Part 2 of this special two part episode.

Today I’m joined by the publicity team behind The Ending Writes Itself—Philippa Cotton and Becky Mansell from HQ—to go behind the scenes of one of the most inventive book campaigns in recent years.

We talk about:

• How early publicity gets involved in acquiring a book
• Building a campaign around secrecy and intrigue
• Managing (and protecting) a major author reveal
• The viral buzz, wild guesses, and reader engagement
• What worked—and what they’d do differently
• The realities of publishing behind the scenes

Plus—Bloody Scotland, proof drops, influencers, campaign chaos (including that wifi moment), and answers to the authors’ own questions.

If you enjoyed Part 1 with V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, this is the perfect companion episode.

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A special early episode for the bank holiday weekend.

In Part 1, I’m joined by the authors behind The Ending Writes Itself—V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke—writing together as Evelyn Clarke.

We talk about:

• The secret behind their hidden identity
• How this ambitious collaboration came together
• Writing a sharp, funny satire of the publishing world
• The realities (and absurdities) of being an author today
• Their unique co-writing process

Plus—Bloody Scotland book festival, Stephen King, FOMO in publishing, and the joy (and chaos) of keeping a literary secret.

Part 2 drops tomorrow, featuring the publicity team behind this standout campaign.

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It’s a crime-packed episode of Quick Book Reviews 

Philippa is back with six crime and thriller recommendations—including bestselling psychological suspense, twisty mysteries, and edge-of-your-seat reads—plus a behind-the-scenes interview with the Festival Director of one of the UK’s biggest crime events.

• A stack of must-read crime thrillers (out now + upcoming releases)
• A surprising turnaround on Frieda McFadden 
• A standout read from Claire Douglas
• Festival insider chat with Lizzie Curl from Capital Crime Festival
• Publishing insights, book recommendations & festival gossip

Recently Read & Reviewed:

• Dear Debbie – Frieda McFadden
• Want to Know a Secret? – Frieda McFadden
• The Family Friend – Claire Douglas

Also Mentioned (Out Now / New Releases):

• The Move – J.P. Delaney
• I Spy – C. M. Ewan
• It’s Not What You Think – Clare Mackintosh

Philippa chats to Lizzie Curl about:

• What really goes into planning Capital Crime Festival
• Big author names (including Lee Child)
• How the festival attracts new readers
• Behind-the-scenes challenges & surprises
• Why crime fiction fans shouldn’t miss it

• A mix-up involving “AI”
• Kindle Unlimited vs Kobo thoughts (more next week!)
• And the ultimate question: what’s the best biscuit for reading?

• Psychological thrillers
• Fast-paced crime fiction
• Book festivals & author events
• No-spoiler book recommendations

Follow, rate & review to support the podcast and never miss a book recommendation!

Email Philippa at [email protected]

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Welcome to the Quick Book Reviews Podcast — the podcast featuring author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.

In this episode Philippa shares 10 new books she’s excited to read this month, covering everything from gripping psychological thrillers and crime fiction to literary fiction and historical drama.

If you're looking for new books to add to your reading list, this episode is packed with brilliant recommendations and upcoming releases.

When I Kill You – B. A. Paris

A chilling psychological thriller about secrets, suspicion and the terrifying feeling of being watched.

How to Get Away With Murder – Rebecca Phillipson

A darkly compelling crime novel about a mysterious manual for aspiring serial killers and the detective determined to uncover the truth.

The Arc – Haruo Yuki

A tense survival thriller in which hikers trapped in a flooding bunker must decide who will be left behind.

Dead Heat – Sabine Durrant

A sun-drenched Greek summer turns dark as jealousy, secrets and suspicion simmer among friends.

Unreliable Narrator – Araminta Hall

When a woman sees her life mirrored in a bestselling novel, the line between truth and fiction begins to blur.

Kin – Tayari Jones

A powerful story of friendship, family and identity set against the backdrop of the American civil rights movement.

Whidby – T Kira Madden

A gripping literary thriller exploring justice, revenge and the long shadow of trauma.

Lady Tremaine – Rachel Hockenhauser

A fascinating re-imagining of the Cinderella story told from the perspective of the infamous stepmother.

First to Finish – Rebecca J. Caffery

A high-speed romance set in the world of Formula racing where competition and chemistry collide.

Meet the Newmans – Jennifer Niven

A sweeping novel set in 1960s America about fame, family secrets and the changing world of television.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

📧 Email: [email protected]

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@quick_book_reviews

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Discover 5 brilliant book recommendations plus publishing insider secrets. PR Director Alison Barrow reveals the truth about bestseller lists, book tours and how books really succeed.

00:00 – Welcome to Quick Book Reviews

01:15 – Philippa introduces today’s five standout books

02:10 – This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

05:40 – Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan

09:30 – The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

14:20 – The Cursed Road by Laura McCluskey

18:30 – Growing Brave by Donna Ashworth

22:45 – Interview begins with Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld Publishers

24:10 – Books Alison is currently promoting

• How to Get Away With Murder

• A Far‑Flung Life

29:15 – The reality of bestseller lists

32:40 – How subscription book boxes influence charts

36:00 – Slow-burn bestsellers and long-tail success

39:30 – Books Alison has loved recently

• The Things We Never Say

• Witch Trial

• The Barbecue at Number Nine

• California Gold

48:10 – Listener question: Should authors ask for a book tour?

52:20 – How book tours are funded

55:10 – Typical book event sales conversion rates

58:40 – Alison shares an update on writing her own novel

1:02:30 – What it’s like being both publicist and author

1:05:30 – Philippa wraps up and previews the next episode

Email your questions herel: [email protected]

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to author Claire Leslie Hall about her extraordinary novel Broken Country — a story of love, grief, longing, and the choices that shape our lives.

Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, Broken Country begins with a shocking line: a man is dead — but who is he, and why? From there unfolds a deeply emotional story of a marriage under strain, a first love that returns, and a community divided.

Claire shares the fascinating journey behind the book — from the moment of inspiration during lambing season in rural Dorset to the four-year writing process that included rewrites, abandoned drafts, and even stepping away to write another novel before returning to the story.

Philippa and Claire discuss:

• The real-life moment that sparked the opening scene
• Why the novel took four years to write and dramatically changed along the way
• How the book blends genres — love story, mystery, and courtroom drama
• Watching a murder trial at the Old Bailey for research
• The meaning behind the title Broken Country
• The evolution of the book’s cover design
• The surreal moment the novel was chosen for Reese’s Book Club by Reese Witherspoon
• Claire’s background as a journalist and how it shaped her writing style
• What readers might expect from her next novel

Plus: dream writing sheds, nightmare writing locations, the joy (and terror) of editorial notes, and the all-important biscuit question.

If you love character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a touch of suspense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Books Mentioned

• Broken Country — Claire Leslie Hall
• Pictures of Him — Claire Leslie Hall
• Days You Were Mine — Claire Leslie Hall
• To Kill a Mockingbird — by Harper Lee
• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian
• Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards

Quick Book Reviews features author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram & Threads:

@quick_book_reviews

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🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3

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Bestselling author Patrick Gale joins Philippa on the Quick Book Reviews Podcast to discuss his powerful new novel Love Lane, plus brilliant escapist book recommendations including The Selection and An Offer from a Gentleman.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to bestselling author Patrick Gale about his moving and deeply personal new novel Love Lane.

Patrick returns to the podcast to discuss the inspiration behind the book, how family history shaped the story, and why this emotional historical novel might be his most personal work yet. The conversation also dives into writing routines, fountain pens, notebooks, and the joy (and therapy!) of storytelling.

If you enjoy powerful character-driven fiction, family sagas, and historical novels filled with heart, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Patrick Gale’s beautiful new novel Love Lane publishes soon — and pre-orders really help authors and bookshops.

Pre-order your copy here:

👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781472257468

👉 https://www.waterstones.com/book/love-lane/patrick-gale/9781472257468

👉 https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/love-lane/patrick-gale/9781472257468

(Choose your favourite bookseller and support authors and bookshops!)

• Philippa chats with Patrick Gale about the emotional story behind Love Lane
• Why writing about family history can be both revealing and healing
• Patrick’s unusual writing routine — fountain pens, notebooks, and writing in ink
• The real people who inspired the novel
• The secrets hidden in family letters
• Dream writing locations vs nightmare writing locations
• The biscuit that powered the writing

Philippa also shares some unexpected reading choices while recovering from illness — stepping away from crime fiction and diving into romance and escapist reads.

Books discussed:

• The Selection by Kiera Cass
• The Elite by Kiera Cass
• The One by Kiera Cass
• An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
• A New Start at the Happily Ever After Bookshop by Emma Bennett

Expect reality-TV-style royal romance, Bridgerton escapism, and the ultimate cosy bookshop novel set in Cornwall.

Quick Book Reviews is the podcast where you get book recommendations, interviews with bestselling authors, and honest reviews — always spoiler-free.

Hosted by Philippa, each episode helps you discover your next great read.

If you enjoy the show:

⭐ Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode

⭐ Leave a review on your podcast app

⭐ Share the episode with a fellow bookworm

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa speaks to actor, comedian and author Andi Osho about her third novel, Most Wanted.

Most Wanted explores the housing crisis through the story of a couple pushed to desperate measures in their attempt to get on the property ladder. Blending sharp comedy with serious social themes, the novel examines control, financial pressure, responsibility and how quickly one decision can spiral.

In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Andi discusses:

• The real-life frustrations that inspired Most Wanted
• Why property fiction feels so timely
• Balancing humour with serious themes
• Writing morally complex characters
• Planning twists versus letting the story evolve
• Narrating her own audiobooks and performing her characters
• Creativity, acting and moving between genres
• Perimenopause, brain fog and recording in the booth
• The realities of buying property in the UK

We also talk about scripts versus novels, the pressure of second and third books, and the biscuits that powered the writing process.

If you enjoy fiction that reflects real life, explores big social themes and still makes you laugh, this episode is for you.

Most Wanted by Andi Osho is available now in hardback, ebook and audiobook.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

📧 Email: [email protected]

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@quick_book_reviews

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Full programme and booking information: https://www.hayfestival.com/hay-on-wye/home

Planning a visit to the Hay Festival this year?

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa travels to Hay-on-Wye to speak with festival organisers Heather Salisbury and Jacqueline Hewer about the exciting new programme.

Discover:

• The brand-new Crime Day

• A fantasy and romantasy focus for 2026

• Celebrity readers sharing their “Life in Books”

• Debut author showcases

• Over 400 events celebrating books and ideas

Plus the guests reveal the authors they’re most excited about — including Emma Thompson, Bear Grylls, Elizabeth Strout and Val McDermid.

And yes… the Hay Festival biscuit debate returns.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa speaks to bestselling crime author Nadine Matheson about her gripping new novel The Shadow Carver, the latest instalment in the Inspector Henley series.

We discuss:

• Writing dark crime fiction with legal authenticity
• How her background in criminal law shapes her storytelling
• The emotional toll of writing morally complex characters
• Building long-running crime series readers can’t quit
• Why readers are drawn to justice-driven thrillers

Plus, Philippa shares thoughts on one of the most talked-about new psychological thrillers, Room 706, and what makes it such a compulsive listen on audio.

If you love crime fiction, legal thrillers, police procedurals, and intelligent psychological suspense, this episode is for you.

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

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