The Cutting by Michael J Malone #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new thriller by Michael J Malone, The Cutting as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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The most dangerous voices are the ones that no one else can hear…

Evie Cartwright first speaks to the dead as a child. When she leaves home for university, her ability takes a terrifying turn after she witnesses a brutal murder. By morning, she is haunted by a dead serial killer who refuses to leave her alone, and marked by a cut across her neck that never heals.

For the next ten years, Evie is driven from place to place, searching for a way to rid herself of the voice that torments her day and night. When desperation leaves her with nowhere else to turn, she arrives at the remote Highland home of Annie Jackson, hoping she will finally find answers.

As Annie and her brother Lewis begin to investigate, helped by an old friend with specialist knowledge of the occult, they are drawn into a dark and dangerous search that reaches deep into Scotland’s history.

And some ghosts are not content to remain in the shadows…

MY THOUGHTS

Michael J. Malone has taken his Annie Jackson series to some very dark places before, but he sets an even darker tone in the latest book, The Cutting. We are introduced to Evie, a psychic medium, who wants to expand her career and has her sights set on gaining a wider audience through television. She does appear to have a genuine gift, but one spirit has attached himself permanently to her, and he has evil intentions.

It was fascinating seeing Annie and Evie’s friendship grow, even though they have different goals, and I was interested to see what would happen between them by the end of the book. Evie is focused on her career in television, and Annie is the key to her success. She knows if she doesn’t get Annie on board, it may leave her in a dire mess. But Evie is also desperate for Annie’s help to rid her of her own malevolent spirit, and even though Annie refuses to help at first, this doesn’t dissuade Evie from trying again.

What I loved about this book was how Michael J. Malone delved deeper into Scotland’s ancient history with witchcraft. I particularly found the witch pools fascinating, where, years ago, women accused of witchcraft were drowned, and the folklore attached to them. One particular character in this book, Duncan, who appears connected to this, and I loved the mystery surrounding him. He definitely intrigues Annie and Evie, but I was never sure if I could trust his intentions. It really adds to the atmosphere and darker tone of The Cutting, which is what makes it the perfect read in the run-up to Halloween.

The threat of danger worsens for both Annie and Evie in the physical and spiritual worlds. It’s what makes the book really tense, and Michael J. Malone shows the danger closing in in a brilliant way that had me on the edge of my seat. I had to know what was going to happen.

The Cutting is a brilliant read that anyone who is looking for a spooky read this Halloween needs to get their hands on. I really enjoyed it.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 24th September 2026

Print length: 300 pages

The Cutting is available to buy:

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The Last Tenant by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new thriller by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, The Last Tenant as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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Trust can be deadly…

When the skeletons of a young woman and a baby are uncovered on a long-abandoned farm in Hvalfjörður, it is clear they were buried years apart. West Iceland CID begins to investigate the disturbing discovery, aware that someone has gone to great lengths to keep the past hidden.

In Akranes, Karitas, a young single mother seeking a new start, settles in with her four-year-old son and rents a basement flat from an eccentric landlord. A cautious sense of happiness returns when she meets the boy next door.

But when news breaks that a local girl has been murdered, Karitas must decide who she can trust, knowing that one wrong choice could place her and her child in danger. Detective Elma is drawn into the case, forced to navigate long-hidden family secrets to understand a killer’s motive, while trying to hold together her increasingly troubled relationship with Sævar.

Dark, atmospheric and rich with psychological suspense, The Last Tenant confirms Eva Björg Ægisdóttir as one of Iceland’s finest crime writers, as a meticulous investigation and a series of unsettling discoveries draw a close-knit community towards a reckoning no one can escape…

MY THOUGHTS

The Last Tenant by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir begins with a really chilling opening, with the discovery of two sets of human remains in close proximity to each other: a young woman and a baby. As I read this opening, I thought it did set a haunting tone, which Eva carries right through this novel as Detective Elma desperately tries to find out what happened to the victims, and who killed them.

Eva has created an intriguing cast of characters in her latest book in the Forbidden Iceland series, and she provides plenty of suspects. One character who I was particularly drawn to was Karitas, a single mother living with her young son, Bessi. The relationship between Karitas and her son was beautifully drawn; I could feel the warmth and love there was between them. Karitas is also developing a relationship with her neighbour, Kristófer. But tension grows when strange things start happening to Karitas. And then there is Baldvin, who Karitas moves in with, a slightly odd man. I started to think that he could be hiding something.

