#BookReview Caller Unknown by Oliver Johnson 'With the sense of paranoia cultivated becoming almost unbearable, Caller Unknown is a complex and breathtakingly compulsive thriller.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/02/call... @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #booksky 💙📚

#BookReview Genesis by Chris Carter. 'an intense, exciting rollercoaster of a read and an empathetic, compassionate depiction of the destructive ripples of a tragedy.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/02/gene... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @tracyfenton.bsky.social #bookblogger #booksky 📚💙

I wore a red knitted dress with a black belt to work today. One of the Year 4 boys saw me walking down the corridor and announced to his friends, " Here comes Mrs Claus!" 🤶🤣 #primaryschool #teachingassistant

My book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Hope by Paul E. Hardisty thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 52:55) #bookblogger #readingrecommendation #booksky 💙📚

#BookReview A stunning conclusion to an outstanding trilogy, The Hope by Paul E. Hardisty is an unforgettable read and one I cannot recommend highly enough. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #BookSky 📚💙

#BookReview Into The Dark by @orjannk.bsky.social is a superb example of why I love Nordic Noir. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/into... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #Booksky 💙📚

So thrilled by this great review of Behind Her Smile. It’s at the end of the show - do listen in! 📚📚

My reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is Behind Her Smile by @cazengland.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/31X5... (from approx 54:39) #Booksky 📚💙

#BookReview Behind Her Smile by @cazengland.bsky.social 'a gripping look at family relationships, trauma and guilt' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/behi... #Booksky 💙📚

Thrilled to receive my copy of #ForbiddenWaters today. I loved The Troubled Deep and can't wait to catch up with Cam Killick again! Happy publication day, @robparkerauthor.bsky.social! 🎉 #PublicationDay #Booksky 💙📚

Today on Portable Magic I'm reviewing Into The Dark by Ørjan Karlsson. portable-magic.com/2026/01/15/o...

Today on the blog I am delighted to share my #bookreview of #Whipster by #SusanGrossey #HistoricalFiction Book 3 in the Hardiman Cambridge Mysteries, it’s available now jaffareadstoo.blogspot.com/2026/01/book...

*NEW BLOG POST* My review of #Darkrooms by Rebecca Hannigan is live on #damppebbles! An unsettling crime mystery from a debut author to watch. Atmospheric, sinister and really gets under your skin. Check out my review... ➡️ buff.ly/ac4fcAM #BookSky #skybrarians #bookish

If you fancy learning the dark arts of writing crime and historical fiction, the wonderful @stephmerritt.bsky.social and I will be tutoring a 5 day course at the lovely @hawkwoodcft.bsky.social in March. Book now! www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/our-programm...

Every weekend, I have the privilege of recommending a book to Alfred FM's listeners. This week, I've chosen Deadline by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 56:32) @panmacmillan.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚

My first book recommendation of 2026 for Alfred FM radio and podcast is The Girl in Cell A by @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 53:40) @hodderfiction.bsky.social

#BookReview Still catching up with reviews, this is another corker I read earlier in 2025. #Deadline by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/dead... #Booksky 💙📚

My long overdue #BookReview of The Girl in Cell A by @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social. I read this months ago and so it's a sign of what a great book it is by how well I remember it! hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-... @hodderfiction.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙

#BookReview The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost @cmacwritescrime.bsky.social ,'a thrillingly dark read' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... @harpernorth.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚

#BookReview #MurderAtChristmas by @garethrubin.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/murd... This choose your own adventure style murder mystery would be a fantastic gift – or treat yourself, you deserve it! @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙

#BookReview The Stonemason's Song by Tony J. Forder 'a thrilling, compulsive read full of tension, shocks, laughter and heart, with a conclusion that left me with tears running down my face. Very highly recommended.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... #Booksky 💙📚

It's been a busy week and so I've not had a chance to share my most recent reading recommendation for Alfred FM until now. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch @effiemerryl.bsky.social (from approx 53:02) #Booksky 📚💙

#BookReview The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by #RWRMcDonald hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚

#BookReview Scars of Silence by Johana Gustawsson (tr. by David Warriner) 'Scandi Noir at its absolute best; this is a shatteringly exceptional read and one I cannot recommend highly enough.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/scar... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social 💙📚

A bit late but my reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:20) @orendabooks.bsky.social

#BookReview #WhiteRaven by Maggie Richie 'White Raven is an evocative, entertaining read from start to finish.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/whit... @scotstreetpress.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚

#BookReview The Whisper of Stars by @cristinbwilliams.bsky.social 'Cristin Williams melds historical fiction with fantasy and the result is a lyrical, immersive read that captivated me throughout.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... @gollancz.bsky.social @tracyfenton.bsky.social 📚💙

