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The 45th Parallel (Antipodes Series Book 6) by T.S. Simons – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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The 45th Parallel (Antipodes, #6)The 45th Parallel by T.S. Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 45th Parallel is the sixth book in the Antipodes series. I would highly recommend starting at the first book in the series (Antipodes) and reading in order to get to know the large cast of characters and vast setting that has built up by this point in the series.
The Antipodes series is post-apocalyptic, set after a virus has made most of the surface of the planet uninhabitable. The protagonists of this book, Caitlin and Seraphine, are part of the next generation after the disaster who were created to be immune, and therefore more able to survive on the surface of the planet. It is expected that they will both have children, passing on their immunity to the next generation. But neither of them is keen to settle down, they are easily bored and always in search of their next adventure.
This is a fun continuation of the series! It’s good seeing the next generation of characters coming of age, with the older characters who were the focus of earlier books now viewed from a different angle. Cait and Sera are enjoyable characters – young and dissatisfied with the world they’re inheriting, but also caring for others and trying to make a positive impact.
This book gets five stars from me. I’d definitely recommend this series to fans of post-apocalyptic sci-fi!

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles Book 3) by Victoria Saccenti – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles #3)Titanian Warrior by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Titanian Warrior is the third book in the Titanian Chronicles. It works alright as a standalone, as each story focuses on a different pair of characters and their story, but reading the full series from the start will give you more of Hagen’s backstory.
This is an enticing mythological fantasy that follows Faiza and Hagan’s struggles against the powerful and abusive Master O. Faiza has been careful about toeing the line with Master O, and trying to keep her more rebellious sister Lilith out of trouble. But Master O’s behaviour towards them is getting worse, and she can’t resist the urge to help Hagen when Master O brings the wounded stranger home.
This is a romantic story with plenty of action and magic woven through. It’s a real page-turner as you’re constantly wondering if your favourite characters will be ok, and what Master O will do next. The fantasy world is well developed and I like this book moving the story to India.
I’d recommend this to fans of fantasy romance looking for a new, vibrant world to explore!

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Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Lucky StarsLucky Stars by Fantasia Yu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucky Stars is a fun sci-fi romance. It’s great if you’re looking for some fast-paced adventure alongside the romance! I was attracted by the “Roman Holiday in space” description and it definitely delivers on that, so if you’re a fan of Roman Holiday and also space you’re in for a treat!
I really like the dynamic between Princesses Pola and Mora at the start, which establishes the difference in expectations for Mora as the eldest, but also emphasises her youth and independence.
I also love the descriptions of places and cultures – there’s a lot of worldbuilding gone into this! It’s a great book if you enjoy exploring fantastic worlds.
This book gets five stars from me. It’s the first I’ve read by this author, and I look forward to reading more!

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Operation Blackbird (Brass Compass Series Book 2) by Ellen Butler – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Operation BlackbirdOperation Blackbird by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Operation Blackbird is a thrilling piece of historical fiction. With a Cold War setting, this is a treat for lovers of espionage. I’ve enjoyed other books by this author and this story continued that trend! It’s a companion to The Brass Compass, set during WWII, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.

One thing I particularly loved about this book was the amount of historical detail. It was fun to see familiar brands referred to which I hadn’t realised were available in the 1950s!

This is a real page turner – once the story gets going, you’ll need to find out what happens next! Miriam has to rely on others to help her in her mission, but her world is full of double agents and people whose allegiance can easily be bought. So every new character brought in is both a relief and a source of additional tension. Keeps you on your toes!

With plenty of action and romance, I’d recommend this to all fans of spy novels! Particularly if you have an interest in the Cold War – there’s so much historical detail that it’s a real treat.

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Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery Book 3) by Winter Austin – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Straight for the Kill (Benoit and Dayne Mystery, #3)Straight for the Kill by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Straight for the Kill is the third book in the Benoit and Dayne mystery series. It is a gripping mystery with a Halloween theme that I struggled to put down.

Dayne immediately notices when a new murder bears a strong resemblance to a couple of cold cases that have been haunting many of her colleagues and friends for decades. It’s vital that they catch the killer this time, before the trail runs cold, but it won’t be easy. Benoit is meant to be resting after an operation, but can’t sit this one out.