I thought it was fascinating how Eva drew these different characters together, especially as the police investigation into the discovery of the human remains is ongoing. It made me wonder how everything would connect, and Eva brings the characters together in an explosive way.

Eva delves deep into her characters in The Last Tenant, so we can see what is going on inside their heads and what makes them tick. It was also gripping to get a deeper insight into Elma and Sævar’s relationship. There is tension between them, and this made me wonder how their relationship would pan out

The Last Tenant is a masterclass in character study and depth, with tension and intrigue that make it an exceptional thriller. I really enjoyed it.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 10th September 2026

Print length: 360 pages

The Last Tenant is available to buy:

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One Dark Summer by Sarah Hornsley #bookreview

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new thriller by Sarah Hornsley, One Dark Summer.

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Lily has spent her whole life not knowing the truth.
Now, one island will change everything.

When she was four years old, Lily’s mother, Penny, walked out the family home and never returned. Growing up, Lily tried to block out the pain of betrayal. But years later, when Lily learns her mum’s family used to own a holiday home on Osea Island, she can’t resist booking a last-minute trip, hoping to finally find a connection to her mother.

But Osea is no ordinary place. Tidal and remote, it keeps its secrets close.

As Lily begins to peel back layers of the past, she uncovers a web of silence, betrayal, and pain stretching back twenty-five years. The island holds the truth of what really happened to Penny and why she never made it back home.

But some secrets aren’t buried in the past. Nor are they still on the island. Some are closer than Lily ever imagined.

MY THOUGHTS

One Dark Summer by Sarah Hornsley is a layered mystery with dark family secrets. We meet Lily, who was abandoned by her mother when she was only four years old. There isn’t much Lily knows about her, especially as her father refuses to speak about her. Still, Lily is desperate to learn more about her mother. But what she isn’t prepared for is the dark family secrets she is about to uncover that will rock her to her very core.

I really felt for Lily, especially as she tried to learn more about her mother from her father. I couldn’t see why he was refusing to answer her questions. It was clear to see how much this pained Lily, and her desire to just know something shines through on the page. I kept thinking that it was the pain of losing his wife that made it too painful for her father to revisit that time. It made me wonder just what Lily would uncover, and I felt fearful for her as she takes matters into her own hands by returning to the place where her mother grew up, especially as she has no clue what she’s going to find.

This is the first time I have heard about Osea Island, the place where Lily’s mother lived and grew up. The atmosphere of this setting really adds to the tension. It made it even more possible to imagine the dark secrets the island might hold. It was fascinating getting to know Lily’s mother’s family, and I especially liked Lily’s aunt. Sarah Hornsley gradually builds an uneasy sense of unease on the island, especially as she takes us back in time to when Lily’s mother was living there.

There are some heart-stopping reveals as Lily discovers the truth about what happened all those years ago. It makes the ending all the more emotive and powerful as dark secrets are finally revealed. If you’re looking for a twisty read with plenty of atmosphere, One Dark Summer is definitely for you.

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication date: 9th July 2026

Print length: 320 pages

One Dark Summer is available to buy:

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Heartbreaker by Jude O’Reilly #bookreview

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the gripping new thriller by Jude O’Reilly, Heartbreaker.

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A mother under attack.

Three years ago, Daphne Monroe woke up to find her family had been murdered while she slept. To the police, she’s the prime suspect. To the world, she’s a monster. To the killer, she’s the next victim on a blood-soaked list.

A killer on the move.

Now he’s back to finish what he started – and Daphne should be running for her life. Instead, she’s trying to make a sense of a tangled web of medical obession, organ donation, and a young girl’s murder.

Nothing to lose.

Three years ago, the serial killer destroyed her life and broke her heart. Now, Daphne wants justice for her murdered children and she’ll stop at nothing to get it.

