Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

Philippa is back from holiday — and the books made it to Rhodes eventually, after a handwritten letter to Athens customs explaining why a normal person would post books to themselves. Today she's sharing her top eight reads from the trip, spanning crime, horror, graphic novels, historical fiction, and AI thrillers. All different. All five stars.The Top 8 Holiday Reads (in reverse order)8. Under the Hammer – Samantha Dooey MilesA woman whose landlord has a fatal accident discovers her life's mission: punishing as many landlords as possible, starting with the ones she's spotted on a home improvement TV show. Sharp, witty, and wickedly entertaining.7. Splasher – Billie HostBought at Imagine Things bookshop in Harrogate. A swim coach returns to Richardson University a decade after tragedy struck — and on the first day of training, two students are found dead in the pool. Funny horror, perfectly read beside a swimming pool.6. The Confessions – Paul Bradley CarrAI bot Liam powers society — until he goes offline. Then identical white envelopes start arriving at people's houses, confessing their darkest secrets. Dystopian, clever, and full of unexpected turns. Philippa was audibly groaning with delight.Joint 4th. The Scandalous Ladies Football Club – Frances QuinnLondon, 1897. A schoolteacher places a newspaper ad asking for volunteers for the first ever women's football team. Philippa was so engrossed she propped the book up at the edge of the private pool and swam on the spot while reading it. Auto-buy author. Frances Quinn joins the podcast soon.Joint 4th. Roman Mornings – Matson TaylorRome, 1952. A young English woman arrives full of idealism. By 1976, she's wilting — until a chance encounter with a young carpenter changes everything. A celebration of friendship, identity, and the eternal city. Mattson Taylor joins the podcast over Christmas.3rd. The Corfe Castle Murders – Rachel McLeanDCI Leslie Clark is transferred to rural Dorset after being injured in a bomb attack — and before she's even started, she's investigating a murder at Corfe Castle. Book one of a long series. Philippa loved it and wants the next one immediately.2nd. The Bad Doctor – Ian WilliamsA graphic novel following a rural GP whose patients cause equal measures of empathy and dismay. Funny, serious, and with mental health storylines that Philippa found astonishing. Highly recommended as a first graphic novel for anyone curious about the format. Found at Hay-on-Wye Comics.1st. Better Off Dead – Sean WatkinThe second DCI De Silva and DS Barkley novel — and Philippa's undisputed book of the holiday. She was so immersed she didn't realise she was mouthing the words as she read. A cold case, a dismembered body in the Formby woods, and a duo who can't trust anyone around them. The third book in the series is already pre-ordered. The first is Black Water Rising. Auto-buy author who Philippa insists needs to be on every crime reader's radar immediately.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.

Philippa reviews four books — including two she couldn't wait to tell you about — before a wonderful, wide-ranging conversation with C.J. Tudor about her latest novel Serenity Falls, out 10th September, the book she needed to write after the hardest year of her life.📚 Four Book ReviewsOne of Us is Guilty – Steve CavanaghThe 10th Eddie Flynn case finds con-man-turned-lawyer Eddie investigating a brutal murder with only two suspects — and one of them is guilty. Philippa loves everything Steve Cavanagh writes, and this is no exception.The Silent Appeal – Janice HallettThe Fairway Players are back, rehearsing Agatha Christie's The Hollow, and someone isn't going to make it to opening night. Lawyers Charlotte and Femi must sift through the evidence once again in what Philippa considers one of her favourite Hallett books yet.A Stranger in Corfu – Alex PrestonFormer MI6 operatives, exiled to a Greek island to be forgotten, find their uneasy peace shattered when one of their own washes up dead. Beautifully written, thoughtful, and atmospheric — blurbed as "Le Carré meets the Durrells," which Philippa thinks is entirely fair.Signals: The Inside Story of Our Hormones – Dr. Saira HameedA fascinating nonfiction exploration of how hormones shape everything from our health to our eating habits — told through real patient cases. Philippa went to hear the author speak, bought the book immediately, got it signed, and then went straight out for a double chocolate cookie. Blame the ancestors.C.J. Tudor on Serenity FallsDan and his teenage daughter Sadie arrive at their mysterious inheritance in Serenity Falls — a picture-perfect Disney-style town in Florida — only to find a body in the swimming pool, dressed as a cartoon character, on day one. Things don't get more normal from there.Inspired by Celebration, the real Disney-built town near Orlando, Caz and Philippa discuss:Why the idea of a perfect, theme-park-adjacent town is inherently sinister — and what happens when you actually go and visit oneHow the creepy ice cream van started as a small detail and grew into a major character and the cover imageWriting Serenity Falls — and why she needed a new idea to fall in love with before she could write againWhy this is perhaps her least horror-y book, but also her most uncanny — and what the word "uncanny" really means in a C.J. Tudor contextThe dark humor running through the book, and why Sadie is one of her favourite characters she's ever writtenTV developments, the patience required to wait for news, and why she's learned not to get too excited too earlyHer next book The Last Caretaker — currently being written, out autumn 2027What she's looking forward to reading: The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer, which arrived as a lovely exchange for a quote on Serenity FallsTen years since her publishing deal — and why it's worth stopping to appreciate how far you've comeIf Serenity Falls had a smell: Buttered popcorn. Lovely at first. Overwhelming very quickly. Which is, she immediately agreed, the whole vibe.Biscuit answer: Pick and mix for writing fuel, but biscuit-wise: plain rich tea or digestive for daytime dunking (no timing, pure instinct), and Border biscuits for evenings — too posh to dunk, chocolate gets melty.💬 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.

No author interview, no book reviews — just Philippa's most personal episode of the year: her best reads of the first six months of 2026. Twelve books, one honourable mention, and the admission that it was genuinely hard to narrow it down.These are books Philippa read between January and June — not necessarily published this year — in alphabetical order by author surname, because she doesn't want to rank them.🎖️ Honourable MentionThe Wedding Suit – Rachel Joyce (BBC Radio Drama)A five-part radio serial about an eccentric elderly couple whose isolated lives are transformed by the unexpected arrival of a child. Written by Rachel Joyce, narrated by her husband Paul Venables (Yakob in The Archers). Still available on BBC Sounds — Philippa considers it essential listening.📚 The Top 12YesterYear – Caro Claire BurkeThe trad wife book everyone's been talking about — and rightly so. A brilliant concept, word-of-mouth sensation, and genuinely hard to put down.Body of Lies – Jo CallaghanThe fourth and final Kat and Lock book. An AI detective, a murdered MP, a cyberattack, and a taunting binary code message. Plus: Philippa gets a mention in the acknowledgements. Chef's kiss.Solitary Agents – David GoodmanThe second Jamie Tulloch spy novel. Clever concept, brilliant writing, and completely readable without the first book.Broken Country – Claire Leslie HallA quiet sucker punch of a book — part courtroom, part countryside, all heart. Beautifully written and emotionally devastating.The Drowning Place – Sarah HilaryA Peak District crime series debut unlike anything else in the genre right now. Joseph's story is different in a way Philippa isn't willing to spoil — but can't stop recommending.A Family Matter – Claire LynchShort, devastating, and extraordinary. A letter arrives. Two timeframes — 1982 and 2022. About love, acceptance, and everything in between.Slings and Arrows – Nick McLachlanA book about darts in the 1980s that turns out to be about friendship, marriage, health, and everything men don't say to each other. Published 2024. Beautiful.Night Swimmers – Roisin McGuireA coastal Northern Ireland village, a quirky swimmer called Grace, a visitor with a complicated story, and a cast of locals who made Philippa laugh out loud. The audiobook is gorgeous.Land – Maggie O'FarrellStarting in 1865 Ireland, this is Philippa's favourite Maggie O'Farrell yet. Exquisite writing, emotional gut-punches from nowhere, and a book that feels like the land itself is reading alongside you.Mars One – Charlotte RobinsonA sci-fi thriller that works even if you don't read sci-fi. A one-way mission to Mars, a conspiracy, a vanished coder in Hong Kong, and his cat. Needs to be a film immediately.The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth StroutPhilippa's first Strout & now she wants them all. A teacher named Arty handles life with quiet grace & devastating tenderness. Already pressed into multiple people's hands.The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal – Jodi TaylorTime travel, hijinks, chaos, and joy. A brilliant entry point into Jodi Taylor's world, and the audiobook is perfection.💬 What were your best reads of the first half of 2026?Quick 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.

