AJ Hawley's World of Crime
@ajhawley.bsky.social
š¤ 97
š„ 167
š 70
Formerly Hawley Reviews
Welcome back
@valmcdermid.bsky.social
Here's my review of Val McDermid's Silent Bones:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/p...
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Pirieās Back
After a year away, it is finally great to read another Val book, of all the characters she could have chosen, it had to be Karen Pirie. Post this years Harrogate the second Karen Pirie book was adaā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/11/02/piries-back/
3 days ago
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Really enjoyed reading
@callummcsorley.bsky.social
Paperboy. Here's my review and to find out more, listen to my podcast. The link is on the review:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/m...
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McSorleyās World of Crime
On this busy Thursday with some of my favourite authors being published, itās nice to also read one of the most original writers on the scene today in Callum McSorley. I prepared to discuss tā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/mcsorleys-world-of-crime/
12 days ago
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Here's me in conversation with
@davegoodman.bsky.social
, author of the award winning A Reluctant Spy:
open.spotify.com/episode/7bkq...
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Spotify ā Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bkqYGw4A8qgFmbeQA3qKM?si=DFQvhc_GRg2nzvTGUFpc0Q
26 days ago
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My review of Can you solve the Murder? by
@antonyjohnston.bsky.social
:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/w...
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We did solve the Murder
When Antony was in Nottingham Waterstones I played the on tour event and solved that one with the help of the people on my table, but unlike anybody else reading this book, I also needed assistanceā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/we-did-solve-the-murder/
27 days ago
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Join me on AJ Hawley's World of Crime as I chat to
@allangaw.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/7Dl3...
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Spotify ā Web Player
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Dl3qE0966U31GvgSCswPx?si=ZltEJLHIRRS7ekFHC8OYuA
about 1 month ago
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1
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I had a great time in Lincoln last night seeing
@philippaeast.bsky.social
,
@tommeadauthor.bsky.social
and
@drtimrideout.bsky.social
and
#JackCartwright
. Here's my review of Jack's book:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/r...
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Reading of Lincolnshire
Last night I went back to where I was at Uni with the Lincoln book festival, listening to Jack Cartwright, Philippa East and Tom Mead. With this being the festivalās only crime panel I thoughā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/reading-of-lincolnshire/
about 1 month ago
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Really nice to get back to a series which has helped me relax during a pressured time with
@jocallaghankat.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/09/26/a...
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An unexpected surprise
As I anxiously wait for news of my own writing, I went back through my tbr pile on Audible to spot a brand new release by Jo Callaghan. Due to the change in covers that often occurs when a paperbacā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/09/26/an-unexpected-surprise/
about 1 month ago
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AADhand's new book was worth the hype. On a panel
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
and on the
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
podcast all helped me to decide to read this book and I'm glad that I did. Really unique: Here's my review of AA Dhand's The Chemist:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/w...
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Write what you know Works
The Chemist is a weird book for me to read at the moment, as my own writing career begins its next stage. The old writing maxim of āwrite what you knowā really works for AA Dhand. As a ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/09/18/write-what-you-know-works/
about 2 months ago
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Really intrigued by the panel with Steph McGovern and
@jeremyvine.bsky.social
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
with two people with vast life experience you never know what they're going to say.
about 2 months ago
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Really interesting diverse look at police procedurals
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
Particularly intrigued by Graeme Macrae Burnet. Great panel
@neillancaster66.bsky.social
Alex Gray and John Sutherland
about 2 months ago
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Tweeting from in bed after watching
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
evening science fiction panel with
@benaaronovitch.bsky.social
Adam Oyebanji and
@bingewriting.bsky.social
. A quirky end to the day.
about 2 months ago
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Surreal to see James Macpherson's
#Rebus
discussed on stage
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
One of the first books I ever heard. Glad to see
@ianrankin1.bsky.social
to so happy with the portrayal.
about 2 months ago
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Congratulations to
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
#Mcilvanneyprize
debut winner
@davegoodman.bsky.social
and the
#Mcilvanney
prize won by
@tariqashkanani.bsky.social
I was honoured to be involved directly in the judging once again.
