Thornby Manor by Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes #ThornbyManor @BramwellLawes @OrendaBooks #BookReview #Gothic #Mystery

 

There – suddenly – was Thornby Manor.

I would never forget the first time I saw it…

A talisman of darkness, an emblem of death.

Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel.

As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls.

Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets.

A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions.

Thornby Manor by Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes was published on 23 April 2026 by Orenda Books and is the author's debut novel. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Virtual Book Tour. 

The excitement in discovering a new author makes me feel a bit dizzy! And when a debut novel is as wonderful and beautifully written as Thornby Manor it's even more of a joy. 

For me, this book brings some of my most loved things; a debut female author, a crime thriller, dark and gothic and what I especially love - the manor as a character. I mean, it even says in my Instagram bio about my loves 'house as characters'! 

Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes has created something truly special with Thornby Manor, a gloriously gothic tale that completely swept me away from the very first page. Rich in atmosphere and dripping with mystery, this is one of those novels that feels tailor-made for ME!

The setting is Warwickshire in 1891, and we follow Briar Monroe who has recently been orphaned and left with nowhere to turn. She accepts the protection of Lord Danville at Thornby Manor. From the moment she arrives at the estate, Briar just knows that something is wrong beneath the surface. The mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville hangs heavily over the household, the servants are scared, and the tension between Lord Danville and his son Gabriel is impossible to ignore. As strange occurrences begin to unsettle Briar further, she finds herself drawn into a web of secrets, suspicion and danger.

Briar is such a wonderfully drawn character. Intelligent, vulnerable, determined and brave. It was such a thrill to join her in the strange world of Thornby Manor, where every corridor seems to hold another secret. The sense of unease is there from the beginning and increases so much as the story unfolds.

And Thornby Manor itself! The house feels alive in the very best gothic tradition; imposing, haunting, utterly unforgettable, and just perfect for a house fan such as me! This author has an incredible talent for creating mood and atmosphere. The mist-covered lake, the locked doors, the whispers in the night and the constant feeling that someone is always watching create such a tension.

The relationships within the house are fascinating, I really enjoyed the strange dynamic between Lord Danville and his son Gabriel. The mystery at the heart of the novel is beautifully handled too, with just enough clues scattered throughout to keep me guessing while never losing that creeping gothic dread.

The writing is elegant and immersive, perfectly capturing the feel of late Victorian England without ever becoming heavy. Fans of novels such as Jane Eyre, Rebecca and The Silent Companions will find so much to love here.  Thornby Manor really is a confident and captivating debut.

Dark, atmospheric and impossible to put down, this is a novel that lingers long after the final page. Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes is definitely an author to watch, and I already cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes grew up in the historic city of Bath and studied History and Ancient History at Exeter University. 

A lifelong love of literature led to a career in publishing in 2009, and her passion for books has only continued to grow ever since. 

Her favourite novels include Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, and anything by Tracy Chevalier. 

She currently lives in Warwickshire with her husband and a small feline dictator named Ruby. 

Thornby Manor is her debut novel.

Wonderful by Louise Beech #wonderful @louise_beech_swanson @LouiseWriter #MarilynMonroe #Hull #BookReview

 

A Hollywood idol. The Virgin Mary. An everyday girl from Hull.

Three women, three eras, surprising things in common...

On 4th August 1962, the night she should have died, Marilyn Monroe – the biggest star in the world – receives a visitor who changes the course of her destiny. The Virgin Mary appears in her kitchen with a curious message. Inspired, Marilyn abandons her home, her life, her fame, and disappears into the night…

Fifty-four years later, in a Hull kitchen, Flora Baker finds Mary, bathed in light. She has a similar message for the working class woman who is on the poverty line and dreaming of a better life. Flora begins to make changes that impact not only her life but the lives of those around her…

Do Marilyn and Flora have more in common than just Mary’s visit? Are they somehow linked across time? And is Mary’s message for all the women of the world?

Wonderful is about the way women are portrayed in both history and the world of celebrity, about women not being quiet, and about women united by the shared stories that shape them.

Wonderful by Louise Beech is published by Pick Lock Publishing on 1 June 2026 - this would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th Birthday. 

I have read every book that Louise Beech has had published. She is the queen of the cross genre; her books cannot really be categorised ; her stories range from crime thrillers, family sagas, gay love story, dystopia and also her own memoir. 

