"... steeped in atmosphere, tingling with tension, and liberally sprinkled with a dark brand of humour..." Book-Marked
"Inspector Eddie Giral, a psychologically damaged First World War veteran, insists on launching an investigation, in a novel that chillingly evokes the horror of living under a brutal occupation." The Sunday Times
"A thoughtful, haunting thriller." Mick Herron, author of the Slough House series
"Such a powerful and morally nuanced crime novel, with the bonus of an unusual and fascinating setting. I thought the book managed the difficult job of being both a gripping murder mystery and a vivid recreation of Paris under German Occupation in World War II." Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy, the Roth Trilogy and the Lydmouth detective series.
"In The Unwanted Dead, Chris Lloyd brings to life a Paris at the very beginning of German occupation. When four Polish refugees turn up dead, detective Eddie Giral must investigate, navigating a path between the city’s Nazi overlords, his conflicted colleagues, and his own haunted conscience. Lloyd serves up an excellent beginning to his new series. In Eddie Giral, he has created a character reminiscent of Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther, oozing with attitude and a conflicted morality that powers a complex, polished plot. Historical crime at its finest." Vaseem Khan, author, Midnight at Malabar House
"... a first rate police procedural set in Nazi occupied Paris in which nobody and no-one is quite what they seem to be" NetGalley
"Well-written and carefully researched, it is one to stay with you long after you have finished reading." Adrian Magson, author of the Rocco series
"Powerful stuff." The Sunday Times Crime Club
"Tense, emotional and vividly written." Woman & Home
"The Unwanted Dead is the best kind of crime novel: gripping, thought-provoking and moving. In Detective Eddie Giral, Chris Lloyd has created a flawed hero not just for occupied Paris, but for our own times, too - someone who won't go down without a fight, who knows justice when he sees it, and never gives up on those who can't defend themselves." Katherine Stansfield, novelist and poet, author of The Visitor and The Magpie Tree.
“Chris Lloyd’s new book is a terrific read. Revolving around the murder of four Polish refugees on the day the Germans occupied Paris, the story is gripping and well-paced." Mark Ellis, author, creator of the DCI Frank Merlin series
"This captivating and enchanting tale filled me with joy. The characterisation is wonderful, with just the right mix of brave children and dastardly baddies – not forgetting the adorable, if not scary, Gunther the kitten…With its winning formula of a heartwarming story and sublime illustrations, it is sure to be a big hit." TES
"Bishop’s voice is breezy and warm, but the book’s real charm is in its celebration of the imaginative power and tactile pleasures of books…Delightful." Observer Children's Book of the Week
***** - "This is the kind of setting readers used to find in long-ago children’s books... just right for the independent young reader becoming accustomed to enjoying complete novels" Books For Keeps
"There’s a real warmth to this story - as well as lots of laughs" Booktrust
"Beautifully fresh-feeling and original with the sort of main character we just can't get enough of. This is something rather special indeed!" ReadItDaddy Chapter Book of the Week
"This is high adventure in gorgeously imaginative settings... a book to be read again and again... The Bookshop Girl has it all" Books-a-Go-Go
"This is a book for book lovers, book SHOP lovers and of course, cat lovers everywhere. It is wonderful!" Sue and Pakka's Book Blog
"A clever, funny romp ideal for reading aloud or for confident readers to enjoy alone" The Scotsman
"The prose reads freely, the plot moves like liquid gold. If I was seven again this is the book that would make me fall in love with reading. And bookshops." Minerva Reads
"This is a thoroughly enjoyable story that deserves to be read over and over. It has plenty to offer every reader. I just loved it!" Fallen Star Stories
“Charmingly retro … [a] short, sweet, imaginative tale.” Guardian Children’s Books “Best New” Round-Up
"The dark humour will have you guffawing into the pages." Cosmopolitan
"With 'Scenes Of A Graphic Nature', Caroline O'Donoghue establishes herself as one of the most exciting young Irish writers on the literary scene. Her acerbic wit is matched by her sharp-eyed observations, resulting in a piece of fiction that is dark, gripping, and beautifully written." Louise O'Neill
