Scan barcode
beckys_book_blog's reviews
843 reviews
All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Money to Burn by Asta Olivia Nordenhof
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.0
The Blackbirds of St. Giles by Lila Cain
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This has been my favourite read of 2025 so far! It was atmospheric, evocative and immersive from the first page, and I couldn't put it down.
The characters (both good and bad) were brilliantly written and so believable. Daniel was such a great character, and I was willing him (and Pearl) to find a way out of their desperate situation.
The gritty, grimy London streets were vividly brought to life in Georgian London and were such a contrast to the lavish houses and lifestyles enjoyed by the higher society at the time.
I loved reading about the dangerous streets in the underground labyrinth and the Blackbirds of St.Giles. They were fascinating and I didn't know anything about them before reading this book.
I loved the romance that was interweaved in the story, too, and the relationships between all of the different characters was so well written!
The characters (both good and bad) were brilliantly written and so believable. Daniel was such a great character, and I was willing him (and Pearl) to find a way out of their desperate situation.
The gritty, grimy London streets were vividly brought to life in Georgian London and were such a contrast to the lavish houses and lifestyles enjoyed by the higher society at the time.
I loved reading about the dangerous streets in the underground labyrinth and the Blackbirds of St.Giles. They were fascinating and I didn't know anything about them before reading this book.
I loved the romance that was interweaved in the story, too, and the relationships between all of the different characters was so well written!
This will definitely be in my top ten books of the year! I really hope there is a sequel as I would love to find out what happens next to Daniel and Pearl.
If you enjoy historical fiction, I really recommend this book!
If you enjoy historical fiction, I really recommend this book!
The House with Nine Locks by Philip Gray
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
The Time of the Fire by Emma Kavanagh
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
This was such an original character led thriller that explores how a single tragic event can completely change people's lives and shape their future in different ways.
The story follows Robyn, who has just discovered her father has been murdered. At the same time, there is a wild fire (on the mountain ridge nearby) threatening her Californian hometown, which they may soon need to evacuate.
Will the fire reach Destino?
What was her dad desperate to tell her the night before he died?
Robyn falls asleep, but when she wakes up, she is covered in tattoos and answering to the name Scarlett. The people around her are similar, but both her birth mum (who died when Robyn was a baby) and father are alive.
What is this alternate world and what caused everything to change?
The story is written in alternate chapters by Robyn and Scarlett (a bit like sliding doors!) as we start to uncover the secrets of her past and her friends and family living in the town of Destino.
This seemed such an apt book given the recent California wild fires. I became thoroughly invested in Robyn and Scarlett's story as she started to piece together her past amidst the ever threatening fire that is growing around them. It was fascinating to consider how a single event could have such a dramatic impact on so many people's lives.
A thought-provoking and enjoyable read with an interesting plot. If you fancy a different style of thriller I highly recommend this one.
The story follows Robyn, who has just discovered her father has been murdered. At the same time, there is a wild fire (on the mountain ridge nearby) threatening her Californian hometown, which they may soon need to evacuate.
Will the fire reach Destino?
What was her dad desperate to tell her the night before he died?
Robyn falls asleep, but when she wakes up, she is covered in tattoos and answering to the name Scarlett. The people around her are similar, but both her birth mum (who died when Robyn was a baby) and father are alive.
What is this alternate world and what caused everything to change?
The story is written in alternate chapters by Robyn and Scarlett (a bit like sliding doors!) as we start to uncover the secrets of her past and her friends and family living in the town of Destino.
This seemed such an apt book given the recent California wild fires. I became thoroughly invested in Robyn and Scarlett's story as she started to piece together her past amidst the ever threatening fire that is growing around them. It was fascinating to consider how a single event could have such a dramatic impact on so many people's lives.
A thought-provoking and enjoyable read with an interesting plot. If you fancy a different style of thriller I highly recommend this one.
A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Notes on a Drowning by Anna Sharpe
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was an intense legal/political thriller that I raced through and thoroughly enjoyed.
The book is written as a dual narrative. Anna is a lawyer and is asked to take on another unpaid case after speaking to Rosa. Her sister Natalia was recently found dead after drowning in the Thames, but Rosa believes it was not accidental. Anna is immediately interested as her own sister disappeared suspiciously over 12 years ago in Tokyo. She can emphasise with Rosa and is desperate to uncover the truth.
The other narrator is Kat, who has recently been promoted as special advisor to the home secretary. Kat starts to discover a series of cover-ups and finds a worrying letter about a girl, Natalia, who recently drowned in the Thames. Could her new boss be involved?
I loved how the two main stories slowly interlinked. The two main characters were really well written and easy to identify with.
I found the dark storyline compelling to read. It was packed with action, suspense, and twists.
I haven't read Anna Sharpe's/Mazzola's historical fiction yet (although I do have them all on my tbr) but I hope this is the first in a series as I would love to read more books with Anna and Kat in.