about 2 months ago
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. @BloodyScotland has gone historical today. This time it was the global perspective of women with
@laurasrobinson.bsky.social
@bethklewis2010.bsky.social
and Shylashri Shankar
about 2 months ago
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Just watched in the Shadows of war
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
with
@alanparks.bsky.social
,
@dominicnolan.bsky.social
,
@dfr10.bsky.social
and
@jackycnoir64.bsky.social
for hosting. Great to be in another time period with a sense of humour.
about 2 months ago
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Really enjoyed watching the first event of this years
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
with my digital pass. Thanks to
@allangaw.bsky.social
,
@linanderson.bsky.social
and
@simontoyne.bsky.social
about 2 months ago
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I was at
@waterstones.bsky.social
in Nottingham last night to see
@tmloganauthor.bsky.social
interviewing
@tomhindle.bsky.social
Some great questions and the book has a very quirky setting.
about 2 months ago
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Happily reading through the
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
longlist with
@heathercritchlow.bsky.social
#Unsound
as my latest:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/11/t...
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The year of the series
This years Bloody Scotland longlist appears to be the year of the series, with many of the nominations being new books in ongoing series, with Heather Critchlowās 4th in this series being relā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/11/the-year-of-the-series/
3 months ago
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Really enjoyed Scene of the Crime by
@lyndalaplante.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/09/a...
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An unexpected review
Lynda Le Plante released her new series last Thursday, but for someone who has been a fan of hers since Prime Suspect, this is the first book of hers that Iāve actually managed to read, becauā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/09/an-unexpected-review/
3 months ago
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Really enjoyed
#TwokindsofStranger
by
@stevecavanagh.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/f...
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Flynn on Tour
On the last day of July 2025 it was lovely to see Steve Cavanagh in Nottingham Waterstones, after missing him at Harrogate. On this day the 9th in the Eddie Flynn series was released on all formatsā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/flynn-on-tour/
3 months ago
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Here's my review of
@stephmcgovern.bsky.social
's debut Dead Line. Great to hear her talking
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
Here's my review of Steph McGovern's Dead Line:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/w...
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What an end to Theakstons
Last Sunday Steph McGovern and Val McDermid closed Theakstons 2025 by discussing their journalist backgrounds alongside each other. This was intriguing, as Val is just about to publish her 40th novā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/what-an-end-to-theakstons/
4 months ago
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Had a great time
@newarkbookfestival.bsky.social
hearing
@sophiehannah.bsky.social
chatting to Tim Rideout. I'm looking forward to my own panel with
@trevorwoodwrite.bsky.social
on Sunday.
4 months ago
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Really looking forward to appearing at
@newarkbookfestival.bsky.social
along side
@trevorwoodwrite.bsky.social
talking about his DCI Jack Parker series and much more.
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/05/r...
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Ready for Newark
Next Sunday, July 13th I will be appearing at Newark Book Festival for the second time as a contributor. On this occasion I will be interviewing Trevor Wood about his new series involving DCI Jack ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/05/ready-for-newark-2/
4 months ago
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Here's my review of Mark Billingham's What the Night Brings:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/02/w...
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What a surprise
This has been such a difficult review to write up for so many reasons. The first of these being that this is on a second computer, because the first suffered an unfortunate accident. The second wasā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/07/02/what-a-surprise/
4 months ago
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Many thanks to
@gbpoliceadvisor.bsky.social
for his expert assistance with something that I'm writing.
5 months ago
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My review of
@nickquantrill.bsky.social
Cast no Shadow. I'm very grateful that Nick is taking part in the book about
@newarkbookfestival.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/25/q...
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Quantrillās Big Shadow
Although this is the first book by Nick Quantrill that Iāve managed to read, Iāve known about him for a while thanks to his big presence on the festival circuit, where Iāve seen hā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/25/quantrills-big-shadow/
5 months ago
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Here's my review of 2 books by Louise Beech/Swanson. She's allowed me to interview her about her part in the Newark Book Festival for their charity book. This year I'll be interviewing the most excellent
@trevorwoodwrite.bsky.social
on the 13th of July:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/23/t...
