Being Bookish

Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House sounds as though it should be a great book to talk about in Booktober, right? Spooky, Halloween-like, ghosts, mysteries to solve. Well, in this we get a mystery, three murders and a haunting, but is all what it seems? Find out more about the 14th instalment in MC Beaton's Agatha Raisin series without discovering whodunit before you read the book. Featured episod...

Jamie West is about to release his first novel, a murder mystery based in 1930s Brighton, Death on the Pier, so of course, I had to speak with him when I got the chance. We talk about his book (which is amazing, the work that goes into writing as well as where he got the inspiration for this locked room mystery. Death on the Pier is released on the 10th of October, you can order it from Amazon US...

*WARNING: Talk of suicidal thoughts from minute 25 (I get a bit real in the mental health talk). The Love Hypothesis was released in September 2021 and has been received incredibly well. Part Reylo fanfiction and part STEM and feminist love story, the book is incredibly popular amongst those looking for a slightly different romance founded on two contemporary romance tropes, fake dating and enemie...

Hickory Dickory Dock, the clock struck one, the mouse ran down... Who hasn't heard this rhyme? Agatha Christie was a fan of them, even though the rhyme has little connection to the story on this particular occasion. This week I am taking a look at this novel written by Christie in 1955, it is the 30th of 39 Hercule Poirot novels and includes murder, drug smuggling and an unusual case of kleptomani...

Wolfsong is a re-release from author TJ Klune, an author I won't stop recommending. This book was an advanced reader copy I received from the publishers and I could not be more grateful I got a chance to read a tale of werewolves, and love and family. So, without spoiling it, would I recommend it, and if so, who to? Is it a book for everyone? Check out the review to find out. Featured episodes The...

Delicacy by Katy Wix is a memoir with a difference. It's not written in a linear way, but that makes it an interesting read. A comedienne best known for shows like Miranda, Not Going Out and Agatha Raisin, there is so much more to her than I had realised. The events that take place are eye-opening and sad at the same time. It's a book that many will relate to, whether it's the recounting of school...

The Forbidden Game was originally published as a trilogy in the Point Horror book series in 1994, and was released in 1995 in the UK. The story of a young girl called Jenny who gets embroiled in a dark game with the prize being her life and that of her friends. So, what was it about this book series that had me enthralled in my very early 20s? Does it still hold strong today? Join me on my nostalg...

Klara and the Sun is the latest novel by Nobel prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. I have to be honest, I am not sure what I should classify it as, but the inclusion of artificial intelligence tells me it needs to at least be considered science-fiction. So, this week I am taking a look at a contemporary science fiction novel about an Artificial Friend searching for the true definition and meaning...

Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates is an exciting, fast-paced cosy mystery based in the glitz, glamour and adventure of the roaring 20s with a titled, intelligent and carefree female lead. With descriptions that pull you into the era is the mystery enough to keep me enthralled to the very end? Listen to find out. Featured episodes Six of Crows

I struggled with what to talk about for my 100th episode. I even contemplated just doing a normal book review, but then I realised that one thing I hadn't talked about is the authors I love above all others. There are a few, but that's what makes it fun...right? I also had help from some incredible people (though many amazing people have helped me reach this 100th episode). Contributions from: And...

The Spirit Engineer is the story of Spiritualist William Jackson Crawford. Based in Belfast in the early part of the 20th century, following the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic, the popularity of mediums and spiritualism increased as people sought to understand death and find comfort in the promise of the afterlife. In his first novel, The Spirit Engineer , AJ West draws us into the life of...

A Spoonful of Poison is book 19 in the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton. Released in 2008, it is a complicated but enjoyable cosy crime that takes place in a Cotswold village. Join Agatha and her team of eager investigators as they try to solve not 1 or 2 murders, but 4, AND a cold case. Can they do it? I won't spoil it, but I will tell you if I enjoyed it. Featured episodes Agatha Raisin - The...

