The Howling by Michael J Malone #TheHowling @michaeljmalone1 @OrendaBooks #AnnieJacksonMysteries #BookReview

 

Two men, centuries apart, dream of being a wolf. 

One is burned at the stake.

Another is locked in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life.

And Annie Jackson is about to find out why…

Vowing once again to remove herself from society, Annie is back living alone in her little cottage by the shores of a loch. But when an old enemy – now locked up in a high security hospital – comes calling, begging her to find the son that she was forced to give up at the age of seventeen, Annie is tempted out of seclusion. The missing boy holds the key to ending Annie’s curse, and he may be the only chance that both she and Lewis have of real happiness.

Annie and Lewis begin an investigation that takes them back to the past, a time etched in Scottish folklore, a period of history that may just be repeating itself. And what they uncover could destroy not just some of the most powerful people in the country, who will stop at nothing to protect their wealth and their secrets, but also Annie’s life, and everything she holds dear…

Dark, immersive, and utterly compelling, The Howling is a story of deception, betrayal, and misplaced power, and a reminder that the most public of faces can hide the darkest of hearts…

The Howling by Michael J Malone was published on 11 September 2025 by Orenda Books and is the third book in the Annie Jackson series. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour. 

I am a huge fan of Michael J Malone, I have now read ten of his novels and never tire of his incredible, immersive writing. I read and reviewed the first two Annie Jackson novels on my blog. 

Sometimes a book comes along that lures you in with mood. The Howling is one of those books: it begins in whisper, then the dread creeps up, and before you realise you’re leaning forward, heart in throat, turning pages in half-light.

From its opening, the author masterfully blends folklore with a modern, very human grief. Annie Jackson, our protagonist, is living in retreat by a loch, trying to escape her past — both the painful personal loss and the legacy of a curse she believes has shaped her life. Malone doesn’t rush into horror for horror’s sake: the mundane and the supernatural are interwoven so that one way of seeing the world (the “real”) shades into the uncanny and more peculiar. 

The setting, as in all three of the books in this series,  is beautifully evoked. There’s something in the loch, in the old buildings, in the whisper of old stones and old wrongs, that I found very compelling. The landscape itself feels like a character: cold, secretive, capable of holding generations of hurt. For readers who love a gothic edge, the way he situates this story in this rural space works really well.

Annie Jackson is complex and haunted; she is not always likeable, but she is always believable. Her guilt, grief, desire for redemption — these are tangible, and the author gives them weight. Lewis; her companion in much of the investigation, brings a contrast: he is less tortured, more hopeful in places, but burdened in his own way. Their relationship is not sugarcoated; there are frictions, misunderstandings, loyalties tested.

The Howling is a rich, atmospheric gothic-mystery. It creeps under your skin; it makes you question what is past and what is present, what is inherited and what is chosen. For those who enjoy supernatural thrillers that are more about dread, longing and moral danger than jump scares, this is an excellent addition.

Highly recommended by me. 

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. 

He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. 

Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. 

His dark psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and is currently in production for the screen, and five powerful standalone thrillers followed suit. 

The Murmurs and The Torments, first in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series, were published to critical acclaim in 2023. 

A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr, where he also works as a hypnotherapist.

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Male, Unknown by C J Griffiths #MaleUnknown #CJGriffiths @noexitpress @RandomTTours #Book Review

 

EDIE CARTER. FORGIVE ME.

The four words carved into the body of an unidentified patient which bring the repressed childhood trauma of young trainee anaesthetist Edie Carter flooding back.

But what terrible secret does the sedated man fighting for his life in her intensive care unit hold?

And when she finds out, will she still want to save him?

Young doctor Edie Carter is bright, talented and ambitious. She is embarking on her dream career in anaesthetics and is engaged to a man who adores her. The one thing she doesn't have is a childhood. Suffering from traumatic repression, large parts of her past are blank spaces.

When an unidentified patient arrives in her intensive care unit with her name carved on his body, she realises that memories can refuse to stay buried. The man is unknown to Edie, but digging deeper, she discovers that the patient is Samuel Cox, a man imprisoned and brutalised over the last two decades for horrifying crimes he had committed.

As she investigates further, and begins to reveal Cox's motives, Edie realises that even those she trusts have been complicit in deceiving her.

With the lives of those closest to her at risk, is Edie ready for the truth of what happened all those years ago?

And will she do whatever it takes to keep it hidden?

Male, Unknown by C J Griffiths is published today; 11 September 2025 by No Exit Press. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

Male, Unknown is the debut novel from CJ Griffiths. His background is working in the NHS and his knowledge shines through in this tense and twisty thriller. I love the fact that our lead character, Edie, is a anaesthetist, something a little different. 

