Janet Emson
@janetemson.bsky.social
📤 28922
📥 1890
📝 1075
Book lover. Book reviewer. On the other socials as @JanetEmson UK fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com
reposted by
Janet Emson
Joy Kluver
about 1 month ago
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/a...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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A Deadly Night at the Theatre by Katy Watson – review
Published by Constable Publication date – 10 July 2025 (Hardback) 23 April 2026 (paperback) Source – review copy MURDER IS WAITING IN THE WINGS . . . Actresses Posy Starling and Caro Ho…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/a-deadly-night-at-the-theatre-by-katy-watson-review/
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Joy Kluver
about 2 months ago
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/b...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Balancing the Books – November 2025
I’ve done it again. I’ve neglected the blog and now it’s time to play catch up. I need to reach back as far as November for that month’s balancing the books. (OK I don’…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/balancing-the-books-november-2025/
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Over on Instagram I reviewed Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
@orbitbooks.bsky.social
www.instagram.com/p/DTSMibQCKz...
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janetemson on Instagram: "Agnes has taken solace in the cat shelter she runs. There she can focus on the waifs and strays of Montreal and not on the loss of …"
Agnes has taken solace in the cat shelter she runs. There she can focus on the waifs and strays of Montreal and not on the loss of her husband. Or she can until a battle between magicians ends up with her shelter becoming a ruin. Now she has to find a new home for her and her rescues. So it seems too good to be true when she finds a property in an exclusive part of the city for very little rent. It is too good to be true. Turns out the Witch King Haverlock Renard lives in the basement. Oh and his sister wants to kill him and doesn’t mind taking down the entire world with her. I loved every page of this book. It’s perfect to curl up with and get lost in. I was already hoping it would be the first in a new series before the end of the first chapter. This is a world where magic is known about. It may be frowned upon, especially as it nearly causes the end of the world. It is more seen as a way to class people, and judge them.Agnes is a great character. No nonsense, caring and with a practical side that comes in handy for dealing with recalcitrant magicians, she discovers that Haverlock may not deserve the reputation he has, and that her broken heart may be able to mend.It’s only recently that I’ve discovered cosy fantasy and how delightful it can be. Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter is a perfect addition to the genre. There’s a (very) slow burn romance, humour, a wonderful setting in a timeless city and cats. What more could you ask for? Ad: review copy#bookreviewersofinstagram #bookthoughts #heatherfawcett #agnesaubertsmysticalcatshelter #cosyfantasy #magicalfiction
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTSMibQCKzt/?igsh=ZmRubnh0NHFsZ2lp
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Viper Books
about 2 months ago
#VivianDiesAgain
by CE Hulse is a Guardian pick for best recent crime and thriller reads, described as a 'witty and innovative mystery'. Get your hands on this clever time-loop murder mystery next week ⌛️
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
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The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup
The Cut Up by Louise Welsh; The Persian by David McCloskey; The 10:12 by Anna Maloney; Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott; Vivian Dies Again by CE Hulse
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/jan/16/the-best-recent-and-thrillers-review-roundup
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Janet Emson
TheBookTrail
3 months ago
A visit to Orkney with a gripping crime drama? Yes please
www.thebooktrail.com/book-trails/...
@spacemandan13.bsky.social
@harpernorth.bsky.social
#booktrailadvent
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Three left and I hate all books
@nationalbooktokens.bsky.social
#hiddenbookgame
4 months ago
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Janet Emson
National Book Tokens
4 months ago
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎 Guess all 20 books in the
#HiddenBooksGame
and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion). Play now:
buff.ly/460M0aR
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
5 months ago
Dictionary of Fine Distinctions by Eli Burnstein – review… via
@janetemson.bsky.social
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/09/25/d...
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Dictionary of Fine Distinctions by Eli Burnstein – review
Published by Profile Publication date – 4 September 2025 Source – review copy Guilt or shame? Clementine or tangerine? We like to think that we choose our words with care, but are we us…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/09/25/dictionary-of-fine-distinctions-by-eli-burnstein-review/
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Paula Bardell-Hedley
6 months ago
bookjotter.com/2025/09/06/winding-up-the-week-438/
#AmReading
#BookReview
#WorldKidLitMonth2025
#ReadaBookDay2025
@petergraae.bsky.social
@janetemson.bsky.social
@cravenwild.bsky.social
@bookmunch.bsky.social
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Winding Up the Week #438
This week we announce another brief break coming up, look at books read and reviewed, discover some of the best writing about literature on the blogosphere, keep up with literary anniversaries, foc…
https://bookjotter.com/2025/09/06/winding-up-the-week-438/
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So it actually went up but I’ve narrowed it down to these. Which to say I’ve got about 2,300 to choose from isn’t bad. I’m only away for a week so I need to pick 5. Which ones would you take?