"witty, tender and insightful" Guardian
"By turns fluid and astute, the book showed an impressive grasp on femininity and thrummed with a ticklish relatability. It was described as echoing the tonal urgency of Phoebe Waller-Bridge or Lena Dunham, probably doing O'Donoghue a disservice in the process. But no matter; with Scenes of a Graphic Nature, O'Donoghue is making space for herself, and not just as the new anybody.” Irish Independent Review
"The sophomore novel by Cork author and journalist Caroline O’Donoghue, 'Scenes of a Graphic Nature' ... might be the best novel of 2020." Eleanore Hutch, Evoke.ie
“…an absorbing and compelling mystery that takes a nuanced view of contemporary Ireland and its historical failings.” Books Ireland
"In the inventive O'Donoghue's follow-up to Promising Young Women, she turns her tart tongue on friendship, exile and what it feels like to return to a place that no longer feels like home." The i
"a darkly comic novel about going back to your roots." VIP Magazine
This novel is a kind of tragicomedy as well as a murder mystery and is in turns bawl-out-loud funny and vaguely disturbing." Sunday Irish Independent
"It's a meditation on identity, placelessness, the gravitational pull of ancestral vagueness, the enduring legacy of Irish secrecy, the awkwardness with which 'outsiders' search for answers, all wrapped up in a moreish mystery unfolding as a friendship between two young women." Irish Times
"So dark and funny, bleak yet full of heart, touching on friendship and love and belonging ... you're in for a treat." Ayisha Malik
"Put this book somewhere safe, because it is set to be one of those you spend your life reading over and over - discovering new moments and new lessons each time. I've been a huge fan of Caroline O'Donoghue's writing for a long time and I think Scenes of a Graphic Nature - blisteringly funny and clever - is her best work yet. Raw, heartfelt and incredibly compelling, I can't recommend this enough." Lucy Vine, bestselling author of 'Hot Mess'
"'Scenes Of A Graphic Nature' is a truly extraordinary novel - I inhaled it. It's thrillingly dark, but so moving and human - it's one of the most intelligent, well observed depictions of lust, loss, envy, betrayal, friendship and love that I've ever read. Charlie is so real, courageous, vulnerable, infuriating and adorable. The book itself mirrors Charlie's experience of Ireland - sometimes it's warm and joyous, sometimes it's hostile and terrifying, but even when you know you're in danger, you want to stay for longer and fall even deeper into the pages." Daisy Buchanan
"I was so hooked on this beautiful, funny story of homecoming and self-discovery I didn't want to put it down. The characters are wonderfully drawn and the sense of place is so compelling - it is a mystery, a fireside yarn. There is a little Maeve Binchy in there, a little Keyes, but Caroline has her own voice, and the edge to Charlie and Laura - their difficult, funny and recognisable relationship - is all her own." Keith Stuart, author of 'The Boy Made of Blocks'
"A witty story of second-generation immigrants trying to belong, it grapples with love, friendship and identity." Heat
"... crosses genres to create a rich, evocative novel with more than a few laughs." Woman's Way
“[Scenes of a Graphic Nature] offers us intricate, layered humanity. Charlie Regan, in all her messy glory, is a protagonist we are willing to follow, from England to Ireland, from the past to present, and everything in between this world and the next.” Lucy Kent, Lunate - A Literary Journal
"This is a darkly humorous, keenly observed blend of millennial drift and murder mystery from a razor-sharp writer." Sarra Manning, Red
“If you consider yourself an LGBT+ ally, you have to read this book. You think you know, but until you devour this insight into the LGBT+ community from somebody writing so openly and warmly within it, you don’t. This book is your invitation to do better, to understand deeper, and to be enthralled along the way. It opened my eyes and my heart.” Laura Jane Williams
“This was a lovely read, the perfect book for a summer when travel is off the table. Calum took me to countries I have only dreamt of, he showed me the sights, introduced me to the locals and, most importantly, educated me on said countries LGBT+ rights and laws.” Olly Pike