I particularly enjoyed how this book focused on siblings. The dynamic between Elizabeth and Marnie is particularly interesting, with Marnie’s involvement in the original case and Elizabeth balancing her professional and personal responsibilities.

This book gets five stars from me! Definitely a dark story but there are plenty of lighter character moments to provide balance. I’d recommend reading this series in order – there are a lot of characters to get to know. But they do fill you in on what you need to know as you go along so you can dive in here if you prefer!

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Talisman (The Talisman Series Book 1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Talisman: The Talisman SeriesTalisman: The Talisman Series by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Talisman is the exciting first book in the Talisman series of Celtic Urban Fantasy Romance. It utilises the soulmate trope – every warrior has to find his talisman between the age of 21 and 28 or face dire consequences. Rowan, the warrior in this book, is 3 months from his 28th birthday so the pressure is on.
This is a captivating story, with plenty of world-building drawing on Celtic history, culture and mythology. There’s lots of action, as Rowan and Alyssa face supernatural forces determined to keep them apart. There’s also plenty of research scenes as Alyssa works on her masters thesis and tries to learn more about her family history!
This is the perfect read for when you’re staying warm with a snow storm outside, would definitely recommend it! Although don’t feel like you have to wait for snow to enjoy it. Talisman gets five stars from me and if you enjoy urban and Celtic fantasy I’m sure you’ll love it!

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delicious Death is the second book in the Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries series. It can be read as a stand-alone but is best enjoyed as a continuation of the series so you can follow Elinor’s development and the slow-burn romance from the start.
This series has a gaslamp fantasy feel, set in a fictional world. Elinor’s abilities as a medium help her to solve mysteries as well as helping people who are grieving and having difficulty letting go of those they’ve lost.
Delicious Death is a fun read for fans of food, as the story takes place at a competition between six top chefs. Details about the food, and Elinor’s awareness and appreciation of good quality cooking, are essential to solving the mystery. We also hear about the many tasty delights she encounters along the way!
Elinor’s medical friend, Dr Charlotte LaRue, accompanies her to the event and proves indispensable, not least to fainting noblewomen. It’s great to see her character developing and she brings some interesting science to the story as we learn about poisons and how they could be detected.
This is an entertaining read – a rich fantasy setting with an intriguing mystery and plenty of other storylines flowing through it. The next two books are due to come out in February and April this year and I can’t wait to read them!

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The Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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The HusbandsThe Husbands by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Husbands is an exciting and unconventional romance. I have enjoyed other books by the author – predominantly fantasy – so it was interesting to read her work in a different genre.
I particularly enjoyed that it’s very much a bisexual romance. Dorian and Augustine falling for each other doesn’t negate their feelings for their wives. I also enjoyed how much the story is driven by Magnolia and Aubrielle’s friendship!
Dorian and Augustine’s complicated history, as well as the secrets they are keeping from each other, add layers of interest to the story. Can they find a way to make things work, or would they have been better off never seeing each other again as they’d originally planned?
This is a great read, it gets five stars from me! If you’ve enjoyed other books by this author do give it a try – I enjoy the diverse queer relationships in her books and this story gives you that! And I’d recommend it to fans of LGBT+ romance.

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Minotaur’s Lair (Servant of the Gods Book 3) by Luciana Cavallaro – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Minotaur's Lair (Servant of the Gods, #3)Minotaur’s Lair by Luciana Cavallaro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Minotaur’s Lair is the third book in the Servant of the Gods series. It’s worth reading the series in order – you get enough of the backstory in this book to follow it but it would be more enjoyable to read as the culmination of the series.

As the title suggests, Minotaur’s Lair draws on Greek mythology to create a vivid fantasy world. There are plenty of familiar characters and tropes, but modern elements bring originality as well. The historical setting is detailed, with plenty of information about ancient lives including things like medicine, making it both an immersive and interesting read.

There are some great characters in this story! I particularly like Dexion, a boy whose insight and friendship help Evan in his quest. He’s a fun character with great energy, and I like a story where children notice things that adults miss.