#booksky📚
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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Narrowing down which books to take on holiday is going well…
7 months ago
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Went book shopping. Came home without any books but with this. Which is book adjacent so counts.
7 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
7 months ago
Attention All Shipping by Kathy Biggs – review
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/25/a...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Attention All Shipping by Kathy Biggs – review
Published by Borough Press Publication date – 8 May 2025 Source – review copy When you’re feeling lost at sea, what will it take to guide you home? Grace lives with her father Jac…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/25/attention-all-shipping-by-kathy-biggs-review/
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
7 months ago
Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie – review
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/m...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie – review
Published by Fontana Publication date – originally 1936 Source – own copy What secrets lie in the past? Fifteen years ago, during the Great War, Louise Leidner’s first husband was tried…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/murder-in-mesopotamia-by-agatha-christie-review/
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
8 months ago
Death on the Down Beat by Sebastian Farr
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/16/d...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Death on the Down Beat by Sebastian Farr
Published by The British Library Publication date – 10 September 2022 Source – review copy As a rousing Strauss piece is reaching its crescendo in Maningpool Civic Hall, the talented ye…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/07/16/death-on-the-down-beat-by-sebastian-farr/
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“It’s the drama Mick. I just love it” (I do feel for Ros Hemmings and her husband though).
add a skeleton here at some point
8 months ago
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Doing my bit for science by trying these.
8 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Orkney Library & Archive
8 months ago
Bourne on the Fourth of July
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
8 months ago
Happy publication day to
@zenaldehyde.bsky.social
for Behind Frenemy Lines, from
@panmacmillan.bsky.social
, a book I ready enjoyed
#romance
#lawyers
#cosplay
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/07/revi...
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I’m all for books not being translated into US/UK English for each market but this tests my resolve. (Yes I do know different countries use different terms. No it’s not that much of a big deal. Yes it does make my eye twitch).
9 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
9 months ago
This is not a Game by Kelly Mullen – review
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/t...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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This is not a Game by Kelly Mullen – review
Published by Century Publication date – 10 April 2025 Source – review copy Two unlikely detectives. A killer cocktail of suspects. A Gibson martini garnished with three silverskin onion…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/06/04/this-is-not-a-game-by-kelly-mullen-review/
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We are off on a trip for a few days. You’ll never guess where…
9 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
10 months ago
The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai – review
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/05/15/t...
via
@janetemson.bsky.social
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The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sosuke Natsukawa, translated by Louise Heal Kawai – review
Published by Picador Publication date – 10 April 2025 Source – review copy but listened via audio subscription Nanami Kosaki loves reading. The local library has become a home from home…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/05/15/the-cat-who-saved-the-library-by-sosuke-natsukawa-translated-by-louise-heal-kawai-review/
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This afternoon’s task is to tear up these proofs to go in the recycling. I’m putting it off for as long as possible…
10 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
11 months ago
Kate MacDougall – Q&A
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/04/23/k...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Kate MacDougall – Q&A
Good Things by Kate MacDougall is published by Zaffre on 24 April. Kate kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about Good Things. Good Things is about two very different sisters…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/04/23/kate-macdougall-qa/
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reposted by
Janet Emson
BookBrunch
11 months ago
Hodder has signed two sagas by Romantic Novelists Association chair Seána Tinley, starting with The Irish Midwife
www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article...
(ÂŁ)
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
11 months ago
Out now - Sleeper Beach by
@harkaway.bsky.social
from Corsair (
@hachetteuk.bsky.social
) - at last another Cal Sounder story. Read it!
bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2025/04/revi...
💙📚
#Booksky
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Just in case you need to know you can give yourself a splinter with a piece of your own nail.
11 months ago
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Managed to block myself in while book sorting.
11 months ago
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Sometimes I remember how annoyed I get by the 2005 Pride and Prejudice adaptation.
