No, this is not bad news. A change is afoot, and I am really hoping you'll join me.

The podcast isn't going anywhere, honest.

This week, I’m joined by bestselling author Mandy Robotham to talk about her latest novel, Mrs Spy, a gripping and atmospheric story of secrets, betrayal, and the high personal cost of espionage. The book is released on Thursday, the 15th of May and published by Head of Zeus.

Set against the tense backdrop of 1960s Britain at the height of the Cold War,we follow widowed single mother, Maggie Flynn, who, following the unfortunate and sudden passing of her husband, works for MI5. Maggie’s world is one of order and duty, balancing the demands of intelligence work with raising her Beatles-fanatic daughter and spending time with her colourful and exuberant mother.

Things begin to unravel when she meets Yuri. He knew her husband, and knows things about his career that he had kept a secret from her.

As Maggie delves deeper, she finds herself questioning everything: her colleagues, her past, and even her memories of her husband. In a world where deception is currency and silence can be deadly, Maggie must rely on her instincts and inner strength to uncover the truth. But with powerful forces determined to keep her quiet, will she be silenced before she can expose what really happened?

Mrs Spy is an evocative and emotionally charged novel that captures the danger of the Cold War era and the quiet bravery of women who refuse to be overlooked—or silenced.

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Where You Go, I Will Go by Christina Fonthes is a gripping and poetic exploration of identity, migration, and finding where you feel you belong. Told across two timelines, blending events in the Congo and the UK, this powerful novel captures the ache of displacement and the quiet resilience of queer Black womanhood.

This week I talk with Christina about her book, the books and experiences that inspired its creation and touch on the sensitive subjects contained within the pages.

There's also talk of favourite books, unredeemable characters and what makes a character human in the eyes of the author and the reader.

It's a deep one this week, people, so buckle up and enjoy the ride. I loved this opportunity to talk with Christina about this novel, and I think it's a wonderful read.

Christina's Links

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This week, I’m heading back to San Francisco’s Chinatown for another delightfully chaotic mystery with our favourite sixty-something sleuth, Vera Wong. In Jesse Sutanto’s latest novel, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man, the tea shop is still bustling, but what Vera's craving is just a little more excitement in her now much fuller life. When she encounters a young girl outside the police precinct, Vera senses a mystery in need of an answer, and she's back on the case! A locked briefcase, a viral social media moment, and a trail of secrets are far too much for the calming effects of a cup of her chrysanthemum tea.

In this episode, I share my spoiler-free thoughts on this cosy, yet surprisingly dark sequel. I talk about why Vera continues to be such a compelling character and how this book explores found family and identity in the digital age.

Whether you loved the first Vera Wong book or you're just dipping your toes into the world of cosy crime and cosy mysteries, this one has humour, heart, high-stakes sleuthing, and a grandmother who’s got more guts than your average gumshoe. So, pop the kettle on, settle in, and let’s chat all things books.

Featured Links

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Cosy Mysteries Playlist

And don't forget, I'm back on Livestream for the Cure this year, on the 17th May. Tune in, take part, and please donate to this incredibly important cause. It's all in the name of Cancer Research.

This week I am taking a look at a book so different than most that I tend to review I honestly am not sure how to define it. Part science fiction, part literary fiction, the story is certainly genre-bending.

Death of the Author, by Nnedi Okorafor is the story of Nigerian American writer Zelu, whose first novel is a breakout success that catapults her, unprepared, into the spotlight. As she navigates fame, family tension, and the boundaries between identity and creativity, the novel explores what it means to tell your own story, and how to maintain ownership of it and your own identity. As things change in her life, love, family, success, she has to learn to handle the criticism that comes with being suddenly successful and under the microscope that fame brings with it.

A sharp, layered narrative blending realism with speculative elements, Death of the Author raises powerful questions around authorship, autonomy, and the cost of visibility.

As ever, I won't spoil the ending!