Edie suffers from traumatic repression and memory loss, there are huge swathes of her past that she does not remember. Although she is doing her dream job and is happily engaged she does struggle with her fragmented past and when a patient is admitted to intensive care with her name carved on his body, those hidden memories begin to surface. 

That patient is Samuel Cox, a brutalised convict and he has connections to Edie's past. As Edie investigates more she uncovers things about her loved one; betrayal, deception and the truth, at last. 

This is an unusual setting; the Intensive Care Unit makes the story feel more claustrophobic and the author expertly weaves NHS ethics and how a breach of trust can create terrible outcomes for those involved. 

From the dramatic opening, through to the unexpected finale, this is a tense, sometimes unsettling and at times, very dark thriller with themes of amnesia, dangerous pasts and internal conflicts. Edie is a flawed, yet compelling protagonist 

A fabulous debut. I look forward to reading more from this author. Recommended. 

C.J Griffiths has spent most of his working life in the NHS, as a paramedic, anaesthetic
practitioner and as part of a hospital resuscitation team. 

During his career he became fascinated with the unique level of trust involved in healthcare and was drawn to explore the darker side of medical ethics in his writing. 

He is the recipient of the Writers and Artists’ Working-Class Writers Prize and was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger Award. 

He lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife and children, and when not writing spends his time immersed in books, films and music.

Instagram @cjgriffithsauthor

The Vanishing Act by Jo Jakeman #TheVanishingAct @JoJakemanWrites @LittleBrownUK @HannahHargrave8 #BookReview

 

Life as a missing person is absolute murder...

When artist Eloise Ford hears that human remains found in an abandoned mine are believed to be those of long-missing teenager Elizabeth King, the shock sends her reeling.

It can't be true. Eloise knows this for a fact because... she is Elizabeth King.

Now, her carefully curated life in Cornwall is falling apart. Her husband is acting strangely, her children aren't speaking to her and she can't sell a painting for love nor money. But much more worrying are the signs that someone knows exactly who she is... and why she had to vanish thirty years ago.

Eloise needs answers. Is her son's ex-girlfriend just plain annoying... or does she know something? Will the detection skills of the online 'Truth Seekers' group prove more than amateurish? What's the real story behind those village newcomers?

And just how far would she go to keep her family, her friends, and her fraudulent life, safe?

The Vanishing Act by Jo Jakeman is published on 11 September 2025 by Constable. My thanks to the publisher, and publicist Hannah for my copy for review. 

This is one of the best books that I've read this year. I have been entertained, I have laughed, I have gasped at the twists, I have loved characters, I have hated characters. This is crime fiction laced with dry wit that is incredibly clever. 

Human remains have been found in an abandoned mine house, near to where Eloise lives in Cornwall. The media report that the remains have been identified as Elizabeth King, a teenager who went missing decades ago.  The community is shocked, but nobody is as shocked as Eloise because she knows the truth about Elizabeth. She is Elizabeth King, so that body certainly isn't. 

Whilst Eloise appears to have a great life in the small Cornish town she now calls home, she is struggling. Her husband Kim is acting in a strange way, her daughter is no longer speaking to her and her art gallery is not as successful as she would hope.  Add to this, the discovery of this body, and then another one and it becomes clear to Eloise that someone close knows far more about her than she is comfortable with. 

With the help of Molly; her son's ex-girlfriend, who she initially dislikes, and Molly's team of online detectives called the Truth Seekers, Eloise sets out to uncover the mystery and what follows is a clever, complex tale of intrigue, murder and long held secrets. 

The characters are drawn with precision, the Cornish setting is wonderful and the dialogue and pace is just perfect.  I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it. 

Born in Cyprus, Jo Jakeman worked for many years in London before settling
in Cornwall with her husband and sons.

When she's not writing or reading, Jo walks the coastal paths and plots the fictional downfall of those who have wronged her.

www.jojakeman.com

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The Sadder Side of Me by Claire Rowden #TheSadderSideofMe @secretWofabook @RandomTTours @secretworldofabook.bsky.social‬ #BookReview #BellsPalsy

 

In 'The Sadder Side of Me', I take you on a deeply personal journey through the unexpected onset of Bell's Palsy. One moment, life was ordinary; the next, an unfamiliar face stared back from the mirror. This harrowing experience unravels not only the physical struggle of losing control over half of my face, but also the profound day-to-day challenges with this and the emotional and psychological turmoil that ensued.