But the killer is closing in. And Daphne Monroe is out of time…

MY THOUGHTS

Heartbreaker, the new thriller by Jude O’Reilly, explores a really scary premise. We meet Daphne, who has suffered a horrific tragedy after her husband and children were killed. Daphne herself was considered the main suspect in the eyes of the public and the police, despite her categorically denying her involvement in the murders. Daphne is determined to find out who killed her family, but she has no idea where her search for answers will lead her, and the dark and dangerous world she is about to uncover.

I really liked Daphne and connected to her straight away. She has suffered more than most people have, and on top of losing her family, in the opening chapters, her father, who she dearly loves, also passes away. Her father’s death strengthens her resolve to get justice for her husband and her children. Getting justice for them is the only thing keeping her going.

The tension is excellent throughout this book. Daphne’s story really drew me in, especially as she connects with the family of a woman whose heart Daphne received in an organ transplant several years earlier. It is clear to see the pain the woman’s family is feeling on the page as Daphne meets with them, but what is even more shocking to Daphne is that she soon learns their daughter was murdered. Daphne has always thought that the murder of her family is linked to her heart transplant, even though the transplant took place ten years earlier. When she learns the news of what happened to the woman whose heart she received, it seems to strengthen this belief.

Daphne is a character who I really cared for. I couldn’t believe how she had been treated following the death of her family by the police and members of the public. I was rooting for her to get the answers she desperately craved, and I was so intrigued by the many different layers Jude O’Reilly explored. This is definitely one of the most original thrillers I’ve read recently. I really enjoyed it.

Publisher: Pellerin Books

Publication date: 19th May 2026

Print length: 294 pages

Heartbreaker is available to buy:

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The Wicked Girls by Roz Watkins #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new thriller by Roz Watkins, The Wicked Girls.

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A BIZARRE SERIES OF DEATHS

In the Cornish village of Peneerie, a tragedy is unfolding. Girls are dying on their seventeenth birthdays and no one can explain why. Some say it’s a curse; others a psychological phenomenon known as suicide contagion. What Kat knows is her daughter Ruby’s birthday is fast approaching.

A CURSE AWOKEN

Villagers talk anxiously of Eliza, a serving girl in the local manor house who took her own life on her seventeenth birthday nearly two hundred years ago. She cursed the girls of the village to never see womanhood.

A MOTHER PREPARED TO DO ANYTHING

Kat is determined that Ruby won’t be the next to die, by any means necessary. As she races to unravel Eliza’s Curse, Kat will have to confront the ghosts of the past and shocking truths about the world she lives in. But how far will she go to protect her daughter? And what will it cost to break the cycle of tragedy before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS

The Wicked Girls is the tense new novel by Roz Watkins. Set in a small village in Cornwall, the novel opens with a horrific scene when a young girl, who has just turned seventeen, plunges to her death after falling from a cliff edge, in front of the mother of one of her school friends. The young girl’s death shocks everyone, but the most shocking thing is that she will not be the first girl to die. The deaths might be linked to an ancient curse that all local girls will die on their seventeenth birthday, and it’s soon feared that history might be about to repeat itself, as something very similar took place centuries ago.

It is clear to see how much the fear grips the locals. Kat, the main character, is little a less inclined to believe in the supernatural. But this doesn’t stop her from becoming fiercely protective and worried for her daughter, Ruby, who is due to turn seventeen. Even though Kat is sceptical about the idea of the curse, especially when her mother starts getting involved with her own psychic predictions, she’s determined to stop Ruby from suffering from the same fate as her friend. I could really feel Kat’s love for her daughter, and I rooted for her throughout the novel.

Roz Watkins brilliantly built a creepy atmosphere around the old house, where the curse is said to have originated. It felt as though something evil was at work here. This created a real sense of danger. I loved how isolated the house felt, which added even more to the supernatural elements and the suspense. This was built on further with the addition of the doll a group of friends, which included Ruby, found there.

The atmosphere of The Wicked Girls kept me hooked as I waited to find out if the curse would take another victim. I wondered if something more was going on here. There is a chilling finale that brings a satisfying end to the mystery. This novel is perfect with spooky season just around the corner.

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 10th September 2026

Print length: 432 pages

The Wicked Girls is available to buy:

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The Weekend by T.M. Logan #bookreview

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new thriller by T.M. Logan, The Weekend.

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Six friends. Five secrets. One holiday to die for . . .
Welcome to THE WEEKEND.