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The multiple sides of Beech
Louise Beech has written in multiple genres, so is the perfect author to interview for my fund raising book for Newark Book Festival, Crime at Newark, because I will be able to interview her on herā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/23/the-multiple-sides-of-beech/
5 months ago
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I'm really looking forward to chatting to
@trevorwoodwrite.bsky.social
at
@newarkbookfestival.bsky.social
on the 13th, about his latest book, The Inside Man, out on the 3rd of July.
5 months ago
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Really enjoyed
#TheMaltWhiskyMurders
by @nataliejayneclarke . It's well matured short novel from the
@bloodyscotland.bsky.social
debut list: Here's my review of the Malt Whisky Murders by Natalie Jayne Clarke:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/14/b...
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Bloody Scotland gets ready with the booze
The Malt Whisky Murders at 6.5 hours is probably the shortest book that Iāve read in a while, but the long length of a book is not always a sign of quality. My Sister the Serial Killer by Braā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/06/14/bloody-scotland-gets-ready-with-the-booze/
5 months ago
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Really enjoyed
@timsullivanauthor.bsky.social
The Book Seller
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/r...
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Relaxing with a good book
Tim Sullivanās latest Cross novel, published this January, seemed to be the perfect book to read after completing the Theakstonās long list. Although series are becoming less and less cā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/relaxing-with-a-good-book/
6 months ago
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My review of Richard Armitage's Geneva:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/22/a...
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After Bloody Scotland
Richard Armitage is probably better known for his acting than he is for his writing. As a regular audiobook reader, Iām used to hearing his voice, though, as he has narrated a few times for Tā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/22/after-bloody-scotland/
6 months ago
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It's deadline day for votes for the
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
Crime Book of the Year. Don't forget to vote:
www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com/vote
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Vote ā Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year.
https://www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com/vote
6 months ago
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Now that I've completed
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
long list, it's time for the public vote. Here's my final review of the 18,
@nadinematheson.com
#TheKillList
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/14/f...
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Finished just in Time
Ironically, Nadine Matheson is on the long list with a book title with the word list in it ā is this a coincidence, or is this a sign? Mathesonās work is long and convoluted, with the cā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/14/finished-just-in-time/
6 months ago
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Enjoyable day reading
@alanparks.bsky.social
- I don't often get one short enough to read in a day. Nice to see it longlisted
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/s...
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Summer Parks
This years shortest long list entry was by Alan Parks, To Die in June. Every book in the Harry McCoy series has got a month of the year in there and as we reach the middle of the year, a religious ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/summer-parks/
6 months ago
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This years
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
list is great with Louise Candlish making a deserved appearance again:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/06/a...
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A Timely Novel
This years Theakstonās crime novel of the year longlist has got several timely books on it, and Louise Candlish and Abir Mukherjee of the books I have read so far are the two authors who encaā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/06/a-timely-novel/
6 months ago
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I really enjoyed the multiple narrators of Ellery Lloyd's
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
nominated The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/02/t...
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The Mystery of Juliette Willoughby
Of all the longlisted titles I have read so far, including The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini, these two books have been the most complex standard plots with so many twists that you would thinkā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/05/02/the-mystery-of-juliette-willoughby/
6 months ago
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@StuartNeville Blood like Mine is one of 4 US based novels on this year's
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
long list. He has managed this alongside
@radiomukhers.bsky.social
and Chris Whittaker. My review of Blood like Mine by Stuart Neville:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/28/t...
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The year of the quirky one
In this yearās Theakstons list there have been at least three on the road novels, set in the US. I say this, because Iāve not yet read Jack Jordanās latest and Iām covering ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/28/the-year-of-the-quirky-one/
7 months ago
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My review of MW Craven's
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
Theakstons longlisted The Mercy Chair:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/27/c...
