Month: January 2026

All Her Fault by Andrea Mara

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

One author that I can always rely on is Andrea Mara, and that was true again with ‘All Her Fault’. I have not seen the TV adaptation but the book does not disappoint at all. In fact, I think the very ending is one of my favourites in a crime/thriller book that I have read in quite some time.

So, I have my usual issue because it is a thriller, so I do not want to give too much away. However, this is a very well-constructed thriller that will keep you reading. Andrea Mara always manages to find some of our greatest fears, or what we can imagine may be someone’s deepest fear (in this case, the disappearance of a child, which is not a spoiler) and weave it into a narrative that is complex, thrilling and twisty. I could not have predicted any of the twists that happened in this one, and, although there was one reveal at one point that seems a little too obvious, you absolutely did not want to believe that it was true.

But now, I must stop as I do not want to give anything away about this book. And if you have seen the TV adaptation, I reckon you should still read the book as Andrea Mara is an excellent writer. It has secured her as an author that I will always turn to if I need a book that will keep me hooked, and possibly a little bit scared. I am also pleased that I still have some of Andrea Mara’s books to read, especially as this is a backlist title that has gained some attention thanks to the TV series, which means that even more readers may be drawn to her books and find a new favourite author. So, I guess watching the show first for some readers is not always a bad thing, but I am glad I have read the book first and may one day see the TV adaptation.

The Guilty Couple by C. L. Taylor

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Trying to clear that tbr pile is going too slowly, but it is going. And, the latest choice off that pile was ‘The Guilty Couple’ by C. L. Taylor. I needed something of a palate cleanser, and this was just that. I hope nobody takes that as any kind of slight, as it is not intended as one, it just means a book that did not need a lot of concentration or focus, but that would have me hooked from the moment I started reading. Often, thrillers are just the book I need, or crime fiction – I find them pacy and that, for me, allows me to reset for other reads.

‘The Guilty Couple’ was a book that I received as part of a ‘Wordy and Wild’ box last year, so it was time I read it. Liv has spent time inside for planning a hit on her husband, apparently with the support of her lover, Jack. She has always denied the charge, and is convinced her husband set her up. But now she is out and wants to get her life back on track and her daughter back in her life. Of course, it is not going to be quite as simple as it sounds, and it is not long before Liv is drawn into deceit and plotting as she tries to prove her husband’s part in framing her, with a little help from her friends.

This is told from multiple viewpoints so we are let into all sorts of secrets as we follow Liv’s story. However, there is still quite a twist at the end. I am not sure it was a complete surprise but it was a good one and it did make reading the book worth it.

This book does exactly what you need a thriller of its kind to do. It keeps you reading, and you do find yourself keen to find out what happens next. I am not sure it is full of likeable characters, but you do root for Liv because her husband is largely rather unpleasant, it seems. I did stay up past my bedtime to finish it, as once I hit the twist I need to have the full story. I can confirm it appropriately cleansed my palate before I continued to tackle the ever growing (still) tbr pile.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I may be removed from the bookworm community for saying this, but I am going to say it, I think for one of the first times ever – the film was better! I am so sorry, I know this is a crime in the book-loving world because we should say ‘the book was better’, however, hear me out – this is a film that is pretty loyal to the book, but there is just something a little more satisfying with the film.

Ruth Ware knows how to write a solid thriller, and often in a range of different settings too. Which always makes picking her books up worth a go. ‘The Woman in Cabin 10’ is a great premise for a book: a trip on a luxury yacht should be something that is exciting and a thrilling experience, but not a chilling one. In the middle of the night, it appears the woman in cabin 10 disappears, however nobody seems to believe Lo Blacklock when she tries to find out what has happened. And we all know that a great trope of a thriller is the isolated destination with no escape, and that all other characters in the story appear to have no idea about what is going on…

So, obviously, I keep it spoiler-free, especially with a thriller. However, let’s look at what made me make such a shocking statement at the start of my review. It was simply this: as loyal an adaptation this appeared to be to me, the pace of the film just helped it out a little. I found in the book, my mind was wandering slightly after the very pacy start and just before the conclusion. Obviously not enough to make me not read the book, but just enough to lead me to consider the similar moments in the film. Also, and I know I am not alone in this as this was a buddy read, I think the ending was better in the film. Yes, I have just said it; it feels like I may be sharing an unpopular opinion, but the ending in the book felt rushed, and I realised that I was not entirely sure how we had suddenly got to the end – in the film there was a little more clarity.