Wonderful is another novel that we cannot put into a box. It's a literary tale of two women, with a touch of recent history and a sprinkle of magical realism. The premise is intriguing and the entire novels read as a homage to Marilyn, and that's what it is. The author's love for this Hollywood icon shines through in the writing, but it's not just about Marilyn, it's also a story of the ordinary woman - and how despite fame and stature, women share so many experiences and feelings. 

From the opening pages, there’s an almost dreamlike quality to the storytelling. Marilyn Monroe is depicted not as the glittering icon the world thinks it knows, but as a vulnerable woman desperate for escape, peace and understanding. She is written with warmth and humanity, we see through the layers of fame and find someone so lonely and searching for more in life. The historical detail woven through Marilyn’s sections are beautifully and perfectly structured, and it is so easy to become emotionally invested in her story.

Alongside Marilyn is Flora, living a very different life in Hull years later. Flora’s struggles feel so real and relevant to the current times. There are financial worries and complicated family dynamics. You could almost see parts of yourself in Flora. 

What makes Wonderful really shine is the way Louise Beech explores womanhood and identity, and connections. There's magic running throughout the novel, but it never overshadows the reality and emotions.  Instead, these aspects enhance the story’s warmth and sense of possibility. She deals with themes of reinvention, resilience and compassion through the narrative, giving the novel real emotional depth.

The writing is, as always, so atmospheric and emotionally intelligent. She has a remarkable understanding of human vulnerability and writes with such empathy that even the smallest moments mean so much. There are scenes here that linger long after the final page, not because they are dramatic, but because I felt them in my heart.

Wonderful is exactly that; original, moving and filled with hope. It is a novel that invites readers to look beyond appearances and reminds us that even the most ordinary lives can contain something extraordinary.

Louise Beech is the author of nine novels and a memoir, Eighteen Seconds (2023). 

Her debut, How to be Brave, was a Guardian Readers’ Pick; The Lion Tamer Who Lost shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Awards 2019 and longlisted for the Polari Prize that same year; Call Me Star Girl was Best magazine’s Book of the Year; This Is How We Are Human was a Clare Mackintosh Book Club pick; and audiobook Daffodils shortlisted for the Audies23. 

Wonderful, which imagines if Marilyn Monroe had lived, is released on Marilyn's 100th birthday, 1st June 2026. 

Louise's dystopian thrillers, End of Story and Lights Out, are written as Louise Swanson.

Call of the Isles - A Scottish Anthology #calloftheisles @tantallon_2001 @tantallontir @randomthingstours #scottishanthology #shortstories

 

From St Kilda to Samoa, Call of the Isles sails into islands beset with grief, violence, hope, regret, and recovery. 

It is a stunning set of stories from the best Scottish and Scotland-based writers in the world.

The islands are calling.

The anthology features the work of: Donald Adamson, Rory Allison, Ricky Monahan Brown, Peter Burnett, Neil Cocker, Maggie Colquhoun, Morag Coyle, JS Daly, John Dean, JP Dolan, Scott Ferguson, Mirri Glasson-Darling, Stephanie Garcia, Stephen Kingston, Coinneach MacIntyre, Charles McGarry, Liam McLeod, Eilidh McIntosh, Jamie David McLean, David McVey, Ewan Morrison, Kate Peel, Roger David Smith, Rose Campbell-Smith, Robin Montgomery-Smith, Andrew Tagg, Dickson Telfer, Douglas Thompson, LG Thomson, and Les Wilson.

Call of the Isles - a Scottish anthology edited by John Gerard Fagan was published on 1 May 2026 by Tantallon Tir. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

I really enjoy collections of short stories, I should read them more often!  I was intrigued when I read the blurb for this one, I'm a fan of Scottish fiction and jumped at the chance to read it. It's just over 100 pages so the perfect size to snuggle down with and read in one go. 

This outstanding anthology from an exciting new Scottish publisher brings together some of Scotland’s finest contemporary writers, all exploring the unique character of island life with remarkable skill and imagination.

I really admire short story writers, it's an incredible skill to be able to create a vivid, compelling story in just a few pages. There are thirty-two tales in this anthology, in just 103 pages, that tells you just how short they are. 

Each story is really vividly told, they are filled with memorable characters, authentic dialogue, and rich and  atmospheric landscapes that took me to these remote settings. I was really interested in the use of Scots language, and felt that this adds warmth, and a really strong sense of place throughout.

What I really loved about this anthology is the way the stories seem to capture both the beauty and the isolation of island communities. There is a powerful feeling of separation, and isolation from the wider world, which felt quite intense. There's a darkness to some of the stories, which can be unsettling, yet others were  humorous and up lifting. Without at doubt, they are all so beautifully created. This is such an enjoyable little read.