If you like a fast-paced thriller, I would recommend this!
The book is written as a dual narrative. Anna is a lawyer and is asked to take on another unpaid case after speaking to Rosa. Her sister Natalia was recently found dead after drowning in the Thames, but Rosa believes it was not accidental. Anna is immediately interested as her own sister disappeared suspiciously over 12 years ago in Tokyo. She can emphasise with Rosa and is desperate to uncover the truth.
The other narrator is Kat, who has recently been promoted as special advisor to the home secretary. Kat starts to discover a series of cover-ups and finds a worrying letter about a girl, Natalia, who recently drowned in the Thames. Could her new boss be involved?
I loved how the two main stories slowly interlinked. The two main characters were really well written and easy to identify with.
I found the dark storyline compelling to read. It was packed with action, suspense, and twists.
I haven't read Anna Sharpe's/Mazzola's historical fiction yet (although I do have them all on my tbr) but I hope this is the first in a series as I would love to read more books with Anna and Kat in.
If you like a fast-paced thriller, I would recommend this!
The Quick and the Dead by Emma Hinds
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This is an extremely atmospheric, slow burn character driven novel set in Elizabethan England. It really transports you to the world of alchemy and scientific exploration at this time. I loved the way the fictional characters met real characters from history like the alchemist John Dee.
Both Kit and Mariner were fascinating characters and I enjoyed watching their relationships develop with Elody and Lazarus as they go on their own journeys of self discovery.
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with strong character development I would recommend this book.
Both Kit and Mariner were fascinating characters and I enjoyed watching their relationships develop with Elody and Lazarus as they go on their own journeys of self discovery.
If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with strong character development I would recommend this book.
The Wedding Party by Rebecca Heath
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was a gripping thriller told from multiple points of view. The story starts in the present day with the upcoming wedding of Adele and Jason on the sunny Australian coast. The wedding location is one they are all familiar with. Unfortunately, their mutual childhood friend Ollie (Adele's ex-boyfriend) had a tragic accident in the jetty there a decade before, and this dark event is still impacting their lives as the wedding approaches.
The story is narrated by Adele and Melanie (Ollie's mum) and the chapters alternate with Sophie's story of the events leading to her brother Ollie's death.
It took me a little while to get to know all the characters, and I did occasionally need to double check the narrator but I loved the slow build up of suspense and feeling of impending doom as the wedding day approached.
There were a lot of hidden secrets and interesting back stories connecting the central families. I raced through the final part of the book as I really wanted to know if someone was going to be murdered and by whom? I also wanted to know what had happened on the night in question with Ollie all the years before. A very entertaining read!
The story is narrated by Adele and Melanie (Ollie's mum) and the chapters alternate with Sophie's story of the events leading to her brother Ollie's death.
It took me a little while to get to know all the characters, and I did occasionally need to double check the narrator but I loved the slow build up of suspense and feeling of impending doom as the wedding day approached.
There were a lot of hidden secrets and interesting back stories connecting the central families. I raced through the final part of the book as I really wanted to know if someone was going to be murdered and by whom? I also wanted to know what had happened on the night in question with Ollie all the years before. A very entertaining read!
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Gillian Mcallister is an autobuy author for me but I think this book was my favourite one yet!
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The premise immediately grabs you!
Camilla is about to start her first day back at work after maternity leave with 9 month old Polly. She finds it strange when her husband Luke isn't there in the morning to wish her luck on her first day and help take their daughter to school.
It isn't long before Camillas's world is turned upside down. Shortly after arriving for her first day back at work, Camilla sees a news broadcast covering a hostage situation developing in London. Luke, her husband, is the gunman and has taken three hostages!
The book is narrated by Cam as events unravel during the day and 7 years later (and finally 7 years later again)The other narrator is Niall, the hostage negotiater who desperately wants to find out the truth.
This was such an original premise for a thriller, and I couldn't put it down. The suspense and tension throughout is brilliant, and I loved the twisty ending.
The characters are well written and easy to emphasise with. If you like fast paced, heart racing thrillers with a touch of romance, I would highly recommend this. An addictive read!
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The premise immediately grabs you!
Camilla is about to start her first day back at work after maternity leave with 9 month old Polly. She finds it strange when her husband Luke isn't there in the morning to wish her luck on her first day and help take their daughter to school.
It isn't long before Camillas's world is turned upside down. Shortly after arriving for her first day back at work, Camilla sees a news broadcast covering a hostage situation developing in London. Luke, her husband, is the gunman and has taken three hostages!
The book is narrated by Cam as events unravel during the day and 7 years later (and finally 7 years later again)The other narrator is Niall, the hostage negotiater who desperately wants to find out the truth.
This was such an original premise for a thriller, and I couldn't put it down. The suspense and tension throughout is brilliant, and I loved the twisty ending.
The characters are well written and easy to emphasise with. If you like fast paced, heart racing thrillers with a touch of romance, I would highly recommend this. An addictive read!