This book gets five stars from me! I’d recommend it to fans of Greek Mythology and historical fantasy. Do start at the beginning, though, with Search for the Golden Serpent to get the full story.

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What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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What Actually Happened to Isaac MooreWhat Actually Happened to Isaac Moore by Samantha J. Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Actually Happened to Isaac Moore is an exciting nautical fantasy. There’s a long-lost map to a possibly real land full of treasure, it’s a classic story! But there’s so much more, unexpected twists and features along the way that make it stand out and keep the reader hooked.

I like how down-to-earth Isaac is. Like, at one point a character is carrying a ball of flame to light the way and he’s wondering why they don’t just make it into a torch to at least appear normal. Childhood lessons from his mother keep him grounded and persevering through the strange challenges he has to face.

There’s some fantastic world building in this story as Isaac enters into a magical, terrifying storybook world. Readers are really taken on a journey!

This book gets five stars from me! If you love pirate and adventure stories with plenty of fantasy elements give this a try, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

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Knight In The Museum (Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery Series Book 5) by Alice Bienia – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Knight In The Museum ( Jorja Knight Mystery -Book 5)Knight In The Museum by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knight In The Museum is the fifth book in the Jorja Knight mystery series, and can be read as a standalone. Knight is a private investigator, and is asked to take a look when a friend of a friend’s suspicious death is deemed accidental. The further she gets into the case, the more Knight discovers that is hard to dismiss as coincidental. And yet the police seem all too happy to do just that, which increases her suspicions.

This is a thrilling mystery read. There’s so much to unravel, with early hints at the involvement of a curse amongst other things. To figure out why Howard died, Knight also has to unravel the final case he was working on, about which he had been very secretive. So plenty going on, making it a hard book to put down!

For me, this book gets five stars. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a good mystery series, particularly if you’re after some Canadian content!

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Snow in Love by Libby Kay – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Snow in LoveSnow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the title suggests, Snow in Love is a fun festive romance. Two paralympic skiers are set to spend the holiday season training together. Their coach hopes they will focus on skiing and not get too distracted by each other. That goes about as well as you’d expect…

What I really like about this book is how it explores the differences in experience of two people with seemingly similar disabilities. Both have a lower limb impairment, but Connor’s is the result of a fairly recent accident which ended his motocross career whereas Sienna was born with a partial leg. We see not only how this affects their approaches and outlooks, but also the assumptions they make about each other.

This is a great book for fans of sports romance, particularly if you like winter sports or parasports. The otherwise unoccupied ski resort makes a great setting for a wintery romance! This book gets five stars from me. Definitely a good comfort read!

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Raine Down (The Shadow Guardians Book 1) by CB Samet – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Raine Down (The Shadow Guardians, #1)Raine Down by C.B. Samet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raine Down is an urban fantasy inspired by Norse mythology. It follows Raine, who has some supernatural abilities, teaming up with FBI agent Will to help stop a ruthless serial killer. Neither of them are big fans of working with others, and they must learn to trust each other in spite of differences in perspective and approach.

Raine Down is an action-packed read with plenty of intrigue as Raine and Will share what they know and try to fill in the gaps. The characters are great, both with strong senses of morals and duty, and both definitely with a need for a life outside of work!

The fantasy side of things is well developed. There’s plenty that feels familiar to fans of Norse mythology (or Marvel fans, like Will) but also lots of interesting details. The supernatural characters are not overpowered and have to cope with the constraints and logistics of living in the human world.

This is a great start to the series, that will appeal to fans of monster-hunting urban fantasies. The second book is due out in February 2023, and I’m looking forward to reading it! It gets five stars from me.

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And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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And Then She FellAnd Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

And Then She Fell is an emotional and captivating story. A year on from her daughter’s tragic death, Catherine is convinced there’s more to the story. As she probes, following in her daughter’s footsteps and talking to the people she knew, Catherine learns a lot about Susie, with plenty of surprises.

This book is a real page-turner. At the start, you think you’ve got a good idea what happened. But like Catherine, everything you learn unravels the story more. Is Catherine merely overanalysing a simple, tragic accident? Is she being protected from things Susie didn’t want her to know, or are people hiding the truth from her?