A short but exciting episode! Philippa announces a brand new format for the podcast: a Quick Book Reviews Book Club, running throughout October.The chosen book is The One You Least Suspect by Brian McGilloway — already out in paperback, 384 pages, and available from libraries. Each week in October, listeners will read roughly 96 pages, with Philippa sharing her thoughts at the end of each episode so no one has to miss the main content if they're behind on reading.About the book:Katie is a barmaid in a quiet Derry neighbourhood, happy with her small life and her daughter, Hope. Everything changes when two detectives approach her, wanting her to become their informant. Caught between the police and the dangerous brothers she works for, Katie must survive by staying the one person nobody suspects.Philippa also shares a quick update on changes to the podcast schedule:Mondays — author interviewsFridays — Philippa's own takes on the book world, publishing chat, and things on her mindThis is a one-off trial for now — no pressure to join, and listeners can catch up in their own time. Updates and discussion will also be shared on the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group throughout October.The Book Club Pick: The One You Least Suspect by Brian McGilloway (out now in paperback)Join the discussionQuick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: [email protected] Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author and broadcaster Fern Britton joins Philippa for a very special summer edition of Quick Book Reviews to talk about her wonderful new novel, A Cornish Legacy.Fern shares stories of solo travelling in Florence, cycling adventures across India, Madagascar, Cuba and Egypt, dream holidays to Penang, mosquito nightmares, Cornwall, family history, and the joy of finding a place to truly belong.They also discuss the emotional inspiration behind A Cornish Legacy, the real Cornish house that inspired the story, food in fiction, family secrets, wartime history, reviews, writing challenges, and why Fern thought this might be “the worst book” she’d ever written — before readers fell completely in love with it.A Cornish Legacy is a warm, emotional and uplifting novel set around a beautiful old Cornish house called Wildahoo. After heartbreak and loss, Cordelia unexpectedly inherits the crumbling house and must decide whether to destroy it or rebuild both the property and her own life. Rich with friendship, family, belonging, love and second chances, it’s perfect for readers who adore atmospheric Cornish fiction. (penguin.co.uk)Perfect for fans of Fern Britton, Cornish fiction, women’s fiction, uplifting novels, family stories, summer reading, author interviews, and feel-good books with heart.Books and authors mentioned:A Cornish Legacy by Fern BrittonDaughters of Cornwall by Fern BrittonStill Life by Sarah WinmanGone with the Wind by Gone with the WindDorothy L. SayersAgatha ChristieThis episode is full of travel stories, writing wisdom, Cornwall, family memories, laughter, emotion, and excellent advice about protecting your ice cream from seagulls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at Capital Crime Book Festival, Philippa talks to Gavin Bell — also known as Mason Cross, also known as Alex Knight — about his gripping new thriller 138 Main Street. But first, three festive reads for anyone who, like Philippa, enjoys a Christmas book in the height of summer.3 Christmas Books for SummerThe Winter Guest – Sarah MossTwo strangers share Christmas Eve dinner in a remote Irish hotel as a snowstorm gathers outside — and each has a confession to make. Atmospheric and unexpected.A Carol and a Killing – Reverend Richard ColesA festive cathedral choir concert ends in tragedy when a soloist falls — or was he pushed? A cosy, witty Christmas murder mystery.The Case of the Christmas Card – Elly GriffithsCharles Dickens turns up on time-travelling detective Allie Dawson's doorstep just before Christmas, and the two team up to solve two cases at once — all while Dickens tries to find his way home.Gavin Bell on 138 Main StreetA killer is targeting victims who all live at the same address — 138 Main Street — but there are 7,664 Main Streets in America. How do you predict where they'll strike next?Gavin and Philippa discuss:Writing under three different names, and the moment he had to invent a Gavin Bell signature on the spot at his book launchHis dream holiday on the Orient Express, with separate compartments for family, friends, and quiet decompression timeReading The Godfather for the first time and why watching the film first makes you appreciate the book moreHis nightmare holiday: Benidorm 1996, hangovers in the heat, and reading the backs of cereal boxes for entertainmentWhere the idea came from — an offhand line in another book, plus a real-life unlocked-doors estate that spooked him into writing itWhy short, sting-in-the-tail chapters are deliberate, and why "I read it in three hours" is the highest compliment a thriller writer can getWhy he keeps his day job, and the colleagues (and CD collection) who keep accidentally ending up as character namesIce cream order: "Marathon Man" Snickers ice cream in a waffle cone — no sauce, no flake, just pure peanut-chocolate perfection.Get in touchQuick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: [email protected] Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the Quick Book Reviews summer special, and Philippa is joined by the wonderful Elly Griffiths — bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway series — to talk holidays, her latest novel The Killing Time, and what's coming next in the world of time-travelling detective Ali Dawson.☀️ Holiday ChatElly is a self-confessed good traveller — half Italian, born in August, and happiest in the heat. She and Philippa cover:Dream holiday: a pale pink villa on the Amalfi Coast, a little boat, one evening a week with a local chef, and a carefully curated stack of booksNightmare holiday: Las Vegas — fake light, fake skies, rows of slot machines, and a pool you're not actually allowed to swim inThe art of the airport — checkers vs loungers, and why Elly is slowly becoming her husbandBuying your own book in an airport duty-free shop and having to pretend you didn't know it was thereThe Jodi Picoult book she left behind in a holiday rental with one chapter to go (it still haunts her)The worst possible holiday book: saccharine sweet, no darkness underneath, and the last chapter ripped out🎙️ The Killing Time — Elly GriffithsThe second book in the Ali Dawson series finds time travel strictly forbidden — until Ali's cat goes missing and she decides the rules don't quite apply to that. What follows takes her to 1851, the Great Exhibition, a sinister mesmerist called Barry Power, and a chance encounter with Italian physicist Serafina Pellegrini — all with her cat Terry somehow along for the ride.Elly and Philippa discuss:Why time travel in these books is really just "where Allie goes" — no sci-fi knowledge requiredHow Ali arrived fully-formed, red-haired and nose-ringed, walking down an East End streetHer nod to Chaucer's Wife of Bath in Allie's characterThe Ruth Galloway update — a short story set on a Nile cruise, and a tantalising hint about Ruth's daughter Kate turning 18 this November...The Case of the Christmas Card (out October): a novella in which Charles Dickens travels to 2024, falls in love with M&S sandwiches, and helps Ali solve a caseThe Night Watchman (out February): Ali goes back to the London Blitz — and Elly goes deep on 1940s rabbit keepingWhat expression she hopes readers will have at the end: satisfaction, with a little curl of curiosityIce cream order: Coffee, classic, in a little cup — the odd coffee bean acceptable, squirty cream absolutely not.The Killing Time is out now in hardback. Paperback out 10th September.💬 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.

Recorded live at Capital Crime Book Festival, Philippa talks to C.J. Merritt about his whiplash international spy thriller Octagon — but first, a public service announcement: three brilliant books you should absolutely not read on an actual flight.3 Books You Should NOT Take on Holiday (If You're Flying)Hostage – Clare MackintoshA flight attendant receives a note threatening her daughter's life mid-flight from London to Sydney. Gripping, claustrophobic, and definitely not in-flight reading.Drowning – T.J. NewmanA plane crashes into the Pacific, trapping passengers underwater on a sinking fuselage. Written by a former flight attendant who knows exactly how to make this terrifyingly real.Airframe – Michael CrichtonA catastrophic mid-air disaster sparks a tense investigation into what really went wrong. Brilliant, realistic, and best read firmly on the ground.Philippa talks to C.J. Merritt about OctagonA former MI6 officer and an ex-SAS soldier, both out in the cold, are pulled back in when a coded warning leads to a trail of danger across Europe. Described as a page-turning action thriller in the vein of I Am Pilgrim.Chris and Philippa discuss:His dream holiday: New Zealand, or a few days alone on a writing retreat (a luxury when you have a small child)Travelling solo through Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in his twenties — and the cardigan with zip pockets built for smuggling books through customsHis nightmare holiday: a 25-mile jungle trek through 35°C heat in Central Africa, hired porters who got drunk on the money he paid them, and arriving to find the gorillas they'd come to see had all died of Ebola a year earlierWhy he wanted to write a spy thriller with a huge geographic canvas after several more localised booksWriting 500–1,000 words a day in a café, fuelled by multiple coffees, and losing track of time during action sequencesThe two-book deal already underway, plus a slower, more psychological spy thriller drawing on his past life as a psychologistWhy the title Octagon came early and never changedIce cream order: Salted caramel, pistachio, and chocolate cookie dough — in a dish, with a cone on the side just in case.Get in touchQuick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | Email: [email protected] Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa is joined by the legendary Lee Child — creator of Jack Reacher, published in over 120 countries with more than 40 million books sold — for this summer special. They cover holidays, the Reacher handover to brother Andrew Child, artificial intelligence, and why literacy in prisons matters more than you might think.☀️ Holiday ChatLee hasn't had a proper holiday in 10 years — when you've been on 70 planes in a single year, home starts to look like a very good option. He and Philippa discuss:Why 40% writing and 60% promotion means travel has lost its appealDream holiday: two weeks in Antigua with a book a day plus a 25% margin for ones he doesn't get on withThe accidental best holiday of his life — a British Airways voucher, a paper ticket, a pilot who said "you're here, let's go," and a tiny Cessna to an almost uninhabited Bahamian islandThe villa in Tobago that promised a cook and delivered disappointmentThe Soviet Union trip he always wanted but never took — and why a Russian jail would be his true holiday nightmareReading on the beach with the "commentary track" switched on — and the moment in Seven that made him think "they wouldn't dare" and then they did🎙️ Jack Reacher: Exit Strategy & Chain ReactionLee explains the creative handover to his brother Andrew Child, why it was never really a handover at all, and how the two of them have always been on the same wavelength — sometimes literally finishing each other's sentences about Russian oligarchs falling from windows.They discuss:How Andrew is now doing "all the hard work" while Lee does "the fun work" — which is just talkingWhy Lee stopped writing when he felt he was running out of gas, and why he'd rather stop than phone it inThe brilliant passive opening of Exit Strategy — a note slipped into Reacher's pocket in a coffee shopWhy Reacher works as a proxy for every reader who's ever wanted to help but couldn'tChain Reaction (out 20th October): a tech town, solar farms, data centres, and Reacher's feelings about the world's first trillionairesAndrew's two contributions to the reset: more Reacher dialogue, and dragging him slightly further into the modern world📚 Literacy, Prisons & Why Reading Saves LivesLee talks about his prison literacy work and his involvement with The Queen's Reading Room — and the research showing that just five minutes of reading reduces stress hormones by 20%. Plus why Quick Reads matter, why TV adaptations are a brilliant way in for reluctant readers, and why some women end up in prison simply because they couldn't read an official letter.🍦 Ice Cream OrderVanilla, in a bowl, with hot fudge sauce — slightly melty — and yes, a 99 Flake if one's going.💬 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.

