Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa combines new book reviews with a fascinating behind-the-scenes interview about NetGalley – the platform that gives reviewers early access to upcoming books. First, Philippa shares four recent reads (and listens), including a stunning new novel from Jennie Godfrey, a feel-good Irish audiobook, a classic Agatha Christie, and a BBC Sounds drama...

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa shares eight brilliant new books being released in February – across crime, mystery, romance, historical and literary fiction. No author interviews this time – just pure book recommendations, reading inspiration, and plenty of enthusiasm for what’s coming out next month. If you’re building your February TBR, this episode is for you. 📚 Books...

In this episode of the Quick Book Reviews Podcast , I’m joined by Tanya Sweeney to talk about her novel Esther Is Now Following You — a chilling and timely exploration of online obsession, surveillance, and power. We discuss the inspiration behind the book, the realities of digital stalking, and what it means to write fiction that feels uncomfortably close to real life. I’m also sharing spoiler-fr...

In this episode of the Quick Book Reviews podcast, Philippa Hall is joined by internationally bestselling author Kathy Reichs to talk about her latest Temperance Brennan novel, Evil Bones . Now 24 books into the series, Kathy reflects on what keeps the character of Temperance Brennan fresh, how real forensic cases inspire fiction, and why science-driven crime writing still excites her decades into...

This week on the  Quick Book Reviews Podcast , I’m joined by bestselling author  Robert Thorogood  for a fascinating conversation about crime writing, storytelling, and moving between screen and page. We talk about his approach to mystery, what keeps readers turning pages, and how he builds characters and plots that really last. Alongside the interview, I’m also reviewing three very...

This week on the  Quick Book Reviews Podcast , I’m joined by  Frankie from The Labours of Hercule podcast (and the Read & Buried Podcast)  to mark  50 years since the death of Agatha Christie . We talk all things Christie — from her most iconic novels to her extraordinary influence on crime fiction — and, of course, tackle the big question:  who is best, Hercule Poirot...

In this episode of the Quick Book Reviews podcast, Philippa chats with Victoria from the BookTube channel  What Victoria Read  about books, community, and the growing reading crisis in UK schools. Victoria has been creating BookTube content for over seven years and is also an English teacher, giving her a unique perspective on how reading habits are changing — both online and in the clas...

Secret Books You Need to Know + C.E. Hulse on Writing the Perfect Page-Turner I interview C E Hulse about Vivian Dies Again and tell you about 5 books I don’t think you know about. You can buy Vivian Dies Again here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781805226260 You can contact me (Philippa )at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Thread...

Philippa interviews Sarah Vaughan about her new book out in March called Based on a True Story. You can pre-order Based On A True Story here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781398502086 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookreviews X: https...

Kickstarting 2026: The New Year Book Tag + Alison Barrow on What We’ll Be Reading I chat to Alison Barrow, PR Director for Transworld. You can find more information here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/publishing-houses/transworld  Plus I do the New Year Book Tag: How many books are you planning to read in 2026? What are your plans? Name 5 books that you didn’t get to read in the past year b...

In this special episode of  Quick Book Reviews , we’re talking about one of the biggest questions in modern reading life:  why use an eReader — and which one is best? We explore the joys and quirks of reading digitally and compare  Kindle vs Kobo , looking at how each device fits into a book lover’s world. From the feel of the reading experience to buying books, borrowing from libra...

The 2025 Book Awards (According to Me): My Top Reads of the Year You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookreviews X: https://x.com/quickbookrevie3 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/quickbookreviews.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...

In Conversation with Brad Fitt: Pantomime, Boxing Day & the Books He Loves. You can buy tickets for Brad Fitt's pantomime here:https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/dick-whittington/ You can follow Brad Fitt o n instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfitt75 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads...

I review The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth, I talk to Alison Barrow (PR Director at Transworld) and I interview Marisa Kashino about Best Offer Wins, which is available now in the US and will be published on 15th January 2026 in the UK You can pre-order Best Offer Wins here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781529963595 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Insta...

It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara, can be bought here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9780857505873 All Her Fault by Andrea Mara, can be bought here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781804998427 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookre...

Philippa reviews eight thrilling reads out in 2026 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookreviews X: https://x.com/quickbookrevie3 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/quickbookreviews.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Joe Hill discusses his latest book, 'King Sorrow', sharing insights into his writing process, the importance of character development, and the interplay of horror and humour in his work. He reflects on the creative mindset, the tools he uses, and the significance of reading in today's technology-driven world. Hill also shares his aspirations for future projects and the joy of storytelling. King So...

You can buy Sick to Death by Chris Bridges here : https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9780008698140 You can preorder The Death Bed by Chris Bridges here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9780008698171 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookreviews...

I interview Carrie & David Grant about their new book Joy To The World You can buy their book here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781739417833 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews Threads: @quick_book_reviews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickbookreviews X: https://x.com/quickbookrevie3 Bluesky: http...

I interview Heather Morris about The Wish. You can buy The Wish by Heather Morris here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781786582164 Also: I review The Bookseller of Hay by James Manning and you can buy it here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781472159786 I review The Last Tree by Luke Adam Hawker and you can buy it here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781781578704 & I review The Picasso...

Interview with Adrian Tchaikovsky about his latest book 'Made Things' In this conversation, Adrian Tchaikovsky discusses the themes of perspectives in literature, particularly how different creatures and their experiences shape narratives. He also delves into the concepts of authority and power within storytelling, emphasising the importance of these elements in understanding the natural world. Yo...

Lauren’s Christmas Book Recommendations: Happily Ever After by Hannah Grace https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9780349446684 A Christmas Ghost Story by Carol Ann Duffy: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781529083972 Advent by Gunner Gunnarsson: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781529963076 12 Days of Christmas by Susan Stokes Chapman: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781787304666 Sleep in Heavenly Piz...

In this conversation, Philippa and Claire explore the concept of ideal and nightmare writing environments. They discuss how different settings, particularly those filled with distractions like bugs and interruptions, can impact creativity and productivity. The dialogue highlights the importance of a conducive environment for writing and the challenges posed by undesirable conditions. You can buy T...

I interview T M Payne about Count The Dead You can buy Count The Dead here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781662532535 I review We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough, The Chemist by A A Dhand, Strange Pictures by Uketsu and The Midnight King by Tareq Ashkanani. You can buy We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781398722606 You can buy The Chemist by A A Dhan...

Let’s chat to Louise Penny about The Black Wolf Philippa interviews Louise Penny about her latest book The Black Wolf You can order The Black Wolf here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781399730570 You can order The Grey Wolf here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781399730549 You can contact Philippa at:  Email quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quick_boo...