The first person narration is effective here – the story is told as Catherine talking to Susie, so we already know she is shaping the narrative to what she would want Susie to know and think. And interspersed are retellings of the moments leading up to Susie’s death, each presented in third person and as if this one must be the truth, but each undermined by the next.

This is a five star book for me! I couldn’t put it down, I was squeezing in a chapter on the bus to try and find out what would happen next. I’d recommend it to fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers!

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Soliloquy by Janet Fogg – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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SoliloquySoliloquy by Janet Fogg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Soliloquy is a moving time travel story with a musical thread running through it. After inheriting a mysterious box from her grandmother, Erin is transported through time and space to France in WWII. She has to balance surviving the time she’s in, finding a way to get back to her own time and keeping those around her safe.
It’s a great read! The historical setting is vivid and well-researched, and it’s interesting experiencing it through Erin’s modern perspective. There are plenty of mysteries to unravel, as Erin learns more about her grandmother and great aunt and comes to understand the situation she’s in.
I particularly loved the descriptions of music, as well as the focus on the experiences of musicians in WWII. Erin is valued for her musical abilities and can use them to her advantage, but this is also a source of pressure and puts her in danger.
I would recommend this book to fans of time travel romance, particularly those with an interest in music or WWII. This book gets five stars from me!

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Borrowed Time by Lane Cohen – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time by Lane Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Borrowed Time is a creative science fiction story packed with details from science, classic sci-fi, history – you name it! And with interesting characters whose pasts and concerns drive the plot. As with many time travel stories it asks the big question – if you could change the past, what would you change? And would that be the right thing to do?
Physics professor Andy Case and his student Samoset Brown are both interested in time travel from an academic perspective, and for Case it provides an engaging discussion topic for his otherwise unenthusiastic class. But as their theoretical concept becomes an increasingly achievable reality their other motivations come to the fore.
This is a great read for time travel fans, and gets five stars from me! There are plenty of familiar tropes as well as thought-provoking scenarios and great characters to get to know.

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Petty’s Crime (Satan’s Devils MC Las Vegas Book 3) by Manda Mellett – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Petty's Crime (Satan's Devils MC Las Vegas #3)Petty’s Crime by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Petty’s Crime is the third installment of the Satan’s Devils MC Las Vegas Chapter series, part of the broader Satan’s Devils MC collection. I love these books – I know with each one I’m in for some reliably good storytelling and familiar characters I’ve grown fond of, but also something completely new and unexpected.
I could not put this book down. The narrative switches between perspectives meaning you have to keep reading to get to the stage where you find out what happens next. There are plenty of twists along the way, and clues that will keep you guessing about what’s really going on.
There are some fantastic characters in this series! It was great to see more of Petty, and also get to know other members of the MC who I’m sure will have their own stories in due course. And of course to check up on Red, Cher and Zeke.
Like many of the books in this series, there is content that may be triggering for some – in this case most notably descriptions of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It’s approached sensitively, with a focus on characters coming to terms with and starting to heal from their experiences.
This book gets another five stars from me! You could dive into the series here but I think a better entry point would be Red’s Peril, or even going back to the beginning with Turning Wheels. It’s a great series – every book is a joy to read and will leave you wanting more (and, thankfully, there is plenty more!).

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Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Prequel)Defiant Princess by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the Mafia Elite series, so this prequel seemed like a great chance to get more of the characters and writing that I enjoy so much! I feel like Defiant Princess is more intended as an entry point into the series for new readers than an extension of the story for those who have already read the series. Most of the backstory won’t be new if you’re caught up on the series, and there won’t be many surprises. But it’s still fun to get to see the characters when they’re a bit younger!
So I’d say this is for readers who think you might enjoy the series and would like a taster before you commit. It’s a chance to get to know loads of the main characters and some of their key motivators in a shorter novella before you jump into the series. With the Mafia Elite series now available in two convenient box sets, this could be a great way to sample the series before getting the first set.
This book gets four stars from me. I’d recommend it to newcomers to the series who want to see if it’s for them – if you like romance, action and intrigue I’m sure you’ll love Mafia Elite!