Recorded live at Capital Crime Book Festival, Philippa talks to Ellie Levenson about her brilliantly genre-defying novel Room 706 — described by her own agent as "thrilling but not a thriller."But first, the results are in! After asking listeners for their top three holiday book recommendations, here are the three that came out on top:Your Top 3 Holiday ReadsThe End of Summer – Charlotte PhilbyA woman's carefully constructed past unravels when journalists turn up on her daughter's doorstep. A story of reinvention, secrets, and a mother who might never have been who she claimed.Dead Heat – Sabine DurrantA struggling journalist joins old friends at their house in Greece for the summer — until a wealthy newcomer's lavish parties stir up envy, resentment, and an accident that may not have been an accident at all.Still Life – Sarah WinmanA wartime encounter in a ruined Tuscan wine cellar changes the course of two strangers' lives forever. (Philippa admits this is the one book club pick almost everyone loves except her — and she suspects a reread is overdue.)Ellie Levenson on Room 706Inspired by a very relatable fantasy — booking a hotel room alone, with no one needing anything from her — Ellie's novel asks: what if a tired mother checked into a hotel just to be alone, and then couldn't leave?Ellie and Philippa discuss:The "women who are clever but tired" genre Ellie has unofficially inventedWhy her agent suggested splitting the book into three timelines — Kate meeting her husband, meeting her lover, and the real-time hotel room scenesWhy complicated, morally grey characters make for the best book club argumentsThe brilliant audiobook adaptation that surprised even Ellie with how "acted" it feltThe original title, Hotel Sonder, and why it had to change after she kept seeing the word everywhereHer next book — another "middle-aged woman stepping outside her lane," and her fascination with hotels, parks, and other places where strangers' lives briefly intersectIce cream order: Chocolate, coffee, and nut — multiples of three, naturally, with a cone for garnish.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.

Bestselling crime writer Karin Slaughter joins Philippa for a very special summer edition of Quick Book Reviews to talk about her new thriller, The Secrets We Hide.Karin talks about why she is not a natural holiday person, her dream trip to New Zealand, long-haul flights, travel delays, e-books, audiobooks, fish allergies, sorbet, swimming with sharks, climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge, and why she prefers working to sitting on a beach.Philippa and Karin also discuss The Secrets We Hide, the North Falls series, We Are All Guilty Here, Emmy Clifton, Jude Archer, writing violence against women, libraries, book bans, women’s voices, writing for different kinds of readers, and the huge success of the Will Trent TV series.The Secrets We Hide is the second book in Karin Slaughter’s North Falls series. Set in a small Georgia town full of secrets, it follows Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, as they investigate the murder of Allison Vickery and the brutal attack on her teenage daughter. Everyone thinks they know what happened — but the truth is far more shocking. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, murder mysteries, small-town crime, Will Trent, North Falls, summer reading, author interviews, and gripping thrillers with big twists.Books and authors mentioned:The Secrets We Hide by Karin SlaughterWe Are All Guilty Here by Karin SlaughterThe Will Trent series by Karin SlaughterPieces of Her by Karin SlaughterThe Good Daughter by Karin SlaughterMary Higgins ClarkMo HayderJames PattersonBernard CornwellJane AustenThis episode is packed with sharp insight, dark humour, book chat, travel disasters, thriller-writing secrets, and the very important question of whether cherry sorbet counts as healthy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at Capital Crime Book Festival, this episode kicks off Philippa's August Friday series — shorter interviews with brilliant authors you should know more about. First up: Brian McGilloway, talking holidays, control, and his standalone thriller The One You Least Suspect.But first, three books perfect for anyone who hasn't read in years and wants to fall back in love with reading on holiday:Three Books for the Reluctant ReaderLove, Mom – Iliana XanderA bestselling thriller author dies in a so-called accident — and the letters that follow reveal a family secret worth killing for. Gripping from the first page.Deception – Jack JordanA couple desperate to fund their son's life-saving surgery accepts an offer from a mysterious syndicate — but every task is a crime, and the stakes only rise. Widely considered Jack Jordan's best yet.Strange Houses – Uketsu, translated by Jim RionA creepy, atmospheric Japanese horror told partly through unsettling floor plans. Short, immersive, and impossible to put down — Philippa's favourite holiday read of last year.Brian McGilloway on The One You Least SuspectA barmaid in Derry wakes up after an ill-advised one-night stand to find herself pressured into becoming a police informant by two detectives who've been watching her for months. Caught between the law and the men she works for, Katie has to find her own way through — and her own voice.Brian and Philippa discuss:Why he avoids flying wherever possible — buses, trains, and ferries are all preferableHis dream holiday: a cruise that wakes you up somewhere new every morning, or family time at Lake GardaWhy he still prefers physical books to e-readers (the percentage counter just doesn't cut it)The real story behind Northern Ireland's history of police informants, and why he wanted an "unlikely" central character everyone underestimatesThe original, much darker title that didn't survive — and why The Informant almost stuckWhich of his 13 books he'd recommend to a first-time readerHis celiac-friendly answer to the usual biscuit question: ice cream, raspberry sauce, and a sprinkle of chocolateGet 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.

Bestselling psychological thriller author John Marrs joins Philippa for a Quick Book Reviews Summer Special to talk about his latest thriller, Dead in the Water.John and Philippa chat about holiday reading, Kindle versus physical books, family trips, travel sickness, nightmare cruises, dream road trips across Canada or New Zealand, ice cream memories, and why raspberry ripple may require mint Tic Tacs.They also discuss the writing of Dead in the Water, John’s plotting process, red herrings, psychological thrillers, speculative fiction, social media, TikTok, author promotion, publishing transparency, and why he wants readers to close his books feeling entertained.Dead in the Water follows Damon after a near-drowning, when his life flashes before his eyes and reveals one disturbing memory he cannot place: a dead boy, a face he does not know, and a moment he cannot remember living. The official synopsis describes it as a chilling thriller about buried memories and obsession. Perfect for fans of John Marrs, psychological thrillers, crime fiction, twisty thrillers, summer reads, author interviews, and no-spoiler book podcasts.Books and authors mentioned:Dead in the Water by John MarrsThe One by John MarrsThe Good Samaritan by John MarrsThe Passengers by John MarrsThe Marriage Act by John MarrsThe Family Experiment by John Marrs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa sits down with Ellery Lloyd — the husband and wife writing duo of Colette and Paul — to talk about their brilliant new novel Time to Burn, their Radio 2 Book Club selection, and what it's really like to write a book with the person you live with. Plus listener questions from the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group, and a biscuit answer that connects beautifully with a very recent episode.🎙️ Ellery Lloyd on Time to BurnIn the very near future, time travel is possible — but only for the obscenely wealthy. Tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank has built Tempus Tours, and documentary maker Phoebe Hunt is there to film his story. Until the first day of filming, when a returning group of time travellers come back bloodied and dazed — and one of them is missing. Someone Phoebe knows.Colette, Paul, and Philippa discuss:The real-world inspiration: billionaire obsessions with space travel, and what happens when technology outpaces consequenceWhy the book is driven by character and mystery rather than quantum physics — it's a thriller that happens to involve time travel, not the other way aroundTheir dream writing locations: a railing-free balcony on Dartmoor (Colette) and a house with extraordinary sea views in Devon (Paul) — neither of which involves being in the same roomThe nightmare writing location: sitting next to Paul, who types loudly, laughs at his own sentences, and performs the act of writing like a 1930s movie reporterThe Radio 2 Book Club announcement — recorded with Sara Cox the morning of this episodeReader questions from the Facebook group: cover design, who first suggested writing together, how they develop ideas (WhatsApps, balconies, and a legendary late-night text from China), whether they argue about plot points (they don't — but one of them keeps a backup Word document, just in case)The Ellery Lloyd formula: a world you haven't been inside before, characters with real motivations, and everything tied up satisfyingly at the endWhere they'd travel if they could: Paul chooses dinosaurs and Romans; Colette wants a dress she saw when she was 18 and has never stopped thinking aboutWhat they're reading: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Colette) and The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (Paul)Biscuit answer: Colette powers her writing with Tim Tams — bite off both ends, suck tea through the middle, eat immediately before it collapses. Paul eats his daughter's digestives resentfully and wishes he'd bought Hobnobs.💬 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.

Philippa opens with a brief history lesson — the word "blurb" was invented in 1907 by a writer mocking self-congratulatory publishers, and his fictional creation Miss Belinda Blurb gave us the word we still use today. Then it's three book reviews and a wide-ranging, genuinely fascinating conversation with David Baldacci — over 200 million books sold — about his latest novel Hope Rises.📚 Three Book ReviewsThe Compound – Aisling RuhlTen women wake up in a desert compound, cameras rolling, waiting for men to arrive. A dark, thought-provoking take on reality TV culture — more layered than it first appears.They Called Us the Enemy – George TakeiA graphic novel memoir by the Star Trek actor recounting his family's imprisonment in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Essential, heartbreaking, and — given it has now been banned in some US libraries — more important than ever.Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth81-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick has a curious history of people around her coming to a foul end. A beautifully narrated audiobook that defies easy genre labels — somewhere between a slow-burn thriller and the Thursday Murder Club, but entirely its own thing.🎙️ David Baldacci on Hope RisesWalter Nash did everything right — worked hard, earned well, built the American dream. Then an FBI agent turned up the night of his father's funeral and told him he had a choice: help bring down the criminal organisation he'd unknowingly worked for, or lose everything anyway.David and Philippa discuss:Why Walter Nash is a metaphor for everyone wondering where they fit in a world being reshaped by AIThe three-year class action lawsuit David and other authors brought against major AI companies — and the nine-hour deposition in which he was asked whether he'd copied Charles DickensWhy he writes in a Greek deli near his Virginia office, where he has an unofficial plaque above his usual tableBeing both an introvert and an extrovert — and why total isolation is actually his nightmare writing locationThe reading crisis: why he stopped letting "I just don't have time to read" go unchallenged at book signingsThe Wish You Well Foundation and why forcing children to read specific books is the fastest way to kill a love of readingGrowing up in segregated Richmond, Virginia, and why books were his "body armour against bigotry"What he's reading: essays by Jesmyn Ward, a Toni Morrison biography, James by Percival Everett, Kurt Vonnegut's Jailbird, and ARCs from Ann Cleeves and Michael KorytaThe expression he hopes to see on readers' faces at the end of Hope Rises: a contented sigh, and a little more empathyBiscuit answer: Cheez-Its — reduced fat, but consumed in quantities that would alarm a nutritionist. His son ate two boxes and then went out to buy a replacement, then ate that one too.💬 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.