When a group of friends rent a converted farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales, they have little idea that this one weekend may change the course of their lives forever.

While out on a walk, a storm descends and the friends take shelter in the mouth of an old lead mine. Inside, they discover a backpack filled with more money than they’ve ever seen.

Of course, they agree, they will hand the money to the police at the first opportunity. But as the storm continues and time passes, some of the party begin to think again. Because there are secrets festering at the heart of this group. Debt. Obsession. A career on the brink. Problems that could be solved instantly with an unexpected windfall.

And perhaps they don’t know each other as well as thought they did.

MY THOUGHTS

What would you do if you found a bag full of money? This is the question that faces the characters in T.M. Logan’s latest thriller, The Weekend. A group of friends are in Yorkshire for New Year’s Eve, renting a house, when they stumble across this extraordinary find whilst sheltering in a cave from a storm. Most people who read this book will be wondering what they would do in this situation. I think many people would secretly want to keep the money, especially when the amount found is revealed. But as the friends try to work out what to do, cracks in their friendships start to form.

It was really tense when the characters were deciding what to do with the money. There were some, among the group, who wanted to do the right thing and hand it over to the police, but others who thought the money was rightfully theirs to keep. T.M. Logan continues to turn the tension up a notch, especially as the friends try to work out where the money came from and if keeping it would pose a danger.

There is a real sense of danger as the stakes for the characters get higher, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page. The tension really builds as the book races towards the end, and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to the characters. I think after reading this book, many people will reevaluate what decision they would make if they were in this situation.

The Weekend really is a whirlwind of a read, and the tension never lets up. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Publisher: Zaffre

Publication date: 16th July 2026

Print length: 432 pages

The Weekend is available to buy:

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Split Second by R.C. Bridgestock #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new novel by R.C. Bridgestock, Split Second as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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What if one moment – one split second – changed everything?

When a firearms officer shoots a suspect dead and wounds another, who later dies in hospital, the official line is that the sun was in her eyes. Her body cam failed. Known only as Officer X, her anonymity is meant to protect her – until a judge releases her name and a media storm erupts.

Detective Superintendent Jack Dylan and DI Charley Mann are called in to determine whether it was a justifiable use of force – or something darker. And when it’s revealed that Officer X knew the victim, and her brother died of a drug overdose linked to the same woman, the case becomes charged with personal and political tension.

As pressure mounts, a vulnerable witness dies and a lost phone surfaces with a photograph and a message that could unravel everything – and reveal the truth about what happened that day.

Split Second brings Dylan and Mann together for the first time, in an investigation that will test their instincts, their loyalties and the limits of justice itself, as both detectives must decide how far they’ll go – and what they’re willing to sacrifice – to uncover the truth.

MY THOUGHTS

Split Second by R.C. Bridgestock is the first novel by this author I have read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In Split Second, the authors have crafted a tense, utterly compelling mystery, exploring themes that are unfortunately very much at the forefront of people’s minds in today’s world.

The opening scene is shocking, and I really liked how R.C. Bridgestock told it from the point of view of two children skiving off school, who are terrified of being caught if they were to tell anyone about what they saw. They witness a horrific incident when a police officer opens fire on a suspect in a vehicle, which ends up with the suspect’s death. This does mirror awful events that have taken place across the world in recent years, but in this book, R.C. Bridgestock tells the story from the point of view of the police officer who commits the act, which I thought was a brilliant way to tell it.

As the investigation into the incident gets underway, it soon becomes clear that this is a much more complex case than it first seems. It was fascinating to get an insight into the mind of the officer, Abi, who is accused, and just how terrified she is at the prospect of going to prison and of her identity being released to the public. It is all too clear to see from recent events how scary this can be, and this raises the stakes throughout the novel. This is what makes this story so intense, as it races towards the trial and the ultimate decision of whether Abi is guilty or not guilty of the crime she’s accused of.

I think this is a novel which will leave many readers wondering how they would’ve reacted if they were in this position of the police officer accused. I think we have all been in a position where we have misjudged something, but in the case of a police officer, holding a firearm there are surely very few who have experienced this. But the feeling of what I would have done is the same, and it really does make Split Second such a gripping read.