I am willing to admit that I saw the film first, so that was my first impression of this story. Yet, I did enjoy seeing where the book met the film, and it did make me think about this book a little more as I considered why some of the changes may have been made.

So, will I read the next one? Probably! Because, let’s be honest, I am interested to see what ‘The Woman in Suite 11’ is all about, especially as I do not read blurbs, so it will all be a surprise.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Von Pelt

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Shopping my shelves is, so far, so good! I have managed to pick another book from the tbr pile to read this month, and this one really has been sitting around for rather some time. However, interestingly, it has appeared on the Bookstagram grid over the last few weeks, so I suspect that may have encouraged me to pick it up.

The thing that I suspect has made so many people pick this book up is the leading role of an octopus. I am pretty sure that piques the interest of a many a reader. I have to admit, I absolutely adored the role of the octopus. It is in no way a gimmick, but the addition of a wonderful character, and a character that is certainly a remarkably bright creature. I also adored the love that Tova had for the octopus, how she kept his secrets and he did all he could for her, in his own octopus way. I have always found the octopus to be a fascinating creature, and I think it is safe to say that this book has made me admire them even more. (Although, I did have the odd moment of imaging our octopus friend to be Hank in ‘Finding Dory’, and I was okay with that, as he is one of Pixar’s most fantastic characters.)

There also has been a theme of me reading books with fantastic female leads, and Tova in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ is another such character. As a woman who has faced quite some tragedy in her life, she has kept going and made the most of the cards she has been dealt, and be supported by the people of the small town she calls home. However, she never gives up on finding out the truth about her son, Erik. One day, Cameron arrives in town, in search of who he is, and suddenly the jigsaw puzzle pieces fall into place, and we see that events in the past may in fact lead to a brighter future.

I am glad that I have plucked this book from the tbr pile (without it tumbling) and read it. It is a perfectly uplifting and gentle read for this time of year. And if you do not think an octopus is a remarkably bright creature when you start, you certainly will when you finish.

Audiobooks ARE reading

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been thinking about this ongoing debate I see out there about audiobooks, and if they count as reading. As a dedicated bookworm, I 100% consider them reading. Especially, as a child, I had a number of books on cassette tape that you listened to as you read the physical copy. And I think that was one of the most wonderful way to read – and, now that I know that so many of you ‘hybrid read’, listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book, I think it is fabulous that this still happens, even as we grow older.

I think it can also be argued that audiobooks are probably the most portable form of reading we have. We can have a very small device that allows us to listen to a story wherever we may be. And, if we go back to that childhood memory, listening to stories in the car was one of my favourite things when we were on long journeys. It created shared memories as a family, and led to some of those inside jokes that you continue to share for years – and we have a few of those.

Although, I admit that my audiobook appreciation is not as consistent as it could be, as I love a podcast (usually about books) and I enjoy listening to the radio. However, on that note, I have finished my first audiobook of 2026, and it was a real treat. ‘Christmas at Flora’s House’ by Freya North was an absolute delight to listen to. This novella was beautifully written and so engaging with some of the most wonderful characters who were brought to life so well through Amanda Abbington’s fantastic narration.

It was a real story of hope after loss, about community and making new friends – it is full of emotion and I may have walked from the train station on my commute shedding a little tear. Maggie is a great lead character, a strong woman who just needs to navigate a new normal, and even though she may be a little scared to do it on her own, she is willing to give it a good go. I found this such an inspiration; we should all do a little bit of what scares us, because we never know what may be on the other side. And I am again so ready to escape on a little Scottish adventure.