Featured episodes

The Aurora Cycle

Skyward

The Illuminae Files

Have you ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf, wanting to read but just… not feeling it?

I’ve been there too, in fact, I am there right now...hence no specific book to talk about (sadly).

This week I'm opening up and going into my own personal experience of the dreaded reading slump. I am not sure what triggers them, but there are multiple options on the very long list!

I am also going to look into what I see as the many benefits of reading, why it's important to me and a few recommendations for finally switching the slump into something positive (a drive to read again). Of course, I know that not every method will work for every person, but they're always worth a try... Whether you’re feeling unmotivated, distracted, or just can’t seem to find the right book, this episode is all about helping you turn the page and fall back in love with reading. Tune in and let’s break out of this slump together!

In today’s episode, I’m talking about the darkly comedic That’ll Teach Her by Maz Evans, a murder mystery set in a primary school. The story kicks off with the sudden death of the headmistress, Claudia Stitchwell, with the official reason given being an allergic reaction to nuts in a chocolate cake... But some of the parents aren’t buying it, so they turn to their school WhatsApp group to start putting the pieces together and figure out what really happened, uncovering a lot of secrets that would have been better staying buried along the way.

The book is told in a really fun way, using WhatsApp chats, chat boards, school newsletters, and police reports, all of which give it a unique twist.

Want to know if this book is for you? Give this week's episode a listen to hear my full take on it, without any spoilers, and find out if this darkly comic whodunit should be your next read!

Featured Episodes

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

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The Stolen Child is a brand new release from author Carmel Harrington. An emotional thriller, it looks at every parent's worst nightmare. We talk about the inspiration behind the writing of the book, the shocking views some people seem to have of step-parents, and also the relationships in the book that make it oh-so relatable and realistic for some people.

It's every parent's worst nightmare. But there's no waking up from this...

On board a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, Kimberley wakes to discover that her two-year-old son Robert has vanished from the cabin overnight. She and her husband Jason vow to do whatever it takes to bring Robert home.

But he is never found.

Forty years later, their therapist daughter Lily welcomes a new client into her home. Zach has a shocking theory about what happened to her brother years before.

If Zach is to be believed, someone out there knows what happened on that ship. And they would do anything to stop the truth getting out.

But secrets always find a way to reveal themselves.

Carmel's links

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Buy The Stolen Child Waterstones | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop.org | B&N

Quicksilver by Callie Hart was the quiet BookTok hit of 2024. Initially released by the author via independent publisher, it was won, in a 10-way bid by Hodder & Stoughton for their Fantasy imprint, Hodderscape, and was released on the 3rd December 2024.

As with all fantasy novels, there are as many detractors as there are those praising it. So what did I think of this latest addition to the romantasy and fantasy world? Did it light my mental fire, or did it extinguish as quickly as a match on a windy day?

The story of Kingfisher and Saeris (pronounced Sare-iss) is a bit of a mixed bag, but at over 600 pages, it was a journey to get from the beginning to the end.

Six Poppies is released on the 30th of January and is the heartbreaking tale of Sarah and Carl who meet at Camp Bastian in Afghanistan. She's a nurse, he's a soldier and what they experience while there haunts everyone involved.

Upon returning to England they try to get on with their lives. Sarah's fiancee Danny served with Carl and he's been irrevocably changed by what he saw.

When circumstance throws Carl and Sarah back together, it's obvious that what they went through has left them broken, but the question is how will they continue? Will they allow the situation to ruin their lives forever?

The book asks a lot of important questions about the support available for those who have served and witnessed incredible and terrifying things while doing so - is it enough? Should there be more?

Find out what Lisa has to say about the inspiration behind the novel and what she hopes will happen to help those in need.

Head-up: The Mental Health Charity for the Armed Forces Community

Combat Stress

Help for Heroes: Hidden Wounds

Buy the Book: Waterstones | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Indie Bookshops