Philippa sits down with Robert Peston — ITV political editor, bestselling author, and reluctant biscuit convert — to talk about The Kill Switch, the third and final book in his Gil Peck thriller trilogy, and why he felt compelled to put artificial intelligence and the fragility of democracy at its heart.🎙️ Robert Peston on The Kill SwitchWhen the prime minister dies in mysterious circumstances, journalist Gil Peck finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy that may or may not involve artificial intelligence. In a world of misinformation, fractured democracy, and technology that is rewriting the rules of everything, who — or what — is really pulling the strings?Robert and Philippa discuss:Why AI had to be at the heart of this book — and why he believes we are living through the most dangerous moment for democracy since the 1930sThe acknowledgment that stopped Philippa in her tracks: "Don't take democracy for granted. Our way of life is more at risk than at any time since the 1930s. This is the fight of our lives."How the trilogy was always planned as three eras: New Labour 1997, the financial crisis of 2007-08, and the AI revolution nowWhy writing fiction is joyful and writing nonfiction feels like work — and why he may never go backHow COVID gave him the time and space to finally finish a novel he'd been putting off for decadesThe nightmare writing scenario: not a place but a moment — Trump inaugurations, government collapses, and the relentless news cycle taking over every inch of available brain spaceHis dream writing location: a central Lisbon Airbnb over Christmas and New Year — sunny, beautiful food, friendly strangers, and a scene in the novel as a thank-you to the cityWhy he doesn't have a current auto-buy author but is devoted to Dorothy L. Sayers, John Buchan, and Isaac Bashevis SingerThe endless agony of book titles — including the battle to keep WTF on the cover of a Waterstones-stocked bookWhat he hopes readers feel at the end: hope, and curiosity about what comes nextWhat he's reading: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe and Mariana Mazzucato's The Common Good EconomyBiscuit answer: A chocolate man first and foremost — his go-to is the Choco Leibniz. Introduced mid-conversation to the M&S chocolate-drenched custard cream, which he had already discovered and confirms is "totally addictive." Castle Chocolates in Carlisle and their chocolate-covered lemon sponge are now firmly on his radar for the next book.💬 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.

Philippa is joined by T.M. Payne — and her co-conspirator Susie — for what may be the most gloriously chaotic episode in Quick Book Reviews history. There are kitchen implement debates, merch updates, a real duck called Crispy, and a live Penguin biscuit demonstration that will genuinely change how you eat biscuits forever. Oh, and there's a brilliant book to talk about too.But first, three book reviews.📚 Three Book ReviewsThe Reader on the 6.27 – Jean-Paul DidierlaurentPlease don't read the blurb — just pick this up. Under 200 pages, beautiful and surprising. All Philippa will say is: what Gillian does for a living will floor you.Queenie is Working on It – Candice Carty-WilliamsQueenie is back — still fallible, still gorgeous, still making questionable decisions — and that's exactly why she's so loveable. If you loved book one, you'll love this.Heartstopper Volume Six – Alice OsemanThe final chapter of Nick and Charlie's story. Not what Philippa was expecting — but on reflection, exactly right. She needs to talk to someone about it. Get in touch when you've read it.🎙️ T.M. Payne on One Bad DeedDI Sheridan Holler is back — and this time she does something she never thought she'd have to do. That's all Tina will say.Tina, Susie, and Philippa discuss:The tongs vs spatula debate — and the merch empire that has got completely out of handWhy Sheridan Holler is deliberately not a flawed, angst-ridden detective, and why her warmth comes from Tina's real 14 years as a police case investigatorWhether you need to start at book one (Tina says ideally yes, Susie and Philippa respectfully disagree)The extraordinary true story behind the book's deaf character: a chance encounter with a hotel receptionist in Portsmouth who had been deaf since birth, who lip-read Tina from 12 feet away, and whose voice was then perfectly captured by audiobook narrator Heather Bleasdale — who will never be able to hear itThe dream book festival: a pop-up travelling event on a Routemaster bus, driven by Tina in a cap, pulling up outside people's houses when they can't get to a festivalThe nightmare book festival: anywhere near a beetroot factoryCrispy the Duck — real, found on the Norfolk Broads, returned to the following yearThe smell of One Bad Deed: duck poo and waterPhilippa gets a mention in the acknowledgements of book six — alongside broccoliBiscuit answer: Penguins — but not eaten normally. Bite off both ends, submerge in warm tea, suck the tea through the biscuit, shove it in your mouth at once. Three have been posted to Philippa. Videos are expected.💬 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.

Philippa sits down with the brilliant Jo Spain — 13 bestselling thrillers already published, translated into 17 languages, TV writer and producer — to talk about her extraordinary new novel Never to Be Found, which sparked a bidding war from some of the biggest names in television before it was even published.🎙️ Jo Spain on Never to Be FoundIn Japan, up to 100,000 people every year voluntarily evaporate from their lives — a phenomenon known as jōhatsu. Entire industries exist to help them do it, providing new identities, documents, and a clean start. Veronica Paige has brought this concept to Britain, running a business disappearing people — until she discovers she's helped a murderer vanish.Jo and Philippa discuss:How a lunchtime article led to the entire concept of the book — and why Jo raced to write it before anyone else couldThe once-in-a-career bidding war: Sam Mendes' production company, Amazon MGM, and The Walking Deadshowrunner Angela Kang all in pursuit of the same bookWhy Jo always writes books for the love of them and scripts for the money — and why those two things are entirely separateThe three categories people fall into when they hear about jōhatsu: those who want to vanish, those horrified by abandonment, and those who think they'd be brilliant at making people disappearHow Veronica justifies what she does — and the moral question at the heart of the bookWhy layers matter more than first drafts, and what it looks like from the outside when Jo is deep in the editing stageHer dream writing location: the coast path between Moville and Greencastle in Donegal — where the Wi-Fi barely works and the day takes its timeHer nightmare: a writer's room, surrounded by other writers, expected to create on demandThe pressure of reader expectations for twists — and why she's made peace with the fact that she can't please everyoneBookTok: how she joined to keep an eye on her children and ended up addicted, embarrassing them daily, and discovering her last three books thereWhat she's reading: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the latest Jane Harper, and London Falling by Patrick Radden KeefeBiscuit answer: A committed biscuit addict who has written an entire novel powered by ginger nuts. Current favourite: shortcake with sultanas, dunked, and firmly classified as healthy eating.💬 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.

Philippa opens with an update on the Great Book Parcel Saga — a box of holiday reading, a Greek customs office, a handwritten letter explaining why a normal person would post books to themselves, and the very real possibility of being detained at passport control. Then it's three book reviews and a long-overdue conversation with Tim Sullivan, creator of the beloved DS George Cross series, about his eighth book The Tailor.📚 Three Book ReviewsThe Pinnacle – Abir Mukherjee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A washed-up Hollywood actor wakes from a drunken stupor to find his Bollywood superstar wife murdered in their Mumbai penthouse. Told from multiple perspectives across one luxury skyscraper — brilliantly written and Philippa's favourite Mukherjee yet.Table for One – Emma GannonA woman's carefully constructed life falls apart, and she has to rediscover herself from scratch. Philippa read this on a train surrounded by serious businessmen while experiencing silent heaving sobs. Deeply moving and not what you might expect.The Divorce – Freida McFaddenA woman whose husband has left her for a younger woman refuses to accept defeat and spirals into dangerous obsession. Gripping, compulsive, and — toward the end — absolutely unhinged in ways Philippa did not see coming.🎙️ Tim Sullivan on The TailorA bespoke tailor is found murdered in the lavatory of the Bristol to London train. George Cross can tell immediately it wasn't opportunistic — and follows the evidence wherever it leads, even into territory that makes him deeply uncomfortable.Tim and Philippa discuss:Why George Cross belongs in the tradition of Dupin, Holmes, and Poirot — and why his autism is his gift, not an accessoryThe rule Tim never breaks: we never laugh at George, only with him or at others' reactions to himWhy this is absolutely not cosy crime — and why the original covers did the books a disserviceWriting longhand with fountain pens (a collection of Pelikans, Montblancs, and Lamys), and why the family complain less if there's no laptop openWriting book nine without knowing who the second killer is — and why not plotting keeps the writing organicBeing turned down by agents for neurodivergent appropriation, self-publishing the first two books, and being embraced by the autistic community insteadWhy he's reluctant to sell TV rights — and why protecting George's authenticity matters more than a screen dealThe exclusive interview with George Cross hidden inside the hardback first edition (George found the whole thing fairly pointless)What he's reading: Northanger Abbey, Bleak House, and an advance copy of Ian Rankin's new bookHis one remaining ambition: to look up on the Tube and see a stranger reading one of his booksBiscuit answer: Flapjacks or white chocolate cookies — and absolutely no dunking. George would never allow it.💬 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.