** There are detailed biographies of all of the contributing authors, at the back of the book.

Call of the Isles is a Scottish anthology curated and published by Glasgow-based publisher Tantallon Tìr, founded by brothers John Gerard Fagan and Michael Anthony Fagan.

www.tantillontir.com

Happily Ever After by Mary Horlock #HappilyEverAfter @maryhorlock @baskervillejmp @randomthingstours #BookReview

 

Nobody told her that marriage would be murder . . .

Ned Wheeler was devoted to his family. He was also convicted and jailed for murder.

After spending three decades in prison, Ned's up for parole. But this is not his story. It's about Joan, the wife who was fooled by his good looks and charm; Cass, the daughter who wants nothing more to do with him; and Florence, the woman who wants the world to know she's saved him.

Moving seamlessly between contemporary London, the hedonistic hippy summer of 1970 and the small world of 1980s Isle of Wight, Mary Horlock has delivered an utterly gripping and moving thriller about love, loss and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive.

Happily Ever After by Mary Horlock was published in paperback on 9 April 2026 by Baskerville, the hardback was published in July last year. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

There were three things that initially drew me to this book. That incredible cover - it has such a 1970s hippy vibe to it, I love it. Then there's the strapline; 'Nobody told her that marriage would be murder...' - I mean, who can resist that one?  And finally, Mary Horlock is a new author to me, whilst this is not her first book, I've not read her before and I love to discover new authors. 

I have not been disappointed. Whilst this novel is most definitely a mystery tale, it is, first and foremost, the story of a family. A family that is shattered into many pieces when Ned Wheeler; husband to Joan and father to Cass, is imprisoned for murder.

We are introduced to Joan, Cass, and Ned's fiancee Florence thirty years later. Ned is about to be released and the impact of that on each of these women is profound. 

Cleverly structured, the author takes her readers back to the hedonistic days of festivals and fun, when Ned and Joan met first, fell in love and married.  This is told though Joan's voice, in her writings to her daughter Cass.  Cass and Joan have been estranged for many years and Joan dearly wishes to see her again. 

Cass has had a life of therapy and unease. She's married to a man who adores her and she is determined that she will never see her mother, or her father again. She's finding it difficult to deal with the thought of him being free again. 

We come to know Florence through her podcasts. Deeply religious, she was drawn to Ned when he became 'born again'. She broadcasts her hopes about their future. Some listeners applaud and some scorn her. 

There are glorious twists that thrill, there's a hint of sardonic humour and there are links to the fairy tales that we are all familiar with.  The novel has the grip of a thriller and the emotional depth of a tragic family story. Recommended by me. 

Mary Horlock was born in Australia but brought up in Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
She was previously a curator in contemporary art at Tate Liverpool and Tate Britain, and she was for a time the curator of the Turner Prize, the Tate’s annual prize for contemporary art awarded to an artist under 50. 

Her novel, the Book of Lies, was long-listed for the Guardian First Book Award and described as a ‘sizzling debut’ by the Times. 

She lives with her family in London.

The Ossians by Doug Johnstone #TheOssians @writerdougj @orendabooks #20YearsofDougJohnstone #RocknRollFiction #Scotland

 

A last-chance winter road trip for a Scottish band spirals into wild chaos – seagull massacres, bomb tests, and darkly funny rock 'n' roll madness on the edge. A raw, darkly funny novel by one of Scotland's finest authors – newly reissued!

Connor is twenty-four, brilliant, broken, and out of control. He's the swaggering frontman of The Ossians, a Scottish indie band on the brink of signing a major record deal.

Desperate to make their mark, they head off on a two-week winter tour across the cities and hinterlands of Scotland – a last-ditch attempt to find fame, purpose, and themselves.

But the tour soon spirals into a surreal, chaotic odyssey. From seedy bars and snowbound towns to a final, defining Glasgow gig, the band hurtles through a whirlwind of seagull massacres, botched drug deals, a mysterious stalker, radioactive beaches, bomb-testing ranges, epileptic fits, riotous Russian submariners, deadly storms, epiphanies, regular beatings and random shootings.

Raw, darkly funny and wild with energy, The Ossians is a gloriously anarchic story of rock'n'roll obsession, national identity and self-destruction, and what it means to belong – in a band, in a country, in a life unravelling at speed.