Something else I really liked about this book is hearing Freya North read the acknowledgments. It showed how much this book meant to her as an author, and I honestly believe that this added to my enjoyment of this book. Especially when you hear all the love and support she had around her as she took on self-publishing this book. Maybe there is a little bit of Freya North in our lead character Maggie – well, I like to think so.

So, I think it is safe to say that this lovely novella may have reminded me to make the most of the world of audiobooks that are out there, because it is another way to consume fantastic stories, whatever you are doing and wherever you are. And that can never be a bad thing.

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This book has been sitting on my shelf ever since a book event where I heard Lottie Hazell speak. I am not sure why I hesitated in picking it up, other than usual, collecting books and adding to the tbr pile is sometimes very different to actually reading them.

This book is going to be quite hard to review. I do not give spoilers, or particularly want to spend a long time trying to unpick the plot. It is a book I enjoyed but I am not sure I loved.

Lottie Hazell is interested in food writing in fiction and, this is fairly clear in this book as food is central to this story. However, I am not sure all the food related moments were required. It is clearly a study of the central character’s relationship with food, and how that relationship with food can so easily be disrupted by the events that take place in our life. Yet, at moments I found that potentially uncomformatable to read, maybe because food and diet is something that is always around us, especially with the social media world that is becoming such a driving force in society. Although, I did also find myself contemplating the idea that food can become something that is used to especially social status, and that our lead character sees food as something that can elevate her and lead to her acceptance in a better social class.

There is no denying that this is a thought-provoking read, and I finished it so I was invested in the book. But it is certainly not going to be a book for everyone. It is well written – it used the chapter headings successfully to almost make them part of the story which I enjoyed, and showed a well-crafted narrative (as I admit, I probably usually gloss over chapter titles if they have them, rather than just numbers). I would be interested to see what else Lottie Hazell writes as I enjoyed the writing. And there is no denying that she has created a book that can trigger discussion and sharing of thoughts; it is probably one very well suited to a book club.

So, I think it is safe to say that this book will stay with me and I am glad that I have read it. But I am not really sure on what my full thoughts about this book are and I would be intrigued to see what other readers have thought about it when they have read it. And, of course, that is another book successfully off the tbr pile in 2026.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

Usually I wait until nearer the meeting for book club before I share my thoughts. But as the January choice was ‘The Lost Passenger’ by Frances Quinn, and it has been my second read of 2026, I had to share my thoughts immediately.

It is not a spoiler to share that this book is based around the time of the build up and eventual sinking of the Titanic. It is a story of survival, as Elinor boards the Titanic but Molly arrives in New York. And that is about all you are going to get out of me about the plot of this book.

My fascination with this book is the social history presented to the readers, and the beautiful storytelling from the pen of Frances Quinn. This may be a piece of historical fiction, clearly inspired by the events of the Titanic, but it is also an incredibly thought-provoking read. It is really a commentary on the experience of being a woman in Edwardian England, the pressure on the women to be the provider of children if she is from a wealthy family, and to be a poor woman is to be excluded from so many opportunities but still be expected to be a provider. It really makes you think that to be a woman was to be a second-class citizen in so many ways in England at the time. But, also, you find yourself reflecting on the social hierarchy aboard the ship, and the impact that had on the events of the fateful night.

Something I thought Frances Quinn was also very skilled at was giving her characters such an authentic voice. She embraces such a wide range of characters in her story, from all walks of life and all sorts of backgrounds, and as you read each one of them, they’re brought to life so beautifully that you feel you are there with them and you can empathise with them about their experience. And, rightly or wrongly, I do think there is something quite romantic about New York in the early 20th century.

I think it is safe to say that The Book Taster Book Club has done it again and Jenna has picked a book which I readily admit I may not have picked myself, but have really enjoyed reading. Historical fiction is not always my first choice (although I do enjoy it much more than I used to), but I also tend to shy away from events in history that I sometimes find difficult to read about when they have been fictionalised (it is the History teacher in me). However, this book treats the events of the night of the sinking of the Titanic with respect and not with morbid fascination, and recognises the emotional impact it had on those who survived as well as their families – and those poor decisions that appear to have been made on that night, or even before.