“I absolutely inhaled it. I laughed, I cried, I learned, but most importantly I connected with our community. Beautiful in every way.” Jonathan Barakat
"Sweet and fun, with real emotional depth and a rousing, feisty spirit." Matt Cain
“Eat, Gay, Love is an all-absorbing voyage of LGBTQ+ discovery. I’m queer myself, but I learned more from Calum’s life than I expected to. His delicious writing took me by the hand and showed me what the world can look like for so many in my own community. A beautiful and important read.” Melanie Murphy
"“An absolutely stunning book, I devoured every single word, I couldn’t put it down.” Luxeria
“I see myself so much in this book, I relived my teenage years through these words.” Andrea Di Giovanni
“Eat, Gay, Love is beautifully written, and has made me intensely aware of how boring my own life is. Calum’s memoir is heartbreaking and heart mending and a wonderful set of stories about real people in the real world.” Niki Albon
"Warm, funny and glorious." Library Girl and Book Boy
"A delight through and through, made all the more so by the splendid visuals provided by Ashley King whose offbeat illustrations underscore the humour of Sylvia’s telling." Red Reading Hub (Book of the Week)
All the way through this book, I found myself smiling... Five out of five stars. World's Smallest Library
"Absolutely pitch perfect." Chrikaru Reads
"Full of fabulous illustrations, ‘44 Tiny Secrets’ is a delightful story." North Somerset Teachers Book Awards
"A beautifully written story which pulls you in and whisks you away to another time. Clare Marchant is a fabulous new talent." Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series
"The past and present is skilfully entwined in this captivating and emotional debut." Heidi Swain, author of The Secret Seaside Escape
"A charming and engaging mystery, beautifully told." Jenni Keer, author of The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker
"A rich and vivid historical story, The Secrets of Saffron Hall is one of those rare books that is totally engrossing. I loved it." Nicola Cornick, author of The Forgotten Sister
"Emotional and intense, this is a page-turning story of secrets that echo through time." Rachel Hore, author of The Love Child
"This pulled me in and didn’t let me go: a page-turner with such historical depth and tender touch that it enchanted my heart. I adored it." Laura Jane Williams, author of Our Stop
"Intriguing and fascinating, a real insight into a turbulent time in England’s history." Kathleen McGurl, author of The Secret of the Chateau
"Split between two very different time periods, Clare Marchant brings to life the worlds of 16th-century bride Eleanor and Amber in 2019 with great subtlety and believability." Woman
"Emotive, immersive and compelling, a beautiful story that captures the heart." Liz Fenwick, author of The Path to the Sea
"An intensely gripping, emotional read, that kept me turning the pages until the early hours of the morning. An atmospheric story sure to please all fans of timeslip novels!" Christina Courtenay, author of Echoes of the Runes
"Such a wonderful read. It's awkward. It's cute. It's so very relatable." 5* Review, NetGalley
"A thoughtful book that explores experiences not represented in contemporary fiction." 5* Review, NetGalley
"Fantastic! I had the very best time reading it... Like a whiff of fresh air that this society desperately needs." 5* Review, NetGalley
"Every once in a while, a novel comes along that speaks to your soul. 'Adult Virgins Anonymous' was that novel for me." 5* Review, NetGalley
"A brilliant, funny, well written book that is absolutely hilarious. Brilliant bunch of characters and the perfect little storyline." 5* Review, NetGalley
"My heart was hammering and I had to force myself to slow down and not skip ahead throughout much of this book." My Shelves Are Full
"It has an appealing Victorian Murder Most Unladylike feel: oodles of female friendships, puzzles to be solved and great bravery." KM Lockwood
"This is such a fabulous read. Richly atmospheric, Victorian Edinburgh is the perfect setting for the story... full of twists and excitement with touches of the macabre." The North Somerset Teachers' Book Award
"The diversity within The House of Hidden Wonders is next to none, and something that has been solely needed in Middle Grade for a while now. We have... disability rep and great female rep, and I was all for it!" Amy Rush Da Silva.
