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" hardbacks
• The real problem with hardback pricing — and those eye-watering £40 price tags
• How 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 alternatives
• Sprayed edges (spreadges) — and why they might just be the best argument for buying hardbacks

Philippa'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.

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

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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 Reviews

The 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 Noir

Set 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 Himalayas
• Why he wrote every word himself (no ghostwriter)
• Inventing "wine crime" as a new sub-genre
• The late Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom vineyard, who read his chapters just before he died
• Writing through a gallbladder operation, missing deadlines (never), and the advice of a biodynamic economist
• Why teetotallers love the book just as much as wine lovers
• A rainbow moment that changed how he thinks about writing
• What he's reading right now: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland, and more
• The writing fuel that isn't a biscuit: crunchy peanut butter with a drop of soy sauce

Death by Noir is out 18th June.

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

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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!

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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:

1. The Challenge: If you had to launch a brand-new podcast called "Not Applicable", what would your show be about?
2. 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
3. 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!

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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 2003
• why Harrogate feels different from other book festivals
• the famous beer tent atmosphere
• festival gossip and disasters over the years
• lone traveller meet-ups and making the event inclusive
• authors going missing
• the hotel nearly catching fire
• the fiercely competitive quiz night
• why readers are truly at the heart of Harrogate

Philippa and Sharon also discuss:

• the rise of crime fiction festivals
• balancing blockbuster authors with exciting debuts
• the new Swift Half Stage
• why readers return year after year
• proof copies, goodie bags and “golden goodie bags”
• festival nerves, security and keeping events safe

Plus: an unexpectedly passionate biscuit debate involving Kit Kats, digestives and secret chocolate habits.

Featured authors and events mentioned include:

• Lisa Jewell
• Lee Child
• David Baldacci
• Anthony Horowitz
• Ann Cleeves
• Chris Whitaker
• Alice Feeney
• Steve Cavanagh
• Holly Jackson
• Brenda Blethyn
• Harlan Coben
• Val McDermid
• Mark Billingham

If you love:

• crime fiction
• book festivals
• behind-the-scenes publishing stories
• author gossip
• reader communities
• literary events
• festival planning chaos
• funny podcast conversations

…this episode is for you.

• The “freshers’ welcome” for lone travellers
• Golden goodie bag brainstorming
• Authors accidentally trying to enter the wrong hotel room
• The legendary Harrogate beer tent
• The near-disaster involving a cigarette and the hotel
• The wildly competitive late-night quiz
• Sharon’s emergency Kit Kat stash

Sharon chooses:

• Jammie Dodgers
• Two-finger Kit Kats (strictly rationed)
• Chocolate digestives… eaten unconventionally.

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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 Watt
• Such a Nice Girl by Andrea Mara
• The Thick of It BBC audiobook

• David Goodman on Solitary Agents
• Why spy fiction is having a major moment
• Writing accessible spy thrillers
• Jamie Tulloch and the world of MI5 and MI6
• The challenge of writing a second book
• Rejection, persistence and finding your writing community
• TV adaptation news for A Reluctant Spy
• Writing science fiction as David W. Goodman
• Dream and nightmare writing locations
• Philippa’s spoiler-free book reviews

Solitary 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 fiction
• thrillers
• MI5 and MI6 stories
• character-led suspense
• smart, pacey writing
• novels by Mick Herron, John le Carré and David McCloskey

The Good Listener – Holly Watt

A gripping thriller about an anonymous caller, a shocking confession, and a mother still searching for justice.

Such a Nice Girl – Andrea Mara

A tense, twisty thriller about two missing young women, a luxury wedding, and a friendship pushed to breaking point.

The Thick of It – BBC audiobook

A brilliantly sweary political satire featuring Malcolm Tucker and the chaos of government.

• Solitary Agents – David Goodman
• A Reluctant Spy – David Goodman
• Shards of Starlight – David W. Goodman
• Children of Strife – Adrian Tchaikovsky
• Slow Gods – Claire North
• The Last Contract of Isako – Fonda Lee
• The Good Listener – Holly Watt
• Such a Nice Girl – Andrea Mara
• The Thick of It – BBC Audio

David 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.