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Craven incites discussion
MW Craven has been an interesting author for me to read during the last fortnight, because Iāve been discussing his earlier book, The Botanist, with a friend who is the bar maid on my usual pā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/27/craven-incites-discussion/
7 months ago
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Congratulations to all the longlist nominees for this years
@harrogatefestivals.bsky.social
Crime Book of the Year
@brookmyre.bsky.social
The Cracked Mirror, Louise Candlish Our Holiday,
@janecasey.bsky.social
A Stranger in the Family,
@mwcraven.bsky.social
The Mercy Chair.
7 months ago
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I'm really looking forward to @CrimeCymru and my chat with Saima Mir
7 months ago
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My review of The Negotiator by Brooke Robinson. This is staggeringly good:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/20/t...
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The unexpected read
Generally when Iām reading books as a crime reviewer, I either know the authorās name because theyāve been up for an award or it is a highly publicised debut author. I try to avoiā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/04/20/the-unexpected-read/
7 months ago
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Really enjoyed Palace of Shadows by Ray Celestin:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/28/m...
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Many reasons for reading
When I read the synopsis for Palace of Shadows I was intrigued, as it reminded me of a film that my mum had bought me, Winchester, starring Helen Mirren. So, as I was listening to the book and imagā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/28/many-reasons-for-reading/
8 months ago
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Really enjoyed Gaslight by Femi Kayode.
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/26/k...
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Kayode is more than Taiwo
Sometimes when reading sequels the style is so close to the first one, but that isnāt the case with this, but I donāt know how much of this is due to me not being used to reading from tā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/26/kayode-is-more-than-taiwo/
8 months ago
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Enjoyed reading 2 new debuts this week.
@sukpannu.bsky.social
and
@orlandomurrin.bsky.social
. A joint review of Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone and Knife Skills for Beginners:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/21/t...
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The year of the Chef
Looking through TBR list, I came across two ādebutā authors with an unexpected synchronicity, with both protagonists being chefs. You may wonder how I didnāt know this. However, Iā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/21/the-year-of-the-chef/
8 months ago
0
2
2
@timsullivanauthor.bsky.social
really enjoyed The Teacher
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/18/c...
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Crossās new Challenge
After 6 books in the George Cross series, the character arc gets more and more complicated, as the complexities of Georgeās autism spectrum condition are examined by Tim Sullivan. This book iā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/18/crosss-new-challenge/
8 months ago
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The Silent Killer by
@trevorwoodwrite.bsky.social
will have many people thinking.
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/12/t...
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The book which made me think
Since I first heard about this book from Trevor and of the theme behind it, I was wary about reading it due to personal resonances it had with my own life and nothing to do with Trevor, as Iāā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/12/the-book-which-made-me-think/
8 months ago
0
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Really enjoyed
#Thelistofsuspiciousthings
- a really intriguing debut from 2024 from
@jenniegauthor.bsky.social
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/s...
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Suspiciously Excellent
When reading this debut by Jennie Godfrey, I unintentionally ended up reading another coming of age novel, which have been 3 out of my last 4 reads. I donāt know if this is the zeitgeist of cā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/suspiciously-excellent/
8 months ago
1
5
1
My review of TM Logan's The Daughter:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/w...
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Waterstones with Logan and Callaghan
After last years launch of The Dream Home, which I was kindly asked to host, I couldnāt miss it when I discovered that Jo Callaghan would be hosting TM Loganās launch party for his new ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/waterstones-with-logan-and-callaghan/
8 months ago
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Here's my review of Paula Hawkins' The Blue Hour:
hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/02/22/h...
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Hawkinsā Hour
As a previous Theakstons judge I have to read books that I think may well appear on the list. This year I have started reading earlier than I have in previous years and have used the special guest ā¦
https://hawleyreviews.wordpress.com/2025/02/22/hawkins-hour/
9 months ago
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Here's the latest edition of my podcast, I'm in conversation with
@imranmahmood.bsky.social
creators.spotify.com/pod/show/aj-...
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In conversation with Imran Mahmood by AJ Hawley's World of Crime
In conversation with Imran Mahmood about Finding Sophie
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/aj-hawley5/episodes/In-conversation-with-Imran-Mahmood-e2us5a6
9 months ago
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