This week is a little bit different as I had the opportunity to talk to Stacy Gold, author of contemporary, steamy romances about her latest novel, Wild at Heart. We chatted about her twist on the traditional when it comes to female and male protagonist roles, her writing inspirations, and the extreme outdoor sports she will never try! So check it out. Stacy's links Stacy's Website Stacy's Twitter...

Please note this is a HORROR novel and though we don't go into graphic detail, it's likely not one to listen to with anyone of a sensitive disposition. Welcome to part two of my Misery special. I am joined, again, by Lorraine from American Murder Stories and Once Upon a Nightmare to talk about the 1990 film Misery, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. This is the film that won Kathy B...

Please note this is a HORROR novel and though we don't go into graphic detail it's likely not one to listen to with anyone of a sensitive disposition. Misery is probably best known for the hobbling scene; gifs have been made of it, but just how accurate is that movie scene? Today, I am joined by Lorraine to talk about the 1987 book that spawned a film about stalkers and obsessed fans. What did we...

This week I am talking about the first George Smiley novel by John Le Carré, Call for the Dead with a special guest, Shane from What's Shakin' with Shaner. Though the topic is the first novel by this incredibly talented thriller writer, we also right the world as we talk about everything from Sherlock Holmes to the MCU. Featured episodes Chris Evans Season The Thursday Murder Club Links What's Sha...

Elektra, not the best known of the victims of the Trojan War, but she is the title character in the latest novel by author Jennifer Saint. Find out how she fares in this mythological tale told from a female perspective. And then find out what I thought of it. As always, 100% spoiler-free so you can go from this to the novel without any fear that I am going to tell you the twists and turns that get...

Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé is the first novel in The Gay Street Chronicles by new author William Keeling. Based in Regency Bath, it's a gentle cosy mystery that combines a sunken souffle into a tale of death, kidnapping and corruption at the heart of Bath politics. I was sent this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and that's exactly what you're going to find when you cli...

Eight Perfect Hours is a contemporary romance written by Hertfordshire based author Lia Louis. It was released in June 2021 and uses one of my favourite tropes ever, soulmates. Join me this week with my friend Debi, as we talk about this novel, as someone who isn't a fan of the genre, will I sway her to my way of thinking? Featured episodes: Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong Hook, Line, and Sinker b...

Paradise was released in 1994, it made the Booker Shortlist and then for some reason my county library had just one copy available county-wide. Since then, Gurnah has written 6 more books and in 2021 won the Nobel Prize for Literature. So, did I like this work that is said to define his talent? Paradise follows the story of Yusuf from boy to man, in a country on the brink of political and cultural...

There Goes the Bride is the 20th book in the Agatha Raisin series by author MC Beaton. What do you get when a determined private detective attends her ex-husband's wedding to a younger, prettier and wealthier woman? Well, in Agatha Raisin's case, you get murder! In this review, I take a look at the book released in 2009 and the subsequent TV episodes produced in 2021. Which did I prefer? Which han...

It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey are collectively known as The Bellinger Sisters series. Today I am going to be giving you my spoiler-free rundown of this romantic comedy/contemporary romance series. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers and a few things in between, this series could have everything a contemporary romance reader thrives on, but does it? Find out wha...

Knives Out, a surprise 2019 hit from director Rian Johnson had a massive and incredibly A-List cast including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, the late Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas and of course Chris Evans (it couldn't be included in Chris Evans season without him). So join me and my guest, Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare (who had never seen the film before) as we talk about...

Snowpiercer had a limited release in the US in 2013, yet it received critical acclaim, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and is the second film in 2022's Chris Evans Season. So, what did I think of this dystopian film that features a role so different from everything else Evans is so well known for. He's no boy scout in this one, that's for certain!

Scott Pilgrim vs the World was released in 2010 and stars a pre-Captain America Chris Evans in a role that many won't associate him with, the bad guy. For Chris Evans Season 2022 I am going to be looking at films where he isn't the nice guy, or the totally black and white morality man. You'll find no Steve Rogers here! So, what did I think? Episodes mentioned: Spaced