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Elemental Fire (The Hidden Realms Book 1) by EG Manetti – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Elemental Fire (The Hidden Realms #1)Elemental Fire by E.G. Manetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elemental Fire is the first book in the Hidden Realms series. It’s an exciting fantasy romance with an urban setting and plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages.
A treaty between humans and the Hidden was supposed to keep everyone safe and happy. But of course that’s not always the case. There are humans who see the Hidden as a threat and discriminate against them. There are Hidden who use their glamours to do more than simply blend in with the crowd. This is where Sin comes in – she can see through glamours and spot different magical creatures whether or not they want to be seen. She offers her services to both sides, helping where she can (especially if the pay is good!).
There is some beautiful world building in this book, which encourages readers to see the magic in everything! And the story is fantastic, with the romance not overwhelming the action and mystery.
This book gets five stars from me! I’d recommend it to fans of urban fantasies looking for something full of romance and adventure.

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Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1 Books 1-3 by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1 by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Musical Murder Mystery Box Set #1 is a collection of fun cosy mysteries set around a travelling theatre troupe. I really enjoyed the first book, The Sound of Murder, so it was great to be able to read the next two as part of a box set!
This is a great series for theatre fans, particularly anyone who’s been involved in performances or dreams of going on the stage. You will most likely end up with songs from the shows stuck in your head for days after you’ve finished. Protagonist Ruby, a chorus girl with a knack for solving mysteries, likes to rewrite the lyrics of a song from the show she’s working on to help her get her head around the details of a case.
The titles of the books make it clear which musical each one is about – The Sound of Murder (The Sound of Music), West Side Murder (West Side Story) and Little Shop of Murder (Little Shope of Horrors). I like how the stories tie in with the musicals the troupe is performing – my favourite is West Side Murder where there’s a longstanding feud between different sections of a retirement community.
This box set gets five stars from me! It would be a great collection to bring on holiday, or read backstage while you’re waiting for your next scene…

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Grave Digger Academy II (Grave Digger Academy Book 2) by C.A. King – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Grave Digger Academy IIGrave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy II is the second book in the series, and sees Makayla return to the school no one really wants to be at for another year. This series is best enjoyed in order, so do start with the first book! It’s perfect for YA and teen readers who enjoy the magic school trope.
In this book, Makayla and her classmates have to dig deep for whatever enthusiasm and affection they can summon for their school in order to succeed in the Inter-Academy Games. They had all hoped that by the start of their second year they would have transferred to pretty much any other school and now they have to prove themselves against the students who got into those schools in the first place.
This is an exiting continuation of the series! Makayla has a lot to learn, and there are plenty of mysteries to unravel. Makayla is still coming to terms with what she’s learnt about her family history, and trying to get more information to help her understand this past and how it impacts her.
It was good to see some more of Makayla’s brothers in this book! Caz and Tye are interesting characters, and it’s fun to get more family moments.
This book gets five stars from me. It’s an enjoyable series, I’d definitely recommend it!

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Lab Spill (The Cool Thing Series Book 2) by Robert Rife – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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LAB SPILL: A Dark Comedy. Maybe. (THE COOL THING SERIES)LAB SPILL: A Dark Comedy. Maybe. by Robert Rife
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lab Spill is the second book in The Cool Thing Series. It’s definitely worth reading the books in order, starting with The Cool Thing. Things might or might not make more sense that way, but at least you’ll not be spoilering yourself for when you realise that you need to read more and The Cool Thing is right there.
If you enjoy dark humour and weird stuff, this is the book for you! Lab Spill brings us a world of failed experiments, many of whom are still alive and some even thriving in the supposedly secure world they’ve been locked away in. You’ve got everything from somewhat mutated humans to full on evil slime. It’s fabulous.
The characters in this are great. Messy, often selfish and mostly fairly unlucky. Plenty of favourites from The Cool Thing are back, and there are new characters to get to know as well!
Like the first book, definitely not for younger or sensitive readers. You might not want to read it whilst eating, although I managed that fine because I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want to risk starvation!
This book gets five stars from me! It’s original, imaginative and incredibly entertaining! If you loved the first book, The Cool Thing, Lab Spill will not disappoint! And if you haven’t read The Cool Thing yet, go read it now!