So, as there is a whole backlist by Frances Quinn to read, I feel lucky to have discovered her writing thanks to the wonderful bookish community out there, and I am looking forward to seeing what other readers think of ‘The Lost Passenger’.

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I spotted this book on the Instagram grid as December drew to a close and I remembered that ‘The Last Bear’ by Hannah Gold was in fact sitting on my shelf. So, I decided that, as the festive break was upon us, I would give this book a read, as it has a clear wintery feel.

This is a book that I certainly wish had been on the shelves when I was a child. I read lots of stories with animals in them and the Sophie books by Dick King-Smith are the ones I really remember about the relationships between animals and people (along with a strong female lead character).

‘The Last Bear’ almost feels like a step up from this: a modern, strong girl story and an exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. April moves to the Arctic with her father. He is there to study the weather, she is there for the adventure that he promises her. But, as April’s father gets sucked into his work, just as he did in England, April makes a discovery – that bears have not left the island after all.

April forms a friendship with this wonderful polar bear and wants to be able to return him to his family. But will she be successful?

This is such a beautiful book, with the most stunning illustrations by Levi Pinfold to support in bringing the wonderful writing of Hannah Gold to life. It is a story that tackles so many important issues with such sensitivity, but without making any issue less important than the other. April’s grief at losing her mother at such a young age, but also the impact that this has on April’s father are central to the story. This is also reflected in the desire April has to ensure that Bear is not alone and should be able to return to his family. But, also, I think we are forced to think about our world: are we ensuring that it is a world that will be here for future generations?

This is a book that has won awards, been shortlisted for awards and applauded by so many readers. And rightly so! This is also a book that reminds adults that it is okay to read children’s books. They have something to teach us, they give us something to think about, and they open a whole other world to us. I do not think there is any harm in remembering to be young at heart with our reading from time to time; any reading is important and maybe this is a book that could get you back into reading, or get someone you know back into reading.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

The first book of 2026 has been completed, because it was a book that not only made me read past my bedtime, but I also kept telling myself that I had to read just one more chapter.

I saw a lot of love for ‘The Correspondent’ as 2025 drew to a close, so I knew I had to read it, so may have treated myself to this beautiful book. I mean, for the cover alone I would have read this book, as it is absolutely beautiful and would look stunning on any bookshelf.

‘The Correspondent’ is the story of Sybil. A woman who seems to have skill for penmanship, and always seems to communicate better through letters – with everyone in her life. We learn all about Sybil and her life through a range of letters and emails – including secrets she has held for many years of her life and the impact that these have had on her. Will she have time to resolve these as she feels she is ageing?

As I do not like to reveal any spoilers in books, it does sometimes make them hard to review. But this book is such a great read, as it is told in letters and emails, which makes for an easy and page-turning read. It is brilliant how Virginia Evans manages to create the first-person voice of so many characters as they write letters or emails. This is a quite a talent for a writer, as she has to be in the minds of so many different characters and keep the authenticity, but she has done it and it makes for a really wonderful book. You will feel all the emotions when you read this book too – by the end I may have shed a tear, which surely is also testament to the excellent writing from the pen of Virginia Evans.

This book reminded me of a radio series called ‘Ladies of Letters’, which used to star the wonderful Patricia Routledge and Prunella Scales (it was also on TV in 2009, with Anne Reid and Maureen Lipman, which was also great). If you have never encountered this, please do seek it out because it is a joy, as is this book.

Back to the matter in hand: this book means my 2026 reading has started strong. Any book after this one has a lot to live up to, although I am, of course, still excited to see what the rest of the year has to hold. But back to this book, I will be recommending it to anyone who will listen, and hope that it will mean that it will find lots more new readers, because it really deserves it.

(If you would like to find out even more about this book, it was BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick on the 29th April 2025 – so you may like to look up the episode.)