Through candid storytelling, I share the raw, unfiltered reality of grappling with this condition. As the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the initial shock gave way to a relentless battle with anxiety and self-doubt. Each chapter unfolds the intimate details of navigating a life turned upside down, from the medical maze of diagnosis and treatment to the ripple effects on relationships and family dynamics.

But this book is more than just a chronicle of suffering; it's a testament to resilience and the human spirit. Moments of hope, a journey into finding my cure after the NHS let me down, and the unwavering support of loved ones punctuated my journey. The Sadder Side of Me delves into the causes and complexities of Bell's palsy, providing insights into the condition that are both informative and enlightening.

Faced with adversity, I discover strength and courage within, revealing how I coped, adapted, and ultimately attempting on a daily basis to redefine my identity. The Sadder Side of Me is an interesting narrative that will resonate with anyone who has faced unexpected challenges, reminding us of all the enduring power of hope and perseverance.

The Sadder Side of Me by Claire Rowden was published on 19 November 2024. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

I have known the author, Claire for many years. We've only met in real life once, but she's a huge part of the book blogging / reviewing community on line. Her blog and Instagram; Secret World of a Book is wonderful. Packed with great reviews and beautiful graphics, Claire is one of the best. 

I was shocked to learn that Claire had suffered with Bell's Palsy. I had no idea that she had been so unwell, and I totally understand why she wanted to keep that to herself.  I've always thought how pretty Claire is and am especially envious of her wonderful curly hair, it must have been such a shock to her, to have her appearance altered so much by this disease that just strikes out of nowhere. 

Claire is a busy woman with a family of four children. Her children are all near in age and she has always juggled being a mum, a home maker, a keeper of animals, a wife and a book reviewer very well. When Bell's Palsy struck and one side of her face was paralysed, it was a horrendous experience for her. 

Written with honesty and clarity, this memoir follows Claire as she explores different avenues for treatment. Sadly let down by the NHS, she discovers acupuncture and despite a fear of needles, she embarks on a course.  Claire's fear is palpable and her bravery is outstanding. Not once does she give in.

The love and support of Claire's mother and sister shines through in the writing and it's so clear that they are a close trio who are always there for each other. There's no doubt that this journey would have been far more difficult for Claire without them. 

A brave, unflinching story of how Bell's Palsy changed a life. Recommended. 

Claire Rowden lives in Essex with her husband, their four children, seven cats, a Belgium Mali dog, two Peking ducks and a unique quartet of Silkie Showgirl chickens. 

Their household is a lively blend of love and laughter, reflecting Claire’s nurturing spirit and her passion for life.

Balancing family life with her professional aspirations, Claire is currently training to be a psychotherapist, driven by her deep desire to understand and support the emotional well-being of others. Her compassionate nature and insightful approach make her a natural in the field of mental health.

Claire is also an avid reader and a dedicated blogger. 

On her Instagram blog, Secretworldofabook, she shares her love for reading with a growing community of fellow book enthusiasts. 

Her blog is a vibrant space where she discusses her latest reads and connects with others who share her passion for literature.

When she’s not immersed in the world of books or her studies, Claire finds solace in nature. 

She loves spending time outdoors, finding peace and inspiration in the natural world around her.

The Transcendent Tide by Doug Johnstone #TheTranscedentTide @doug_johnstone @OrendaBooks‪ @dougjohnstone.bsky.social‬ @orendabooks.bsky.social‬ #BookReview

 

It’s been eighteen months since the Enceladons escaped the clutches of an American military determined to exterminate the peaceful alien creatures.

Lennox and Vonnie have been lying low in the Scottish Highlands, Ava has been caring for her young daughter Chloe, and Heather is adjusting to her new life with Sandy and the other Enceladons in the Arctic Ocean, off the coast of Greenland. But fate is about to bring them together again for one last battle.

When Lennox and Vonnie are visited by Karl Jensen, a Norwegian billionaire intent on making contact with the Encedalons again, they are wary of subjecting the aliens to further dangers. But when word arrives that Ava’s daughter has suffered an attack and might die without urgent help, they reluctantly make the trip to Greenland, where they enlist the vital help of local woman Niviaq. 

It's not long before they’re drawn into a complex web of lies, deceit and death. What is Karl’s company really up to? Why are sea creatures attacking boats? Why is Sandy acting so strangely, and why are polar bears getting involved? 