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Mafia Elite Series Box Set Volume 2 by Amy McKinley – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Mafia Elite Box Set: Volume TwoMafia Elite Box Set: Volume Two by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mafia Elite Box Set: Volume Two collects books four to seven of this fantastic series! I would recommend reading the series in order, so if you haven’t already read the first three you’ll want to start with the Volume One box set!
These are fantastic books – I gave them each five stars when I read them separately and it’s so handy to have them together in one volume! Whenever I got to the end of one book I couldn’t wait to start on the next one – with this collection you can simply turn the page and keep going!
In Savage Secrets we finally catch up with Elena, who most characters have believed to be dead. There’s some mysteries to solve about her birth mother, as well as the usual action and romance! Ruthless Heir brings Luc, who was previously unaware of the Chicago Mafia’s existence, into the picture to fill his rightful place. And he drags Summer into it, who knows plenty about the Mafia and has good reason for wanting nothing to do with them. Next is Collateral Damage, which gave me the Trey-focused story I’d been impatiently waiting for! It was great to see the mafia surgeon finally in the limelight. Rounding off this collection is Rivals, where New York Mafia princess Mia turns to Nico for protection. This of course ramps up tension between the families, and I really enjoy the warmth as Mia discovers that not all families are like hers.
This box set gets five stars from me (or twenty, if you add up each book!). I’d recommend the series to fans of action and romance with interesting, complex characters. And you should definitely start with Volume One before getting into this second collection!

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An Inheritance to Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For Book 4) by Judy Moore – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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An Inheritance To Die For (Cozy Mysteries To Die For, #4)An Inheritance To Die For by Judy Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An Inheritance to Die For is the fourth book in the Cozy Mysteries To Die For series, which centres around bookshop owner Beck O’Rourke who has by this stage been involved in solving enough murders that she’s qualified as a private investigator. The books work fine as standalones, but it’s fun to read the whole series and get to know the characters like grandmother Alice, beach bum Scratchoff and dishy detective Devon.
In this book, Beck is summoned to Maine by an old college roommate who is convinced her father’s apparent suicide is anything but. Beck must work out whether Jacqueline is simply struggling with her grief and deep-seated dislike of her stepmother, or whether there’s actually substance to her suspicions.
This is an entertaining read! We join Beck as she grapples with the intense personalities and complicated relationships of a privileged family she thought she’d never have to see again. There are plenty of clues and twists to keep readers guessing who really killed Mr Greene, and why.
At the same time, Beck is trying to work out where her relationship with Devon is going. He seems keen to spend time with her, but always leaves it until the last minute to organise anything. Does that mean he’s not serious about her?
This is a lovely series for fans of cozy mysteries. Great characters, a wonderful coastal setting and a light tone (in spite of the high mortality rate…). I’d recommend reading the full series but you can absolutely start here if you’d prefer! It gets five stars from me.

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Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Grave Digger AcademyGrave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy is a fun YA fantasy novel. It’s perfect for fans of magic boarding schools! This story sees Makayla failing to live up to the expectations of her parents and older brothers, but finding her own place and path in the world.
There’s a fun cast of characters! Makayla soon gets to know classmates such as Thomas, Cali and Leo who are united by not having applied to Grave Digger Academy but ending up there anyway. And there are the teachers, such as Tallen, Ms Moth, and Ms Dred. Makayla’s never had much talent for getting on with people, and has to learn to make friends and work with others.
The world building is lovely – the school is very well described as Makayla arrives and gets to know it, and it’s so atmospheric and captivating! I really felt like I’d been transported to a new and magical world – so much food for the imagination!
This book gets five stars from me! I’d recommend it to confident teen readers and young adults who’ve enjoyed magic school books in the past such as the Children of the Red King series and are looking for something new to fall in love with.

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Euphoric Wonderland is an engaging and transporting collection of poetry. It’s beautifully presented with decoratively coloured pages that are a welcome change to the usual white on black.

The poems address a variety of topics – some charting the poet’s personal journey and highlighting his influences (much is said on the topic of The Beatles…) and others more abstract. There’s a beautiful and considered use of language in many and they flow – you can tell they’re being spoken out loud.