Philippa sits down with the brilliant Adele Parks — bestselling author of 25 novels, over six million copies sold, OBE for services to literature — to talk about her latest book Eyes on You, the pressure of reader expectations, and a biscuit revelation that may change your tea break forever.🎙️ Adele Parks on Eyes on YouWhen Amy was 15, she watched her father brutally murder his secret lover. Her testimony sent him to prison. Now in her early 30s, she's living a small, quiet life — until a privileged, wealthy man walks into the noodle bar where she works, and everything changes. What feels like connection may hide something far darker.Adele & Philippa discuss:Why Adele thinks this might be her best book yet — and why that's not just author hypeThe working title that was ditched: The Murderer's Daughter — too on the nose, too reductiveDaddy issues, trauma, and why Amy's story is really about what happens when the person who was supposed to protect you destroys everything insteadThe pressure of being an "auto-buy author" — and why that status has to be earned every single timeWhether podcasters and book reviewers have made readers more demanding of twists and reveals (Adele thinks probably yes, and is fine with it)Why she writes at home, needs air conditioning installed, and requires a scary social media bouncer to confiscate her phoneHer nightmare writing location: a writer's retreat, surrounded by other writers all typing away confidently while she types "the" again and againThe importance of pre-orders — how they affect stock decisions, first print runs, and author sanity on launch dayHer signed pre-order service through Bert's Books in Swindon 📚 Order a signed copy of Eyes on You from Bert's Books🔗 Pre-order Eyes on You and find Adele's tour dates at adeleparks.comWhat she hopes readers feel at the end: shock, awe, possibly tears, and the satisfying sense that everyone got what they deservedWhat Adele's reading:Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth (an 80-year-old with a very murky past and a suspicious neighbour)The Last Tudor – Philippa Gregory (big, fat, brilliant, and finished in two days)Biscuit answer: Cherry GoAhead biscuits, dunked in tea, timed to perfection. Three per pack — the ideal number. Not to be eaten dry under any circumstances.Eyes on You is out 27th August. Pre-orders open now.YOU CAN:🔗 Pre-order Eyes on You and find Adele's tour dates at adeleparks.com📚 Order a signed copy of Eyes on You from Bert's Books💬 Get in touch with the podcastQuick 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.

Philippa is joined by three brilliant crime writers — Abir Mukherjee, Jane Casey, and Sarah Hilary — to talk all about St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend, the unique Oxford crime fiction event running 4th–6th September. Each guest is allotted a school role (head girl, school council rep, and chair stacker) which determines the questions they're asked — and the chaos that follows is exactly as fun as it sounds.🎓 St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend 🔗 Book tickets for St Hilda's Crime Fiction WeekendWhat makes St Hilda's different from every other crime festival — long-form talks on themes rather than authors plugging their own booksThis year's theme: Bad Apples: Crime Fiction's Enemies and AntiheroesThe legendary annual Whodunit, costumes, accents, and Abir's reputation for staying in character (and wig) all weekendThe Friday Night Special ticket — drinks on the lawn, a talk on Bond villains, a three-course chef-prepared dinner, and an after-dinner speakerGuest of honour Andrew Taylor, and returning speaker Natasha CooperThe online option for people joining from Australia, Japan, and beyondPunting mishaps, Jimi Hendrix-via-laptop disasters, and other backstage panic storiesThe on-site Blackwell's bookshop and the chance to win a rare first edition at the Whodunit📚 The BooksThe Pinnacle – Abir MukherjeeA failing Hollywood actor moves to Mumbai with his Bollywood star wife, wakes up after a bender to find her murdered, and becomes suspect number one to 1.4 billion people. Described by Abir as "exotic satire crime fiction."Everything She Didn't Say – Jane CaseySet on the windswept west coast of Ireland — a woman wakes covered in blood with no memory of what happened to her missing best friend. A twisty, modern gothic thriller.The Drowning Place – Sarah HilarySeventeen years after a school bus tragedy drowned everyone aboard except one survivor, DS Joseph Ash investigates a murdered family in a small Peak District town — accompanied by a best friend who may or may not be a ghost.🍎 The Final Question (Bad Apples Edition)No biscuits this time — favourite apples instead (Golden Delicious, Braeburn, and Pink Lady all get a mention) — though the conversation inevitably swings back to biscuits anyway, sparking a full-blown debate about thin arrowroots, fig rolls, dunking etiquette, and the legal status of the Jaffa Cake.🔗 Book tickets for St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend💬 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.

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.

Kate Eberle's debut novel If Books Could Kill sparked a 10-way bidding war, sold film and TV rights, and is being published in over 14 countries — and it's easy to see why. This rom-com-meets-thriller follows Roxy Mitchell, a romance novel superfan who wishes herself into her favorite author's next book... only to discover the author has swapped genres to crime thriller, and her dream date is now trying to kill her.In this episode, Kate joins Philippa to talk about:The meme that sparked the entire idea (yes, an Emily Henry meme)What it's actually like to live through a 10-way book auction in real timeWriting a genre mashup nobody knew how to categorize — and why publishers loved it anywayCreating Grant Hoffman, the know-it-all love interest readers can't stop talking aboutHer dream (a library with snacks) and nightmare (a concert with FOMO) writing locationsWhy she's been hearing from readers whose partners think they've lost it from laughing so hardPlus: the book that's keeping Kate up at night right now, and the cookie that powered every word of If Books Could Kill.Mentioned in this episode: If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle, Beach Read by Emily Henry, In Every Possible Way by Alicia ThompsonFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Philippa welcomes back Alison Barrow, PR director at Transworld, fresh from Capital Crime, for a fascinating look behind the curtain of book publishing and promotion.The Business of Book PRAlison shares insights from a recent masterclass on author publicity, including the eye-opening shift in how many times someone now needs to see a book before buying — and why there's no single magic trick to a successful launch.They discuss:Why book promotion is "an amalgamation of things" rather than one big lever to pullHow publishers start thinking about a book's positioning years before publicationThe enduring power of bookseller advocacy and word-of-mouth recommendationWhy traditional media still matters even in a podcast and social-media-saturated worldWhat Transworld Is Publishing NowNot That Sort of Girl – Andrea MaraGetting Away With Murder – Shari LapenaThe Creative Compass – Emma GannonData Empire – Roopika Risam(a history of data — and an unsettling glimpse at where AI is headed next)What Alison's Been ReadingAn Unlikely Visitor – Joanna Cannon (no, it's not about a dog — Philippa needed reassurance)It Could Have Been Her – Lisa Jewell (a dark, Barbara Vine-esque departure)The Whistler (Tom Lake) – Ann Patchett (on connection, memory, and a chance reunion four decades in the making)Meet Me at the Museum – Anne Youngson, plus a celebration of novels-in-letters, including The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and the classic 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene HanffListener Question: The Unlimited BudgetA listener asks what Alison would do with an unlimited budget to launch a book. Her answer goes well beyond money — covering proofs with sprayed edges, nationwide bookseller tours, and why most of the real value comes from time and human connection rather than spend. (A branded helicopter is briefly considered and wisely abandoned.)Billboard advertising and marketing myth-busting are saved for a future episode — watch this space.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.

Philippa opens with a genuinely unbelievable true story — how a friend trapped in a locked Barcelona hotel toilet used her Kindle to prise the door open and escape. Reading saves lives, people.Then it's three book reviews and a brilliant listener Q&A with crime fiction favourite M.W. Craven, talking about book eight in the Washington Poe series, The Killer's Mark, out 13th August.📚 Book ReviewsThe Midnight Train – Matt HaigA beautiful, emotionally rich audiobook about love, regret, and the moments that matter. Uplifting rather than sad, and perfect for fans of Matt Haig's reflective style.Octagon – C.J. MerrittA fast-paced spy thriller following former MI6 agent Stella McCrae and ex-SAS operator Tommy Kane as they race to stop a devastating plot against the West. Cinematic and action-packed.Rivals – Jilly CooperPhilippa picked this up after the TV series left her on an emotional cliffhanger with five months until part two. 720 pages later, she has both more and fewer answers than she started with. Enjoyable — especially at the beginning — but perhaps a lesson in patience.🎙️ Author Interview: M.W. Craven on The Killer's MarkPoe and Tilly are back — this time as private investigators, drawn into a case that begins with a young American woman who has seen her supposedly dead mother in a porn film. Darker than some recent entries in the series, but with the trademark humour firmly intact.Mike and Philippa discuss:Why this book starts smaller and more personal than previous Poe adventuresThe deliberate shift in the Poe/Tilly dynamic across the series — and who relies on whom nowA new teenage character and the questions only a 15-year-old will ask directlyThe Martin Clunes passage that made Philippa nearly choke on her coffee (no spoilers, but it's brilliant)His favourite in the series (The Mercy Chair) and the underrated Black SummerLessons learned writing a James Bond children's book — including deaf sensitivity readers, footnotes in place of deleted chapters, and why you can't spend three chapters setting up a single jokePoe's Croft: completely fictional, despite what several convinced readers insistListener questions from the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group — including whether Tilly's mum is okay, who Poe's Croft is based on, and Mike's fantasy convention costume (spoiler: Gimli)What he's reading: The Man with the Golden Compass by Vaseem Khan and the Vinyl Detective series by Andrew CartmelThe biscuit answer: chocolate-covered Battenberg, fig rolls and Jammie Dodgers from Castle Chocolates in Carlisle — links in the show notesThe Killer's Mark is out 13th August — pre-orders matter!🍫 Castle Chocolates, Carlisle📚 📚 Pre-order The Killer's Mark by M.W. Craven at Waterstones💬 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.