Profound, ambitious and immensely moving, The Transcendent Tide is the epic conclusion to the Encedalons Trilogy – a final showdown between the best and worst of humanity, the animal kingdom and the Encedalons. The future of life on earth will be changed forever, but not everyone will survive to see it…

The Transcendent Tide by Doug Johnstone was published on 14 August 2025 by Orenda Books and is the third and final instalment in the Encedalons Trilogy. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour 

It's really sad to come to end of a series of stories that I and many other readers have devoured and enjoyed so much. I'll be honest and admit that I've struggled to review all three of the books; Johnstone's writing is wonderful, his characters are incredible and his plotting is first class. However, there is so much more to these stories, so much written 'between the lines'. We can learn, we can recognise, we can feel every single emotion as we follow the human characters and their Enceladon mates through their journey. 

Johnstone is known for his Scottish settings in his novels, in The Transcendent Tide he takes his readers to Greenland. The sense of place is superbly done, so much so that at one time I really believed that I was reading a translated novel!  

It is eighteen months after the events of the previous book; The Collapsing Wave, and at first glance, things appear steady and peaceful for our characters. Ava is living quietly with young daughter Chloe whilst Vonnie and Lennox are up in the Highlands creating a home. Heather and Sandy are in Greenland, Heather being closer to Sandy than ever before. 

However, illness hits young Chloe and the group travel to Greenland, to the Enceladons in the hope that they can cure her.

And so, we stumble upon greed and power. We witness the evil that men can, and often do. We also see the power of love and of respect and empathy.  You are going to meet some loathsome characters who will do some horrific things, you are also going to meet some of the most loyal and understanding creatures too. Johnstone perfectly balances the good and the evil and totally mirrors exactly what is happening in our world in the present day. 

Quite simply, this series has been about being different to the norm. It has been about the power of the friendship group and also the destructive nature of those who hate. 

Doug Johnstone is, in my view, one of the greatest writers of our time. His ability to weave current social issues into entertaining, unique and impeccably written stories is second to none.  I am so sad that the series has ended but the ending is perfect. 

Doug Johnstone is the author of 18 previous novels, most recently Living Is a Problem (2024) and The Collapsing Wave (2024). 

The Big Chill (2020) was longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year, and Black Hearts was shortlisted for the same award. 

Three of his books, A Dark Matter (2020), Breakers (2019) and The Jump (2015), have been shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. 

He’s taught creative writing and been writer in residence at various institutions over the last decade, and has been an arts journalist for over twenty years. 

Doug is a songwriter and musician with six albums and three EPs released, and he plays drums for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. 

He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club, and has a PhD in nuclear physics. 

He lives in Edinburgh.

www.dougjohnstone.com

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One Man Down by Alex Pearl #OneManDown @AlexBPearl @Roundfirebooks @alexbpearl.bsky.social‬ #BookReview

 

The tale of a stumped policeman, a third man, and a well-placed shot. 

It’s 1984. Princess Diana has just given birth to her second child. 

The legendary comic Tommy Cooper has died on stage (quite literally). 

And Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle are gloriously oblivious to it all as they strive to enthral the nation with their television commercials for the advertising agency Gordon Deedes Rutter. 

But all is not as rosy as it might seem in the frenetic world of Soho. 

Following a disastrous presentation to a manufacturer of diarrhoea tablets, Lovejoy and Finkle let off steam by playing cricket for an old school friend - but in doing so, stumble upon a nest of vipers involving a gay vicar, a small-time antique fraudster, a photographer, and blackmail. 

There can only be one outcome and it’s going to entail murder.

One Man Down by Alex Pearl was published on 25 February 2025 by Roundfire Books. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review. 

I wouldn't say that I'm the target audience for this novel, and I'll stick my neck out and say that it will probably appeal more to male readers than female. Am I allowed to say that? Well, the book is set in the non-politically correct 1980s, in the world of advertising, so even if my comment is not allowed, it really fits in with the novel! 

It's a short book at less than two hundred pages and I read this in just a couple of sittings. It is one of those books that is filled with character so finely created, who get themselves into predicaments that you really need to know about with fabulous touches of humour and a sense of familiarity for those of us of a certain age. 

Whilst I did not work in advertising, I spent my fair share of time in offices in the 1980s and Alex Pearl transported me back there wonderfully!  Before the internet, before mobile phones, when we used filofaxes and strange sounding telex machines .... it's really well done. 

Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle work for the Gordon Deedes Rutter advertising agency. The hilarious opening of the story tells of their disastrous presentation to Gary Dixon, the manufacturer of diarrhoea tablets!  To try to forget all about it, they decide to get involved in a cricket match arranged by an old school friend. This is where all the fun begins ..... blackmail, fraud and murder are all involved. 

I really enjoyed my outing with Angus and Brian. The 1980s cultural references were great and for someone who lived through those times, it adds such authenticity to the story. There are themes of friendship and finding yourself running throughout which adds depth but doesn't take away from the excellent plotting and superb characters. 