"Gosling’s enthralling adventure celebrates the strong bonds of family, female ingenuity and their struggles to break down gender barriers, as well delivering an entertaining and enlightening historical odyssey which explores some of the period’s great pioneers." Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post
"Sherlock Holmes meets Dickens in this heart-stopping Victorian mystery. It is the perfect book for anyone who loves to explore the dark, haunted side of a historic city." Kate Heap, Scope for Imagination
"The House of Hidden Wonders is a study into the experience of the poorest in Victorian Edinburgh, the conditions, the expectations and attitudes towards the orphans, the criminal underclass, the destitute, the unwanted and yet those that prevailed as many of us can trace our ancestry more to the poor than to the rich." Lily and the Fae
"Sharon Gosling shines a torch into the murky, but fascinating underworld of historic Edinburgh, and introduces a cast of feisty female role-models." Roaring Reads
"The mystery itself is like a magic box – it leads to mystery upon mystery with new information enriching the plot. It was a wonderful plot, with the solution almost but not quite within reach until the final second…." Louise Nettleton, Book Murmuration
“Action-packed sci-fi with a cinematic feel.” Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
“An epic dystopian novel that grabs you from the first chapter and hurls you into a world that feels disturbingly believable, Flood World would be great for lovers of fast paced thrillers and sci-fi.” Anne Thompson, A Library Lady
“An action-packed, edge-of-the-seat thriller, FloodWorld follows Joe and Kara as they’re sucked into a twisting whirlpool of gangsters, pirates, corruption and power struggles.” BookTrust
“For readers that love exciting action-packed adventure stories and films, FloodWorld is perfect. It is full of tense cliffhangers, thrilling chase scenes and hairbreadth escapes as two children, Kara and Joe, fight to confound a ruthless pirate plot.” Books for Topics
"This fast-paced futuristic adventure story set in a sunken, post-climate change London feels like a blockbuster movie in waiting." @TimeOutLondon
"This is an unusual, absorbing story that quickly draws you in. It is full of interesting twists and surprises that will keep you guessing. I couldn't put it down." Primary Times
"Captivating and twisty, [Baker's] use of classic ingredients makes a fantastic new dish." MinervaReads
"A highly original mystery story that successfully combines a modern day and historical setting. A definite must-read." The Bookbag
"A thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile read." The Book Activist
"Heartwarming and thoughtful – there’s a lot to love here" Kate Ormand
"Exceptional - it really takes you into another world, and had me hooked from the first page...A compelling story that keeps the reader on tenterhooks. Parents In Touch
"This time-slip novel mixes intrigue, friendship, hope, fear and a dash of spookiness to great effect. Well paced throughout, with an increasingly tightly coiled onwards draw towards the final pages, Baker's book successfully mixes a fresh modern sensibility with a historically rooted yet timeless story about our need to face our demons and our desire to feel a secure sense of "home", however we define it … 'Through the Mirror Door' delivers a wonderful dose of escapism along with something a little meatier to feel inspired by. An accomplished début I'll be recommending to many 9-13 year olds." Playing by the Book
"A thrilling mystery that looks set to become a modern classic...An inspiring tale of survival, friendship and love, this is an enchanting debut from an exciting new children’s author." Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post
"An intriguing, beautiful debut...marvellously spooky and will keep you guessing to the very end." Book Lover Jo
"Angela is a heart-breaking character, driven by loneliness and guilt. She does not believe she deserves a home, or that she truly belongs anywhere. Readers will get caught up in her adventure as she throws all thoughts of herself aside in order to save a boy she barely knows." Booktrust
"A huge atmospheric ghost story, which is layered full of mystery ... a brilliant debut book and a highly recommended read." Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
"Marmery gives voice to a woman who, like so many others, has been written out of history... A gripping tale of true feminine courage." Martine McDonagh
"A gripping adventure story of an extraordinary journey... compelling." Mandy Haggith
"This is a lively, spirited account of the epic voyage made by Maria, a woman who was a mysterious passenger on Francis Drake’s Golden Hind. Marmery’s debut novel is thoroughly researched and vividly written, with a host of colourful characters. The brutality, horror and discomfort of life on board a 16th century galleon and the wonders and dangers that the crew experiences are skilfully evoked. Maria’s perspective, that of an oppressed but feisty outsider, lends the familiar story an unusual dimension." Sally O'Reilly
"A thoroughly modern love story. Smart and emotional – I couldn’t put it down." Sarah Morgan, bestselling author of Family for Beginners
"A hilarious brilliantly written story from one of our favourite writers." Bella
"A hilarious and brilliantly written story from one our favourite writers."