Philippa sits down with Lindsey Kelk — writing as Elle Kelk — to talk about her brand new novel Hit or Miss, the first in the Junior Year Abroad series. With over three million books sold, Lindsey is one of the UK's best-loved romance authors, and this conversation is funny, warm, and unexpectedly moving.In this interview, Elle and Philippa discuss:Why Lindsey chose a new pen name for this book — and why it's not exactly a secretWhat "new adult" fiction actually means (and why genres are, in her words, "all fake")The joy of writing a college romance series set at a fictional UK university — think Oxford meets American campus lifeMia and Ethan: two characters running in opposite directions until they collideAnxiety as a central theme — Lindsey opens up about her own late diagnosis at 32, how bad things got, and why she finally asked for helpToxic masculinity and the pressure on men to silently hold everything togetherWhy the bookish community seems disproportionately affected by anxiety ("it turns out, it's all of us")Dealing with bad reviews — especially when you suspect someone hasn't actually read the bookWriting in Vegas hotels at 2am, the importance of a bath, and why airports are the worstHer wrestling podcast Tights and Fights — now 10 years old — and whether a wrestling romance might be nextWhat she's reading right now: Dungeon Crawler Carl on audio and The Vampire Armand by Anne RiceThe life-changing biscuit discovery: McVitie's Jaffa Cake Digestives (with a strong recommendation to dunk)Hit or Miss is out now.💬 Get in touch Quick 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.

Philippa has just received the most exciting email of the year: her holiday hotel has offered to receive a box of books in advance and put them in her room on arrival. The result? An unstoppable 12-book, 4-graphic-novel holiday TBR — and an episode dedicated entirely to sharing it.In this episode, Philippa runs through every book she's packing (plus the first line of each!), covering a wonderfully eclectic mix of:The Confessions – Paul Bradley Carr (AI thriller)Roman Mornings – Matson Taylor (historical fiction, Rome)The Scandalous Ladies Football Club – Frances Quinn (Victorian women's football)It Could Have Been Her – Lisa Jewell (domestic thriller)Getting Away – Kate Sawyer (family saga across decades of holidays)The Ark – Haruo Yuki (translated Japanese locked-room thriller)How to Get Away With Murder – Rebecca Philipson (cat-and-mouse crime)The Favourite – Fran Littlewood (family secrets, holiday implosion)The Corfe Castle Murders – Rachel McLean (Dorset detective series, book one)Against the Tide – G.D. Wright (crime series, book three)This Can Never Not Be Real – Sera Milano (YA terrorism survivor testimonies)Under the Hammer – Samantha Dooey-Miles (very angry woman, very bad landlords)Plus four graphic novels — including the only authorised manga adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, The Bad Doctor by Ian Williams, I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner, and Clara and the Devil Vol. 1 by Olivie Blake & Little Chmura — many discovered at Hay on Wye Comics, a brand new graphic novel bookshop in Hay-on-Wye.💬 Tell Philippa what you think! Should any of these stay at home? Is there a book she's missed? Get in touch: Quick 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.

Are hardback books too expensive, too heavy, and past their sell-by date? A recent Guardian article made the provocative case that hardbacks should die — and Philippa has thoughts.In this episode, Philippa dives into the great book format debate, covering:Why she strongly disagrees with calls to "ban" hardbacksThe real problem with hardback pricing — and those eye-watering £40 price tagsHow long is too long to wait for a paperback edition?The e-book pricing scandal: why is a digital file costing £15?The case for libraries, audiobooks, and Spotify's free listening hours as budget-friendly alternativesSprayed edges (spreadges) — and why they might just be the best argument for buying hardbacksPhilippa's verdict? All formats are equal. Audiobook, hardback, paperback, e-book — just read the book.This episode was inspired by a question from author Frances Quinn, whose new novel The Scandalous Ladies Football Club is out 2nd July.💬 Join the conversation Quick 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.

Philippa reviews four very different books — from Tintin to Elizabeth Strout — before sitting down with TV wine expert and debut crime novelist Olly Smith to talk about his joyful new book Death by Noir, and the sub-genre he's invented: wine crime.📚 Book ReviewsThe Adventures of Tintin and the Picaros – Hergé A revolutionary adventure featuring Bianca Castafiore and a mysterious plot around carnival time. Fun, but Philippa wasn't left desperate for more Tintin.The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth Strout ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Philippa's first Strout — and now she wants them all. A quietly devastating 200-page novel about a man keeping a secret from the world, and from himself. Exquisite, beautiful writing that made Philippa sob unexpectedly. Unmissable.The Ballad of Small Hope and Penny Royal – Jodi Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Time-travelling bounty hunters, sharp humour, and perfect audiobook narration. Brilliant as a standalone even if you've never read Jodi Taylor before — and book two is coming this summer.The Inheritance – Mark Dawson Book five in the Atticus Priest series. Enjoyable enough, but Philippa felt the magic of the earlier books wasn't quite there this time.🎙️ Author Interview: Olly Smith on Death by NoirSet in the rolling hills of East Sussex around the town of Lewes, Death by Noir follows Barclay Flint, eccentric proprietor of the Bottle Bank wine shop, who must use his wine-detecting skills to solve a crime and clear his own name — all before the explosive Lewes Bonfire Night finale.Olly and Philippa discuss:How four characters arrived fully-formed in Olly's mind while flying over the HimalayasWhy he wrote every word himself (no ghostwriter)Inventing "wine crime" as a new sub-genreThe late Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom vineyard, who read his chapters just before he diedWriting through a gallbladder operation, missing deadlines (never), and the advice of a biodynamic economistWhy teetotallers love the book just as much as wine loversA rainbow moment that changed how he thinks about writingWhat he's reading right now: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland, and moreThe writing fuel that isn't a biscuit: crunchy peanut butter with a drop of soy sauceDeath by Noir is out 18th June.💬 Get in touch Quick 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.

