Month: July 2025

The Psychopath Next Door by Mark Edwards

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I kicked off my Summer Holiday Reading by picking up ‘The Psychopath Next Door’ by Mark Edwards. I was lucky enough to hear Mark speak and interview Jo Callaghan at a bookish event and it was at this same event that I picked up his book. I am ashamed to say that before then he had not come up on my bookish radar, but I am glad he did that day, because this book was an absolutely brillliant thriller.

I consumed this book in three days, I could not put it down. It sucked you in from page one. Thrillers are always a tough one to write reviews about, as you know I do everything to keep it as spoiler-free as possible. I mean, that title makes it fairly clear what the book is probably about, so that is not a real spoiler, but how that situation came about and how it impacts the Dove family is quite the ride.

It is a rather dark tale as we find how Fiona Smith has found herself living nextdoor to the Dove family and how she becomes part of their lives. But there are some wonderful twists along the way and I could not move until I finished the final few chapters of the book, as I had to know what was going to happen and how this book would be drawn to a close. It is a brilliantly constructed tale from start to finish – full of drama, suspense and thrills. The dark characters are really rather complex, and add the the chills as you read the book. And it is interesting how ordinary the other characters seem to be, and make you realise how much in a family and friendship group we probably accept so much at face value, and sometimes wisdom does not come with age and we should sometimes have more faith in the young.

I am not sure why I am always drawn to thrillers at this time of year – but what this has done has secured Mark Edwards as another author (and the list keeps growing) that I am keen to read the backlist of. And I am excited that he has a new book out this very summer, which, of course, is on the wishlist.

The Vacation by John Marrs

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Within a short period of time, I seem to have gone from never having read a John Marrs book, to knowing that he is a reliable choice when you need a great book to read. ‘The Vacation’ was chosen as a informal buddy read with one of my booksta buddies and it was a great choice. Which, to be honest, was no surprise.

‘The Vacation’ is set around one slightly questionable hostel in Venice Beach, and the people who choose to stay there or have found themselves working there. We find out what has brought them there, as well as following the exploits whilst they are there. And there is quite a colourful collection of characters – with some rather dark secrets or troubled pasts – and more in common than they realise. As well as the meaning of ‘vacation’ for each of our different characters.

This, of course, was a page-turner, as you would expect from the pen of John Marrs. As I was reading this, I just had to know what was going to happen next. Especially as each ‘part’ ended on quite a revelation.

John Marrs always knows how to create some really rather dark characters. As well as creating some thought-provoking moments, especially around people doing the wrong thing but for some ‘right’ reasons. Or people trying to save themselves from situations that are unpleasant or dangerous – does that make some actions ‘understandable’?

Also, he draws so well on the topics that raise a lot of questions in out current time. In this book there is a discussion about the price of fame and those that find themselves in the spotlight, and the exploitation in that industry. There are some other ideas too, but this is one that really struck me, as it is something that is around us all the time in popular culture and media.

So, if you are a John Marrs fan, you will absolutely enjoy this book – and it has just proved that I need to keep working my way through John Marrs’ backlist, because I am fairly certain none of them will disappoint.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

When a book buddy suggested they were going to start this book, I jumped on and asked if we could have an informal buddy read. I had been intimidated by ‘Demon Copperhead’ for quite some time; I have it as a hardback (which is quite the chunky-looking book), but it has also had so much love. It is a prize-winner (which often makes me nervous that I am just not on that level as a reader), and I have heard it recommended on BBC Radio 4’s ‘A Good Read’, and it has been a selection on BBC2’s ‘Between the Covers’. This level of hype makes me nervous, but now was the time to pick this book up with the support of a bookish buddy.

I think it is fairly common knowledge that Demon Copperhead is a modern reimagining of David Copperfield, and oh my word, this is an inspirational idea because it has its similarities but is also a completely original story.

Barbara Kingsolver has built an absorbing story, which, very much like Dickens, is a social commentary of modern America, and the broken social system and opiate crisis (ironic that there would have been one of these in Victorian London too, questioning if the world has really ever moved on?). It is a painful read at points, and it may make you angry, but it will keep you reading as the characters are created so clearly that you have to stay with them and find out what will happen to each of them – and if Demon can ever get his happy ending.

Demon is one of the best characters that I have read in a book. You want to be able to jump into the pages and save him. He is a young man who just needs to be loved, and understand the love of a family. He has missed this all of his formative years, and it leads to some poor decisions and combined with some bad luck, leads him down a path he knows is wrong but he can’t seem to help himself. It is almost as though he has resigned himself to the fact that this is all society expects from him, so that is what is going to happen. You see some wonderful glimmers of when he has chances, and there are hope of change but life is cruel and it just does not seem on the cards for Demon Copperhead to have any real chance in life.

There are so many other fascinating characters I could comment on, both those that are kind and complicated are created so clearly for the reader, with the clever play on names (and nicknames) that seem to totally encapsulate who they are and what they may mean to Demon. It is all just so clever, and a clear indication that Barbara Kingsolver is an incredibly skilled author.