#BookReview #BeforeHerEyes by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social 'strikes a fine balance between being a poignant, perceptive character study and a nerve-shredding suspense thriller, with some twists that made me gasp out loud.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/befo... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social

My reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this weekend is Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/6RfB... (from approx 53:34) #Booksky 📚💙

#BookReview Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social 'Packed with twists and turns, Little Secrets is an intelligent, suspense-filled murder mystery – this compulsive thriller kept me guessing until the dramatic conclusion.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/litt... #Booksky 💙📚

#BookReview The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen 'a thriller which revels in its dark humour and ludicrous characters but ultimately proves to be a surprisingly heartwarming tale that's perfect for the festive season.' @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙

'With its compulsive plot and first-rate characterisation, Gallery of the Dead is a thought-provoking, exciting thriller from start to finish' #BookReview Gallery of the Dead by Chris Carter hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/gall... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social 💙📚

Every Saturday, I have the pleasure of recommending a book I've enjoyed to listeners of Alfred radio and podcast. This week I've chosen Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0S34... (from approx 53:53) @hodderfiction.bsky.social

Thank you Karen! Great review for Criminal Poetry on this Halloween 👻 🎃

Something a little different on my blog today, with my #BookReview of Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch @effiemerryl.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/crim... #Booksky 📚💙

If you still need to convincing to pick up a copy of #Snowblind #Fadeout, READ THIS REVIEW! 'Fadeout is a poignant, compelling portrait of the detective as a young man; Ari Thór Arason will always hold a special place in my heart and I loved every moment of this unexpected reunion.'

'I found Snowblind an unsettling read, perhaps because I suffer mildly from claustrophobia myself, the overwhelming sense of being trapped in this dark little town was palpable. I became so immersed in this world, in which the landscape was as much as character as the people of Siglufjörður'

'Ari Thór's sense of isolation at this news is immediately palpable, he's in a strange town, one that views outsiders with suspicion and he somehow has to learn to work within this tight-knit community but if nothing happens how can he ever hope to be accepted?' #Snowblind #Fadeout

#Snowblind #Fadeout is an ABSOLUTE staple for any #Mystery #TBR!! 'In this novel he is a rookie officer who, when he accepts a job offer, must move away from Reykjavik and his girlfriend, and adapt to life in Siglufjörður, a quiet fishing village in the far north of the country.' Out now!

' Lilja Sigurdardóttir's beautifully perceptive writing ensures these complicated, flawed individuals are vibrantly, authentically real throughout.' *SWOONING* Over this review of @liljawriter.bsky.social's #BlackAsDeath t Lorenza Garcia! Looking for your next fave series? THIS is it!

'We already know there can't be a happy ending of course but there is some resolution and perhaps even a little hope. Black as Death is an outstanding finale to a brilliant series but I hope Lilja Sigurdardóttir will forgive me when I say I'll always keep my fingers crossed for more' #BlackAsDeath

THIS!! 'Lorenza Garcia's seamless translation which sees the narrative flows effortlessly. In an attempt to distract herself from her constant thoughts of Ísafold, Áróra immerses herself in Daniel's financial case, and this sub-plot is just as satisfyingly perplexing.' #BlackAsDeath is out NOW!

'Black as Death is the fifth and final book in Lilja Sigurdardóttir's superb An Áróra Investigation series and the series comes full circle as Áróra finally discovers exactly what happened to her sister, Ísafold. Although I've always recommended reading this series in order...' #BlackAsDeath

I'm thrilled to be sharing my #BookReview of TWO #AriThor stories today with the fabulous 10th Anniversary Edition of #Snowblind AND a prequel, #Fadeout hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/snow... Thank you #RagnarJonasson @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Bluesky 💙📚

#BookReview #BlackAsDeath by @liljawriter.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/blac... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #booksky 💙📚

#BookReview #NoSafePlaceToHide by @murraybailey.bsky.social 'No Safe Place to Hide is Murray Bailey at his best and this is a dynamic, compulsive thriller from start to finish. Highly recommended.' #Booksky 📚💙 hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/no-s...

I'm delighted to be sharing my #BookReview of My Girl by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social for the Compulsive Readers blogathon today. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/my-g... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social

#BookReview Looking for a spooky read? My weekend book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Howling by @mjmalone.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:34) @orendabooks.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚

What a lovely review!

#BookReview Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social 'a richly imaginative, compelling tale exploring love, family and belonging; I thought it was wonderful and highly recommend it.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/neve... @annerandomthings.bsky.social @hodderfiction.bsky.social 💙📚