There is a real, authentic feeling to this book, and R.C. Bridgestock did a brilliant job of keeping me engaged and wanting to find out what would ultimately happen. I really enjoyed it.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 27th August 2026

Print length 366 pages

Split Second is available to buy:

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Ghost Notes by Doug Johnstone #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new novel by Doug Johnstone, Ghost Notes as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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The Skelf women have been keeping their heads down, running the family’s funeral directors and private investigation businesses. But when a woman collapses at her husband’s funeral and is saved by Dorothy, she finds herself drawn into the murky world of ‘grief tech’ – a booming new industry that creates digital avatars of the dead.

Jenny’s latest case – a simple blackmail job for an old school friend – quickly spirals into chaos as the woman’s tangled love life pulls Jenny towards dangerous old habits. 

Meanwhile, Hannah and her wife, Indy, are confronted by the unexpected arrival of Indy’s ex-boyfriend, claiming to be dying and eager for the Skelfs to arrange his funeral. But his arrival uncovers more ghosts from the past, and threatens to upend everything they’ve built.

As their cases collide and their personal lives spiral, the Skelfs face danger from all sides. How far will they go to protect one another, and what will it cost to finally silence the ghosts? 

Warm, tense and full of heart, Ghost Notes is another masterful instalment in Doug Johnstone’s award-winning, addictive Skelfs series, and the stakes are higher than ever…

MY THOUGHTS

I always get excited whenever a new book in the Skelf series by Doug Johnstone comes out, and it seems that trouble is never far from the Skelf women. The latest book in the series is Ghost Notes, and Doug Johnstone does a brilliant job of taking us on a journey with the characters.

Dorothy is the character we meet first when, during a funeral, the deceased’s widow collapses, and Jenny helps to save her. But Dorothy is then forced into helping the woman investigate her husband’s death. This is where the idea of grief technology comes in, which is an extremely chilling and scary idea, particularly with the advances in AI in recent years. As Doug Johnstone explores this, it turns very creepy. It does provide a worrying glimpse into the future.

Jenny is who we get the most insight into in this book. She is a person who has gone through a lot in her life, and her struggles really come through, particularly with alcoholism. I really did feel for her, and it feels like, even though she is taking steps forward in her life, particularly with her new partner, she also appears to take some steps back. The scenes told from her point of view were really compelling. I love how Doug Johnstone made her feel even richer and well-rounded in Ghost Notes, adding even more depth to her character.

Hannah and her wife, Indy, also go on their own journey, especially after they are contacted by Indy’s former partner, who wants the Skelfs to arrange his funeral, which Indy isn’t best pleased about. But the more they get involved with him, the deeper they sink into the murky world he is a part of, which lands them in extreme danger.

Doug Johsntone is a writer who knows how to get right under a character’s skin. He shines a spotlight on all the women in the Skelf family in Ghost Notes. This has made Ghost Notes one of my favourite books in this series to date. He has always had a real talent for creating characters with real emotional depth, and this novel is another shining example. Fans of the Skelf women will absolutely love it, and if you haven’t discovered this series, I urge you to read these books. You will not look back.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 13th August 2026

Print length: 276 pages

Ghost Notes is available to buy:

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The Angel of Death by Trevor Wood #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my review of The Angel of Death by Trevor Wood as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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DCI Jack Parker is BACK…

Death is stalking the streets of Newcastle. An anonymous killer is offering the terminally ill a dignified escape. Mercy to some. Murder to others.

KILLER

DCI Jack Parker doesn’t want the case. He has a secret of his own – an early-onset dementia diagnosis he’s desperate to conceal. But the signs are becoming impossible to ignore. As his mind begins to betray him, the city faces its own moral reckoning.

OR

While politicians debate a contentious new law and the self-styled Angel of Death selects another victim, Jack’s world is shaken when the killings are traced to a carers’ support group – one his wife, Helen, has been attending in secret.

SAINT

Yet his deepest fear is also his darkest temptation. Because when his disease becomes unbearable, Jack can’t escape one haunting question:

Could the Angel of Death be the saviour he’s been waiting for?

MY THOUGHTS

The Angel of Death by Trevor Wood is a book I think will provoke a lot of discussion, especially given the recent news about the assisted dying bill. In his latest crime novel, Trevor Wood casts a light on this deeply controversial topic, but he’s also created an utterly gripping crime thriller. I really enjoyed getting to know his cast of characters.