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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 Deception
• writing high-stakes moral dilemmas
• balancing relentless tension with emotional depth
• why readers become emotionally involved in his books
• the pressure of deadlines and perfectionism
• TV adaptations of his novels
• working with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Conviction
• how his books became known for their impossible ethical questions

Philippa and Jack also talk about:

• dream and nightmare writing locations
• writing while emotionally “living” the scenes
• airport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmare
• thriller pacing and giving readers room to breathe
• the importance of book cover design
• reader bookshelves and collectible editions
• why Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees them

Emma 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?

• Psychological thrillers
• Moral dilemma fiction
• Writing process and perfectionism
• TV and streaming adaptations
• Publishing deadlines
• Crime fiction
• Book cover branding
• Working-class journeys into publishing
• Reader communities
• Thriller pacing

• Jack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”
• The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreat
• The airport nightmare writing scenario
• “A panic attack in two covers”
• Jack revealing nobody sees his real first drafts
• The emotional intensity of writing thriller scenes
• The revelation that Deception has been optioned for television

Official writing fuel:

• Bourbons
• Four-finger Kit Kats
• Bonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit Kats
• Strong support for peanut butter Kit Kats

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

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@quick_book_reviews

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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_reviews

Philippa 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 Dinniman
• A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz
• Deception by Jack Jordan

• Rosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My Husband
• Writing emotional thrillers with huge twists
• The pressure of following bestselling novels
• Why this book was so difficult to write
• Balancing publicity, motherhood and creativity
• Writing under the name Lucy Robinson
• Researching medicine and surgery for fiction
• The importance of titles in publishing
• Philippa’s spoiler-free book reviews
• Feedback week for the podcast

Carrie 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?

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt Dinniman

A wildly inventive, hilarious and action-packed instalment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

A Deadly Episode – Anthony Horowitz

A clever, funny Hawthorne mystery set around the filming of The Word Is Murder.

Deception – Jack Jordan

A high-stakes thriller about desperate parents, impossible choices and a deadly game.

• The One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie Walsh
• The Love of My Life – Rosie Walsh
• Ghosted / The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie Walsh
• The Things You’ll Never Know – Ashley Audrain
• The Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt Dinniman
• A Deadly Episode – Anthony Horowitz
• Deception – Jack Jordan

No biscuits for Rosie Walsh — but there is a memorable discussion of cold sliced hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and a life without sugar.

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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 3AM
• the rise of horror and romantasy publishing trends
• Alison’s own experience writing and editing her debut novel
• how exhausting structural edits really are
• the realities of social media for book reviewers
• whether TikTok or Instagram matters more for publishing
• why authenticity matters more than follower counts

Plus Alison recommends some brilliant reads, including:

• London Falling
• Fame Sick
• The Agatha Cure

If 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.

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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 Burke
• Tradwife by Sarah Langan
• The Tradwife’s Secret by Leanne Child

• Ardal O’Hanlon on A Plot to Die For
• Writing cosy crime with genuine comedy
• Why funny writing still takes serious craft
• The influence of Death in Paradise and murder mystery structure
• Creating Finn O’Leary, celebrity gardener turned amateur detective
• Small-town Ireland, community secrets and Tidy Towns
• Writing a series and what might come next
• Audiobook narration and why Ardal reads his own book
• Philippa’s tradwife fiction recommendations

A 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 crime
• Irish humour
• amateur sleuthing
• gardening
• community drama
• a brilliant cast of characters
• and a murder during choir practice

Yesteryear – Caro Claire Burke

A twisty, genre-bending tradwife novel perfect for book clubs and holiday reading.

Tradwife – Sarah Langan

A horror take on the tradwife trend, with farmhouse perfection hiding something deeply unsettling.

The Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne Child

A psychological thriller full of secrets, lies and domestic tension.

• A Plot to Die For – Ardal O’Hanlon
• The Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz Nugent
• The God of the Woods – Liz Moore
• White City – Dominic Nolan
• Yesteryear – Caro Claire Burke
• Tradwife – Sarah Langan
• The Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne Child

Ardal chooses the Wagon Wheel — original preferred, jammy accepted in emergencies.

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

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@quick_book_reviews

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