Celebrate the weekend (nearly) with crime fiction royalty!In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall sits down with the brilliant, Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Casey to talk about her highly anticipated, mind-bending standalone thriller, Everything She Didn't Say. Marking an exciting, fresh departure from her iconic series fiction, Jane's new Irish-set novel weaves an intricate web of secrets, unreliable narration, and deep betrayal. In this exclusive, spoiler-free conversation, Jane reveals how she maps out complex plot twists mid-walk, why she relies on her phone's Notes app for real life, and her ultimate dream writing cottage (where Wi-Fi is strictly banned!). Plus, Jane shares a hilarious breakdown of her absolute nightmare writing environment—a turbulent, short-haul flight in a middle seat—and shares her surprisingly practical, real-life advice as a self-proclaimed "professor of falling over." In this episode, you’ll discover:Why Everything She Didn't Say is a unique standalone departure for Jane Casey.How Jane crafts her plots while walking through the woods without taking notes.The psychology of adrenaline in crime fiction versus real-life clumsy mishaps.Jane’s ideal, isolated writing cottage (and why the internet is a total disaster!).The hilarious horrors of trying to type a high-stakes thriller on a cramped airplane. Books mentioned in this episode:Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Casey [Connect with us:Follow us on Instagram: Drop by and say hello at @quick_book_reviews for daily book recommendations, behind-the-scenes podcast clips, and literary chats!Listen & Subscribe: Love our spoiler-free book reviews? Hit follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a Friday episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Quick Book Reviews! In this jam-packed, slightly different episode, Philippa takes you from a sweltering recording room straight into the heart of the UK book scene.First up, hear the hilarious story of how a registration mistake at London's The Podcast Show left Philippa walking around with a giant lanyard that read "Not Applicable"—and why it actually became the ultimate conversation starter! Then, we take a trip to the Hay Festival, where a beautiful new graphic novel shop and irresistible early releases caused absolute disaster for Philippa's bank account.Books & Authors Featured:Land by Maggie O'Farrell: A slow, meandering, but utterly exquisite historical tale set in 1865 Ireland. Philippa shares why this beautiful book requires your full attention, how it became a therapeutic escape from screen time, and why she is currently desperate for a literary counselling session with anyone else who has read it!M.W. Craven Re-read: Philippa is on a mission to re-read all seven Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw crime thrillers before book eight, The Killer's Mark, hits shelves. Hear why re-reading The Puppet Show, Black Summer, The Curator, and Dead Ground completely changed her perspective on how dark these books really are The Great Audiobook Debate:Responding to listener feedback from Sue, heavy-user Philippa gives her completely honest, unfiltered thoughts on finding a viable alternative to Amazon's Audible. We look at the pros and cons of:Audible: Great selection, but the subscription costs can add up (plus, a sneaky tip on how to get a cheaper rate!Spotify & Library Apps: How Philippa blends her 15-hour monthly Spotify allowance with library apps to get the most "bang for her buck" Book Beat & Kobo Plus: Why the unlimited packages don't quite hit the mark for chart-topping new releases just yet Listener Challenges & Coming Up next:The Challenge: If you had to launch a brand-new podcast called "Not Applicable", what would your show be about?The Hunt: Do you know of a brilliant audiobook platform that rival's Audible's chart-topping selection without costing the earth? Let Philippa know before her membership runs out in September Next Episode: Tune in this Friday for an exclusive, spoiler-free author interview with Jane Casey discussing her highly anticipated new page-turner!Connect with the Show:Email: [email protected] Instagram: @quick_book_reviews If you enjoyed this episode, please take a brief moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it keeps our little community of bookworms growing! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Harrogate International Festivals.If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at one of the world’s most beloved crime fiction festivals, this is the episode for you.Sharon shares:how the festival began back in 2003why Harrogate feels different from other book festivalsthe famous beer tent atmospherefestival gossip and disasters over the yearslone traveller meet-ups and making the event inclusiveauthors going missingthe hotel nearly catching firethe fiercely competitive quiz nightwhy readers are truly at the heart of HarrogatePhilippa and Sharon also discuss:the rise of crime fiction festivalsbalancing blockbuster authors with exciting debutsthe new Swift Half Stagewhy readers return year after yearproof copies, goodie bags and “golden goodie bags”festival nerves, security and keeping events safePlus: an unexpectedly passionate biscuit debate involving Kit Kats, digestives and secret chocolate habits.This Year’s Festival HighlightsFeatured authors and events mentioned include:Lisa JewellLee ChildDavid BaldacciAnthony HorowitzAnn CleevesChris WhitakerAlice FeeneySteve CavanaghHolly JacksonBrenda BlethynHarlan CobenVal McDermidMark BillinghamWhy Listeners Will Love This EpisodeIf you love:crime fictionbook festivalsbehind-the-scenes publishing storiesauthor gossipreader communitiesliterary eventsfestival planning chaosfunny podcast conversations…this episode is for you.Memorable MomentsThe “freshers’ welcome” for lone travellersGolden goodie bag brainstormingAuthors accidentally trying to enter the wrong hotel roomThe legendary Harrogate beer tentThe near-disaster involving a cigarette and the hotelThe wildly competitive late-night quizSharon’s emergency Kit Kat stashBiscuit VerdictSharon chooses:Jammie DodgersTwo-finger Kit Kats (strictly rationed)Chocolate digestives… eaten unconventionally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to David Goodman about his latest spy thriller Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his brilliant debut A Reluctant Spy.David talks about writing spy fiction for readers who may not usually read spy novels, creating the hugely compelling character of Jamie Tulloch, and the long road to publication after earlier books did not sell. He also discusses awards, resilience, TV adaptation developments, and his upcoming science fiction novel Shards of Starlight, written as David W. Goodman.Philippa also reviews:The Good Listener by Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl by Andrea MaraThe Thick of It BBC audiobookIn This EpisodeDavid Goodman on Solitary AgentsWhy spy fiction is having a major momentWriting accessible spy thrillersJamie Tulloch and the world of MI5 and MI6The challenge of writing a second bookRejection, persistence and finding your writing communityTV adaptation news for A Reluctant SpyWriting science fiction as David W. GoodmanDream and nightmare writing locationsPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsAbout Solitary AgentsSolitary Agents follows Jamie Tulloch after the events of A Reluctant Spy. Having tried to return to civilian life, Jamie finds himself pulled back towards the secret world — this time hoping to become an agent runner.But during a training exercise involving MI5 and MI6, Jamie and new character Sam Lee witness something that may be part of the drill… or may be frighteningly real.Perfect for readers who enjoy:spy fictionthrillersMI5 and MI6 storiescharacter-led suspensesmart, pacey writingnovels by Mick Herron, John le Carré and David McCloskeyBooks ReviewedThe Good Listener – Holly WattA gripping thriller about an anonymous caller, a shocking confession, and a mother still searching for justice.Such a Nice Girl – Andrea MaraA tense, twisty thriller about two missing young women, a luxury wedding, and a friendship pushed to breaking point.The Thick of It – BBC audiobookA brilliantly sweary political satire featuring Malcolm Tucker and the chaos of government.Books MentionedSolitary Agents – David GoodmanA Reluctant Spy – David GoodmanShards of Starlight – David W. GoodmanChildren of Strife – Adrian TchaikovskySlow Gods – Claire NorthThe Last Contract of Isako – Fonda LeeThe Good Listener – Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl – Andrea MaraThe Thick of It – BBC AudioBiscuit VerdictDavid chooses Nairn’s salted caramel oatcakes, after formerly being a chocolate Hobnob fan. A strong Scottish biscuit-adjacent choice.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling thriller author Jack Jordan about his brand new novel, Deception — a tense, addictive thriller that asks one terrifying question:How far would you go to save your child?Jack discusses:the inspiration behind Deceptionwriting high-stakes moral dilemmasbalancing relentless tension with emotional depthwhy readers become emotionally involved in his booksthe pressure of deadlines and perfectionismTV adaptations of his novelsworking with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Convictionhow his books became known for their impossible ethical questionsPhilippa and Jack also talk about:dream and nightmare writing locationswriting while emotionally “living” the scenesairport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmarethriller pacing and giving readers room to breathethe importance of book cover designreader bookshelves and collectible editionswhy Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees themAbout DeceptionEmma and Miles are desperate to save their son, who urgently needs life-changing surgery they cannot afford.Their last hope is a mysterious organisation called The Levels — a dangerous competition where contestants commit escalating crimes for escalating rewards.But they are not the only players.As the stakes rise, Deception forces both its characters — and its readers — to confront impossible moral questions:What would you do to save the person you love most?Topics CoveredPsychological thrillersMoral dilemma fictionWriting process and perfectionismTV and streaming adaptationsPublishing deadlinesCrime fictionBook cover brandingWorking-class journeys into publishingReader communitiesThriller pacingMemorable MomentsJack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreatThe airport nightmare writing scenario“A panic attack in two covers”Jack revealing nobody sees his real first draftsThe emotional intensity of writing thriller scenesThe revelation that Deception has been optioned for televisionBiscuit VerdictOfficial writing fuel:BourbonsFour-finger Kit KatsBonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit KatsStrong support for peanut butter Kit KatsFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, it is feedback week! Please send Philippa your thoughts on the podcast, you can email here: [email protected]. You can find her on instagram at this account: @quick_book_reviewsPhilippa chats to bestselling author Rosie Walsh about her gripping new novel The One Day You Were My Husband.Rosie discusses the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of writing after major success, researching the life of a surgeon, and why this was the book she came closest to abandoning.Philippa also reviews three very different books:The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode by Anthony HorowitzDeception by Jack JordanIn this episodeRosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My HusbandWriting emotional thrillers with huge twistsThe pressure of following bestselling novelsWhy this book was so difficult to writeBalancing publicity, motherhood and creativityWriting under the name Lucy RobinsonResearching medicine and surgery for fictionThe importance of titles in publishingPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsFeedback week for the podcastAbout The One Day You Were My HusbandCarrie and Johan are newly married on a beach in Thailand when armed men arrive and take Johan away.Twelve years later, Carrie has rebuilt her life. She is remarried, has children, and is preparing to return to work as a surgeon. Then she sees a familiar face online — Johan, alive in Stockholm, with a new life of his own.Why did he never contact her?What really happened in Thailand?And should Carrie risk everything to find out?Books reviewedThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA wildly inventive, hilarious and action-packed instalment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.A Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzA clever, funny Hawthorne mystery set around the filming of The Word Is Murder.Deception – Jack JordanA high-stakes thriller about desperate parents, impossible choices and a deadly game.Books mentionedThe One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie WalshThe Love of My Life – Rosie WalshGhosted / The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie WalshThe Things You’ll Never Know – Ashley AudrainThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzDeception – Jack JordanBiscuit verdictNo biscuits for Rosie Walsh — but there is a memorable discussion of cold sliced hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and a life without sugar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by publishing powerhouse Alison Barrow for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation about the world of books, publishing, publicity, BookTok, book reviewing, and what really happens inside a major publishing house.Alison shares the emotional impact of the recent Bookseller Awards, including the extraordinary success of Nobody’s Girl and the moving tributes to legendary romantic fiction authors including Jilly Cooper, Sophie Kinsella and Joanna Trollope.They also discuss:the launch of Transworld’s new horror imprint 3AMthe rise of horror and romantasy publishing trendsAlison’s own experience writing and editing her debut novelhow exhausting structural edits really arethe realities of social media for book reviewerswhether TikTok or Instagram matters more for publishingwhy authenticity matters more than follower countsPlus Alison recommends some brilliant reads, including:London FallingFame SickThe Agatha CureIf you’ve ever wondered how publishing really works, how books become bestsellers, or how to start reviewing books online, this episode is packed with insight, warmth and honesty.