Trevor Wood opens the novel in a compelling way. A young man reports his mother’s murder to the police two months after she died, which is unusual in itself. This gives rise to the thinking that perhaps there is someone assisting people with their deaths, people who have terminal illnesses. As the news of this story breaks and more potential victims come forward, the perpetrator is given the name The Angel of Death. This certainly begins to cause alarm within the police force and the public, but Trevor Wood also tells parts of the story from the perspective of The Angel of Death himself. He is almost portrayed as an anti-hero, someone who can be sympathetic, easy to talk to, especially for the people he is helping. It does make him almost likeable. But in the eyes of the law, he is still committing a crime.

DCI Jack Ryan, the lead character in this book, was fascinating to get to know. I haven’t read the first two books in this series, but I had no difficulty in getting into this book. I really liked how open he was about his diagnosis of early-onset dementia, which brought out admirable qualities in him. I also really liked DS Emma Steel, who certainly seems very formidable and who knows what she wants to achieve.

Trevor Wood wrapped everything up in a tense and gripping finale. I can’t wait to come back to these characters. Hopefully there will be many more books to come; Trevor Wood has definitely left The Angel of Death on an ending that’s left me desperate for more.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 16th July 2026

Print length: 300 pages

The Angel of Death is available to buy:

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The Mermaid’s Cry by Kate Rhodes #bookreview #blogtour

On my blog today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the new novel in the Detective Ben Kitto series by Kate Rhodes, The Mermaid’s Cry as part of the blog tour. With thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part.

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DI BEN KITTO RETURNS…

A COAST IN CELEBRATION

When DI Ben Kitto sees a baby thrown into Penzance harbour, he prays it’s a trick of the light. But the threat is real. The child survives – barely – and soon a chilling pattern emerges. As the Dark Sky Festival brings dancers, dreamers and stargazers to Cornwall’s coast, children begin to vanish.

A KILLER IN THE CROWD

A small mermaid figurine is found beside each scene, echoing the legend of the Mermaid of Zennor, who lured a man to his death beneath the waves. Still reeling from a devastating bereavement and determined to protect his young son, Ben is pulled back into the field and into a deadly investigation. When the killer’s messages begin arriving at his home, the threat becomes terrifyingly personal.

A FINAL RECKONING

Suspicions fall on familiar faces. When the summer solstice approaches, Ben must confront the boundaries of love, loss and obsession. In a final, desperate chase along the headland, only his bond with Noah – and the loyalty of his dog, Shadow – can prevent tragedy from repeating itself.

MY THOUGHTS

I don’t think the opening of a book has left me as devastated as The Mermaid’s Cry did when we reconnect once more with Kate Rhodes character, DI Ben Kitto. It is very difficult to talk about this section of the book without giving away spoilers, but I couldn’t not talk about how shocked it left me.

There is a supernatural edge to this book that Kate Rhodes brings to life, particularly through the legend of the mermaid. In the opening, a baby is thrown into the sea, and Ben dives in to rescue the baby. He soon finds himself becoming a major part of the investigation, despite having recently given up his job as a police officer. The crime is horrific, and it definitely gets the local residents talking and demanding action to catch the person who did this. Ben’s actions make him a hero to the locals, even though he certainly doesn’t want any praise or attention. This adds to the already dark tone, and the crime gives the sense that the police are up against someone whose moves could be very unpredictable. The police are definitely in a race against time to stop the crime from happening again. It was really intriguing hearing from the perpetrator’s perspective. Kate Rhodes did a brilliant job of putting a spotlight on their motives and revealing what sort of person they are.

Kate Rhodes continues to develop Ben’s character in this book. I definitely thought, at the end of the last book, that I had a clear idea of where his journey was going to take him next, but now I am not so sure. It certainly does put a fresh spin on this series, but it is one, I think, that will divide long-time fans.

The Mermaid’s Cry has shifted this series in a new direction, and I, for one, am definitely intrigued to find out what becomes of Ben next. It is a haunting, atmospheric read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Publisher: Orenda Books

Publication date: 16th July 2026

Print length: 276 pages

The Mermaid’s Cry is available to buy:

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