The Ossians by Doug Johnstone was published by Orenda Books on 9 April 2026. It was originally published by Viking in 2008 and is part of the celebration of #20YearsofDougJohnstone. The forward is written by Val McDermid. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour 

I am thrilled that Orenda decided to re-publish Doug's early books. I am a huge fan of his novels published by Orenda, and it has been a treat to read his early works. I was a little anxious at first, wondering if the voice would be the same. I really had no need to worry, both Tombstoning and The Ossians have been a pleasure to read. 

I would have known this book was written by Doug Johnstone, even if I didn't know ... does that make sense?? 

Generally known for his crime fiction, The Ossians is more of a coming of age, road trip, hallucinatory novel, and whilst yet, crimes are committed, it is not a crime story.  I turned over corners of pages that contained phrases that I wanted to quote, however, I turned over so many that I would have almost quoted the entire book! 

The Ossians are a Scottish band made up of Connor, his best mate Danny, his girlfriend Hannah and his sister Kate. They are about to embark on a winter tour of Scotland - winter, Scotland - yes, that's just the start of some of the mystifying decisions that Connor takes, and actually, it's not by any means the worse. 

Connor is told in the book that it sounds like he doesn't like Scotland, due to his lyrics and his regular rants. This novel does really feel like a love letter to Scotland, written by a person who doesn't like Scotland!  However,  I know that Doug doesn't hate Scotland at all, but what he excels at is showing the country in it's real light. Stripping it of it's tartan covered shortbread biscuit tins and the bagpipes and describing the issues and reality that face the ordinary people - behind the tourist attractions. It is done so so well, and Scotland really is a massive character in itself. 

The story is gritty, and dark, with touches of poignancy and a lot swearing. Connor is a total fuck-up, his various addictions lead him into shit loads of trouble and he finds himself in the role of drug mule whilst touring, He has to pay his debts somehow.  Whilst he is totally and utterly flawed and would drive anyone crazy, the reader cannot help but back him for some reason. He's so well created, along with all of the band members, and the supporting cast. Another Johnstone skill; the creation of realistic character who you often hate but always want to know what happens to them. 

A gritty, drug-fuelled rock ’n’ roll journey through modern Scotland, blending seedy nightlife with clear and precise reflections on identity, myth, and culture. Dark yet compelling, it captures the nation with atmospheric beauty, raw energy, and an oddly joyful sense of chaos.

Highly recommended. 

Doug Johnstone is the author of nineteen novels, many of which have been bestsellers.

The Space Between Us was chosen for BBC Two’s Between the Covers, while six of his

But Grundleger has been working on something even more radical books have been shortlisted or longlisted for the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year or the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year. 

Doug has taught creative writing or been writer in residence at universities, schools, writing retreats, festivals, prisons and a funeral directors. He’s also been an arts journalist for twenty-five years. He is a songwriter and musician with ten albums released, and drummer for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers.

He’s also co-founder of the Scotland Writers Football Club.

Better Off Dead by Sean Watkin #BetterOffDead @seanwatkinauth @seanwatkinauthor @canelo_co #BookReview #DCIDeSilva #CrimeThriller

 

The emotional fallout from their last case has left DCI de Silva and DS Barclay's lives in tatters. Barclay's marriage has failed and de Silva is still haunted by the loss of her husband and wondering whether she ever really knew him.

When the National Crime Agency takes over their investigation, the duo are reassigned to a cold case. A dismembered body found in Formby woods. Hidden for decades. And then, another body is discovered.

As they dig deeper into the identities of the victims, they uncover a tangled web of awful crimes. And they learn that they can't trust anyone even those closest to them.

A dark and gritty crime thriller, perfect for fans of Luca Veste, M. W. Craven and Russ Thomas.

Better Off Dead by Sean Watkin was published on 26 January 2026 by Canelo Crime. I bought my signed copy from the Stockport Noir Crime Fiction Festival earlier this year. 

I read and reviewed the first in this series; Black Water Rising in December of last year. I've been looking forward to finding out what the author had in store for this amazing detective duo and read this whilst I was away on holiday in Portugal.

I don't think there's a better feeling for a crime fiction fan than when you discover a new author, and when that author seems to improve, even though his first book was amazing, then it's even better. The first in this series was great, but oh my goodness, this one is out of this world. It ticks every single box for me.  The gritty Northern setting of Liverpool, with a pair of detectives who are both flawed, who both have their own demons, but who are both dedicated to catching the murderer that's putting fear into the streets. 

I would advise that readers find the first book if they haven't already. Whilst you could read this as a standalone, there are links to earlier events and having prior knowledge of these really adds to the story, in my view. 

