Amman Brar on Mr. Sidhu's Post Office — One of BBC News's 12 Books of 2026

Philippa opens with a much-requested update on the Barcelona Kindle story — specifically, the one detail everyone wanted to know: did the Kindle survive? (It did. The case did not.) Then it's three book reviews and a wonderful conversation with debut novelist Amman Brar about Mr. Sidhu's Post Office — one of BBC News's 12 books to read in 2026.📚 Three Book ReviewsThe Burning Tide – William Shaw (out 16th July)The second Eden Driscoll mystery sees the ex-Met detective pulled into a case involving a stranger who claims someone is trying to kill him — only to vanish before Eden can ask more questions. Beautifully written, with Shaw's signature warmth in portraying adult-child relationships.The Tailor – Tim SullivanA bespoke tailor is found murdered on the Bristol to London train. DS George Cross deduces immediately it's an execution, not a robbery — and finds himself in personal danger for the first time. Tim Sullivan joins Philippa next Monday to discuss it in full.Eyes on You – Adele Parks (out next month)A woman whose father murdered his secret lover when she was 15 meets a man with his own dark past — and what feels like love may be something far more dangerous. Philippa opened it intending to file it away and couldn't put it down. Adele Parks joins the podcast soon.🎙️ Amman Brar on Mr. Sidhu's Post OfficeMr. Sidhu is a widower in his 60s, quietly devoted to his post office, his two willful grown-up children, and his coworker Rose — with whom he's unexpectedly falling in love. When money starts going missing from the till, his carefully built life begins to unravel.Written as a tribute to Aman's father, who ran a post office in Richmond for decades, the book also quietly acknowledges the devastating Post Office Horizon scandal and its human cost.Amman and Philippa discuss:Growing up around his father's post office in the '80s and '90s, and wanting to capture a world that's slowly disappearingWriting the book as a way of spending time with his father after he passed away eight years ago — and why finishing it felt like letting him go all over againHis background in theatre (Royal Court, Soho Theatre, Tamasha) and how writing a novel is completely different — more solitary, less terrifying than opening nightThe original working title: Dave and Rose (which made him laugh, which is why he chose it)Why his dream writing location is the South of France — and why his black Labrador is his best untangling toolHis nightmare: the quiet carriage, one man on his phone, and the moment Aman became that guyWhat he's reading: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniel MurtaghThe second book: another family drama, this time about his own generationBiscuit answer: French Normandy butter and almond biscuits, dunked in coffee — with rosé on the side if Philippa's paying.💬 Get in touchQuick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected] Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.