11 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Stephen Baird
11 months ago
Book reviewers. Do you want to add to this thread? Your Bluesky account, website/instagram/facebook, what type of books you review, whether you're up for book tours, whether you prefer physical or electronic books, and if you're open for request
#BookSky
💙📚
#bloggers
#BookBloggers
#BookReviewer
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reposted by
Janet Emson
The Cosy Moose
11 months ago
Trying to think of any cosy crime novels set in NW England 👀👀
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April hopefuls. I’m not very good at selecting a stack of books and actually reading them all as I’m a mood reader. However I’ve picked out a few I hope to read this month. What are you looking forward to reading?
#booksky📚
11 months ago
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Janet Emson
Mairéad Hearne | Swirl and Thread Book Blog
11 months ago
#BookReview
#TheBureau
by Eoin McNamee
@quercusbooks.bsky.social
A challenging, authentic and shocking read A powerful story inspired by so much truth
#TuesdayBookBlog
#booksky
Read my full thoughts:
www.swirlandthread.com/the-bureau-e...
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*Insert Peter Kay joke here*
12 months ago
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Not to brag but I got told I had the spine of a 16 year old last night.
12 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
12 months ago
Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman – review
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/21/o...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman – review
Published by Century Publication date – 6 February 2025 Source – review copy In the middle of the night, Detective Lieutenant Milo Sturgis is called to a Westside hospital. A young woma…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/21/open-season-by-jonathan-kellerman-review/
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“There’s something wrong with this mirror”
12 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Harrogate International Festivals
12 months ago
Our Lit Festivals manager, Clem is celebrating her 35th Birthday today & her present to YOU could be 35 books 📚 All you have to do is like this post, pop your guesses for Clem's height in the replies below (and be following us on Bluesky)! We will randomly select a winner on 17/03/2025 (UK only).
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One of life’s greatest reading joys is settling down with the latest book by a favourite author
#booksky📚
12 months ago
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You’d think I’d been away from them for a few months. In reality they’ve had to be in the kitchen all morning while the plasterer was here…
12 months ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
12 months ago
Jess Kidd - Q&A
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/j...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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Jess Kidd – Q&A
Jess Kidd is the author of The Hoarder, Himself, Things in Jars and The Night Ship. Her latest novel, Murder at Gulls Nest is published by Faber on 13 March 2025. Jess kindly answered a few of my …
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/jess-kidd-qa/
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It’s our 18th wedding anniversary today. We’ve been together 30 years. 10/10 no notes. Would marry again.
12 months ago
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Today on the blog I’ve got a Q&A with Jess Kidd, talking about her new book Murder at Gulls Nest
@faberbooks.bsky.social
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/j...
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Jess Kidd – Q&A
Jess Kidd is the author of The Hoarder, Himself, Things in Jars and The Night Ship. Her latest novel, Murder at Gulls Nest is published by Faber on 13 March 2025. Jess kindly answered a few of my …
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/jess-kidd-qa/
12 months ago
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Made a new friend today. Not sure he was as pleased to see me though.
about 1 year ago
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Finished it, loved it, already impatient for book 2
@faberbooks.bsky.social
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Janet Emson
Adam Farrer
about 1 year ago
My book tour begins next Tuesday at Waterstones York, with
@kathryntann.bsky.social
followed by the launch on the Friday at
@blackwellsmcr.bsky.social
with Justin Moorhouse. The launch is almost sold out and York isn’t far behind. It’d be lovely to sell out in the good way.
linktr.ee/adamjfarrer
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Janet Emson
Faber Books
about 1 year ago
'Another masterful tale of longing and desire.' Glamour Finished paperback copies of The Gentleman from Peru by André Aciman, available from 13 March 💛
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reposted by
Janet Emson
David
about 1 year ago
Q&A with R O Thorp
fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/02/13/r...
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@janetemson.bsky.social
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R O Thorp – Q&A
Death on Ice by R O Thorp is published on 13 February 2025 by Faber. She kindly answered a few of my questions. 1. Tell us a little about Death on Ice. Death On Ice is a murder mystery in the class…
https://fromfirstpagetolast.wordpress.com/2025/02/13/r-o-thorp-qa/
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These things either taste delightful or like you are eating the contents of a vacuum cleaner. And the best bit is you don’t know which it will be until you take a bite.
about 1 year ago
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