I said it last time and I will repeat myself here, this is NOT COSY CRIME! If you love authors such as MW Craven, then this series is for you. The author doesn't spare his readers, we are privy to some dark and emotional themes here, yet they are handled with care and empathy, with compassion for the victims but also vitriol to the perpetrators. 

de Silva and Barclay are given a cold case; investigating the discovery of a dismembered body that has obviously been buried for years. It soon becomes clear that this may be connected to other similar cases in the area. There's lots to uncover here, and whilst the detectives are working on these cases, they are also dealing with their own problems and issues, and for both of them these two parts of their lives will clash. 

The writing is sublime, the character creation is top notch and the plotting is perfect. Fast becoming one of my favourite authors, and series and I highly recommend it. 

Sean Watkin was born and raised in Liverpool and studied a BA and MA in Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University. 

He has been shortlisted for Fresher Writing Award, Book a Break Prize, Bristol Short Story Prize and the McDermid Debut Award. 

His writing has been featured in The Gay UK magazine, and The Content Wolf e-zine, as well as other LGBT+ publications. 

Sean lives in Liverpool with his partner and two dogs.

A Far-Flung Life by M L Stedman BOOK TOUR #AFarFlungLife #MLStedman @DoubledayUK @RandomTTours #BookReview

 

One ordinary day, on a lonely road, under the unending blue sky, patriarch Phil MacBride swerves to avoid a kangaroo. In seconds the lives of the entire MacBride family are shattered.

Fate comes for them again, in a twist of consequences that will cause one of them to lose their life, and another to sacrifice theirs for the sake of an innocent child.

Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a moral and emotional journey, as he is forced to choose between love and duty, sacrifice and happiness.

A sweeping, heart-wrenching, warm-hearted novel of family and belonging, of compassion and hope, and a powerful testament to the enduring strength of love.

A Far-Flung Life by M L Stedman was published in hardback on 5 March 2026 by Doubleday. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour 

This is going to be such a difficult review to write, and it's times like this when I wonder how I ever thought that becoming a book reviewer was a good idea!   That is certainly not because this book is a bad book, it's because it's a book that has totally and utterly enthralled me, from beginning to end. 

Hands up, I am one of the few people that didn't read The Light Between The Oceans by this author. I have no idea why, I suspect that I have a copy on my shelf.  I'm cross that I've not read it, but also happy that I now have it to look forward to.

So, this novel!  What an absolutely heart wrenching and beautifully told story this it. It is an extraordinary novel that I will never forget, set in an isolated place that is a character in its own right. 

Readers should be aware that the author has tackled some emotionally draining and dark issues within her story, there are scenes that are difficult to read, yet she has done it with such skill and empathy that it doesn't jar the reader. I believe that we shouldn't hide away issues, and that fiction can deal with human affairs so very well. 

This is the story of a family.  They work a million-acre sheep station, Meredith Dawns,  in outback Western Australia. Phil, Lorna and their two sons and a daughter are carrying on the family business that generations before them have established. It is tough, yet it is a beautiful place. 

The family is torn apart by a tragic incident in 1958, and the novel looks at the fall out from that day. The author doesn't spare her characters; they suffer. The utter grief of Lorna mixed up with young Rosie's guilt and anguish is sometimes unbearable, yet the writing is so wonderful and the characters so expertly created that I was compelled to continue, turning the pages so quickly.  We see Matt take on the head of the family role despite his own scars, and it is his discovery of something so abhorrent to him that thrusts the plot on. There's a small cast of supporting characters who complement the story, adding their own narrative and struggles to the novel. 

This is a magnificent story. Yes, there are issues that are difficult to read about but it us an unforgettable story of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives . . . and it's also a masterfully crafted.

I defy you not to be in tears by the end of this book. Highly recommended

M L Stedman was born and raised in Western Australia and now lives in London. 

Her first novel, The Light Between Oceans, was a Sunday Times, New York Times and international bestseller and won the Goodreads Choice Best Historical Novel Award and the HWA Goldsboro Crown Debut. 

It was also longlisted for the Women’s Prize and the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin literary award and shortlisted as an Amazon Rising Star. 

In Australia, it won the Indie Best Debut and the Indie Best Book awards and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and the Literary Society Gold Medal. 

The Light Between Oceans has been published in around forty-five languages and has sold nearly five million copies worldwide. 

It was made into a Dreamworks film starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, produced by Heyday Films. 

A Far-flung Life is M L Stedman’s second novel, to be published worldwide.