"Devoured it in one day – the perfect cosy (but not twee) modern romance." The Strategist
"Fresh, funny and smart, The Love Square celebrates the messy joy that is modern love. It’s full of delicious food and real kindness and sexy men… what’s not to like?!" Beth O’Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare
"‘Fresh, funny and full of heart. I fell in love with Penny Bridge." Nicola Gill, author of The Neighbours
"Clever, hilarious and a total unbridled joy to read, get it now or prepare for the impending FOMO this summer when everyone else is talking about this brilliant book." Lucy Vine, bestselling author of Hot Mess
"Fresh, warm, and honest, The Love Square is a refreshingly different take on modern relationships." Louise O’Neill
"A truly extraordinary and original book. Utterly gobsmackingly brilliant. I felt elated, heartbroken and uplifted by the beauty of it. Raw and written from the heart, it’s a phenomenal read and an excellent starting point to discuss issues around grief, guilt, mental health and depression." Liz Hyder, author of BEARMOUTH
"Owen has a real talent for creating believable, authentic teenage characters that you can really relate to and empathise with. He also tears into the ideas of toxic masculinity, somewhat of a recurring theme in his novels and explores the teenage male psyche... I felt like the way grief is portrayed was so accurate and it's all intertwined with these imaginative fantasy elements that are utterly enchanting. For me, it really hit home with my own personal experiences of loss, creating a brilliant dynamic that hopefully will help many other people." Emily Mitchell, @ashortbooklover
"Not many YA writers can combine authenticity with such tenderness, so raw at times it's painful. A unique premise told beautifully.’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave (via Instagram), author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS and THE MERCIES
“A masterfully written story surging with powerful energy, as brilliant as the finest stained glass. Nona is a heroine you'll never forget.” Sinéad O'Hart
"There are plenty of edge-of-the-seat scenes, where you just keep guessing what is going to happen next. I was enthralled by the battles and challenges that are thrown at the characters at every turn." Sarah Tyson, Books Up North
“Katharine Orton writes about history as someone who understands it, and about magic as though she could probably do it. Shatteringly good.” Nick Tomlinson
“Rich and atmospheric, Glassheart feels like a long-lost folktale brimming with ghostly magic.” Jennifer Bell
"Katharine Orton shows an incredible lightness of touch in her writing, particularly in her descriptions of Nona and the emotions she experiences as she discovers the danger in which she finds herself and battles against what appears to be her destiny. … I cannot give this anything less than a fantastical 5 out of 5 stars." Mrs Sydney’s famous World’s Smallest Library
"Drawing on folklore and the wild landscape of Dartmoor, this is an imaginative and beguiling fantasy weaving in Nona’s courage, determination and the power of love." Books For Topics
"Rich in folklore and historical significance, Glassheart is a unique and powerful book that will pull readers inside its pages." Scope for Imagination
"Orton’s fantastical world is creepily drawn; even better is her understanding of grief, suffering and healing." Rich Simpson (@richreadalot)
"Thoroughly imagined and eerily atmospheric, Glassheart was both suspenseful and compelling. An exciting blend of folklore, fantasy and history. … Perfect reading for winter nights when rain lashes at the window and you are snuggled up safely inside." Meg Readz
"Steeped in the atmospheric mists and moors of Dartmoor, this tale shows us how grief and loss can set people on very different paths, and the picture we piece together at the end is as intricate and multi-faceted as the stained-glass windows that feature so beautifully in the tale itself." My Book Corner
"Prepare to be both chilled and enchanted, bothered and bewitched as you read this, the second of Katherine Orton’s stories. … With echoes of folktale and legend, the landscape that the author crafts is wild, unpredictable – sometimes sinisterly nightmarish." Jill R Bennett, Red Reading Hub
"Orton’s fantastical world is creepily drawn; even better is her understanding of grief, suffering and healing." The Guardian
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