard Armitage and Nicola Walker read the audiobook, that is exactly who the two central characters were in my head when I was reading it. And that is no bad thing – and, I guess, perfect for a possible TV or film adaptation…

Ever After by Amanda Prowse

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I was lucky enough to get a place on Tandem Collective UK’s readalong for the new book from the pen of Amanda Prowse – including being gifted a copy of the new book. I was incredibly excited by this opportunity as I was lucky enough to meet Amanda earlier this year at ‘The Book Taster Live’, and she was an absolute joy.

‘Ever After’ was an absolute joy to read. Enya is dealing with the loss of her husband Jonathan, the clear love of her life, when her son throws a curve ball and sends his life down a path that nobody was expecting. This leads to quite some fallout for Enya for a number of reasons, and there is another shock in store for all involved. Alongside this, Enya has met Dominic, but this causes some conflict for Enya as she deeply loved Jonathan and she soon finds out that who Dominic is may not be quite as a straightforward as she thought. I know this may all seem a little secretive as a summary, but I do not want to spoil this book for anyone; we all know I do not read blurbs and, for me, that added to the enjoyment of this book because it meant that every moment and event was a surprise for me – there was even an audible gasp at a couple of points.

I have to give a special mention to Enya: I think she is one of the most wonderful characters I have ever read and she reminded me of Amanda Prowse herself. Enya is such a kind and wise soul, who has so much love for her friends and family – especially her family. But, what really struck me was her quiet strength – and what a role model she would be for anyone who knew her. I just adored her and think she is one of my favourite characters that I have met on the pages of a book.

I have noticed that creating characters is something that is so special in Amanda Prowse’s books. She really seems to see people, their hopes and dreams, their fears and worries and from this she creates such genuine and believable characters. This works alongside the relationships that her characters form, too; they are always so accurate and reflect relationships that many of us may have encountered in our lives. Such a skill for a writer.

Athough I only discovered the books of Amanda Prowse this year, I feel so lucky that I have done, because there is such a backlist of books for me to enjoy, I do not think I will be running out of reading material any time soon – which always makes for a happy bookworm. Alongside this, Amanda’s engagement and support during this readalong has made every one of us feel very special, and added to the joy of being part of this experience.

So, in conclusion, I absolutely adored this book. It was just such an enjoyable read and I loved every moment of it; I could not wait each day to read the pages for the day and see how the story was going to unfold. I will be recommending this to so many people, because I think it is a book that needs to be shared.