My favourites include Schumann or Human You Wish That We Knew Him, Carnation Formation For Our Admiration and A Shape Escaped, No Need for Breaks. They really captured my imagination and I enjoyed reading them!

This book gets four stars from me, and I would love to read more from this poet. Euphoric Wonderland is certainly “An Eclectic Collection” – I’d really like to read something with a clearer narrative or thematic thread running through it to draw me from one poem to the next. But the poems themselves are fantastic, and the collection is a great demonstration of the author’s talents!

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Moby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Moby Plays the FluteMoby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moby Plays the Flute is a gorgeous picture book. I love the illustration style, with loads of fun details meaning you can spend ages totally absorbed in exploring the pictures. The story is positive and will speak to children and adults alike.

I was drawn to this book as a music teacher – I love stories about music. This doesn’t disappoint, and I think it would be a great book to read with a child who is starting to learn an instrument to help them to prepare for the patience and perseverance they will need, and get excited about learning and playing their instrument!

This is also a good book to read with a child when a parent has to go away for a long time. Moby misses her dad, and he misses her but he’s still there for her even when he’s far away.

This book gets five stars from me! A wonderfully enjoyable book to read, and a good way to explore the importance of persevering when learning something new!

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Felines and Fatalities (A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Felines and Fatalities (A Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery, Book 2)Felines and Fatalities by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As you can probably guess from the title, Felines and Fatalities is a cat-themed cozy mystery. It’s the perfect book for when your cat has decided that your lap is the most comfortable place in the world and you’re forced to sit still for the foreseeable future! It’s the second book in the series, but you can read it as a standalone if you don’t mind a few spoilers for book 1.

Ellie has plenty on her plate running a cat show – so many logistics to worry about and fussy pet parents coming to her with requests and complaints. If you’ve ever been involved in running events you’ll feel a lot of sympathy for her! And of course, one of the judges has the audacity to get himself murdered. But the show must go on…

The star of this series is, of course, Templeton. Ellie looks after many rescue cats but Templeton is hers, the one she will carry around everywhere to keep out of trouble. The detectives doubt Templeton’s ability to contribute to the mystery-solving process, but Templeton would never let a human dictate what he can and can’t do.

This is an entertaining read that will particularly appeal to animal lovers. It’s a five-star read for me, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book, Meows and Mayhem (which I might save for next time I’m cat-sitting…)

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Sessrúmnir (Antipodes Series Book 5) by T.S. Simons – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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Sessrumnir (Antipodes #5)Sessrumnir by T.S. Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sessrúmnir is the fifth book in the Antipodes series. This is an exciting sci-fi series set in a dystopian future where most of humanity has been wiped out and the survivors have many new challenges to face. It’s worth reading the series in order, so begin with book one, Antipodes, if you haven’t already read it.
This is an exciting page-turner, bringing the series to a great conclusion. Everyone’s been living with the new normal for a while, and starting to try and settle into a routine and look to the future. But things can so easily be disrupted, with Freyja finding it impossible to commit to something as simple as a date without her world being turned upside down.
It was great to see more of the younger children in this book. I also liked that they addressed the psychological impact of events in the characters’ pasts – so often the characters need to be strong and focus on survival so it was powerful that there was space for this.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and watching the characters grow and develop across many years and books. I’d recommend it to all fans of dystopias and near-future speculative fiction. The worldbuilding satisfies a lot of “what-ifs” and the characters are fantastic!

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Jester by Brielle D. Porter – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

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JesterJester by Brielle D. Porter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jester is an exciting fantasy that combines paranormal magic with performative illusions. Young adult and teen readers who enjoy magic tricks and circus skills will love this story!
Lisette, who goes by the stage name Mirage, is struggling to survive in a competitive world of entertainers. Relying on every show to pay for her next meal, she is desperate for a more stable and lucrative gig. Unfortunately, there’s a lot standing between her and the coveted position of Queen’s Jester, including her talented and beautiful competitor Luc and the fact that her father killed the King.
I particularly enjoyed how the dynamic between Luc and Lisette evolved over the course of the story. And there’s a great cast of supporting characters we meet along the way, such as the somewhat sleazy Del, and the mischievous young Cillian.
This book gets five stars from me! Totally enchanting, I struggled to put it down.

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