Month: March 2026

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I gave into the hype when I bought ‘Wild Dark Shore’; it was not the cover that drew me to it, and we all know that I do not read blurbs, but it was the love it was getting from so many people I respect in the Bookstagram world.

Now, I am not really sure what I thought. I mean, it is a good book, and I enjoyed it. But I am not sure I am going to rave about it as so many have done. This is not a slight on the book, as we each have different tastes in what we read, but as an island story with a mystery and a message, I have enjoyed others a little more.

I found it a little confusing to start with, to get my head into who was who, but that was a me issue rather than a book issue – I had to remember to read the names of the chapters. Haha! However, once I got into the book, the mystery element of the story kept me hooked. Who is Rowan? What has brought her to the island where Dominic and his family are living? What is keeping Dominic and his family there?

I know that, for many, the comment on climate and the environment is something that they have found very special about this book. But, for me, I did not feel this in quite the same way. I think maybe because I did not find the characters particularly engaging – but this book was all about the mystery element and that was the thing that kept me engaged in the story. Maybe I have missed something in the novel?

However, if people ask me if they should read it, I will say yes. I think it would be a brilliant book for discussions. I am glad that I have read it, but I am not sure that it is a book that will stay with me for ever.

Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I told myself I was not buying any more books at the moment, and then bam, a new Sarah Crossan book comes out and that promise I made myself is out the window. Combine that with Waterstones offering me double points, and we all know that ‘Gone for Good’ by Sarah Crossan was going to make it onto my shelf.

Now, in my defence, I read it immediately after purchase, so it has not been sitting on my tbr pile at least. It was, not surprisingly, a binge-worthy book. And, as it is free-verse, easy to read, I sped through it – as I usually do with Sarah Crossan books, as I can’t stop reading them once I start.

A girl goes missing from a school for troubled teenagers, sending those residents of the school into turmoil as they try to work out what happened to her – and causing them to start to mistrust those they believed were their allies, and the questioning the care they are being given by the responsible adults. Who, of course, should be the ones to keep them safe.

This is such a fascinating book, because alongside the mystery/thriller element, it is an interesting social study. Connie, our lead character, who has ended up at Silver Lake out of loyalty to her sister, questions so much about the institution and what exactly it is that forces all these young people to be there together. And then there is her determination to find out what has happened to the missing girl…

So, it is safe to say that Sarah Crossan has done it again. She has given us another wonderful free-verse novel that is an incredible story, with an incredible message and is a real page-turner. As usual, I am already ready for another book from Sarah Crossan because, for me, she always seems to hit the mark, and remind me why free-verse is such a fantastic style of storytelling for us all to read.

Welcome to the Family by Kate Gray

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

What is it about Italy that seems to make it the perfect setting for any book? This time, summer in Tuscany is the setting for a rather tense family-centred thriller by Kate Gray, and it is a book that I absolutley loved; in fact, it is safe to say that I could not put this book down. And, before I go any further, I need to say a massive thank you to Mountain Lion Press for sending me this proof copy because it is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Kate Gray is an auto-buy author for me to this has been an extra special treat.

One hot summer, Rosie is invited to stay with her boyfriend’s family in their home in Tuscany. What should be a summer of rest and relaxation, turns into a summer of mystery and secrets. Is Theo’s family as picture-perfect as the setting would suggest? And why do all the locals seem to give them a wide berth, and treat them with suspicion?

As the hot summer days pass, more secrets seem to come to the surface. The historic murder of a British schoolgirl seems to be taking centre stage again, especially as another young local woman goes missing. Do the family know what happened to her? Or, are they just the victims of circumstances as the outsiders in the town?

Spoiler-free, this book is a brilliant read. It was a great bit of escapism during these rather cold and stormy days we have been having.

I enjoyed that the story is told from a number of different points of view. This adds to the mystery and tension as you are considering who is the unreliable narrator, or how different characters view moments in the tale. It really has you playing armchair detective.

I think the biggest endorsement I can give this book is that it kept me up past my bedtime. I had to keep reading as I reached the conclusion of the book to find out exactly what was going to happen, and if justice was going to be served.

So, publishing in April, I would absolutely be adding this to your wishlist, because it is a thrilling read in a stunning setting.

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I picked up ‘A Family Matter’ by Claire Lynch in one of my recent visits to an independent bookshop. This treat came home with me from ‘Heron Books’ in Clifton (this is also a happy coincidence as one of the main characters in this book is called Heron). And, as I purchased it, the booksellers only had good things to say about the author and the book. Since then, it has also won gold prize at the Nero Book Awards, which I think it very well-deserved.

‘A Family Matter’ is told in a dual timeline. In 2023, we meet Heron and his daughter Maggie as they deal with a recent health diagnosis, that also makes them face the past. And we are also in 1983, as we learn about Dawn, who is dealing with the end of her marriage as she enters into a relationship with Hazel and all that this goes on to cost her.

It is a short but special read. I found myself surprised when it came to an end, as I think I wanted a little more, which is the sign of a very good book, in my opinion. You are left, as this book ends, wanting more and still thinking about it. I like to think that, as I have thought a little more about this book, that as it came to end for us as a reader, the characters continued to live on and take the chances that they have been given.

This is also a fascinating study of relationships. And it will be no surprise that it is an interesting study of family relationships, in all the different forms that they take.

If you have read this book, I have thoughts about the actions of Heron in 2023, and what they mean for his daughter Maggie. I am absolutely convinced that what he does, he does so in order to know, as life changes, she will have the chance of something new. I would love to know if you have read it, and if you have the same ideas. Or even if you are inspired to go and read it – let me know if you have the same ideas as you get to the end of the book.

But, most importantly, read this book because it is a complete gem!

The Barbecue at No.9 by Jennie Godfrey

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been counting down the days until this book was released; I was looking with a little envy at some of the Bookstagram community that had proofs of ‘The Barbecue at No. 9’, so I ensured I picked it up as soon as it was released. And, thank goodness, it did not disappoint (which is no surprise).

The family at No.9 are having a barbecue, for the children, on the day/night of ‘Live Aid’. One summer day/night that wont be forgotten by many but especially won’t be forgotten by the households of Delmont Close. As the residents come together in the summer of 1985, suspense is built as we meet them and are gradually introduced to their secrets – some darker than others. The tale is told from multiple viewpoints, which means we also see how they view each other and this potentially leads the reader to play a little bit of armchair detective as they try to work out what their secret may be.

This story and its excellent character creation is also done with a reflection of the social attitudes and political situation of the time. Which may be something that does not offer us the same nostalgia as the music and popular culture of the time. But it is still a reflection of the time, and I am glad some progress has been made – but there is, of course, always more that can be done. I realise that is quite a cryptic set of sentences, but, as you know, it is a spoiler-free review here, so it will have to be cryptic until you pick it up and read it yourself.

I heard Jennie Godfrey speak about this book at ‘The Book Taster Live 2025’, and I love the dedication she had for making sure the right bands were on the TV at the right time as she told her story. And, I loved how the book is broken down hour by hour, reflecting the acts that were on the stage at the time. I mean it was quite a collection of the musical royalty of 1985. I would certainly reread this book with a playlist of the artists as I read the sections, to transport me even more to the summer of 1985. Although, I am not going to lie, whenever an artist or song was mentioned, they were on repeat in my head from that moment on.

So, if you enjoyed ‘The List of Suspicious Things‘, you will enjoy ‘The Barbecue at No. 9’. Jennie Godfrey, again, creates fantastic characters, and places them in a setting in such a way you feel like you are there with them. I am certain I could smell barbecue as I was reading the book. I am excited to see where Jennie Godfrey takes us next!