I do not think I will be able to forget Demon Copperhead for quite some time, and it means I will certainly have to read ‘David Copperfield’, as I have seen films and TV adaptations but have never actually read the book. But I will say that ‘Demon Copperhead’ is not a retelling, it is a story in its own right, that has done exactly what Dickens did, highlighted a terrible social situation to the world, and for us modern readers, it has really shown how there are exactly the same social issues as there were nearly 200 years ago – and should we not be a in a world that should know so much better?

On the Edge by Sarah Turner

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

In preparation for The Book Taster Book Club this month, I made sure I read ‘On the Edge’ in plenty of time. It had, no surprise, been sitting on the tbr pile for a little while, so it was about time I picked it up, especially as I have been following Sarah Turner on social media for quite some time.

I will be completely honest, this book was a complete surprise. I was pretty sure I would enjoy it before I started, I was not aware quite how much I would enjoy it. I have read books that have made me laugh and cry before, but not ones that have made me literally laugh and cry simultaneously. I binged the entire second half of the novel, not moving until I had finished it one Saturday morning.

I really do not want to give this story away too much because I really want people to read it and enjoy it, because I think it will offer something different to everyone. However, this is a story about family, in pretty much every sense of the word. And a wonderful study of relationships and character. However, it will be no surprise that ‘on the edge’ has so many different meanings in this book – especially for our main character Joni who returns to her home town after the death of her Nana, who has set a number of challenges for the family if they wish to receive their inheritance (and have her ashes to spread). There are, of course, mishaps and revelations along the way, which make for a truly entertaining read.

A few of the characters are a little infuriating, but I am pretty sure we would all have encountered someone that had traits of all of these characters. And, for me, it was all perfectly fitting for the story, because I think a lot of what happens in this book when it comes to self-reflection and relationships have all been things that many of us have faced, and sometimes seeing them on the pages helps us all.

This has secured Sarah Turner as an author I am keen to read more from – surprise: I have ‘Stepping Up’ on the tbr too, so it may have to be bumped up the list now – although I may have to emotionally prepare myself for the experience after this book.

Our Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

As I have mentioned before, I love the fact that I have a backlist from Liz Nugent to enjoy. My latest choice was ‘Our Little Cruelties’ – which has another stunning cover.

‘Our Little Cruelties’ tells us about three brothers, William, Brian and Luke Drumm. Each is a very different character, despite the same shared experiences as children, or so they think. But, as we read the story, we see how their experiences were not as similar as they may have seemed. Each brother had a very different relationship with their mother, especially Luke – and does that shape the man that he becomes? In fact, as the story is told, we realise how toxic the relationship between the brothers is, and maybe how similar they are and the ‘little cruelties’ they demonstrate towards each other. How will their relationship end?

Something that Liz Nugent is amazing at is writing male relationships and characters. And, often, they are not very pleasant people, and expose the worst characteristics in human beings – but this makes the books thought-provoking and very readable.

I have to be honest: this is not my favourite of her books so far. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed reading it and had to know where the story is going, as anything that opens with a funeral leaves you needing to know how we got to that point. However, as this story was told in different parts, from the viewpoint of each brother as we move to the moment that got us to the funeral, it made it slightly repetitive at moments. Of course, this is so we can see how they interpreted events, or how various events played out for them, but for me it just felt at times that we were not finding out anything new (especially as William was such a wonderfully dislikeable character).

Yet, please do not take this as you should not pick this book up, as each of us has a different reading experience, and ultimately if, like me, you are a fan of the books of Liz Nugent, then you will want to have read this book.

Way Back by Sara Cox

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have had ‘Way Back’ by Sara Cox for a little while, and as I know Sara enjoys reading I thought I would give her novel a go. I mean ‘Between the Covers’ is one of my favourite shows, and the ‘BBC Radio 2 Book Club’ is one of my go to podcasts.

I have to admit that despite the fact I probably am a little cautious when it comes to celebrity authors (rightly or wrongly), I did rather enjoy it. This storytelling definitely has the voice of Sara Cox running through it, which I think was actually what made it enjoyable for me. There was warmth and humour throughout the story, and the characters were rather good fun. And, it has been a while since I have read a book that had me laughing out loud and crying with moments of each other.

Josie is at a crossroads in her life: her marriage has come to an end and she is OK with that but as her daughter has also left home she is not really sure what to do next. When her childhood home comes up for sale she makes a shift in her life, to having a go at being a farmer, just like her beloved Dad. Along the way it leads her to reflect on her past, and create a future, both of which may not be quite what she expects.

This was an enjoyable read, and would make a great holiday read for those of us who may be considering what to pop on our summer reading lists. Although, I can’t promise you won’t potentially shed a tear or two – as Josie explores her past. But there is so much fun in this book too, who knew a cattle auction could sound like so much fun. Or that you would become so invested in the pig who also joins the farm life with Josie.

‘Thrown’ is also on my shelf, so I think it may get bumped up the tbr pile as I plan my summer reads, as I hope it will bring the same level of joy when I read it.