It’s 1960, in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. Ray Brower, a boy from a nearby town, has disappeared, and twelve-year-old Gordie Lachance and his three friends set out on a quest to find his body along the railroad tracks. During the course of their journey, Gordie, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio come to terms with death and the harsh truths of growing up in a small factory town that doesn’t offer much in the way of a future. Join me and my guest, Lorraine, as we talk ab...
Dec 11, 2022•54 min•Season 3Ep. 39
Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body feels like the perfect start to December. When Health and Safety busy body John Sunday starts to tell people that there will be no Christmas trees on the church roof, that Christmas lights are a health and safety hazard and there can be no candles during evening services, you just know his days are numbered. But who in the village is the one that stabs him repeatedly in the back?
Dec 04, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 38
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first book in her bestselling trilogy (though it has since been added to with a prequel). First released in 2008, it was made into a Hollywood Blockbuster in 2012 (which made Jennifer Lawrence a household name). It is a story of political intrigue and mass murder made to look like entertainment. So, what did I think? Was it a book I liked more or less on the second reading? And how did the film fare? Find out in the first of my November Adaptation episo...
Nov 09, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 37
Shiver is the first in a YA series by Maggie Stiefvater, originally released in 2009. The book has been on my bookcase since that point and until this year I hadn't done more than move it twice (when I moved house). So, what makes this werewolf novel the perfect spooky read for Booktober? Check out my spoiler-free review to find out. It was the ideal palate cleanser after my previous Booktober read. Featured episodes Flowers in the Attic...
Oct 30, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Flowers in the Attic is the gothic novel that has it all, some of this all you probably don't want, but over the 43 years since its release it's sold over 40 million copies worldwide and while you'd think that its popularity would fade as more books were released to market, it's spawned a franchise of films and a mini-series. So, what is it about this novel that makes it perfect for Booktober? Tune in to find out as I talk about Virginia Andrews' 1979 taboo tale. Featured episodes Call for the D...
Oct 16, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 35
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 episodes Agatha Raisin - There Goes the Bride Agatha Raisin - A Spoonful of Poison Agatha Raisin and the Q...
Oct 09, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 34
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 / UK now. Find Jamie Twitter Instagram Website Featured Episodes Hickory Dickory Dock...
Oct 02, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 33
*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 enemies to lovers. If these are your thing then this book is 100% for you. Episodes featured The Spanish L...
Sep 25, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 32
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 kleptomania. But can the Belgian detective solve the crime before it's too late? You won't get any spoilers fr...
Sep 11, 2022•33 min•Season 3Ep. 31
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 House in the Cerulean Sea...
Sep 04, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 30
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 bullying or the complicated relationship with food.
Aug 21, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 29
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 nostalgic trip down memory lane and find out! Remember, no spoilers here! Sadly, LJ Smith passed away in ea...
Aug 14, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 28
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 of love.
Aug 07, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 27
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
Jul 31, 2022•45 min•Season 3Ep. 25
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: Andrew from ARL Reviews Chance from Strive, Seek, Find Jon from Green Cows Don't Fly Podcast Michael fr...
Jul 24, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 25
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 man who has been forgotten by history. And this week he joins me to talk about the book, his motiv...
Jul 17, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 24
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 - There Goes the Bride...
Jul 10, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 23
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 Wild at Heart...
May 29, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 22
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 Bates an Oscar. So, did we like it? Did we find the differences between the book and film were too mu...
May 24, 2022•55 min•Season 3Ep. 21
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 think? How did I convince Lorraine to join me in talking about a book? All of this is answered today...
May 22, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 20
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 Shakin' With Shaner The Game is Afoot Livestream for the Cure...
May 15, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 19
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 you from the start to the end. Featured episodes: Ariadne And don't forget that from 19-21 May Live...
May 08, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 18
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 click play. Featured episodes: Agatha Raisin: There Goes the Bride Bombshell And don't forget to show y...
May 01, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 17
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 by Tessa Bailey Someone I used to know by Paige Toon...
Apr 24, 2022•53 min•Season 3Ep. 16
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 change. It's very different to other books I have reviewed, but I promise, it's worth it....
Apr 17, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 15
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 handled the story better? Listen to find out. Featured episodes: Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ...
Apr 10, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 14
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 what I thought of these two books in this latest review. Featured episodes: Spoiler Alert All the Feels...
Apr 03, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 13
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 the film, what we liked, what we didn't, anything that came as a surprise, and was Joni really entit...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 12
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!
Mar 27, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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
Mar 06, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 10