I would certainly read more from Alex Pear. Recommended 

Alex's first novel 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds', a darkly humorous urban fantasy, written for children and young adults, was initially published by PenPress in 2011. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada. 

In 2014, his fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War was published by Mardibooks in its anthology, 'The Clock Struck War'. 

In 2019, his psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man', which is set in London in 2005 following the terrorist attack on its public transport system, was published by Fizgig Press in 2020, and was a Finalist in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards. 

During the Covid epidemic, Alex conducted 100 author interviews online in an attempt to delve into the backgrounds, motivations and working methods of authors across the globe. These interviews were published in 2022 under the title '100 Ways to Write a Book', and all author proceeds are being donated to PEN International. 

'A Brand to Die For' is his first comic murder mystery set in the London advertising world of 1983 and introduces readers to two unlikely and hapless protagonists, Angus Lovejoy and Brian Finkle. It is, in fact, the first murder mystery set in a London advertising agency since Dorothy L. Sayers penned 'Murder Must Advertise' back in 1933. His sequel, 'One Man Down', is published by Roundfire Books.

Alex lives in NW London with his wife and two children who are far smarter than their old man.

He is quite possibly the only human being on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.

Blood Like Ours by Stuart Neville @stuartneville @simonschusterUK #BloodLikeOurs #BookReview

Rebecca Carter is back from the dead. Lost and terrified, she is gripped by two desperate urges – to find her daughter, and to sate her ravenous hunger.

Alone in the wild, Monica Carter survives on whatever small prey she can hunt down. But she needs more. One night, drawn by the maddening scent of human blood, she encounters two young brothers, who call to her as Moonflower and tell her that if she comes with them, they will keep her safe.

But Jacob and Willard Hendry are not what they seem. They know all about dying and disappearing – after all, it’s been almost three decades since they did the same.

Rebecca’s hope for a reunion with her daughter turns to terror when she realizes that the brothers aren’t like Moonflower – they chose to be what they are, relishing the slaughter and leaving an increasingly bloody trail in their wake.

But as she chases them west, she isn’t alone on the road. FBI agent Sarah McGrath, haunted by the death of her partner Marc Donner moments after he killed Rebecca, is hot on her tail. McGrath wants answers, and she will stop at nothing to get them. But she never expected them to come from a shadowy figure within the Bureau… 

Blood Like Ours by Stuart Neville is published on 28 August 2025 by Simon & Schuster. I was lucky enough to buy an early copy at the St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend in Oxford earlier this month, and get my copy signed by the author. 

I read and reviewed the first in the Blood trilogy; Blood Like Mine, in August last year. It was one of my favourite books of last year and I raved about it to anyone who would listen. 

First, I advise anyone who is thinking about reading this one to read Blood Like Mine first. This is most definitely a follow-on and you get the full and complete back story from reading book one first. Blood Like Mine is out in paperback now, and readily available in all good book shops, and online. 

Rebecca Carter has been separated from her daughter Monica, known as Moonflower. Moonflower has fled, leaving her mother for dead. Rebecca is not only having to deal with a totally new situation for herself, making sure that she's fed (pie and chips will not do), she is also still on the FBI wanted list. So, she's facing a whole host of issues; tracking down her young daughter, keeping herself well and avoiding capture by FBI Agent Sarah McGrath.

Moonflower has never had friends, she and Rebecca always kept themselves isolated, concentrating on keeping Moonflower sustained. Now she's alone and has met two brothers. These are not ordinary boys, they feel like they know so much about her, they understand her. However, their motives are not great and it soon becomes clear that Moonflower is in a lot of danger. Neville expertly weaves the two boys back story into the narrative by using diary entries from a woman in the 1980s, it's clever and often emotional, adding depth and a new dimension to what is already a multi layered and complex story. 

Crime meets horror, meets the occult. Once again Stuart Neville has produced a novel of the finest quality. He never holds back, there's gore and there's violence, but there is also stories of humanity and of love and devotion. 

Magnificent and will be up there on my list of my books of the year. Already desperate for book three. 

Stuart Neville's debut novel, The Twelve (published in the USA as The Ghosts of Belfast), won the Mystery/Thriller category of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was picked as one of the top crime novels of 2009 by both the New York Times and the LA Times. 

He has since published ten more critically acclaimed books, two of which were under the pen name Haylen Beck, and a collection of short stories. 

He has been shortlisted for several awards, including the MWA Edgar Award for Best Novel, the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, the Barry, Macavity, and Dilys awards, and the Irish Book Awards Crime Novel of the Year.

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