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to Ardal O’Hanlon about his new novel A Plot to Die For, the first book in his Blooming Murder Mystery series.Best known for Father Ted and Death in Paradise, Ardal brings comedy, warmth and murder mystery together in this funny, charming and sharply observed cosy crime novel set in a small Irish town.Philippa also reviews three books exploring the current tradwife trend in very different ways:Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeTradwife by Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret by Leanne ChildIn this episodeArdal O’Hanlon on A Plot to Die ForWriting cosy crime with genuine comedyWhy funny writing still takes serious craftThe influence of Death in Paradise and murder mystery structureCreating Finn O’Leary, celebrity gardener turned amateur detectiveSmall-town Ireland, community secrets and Tidy TownsWriting a series and what might come nextAudiobook narration and why Ardal reads his own bookPhilippa’s tradwife fiction recommendationsAbout A Plot to Die ForA Plot to Die For introduces Finn O’Leary, a TV celebrity gardener who returns home to Ireland to care for his mother — only to find himself caught up in murder, secrets and local rivalries.Expect:cosy crimeIrish humouramateur sleuthinggardeningcommunity dramaa brilliant cast of charactersand a murder during choir practiceBooks reviewedYesteryear – Caro Claire BurkeA twisty, genre-bending tradwife novel perfect for book clubs and holiday reading.Tradwife – Sarah LanganA horror take on the tradwife trend, with farmhouse perfection hiding something deeply unsettling.The Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne ChildA psychological thriller full of secrets, lies and domestic tension.Books mentionedA Plot to Die For – Ardal O’HanlonThe Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz NugentThe God of the Woods – Liz MooreWhite City – Dominic NolanYesteryear – Caro Claire BurkeTradwife – Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne ChildBiscuit verdictArdal chooses the Wagon Wheel — original preferred, jammy accepted in emergencies.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author Veronica Roth joins Philippa to talk about her gripping new novel Seek the Traitor’s Son — a romantic dystopian fantasy packed with prophecy, danger and high-stakes love.We cover:Life after the global phenomenon DivergentWriting pressure, creativity & finding joy againPlaylists, world-building & surprising story twistsWhy this is just the start of a new seriesPerfect for fans of The Hunger Games and epic sci-fi fantasy.Love books? Follow Quick Book Reviews and never miss an episode!Email Philippa at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to Tariq Ashkanani about his latest novel The Hollow Boys, a dark, atmospheric blend of crime, horror and small-town mystery.Set in the fictional Appalachian town of Aurora, The Hollow Boys begins after two boys go missing. Ten months later, one boy returns — but claims he is the other boy. What follows is a chilling investigation into identity, memory, fear and the secrets buried beneath a dying town.Philippa also reviews three very different books:Dissection of a Murder by Jo MurrayBloom by Delilah S. DawsonThe Magic Faraway Tree by Enid BlytonIn this episodeTariq Ashkanani on The Hollow BoysHow crime and horror overlapWriting dark, atmospheric fictionWhy setting can become a characterSmall towns, secrets and creeping dreadThe influence of books such as Red DragonWriting while balancing another careerWhy publishing can move so slowlyPodcasting, author interviews and literary festivalsPhilippa’s spoiler-free reviewsAbout The Hollow BoysThe Hollow Boys is a tense, unsettling mystery about two missing boys, one impossible return, and a town haunted by what lies beneath it.Perfect for readers who enjoy:crime fictionhorror-tinged thrillersdark small-town mysterieseerie atmospheremissing person storiesmorally complex charactersBooks reviewedDissection of a Murder – Jo MurrayA gripping legal thriller with courtroom tension, secrets and a compelling murder case.Bloom – Delilah S. DawsonA book that begins with cosy romance energy before taking a shocking turn into full horror.The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid BlytonA nostalgic return to Moon-Face, adventure, peril and childhood reading magic.Books and authors mentionedThe Hollow Boys – Tariq AshkananiThe Midnight King – Tariq AshkananiRed Dragon – Thomas HarrisThe Death of Us – Abigail DeanNight Film – Marisha PesslBiscuit verdictTariq goes rogue with drumstick sweets rather than biscuits — sticky, chewy, nostalgic, and officially allowed.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by the powerhouse writing duo Ellis Hunter — Kate Ellis Brown and Becky Hunter — to talk about their hugely anticipated debut Bloodbound.Already generating major buzz across the book world, Bloodbound is a standout novel blending witches, dragon riders, high-stakes magic, and powerful female friendships.WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVERWhat Blood Bound is about — and why readers are obsessedWhy this book works for both fantasy fans and fantasy beginnersThe rise of romantasy and why it’s dominating the book worldHow two authors successfully co-write a novel togetherThe realities of going from publishing professionals to debut authorsBehind-the-scenes insight into book deals, rights, and global publishingThe pressure (and excitement) of writing Book 2Why female friendship is at the heart of this storyABOUT BLOOD BOUNDA gripping fantasy set between a Queendom of Witches and a Kingdom of Dragon Riders, where two women on opposite sides of a deadly conflict must face fate, power, and impossible choices.With:enemies-to-lovers tensionepic world-buildingmagic, dragons, and deadly trialsand unforgettable twists…it’s no surprise this is the book everyone is talking about.ABOUT THE AUTHORSEllis Hunter is the writing duo of:Kate Ellis Brown – editor and publishing professionalBecky Hunter – author and former publicistTogether, they bring insider knowledge of the publishing world and a shared love of fantasy to create something fresh, addictive, and emotionally powerful.INSIDE THE WRITING PROCESSHow they split POV characters (Astrid & Skylar)Why planning together was keyThe challenges of writing collaborativelyHow deadlines and real life (including motherhood!) shaped the processIf you love:fantasy / romantasydragons, magic, and epic worldsbehind-the-scenes publishing insightauthor journeys and writing craftLOVE THE SHOW?Follow, rate and review Quick Book Reviews and share with a fellow readerOUT NOWBlood Bound is available now — perfect timing to dive into the book everyone is buzzing about.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Wednesday episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, creator of the hugely popular Dream Harbor series, which has sold over 4 million copies.Laurie joins the podcast to discuss her latest book, The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, as well as the magic of cosy small-town romance, why readers have fallen so hard for Dream Harbor, and how comfort reads can help us through difficult times.In this episodeLaurie Gilmore on The Daisy Chain Flower ShopThe story behind the Dream Harbor seriesWhy cosy small-town romance is having such a huge momentWriting books that feel like a hugWhy each Dream Harbor book can be read as a standaloneChristmas romance, seasonal settings and reader comfortSprayed edges, special editions and bookish merchThe pressure of following a much-loved bestselling seriesWhat’s coming next with Big Bad WolfLaurie’s dream and nightmare writing locationsAbout The Daisy Chain Flower ShopThe Daisy Chain Flower Shop follows Daisy, who runs the flower shop, and Elliot, a shy architect who has somehow stayed under Dream Harbor’s radar.Both are nursing heartbreak and neither is looking for love — until a fake dating arrangement begins and, naturally, chaos, chemistry and cosy romance follow.Expect:fake datingsmall-town charmemotional warmthseasonal Dream Harbor vibesfamiliar faces from previous booksBooks mentionedThe Daisy Chain Flower Shop – Laurie GilmoreThe Pumpkin Spice Café – Laurie GilmoreThe Gingerbread Bakery – Laurie GilmoreBig Bad Wolf – Laurie GilmoreFor the Wolf – Hannah WhittenFor the Throne – Hannah WhittenPerfect for listeners who lovecosy romancesmall-town settingsfake datingseasonal readscomfort booksChristmas romancebook series you can dip into at any pointBiscuit verdictLaurie chooses a soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie — with sensible dunking rules. Soft cookies should not be dunked. Harder biscuits may proceed with caution.Coming nextPhilippa will be back on Friday with more bookish chat, author interviews and spoiler-free reviews.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by Ilona Bannister to talk about her striking new novel Five — a tense, original and deeply thought-provoking thriller set over just a few minutes on a train platform.What would you do if you had only five minutes left and didn’t know it?That chilling question sits at the heart of Five, a novel about five strangers, interconnected lives, hidden stories, and the ripple effects of tragedy. Ilona talks about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the creation of its unforgettable narrative voice, and why this story led her naturally into the thriller space.Philippa also reviews:The Heir Apparent by Rebecca ArmitageAutomatic Noodle by Annalee NewitzDissection of a Murder by Jo MurrayIn this episodeIlona Bannister on the inspiration behind FiveWhy the novel begins on a train platformHow the book explores fate, connection, mortality and missed momentsThe challenge of writing a fast-paced novel set across such a short time frameThe creation of the book’s sharp, unusual narrative voiceWhy one character had to be cut and another took her placeWriting through lockdown, parenting, and difficult life circumstancesWhy thrillers can be powerful spaces for emotional and literary storytellingPhilippa’s latest reading updates and reviewsFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by bestselling author Tom Rob Smith to talk about his moving and deeply personal new novel, 20 Years Together.Known for acclaimed books including Child 44, and for screen work such as London Spy and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Tom discusses why 20 Years Together is such a different book from his previous work, why he chose to write it now, and how it grew out of real emotional and philosophical questions around love, commitment, and marriage.This is a conversation about writing, relationships, storytelling, hope, and the challenge of creating an ending that truly lands.In this episode:Why Tom Rob Smith wrote 20 Years TogetherHow the novel was inspired by real questions about marriage and long-term relationshipsWhy this book is so different from his crime and thriller fictionThe overlap between love stories and thrillersThe challenge of writing emotionally honest fictionWhy endings matter so muchHow a book can leave readers in tearsTom’s thoughts on adapting stories for television, film, or fictionHow place, views, and writing environments shape the creative processWhat Tom is reading right nowBooks and authors mentioned:20 Years Together – Tom Rob SmithChild 44 – Tom Rob SmithLondon Spy – Tom Rob SmithThe Assassination of Gianni Versace – based on the book by Maureen OrthAftermath – Rachel CuskThe Swimming-Pool Library – Alan HollinghurstThe Line of Beauty – Alan HollinghurstOur Evenings – Alan HollinghurstThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly – Jean-Dominique BaubyWhat to expectThis episode is perfect for listeners who love:thoughtful author interviewsbehind-the-scenes writing conversationsliterary fictionemotionally powerful novelsdiscussions about relationships, marriage and identityTom Rob Smith’s books, television work, and creative processPhilippa and Tom also talk about dream and nightmare writing locations, how different stories reveal themselves as books or screen projects, and the emotional complexity of writing a novel that draws more closely on personal experience.A conversation about hopeOne of the most striking themes in this interview is hope — in fiction, in relationships, and in the stories we tell ourselves about the future. Tom reflects on setting 20 Years Together against the backdrop of 2012 London, and why he wanted to capture a sense of optimism and possibility.Biscuit verdictA controversial moment for the podcast: Tom Rob Smith is not much of a biscuit eater. However, there is a nostalgic nod to the chocolate digestive, plus a writing fuel combination of dates and dark chocolate.If you enjoyed this episodePlease follow, rate and review Quick Book Reviews, and share this episode with a fellow reader. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.