The Killer's Mark by W M Craven #thekillersmark @m.w.craven @mwcravenuk @littlebrowngroup_uk #WashingtonPoe #PoeandTilly #Bookreview

 

A MONSTER. A MOTHER. A MURDER?

When Vice Admiral Boyer, RN (retd) died without leaving a will, his estranged daughter inherited his - not inconsiderable - estate. Called home to sort through his belongings, she found an AegisBox - a tamper proof safe within a safe designed to self-destruct if anyone without the code attempts to open it. Unable to walk away without the truth, she uncovered something so horrifying it launched the biggest investigation in the National Crime Agency's history. Five years later, Washington Poe is unwittingly, and unwillingly, sucked into its gravity...

Finally able to escape the authority they railed against, Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are enjoying their new jobs as private detectives or - as the sign on their door says - 'Gumshoes for Hire'. When a teenage girl walks into their office, looking for the mother she long believed to be dead, they agree to take the case. As Poe and Tilly investigate the girl's claims, they find themselves drawn into a murky world of trafficking, pornography and prostitution. Will they be able to help the girl find her mother, or will the dark forces at work, who will stop at nothing to protect themselves, get there first...

The Killer's Mark by M W Craven is published on 13 August 2026 by Constable and is book eight in the Washington Poe series. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.

There is an army of Poe and Tilly fans out here who eagerly wait for the next book in this series. I am a loyal foot soldier in that army. Every summer we are treated to another episode,  and every summer we wonder just what the author has in store for his characters and for us. 

The Killer's Mark finds Washington Poe and his colleague Tilly Bradshaw heading up their own private investigation business, or as it states on their sign;  'gumshoes for hire'.

Both Poe and Tilly have changed over the years; they are now able to be their own boss, although Tilly is still contracted to do some very high profile, and confidential work for MI5. Whilst Poe still owns his isolated cottage on the moors, he now lives in his new wife Estelle's ancestral stately home - with a butler! What hasn't changed at all is their relationship and it is as warm and as darkly funny as ever, in fact I laughed out loud more times than I can remember! 

Poe is affected by events from past books, his vulnerabilities do show through and he's loathe to take on new cases. He'll find every excuse to turn away a client. including the fact that he thinks that they look like Ken Dodd (IYKYK)! 

And then, from the moment fifteen-year-old Esmeree Blue appears on Poe and Tilly's doorstep, it's obvious that this isn't going to be an ordinary case. Clutching a wallet and armed with plenty of attitude, she confidently hands over £90 and asks them to find her missing mother, Oceane Blue.

It's an unusual request, and one that immediately captures Poe's attention. Esmeree is a fabulous character; sharp, determined and she is impossible to ignore. However, what initially looks like a straightforward missing persons investigation soon takes an unexpected turn. Before long, Poe and Tilly are drawn into something much darker and far more dangerous than either of them could have imagined.

As the mystery deepens, the tension builds beautifully, with twists and surprises around every corner. Finding Oceane is only part of the challenge; staying one step ahead of the danger that surrounds them may prove to be the biggest test of all.

One of the many reasons why I love this series so much is the author's ability to balance the darker aspects of the story with perfectly judged humour. Just when the tension threatens to become overwhelming, there's a witty exchange or a moment of banter that reminds you why these characters are so special.

Poe and Tilly remain one of crime fiction's most fabulous partnerships, they're an absolute joy to spend time with. Theres is also an impressive supporting cast, and it's always a pleasure to see familiar faces reappear. They add real depth and warmth to the novels, making each new instalment feel like catching up with old friends.

However, don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy read! Underneath that humour lies a dark, gripping and often unsettling story. The investigation is packed with twists, mounting tension and real danger, while tackling some difficult subjects, including abuse, organised crime, trafficking and murder. It's compelling, thought-provoking and, at times, impossible to put down.

Brava Craven, you did it again! Highly recommended. 

Multi-award-winning author M.W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle.

He joined the army at sixteen, leaving ten years later to complete a social work degree. Seventeen years after taking up a probation officer role in Cumbria, at the rank of assistant chief officer, he became a full-time author. 

He is an instant Sunday Times bestseller and, for his Cumbria-set Washington Poe series, a recipient of the 2019 Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger, the 2022 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023. The series has now been translated into twenty-seven languages

Instagram: @m.w.craven

Twitter :@mwcravenuk

Facebook: MikeCravenAuthor

The Quickening by Claire McGowan #thequickening @clairemcgowanwriter @littlebrowngroup_uk #bookreview #dystopian

 

Your body. Their Choice.

The Hope Party's new laws have transformed Great Britain: the countryside rewilded, children's rights prioritised, and births on the rise. But freedom is fading.

Karen has learned to navigate this new world, keeping her head down as her fertility is constantly monitored. As her husband's career thrives, while hers stalls. As her son is drawn into misogynist groups. Like everyone else, she's too frightened to speak up.

Until her teenage daughter reveals a life-changing secret: she's pregnant. With abortion and contraception banned, her future has gone up in flames. But Karen won't let this happen - Charlotte is going to have the life she lost.

Karen turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who's initially reluctant to help. But when they learn Charlotte's pregnancy is ectopic and life-threatening, the stakes skyrocket. The three women go on the run, getting deeper into danger with every hour that passes. With powerful enemies on their tail, they will risk everything in a desperate fight for freedom, and for life.

The Quickening is a powerful exploration of motherhood, sacrifice, and the terrifying cost of complicity. For fans of Vox, Red Clocks, and The Handmaid's Tale.

The Quickening by Claire McGowan was published on 9 July 2026 by Corsair / Little Brown.  My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review. 

When I read the publicist's push for this book and she mentioned how we're living in a time where fertility tracking apps have faced serious questions about how they use personal data, social media platforms have removed accounts sharing abortion information and queer content, and the return of 'trad wife' culture, I was sold. It makes The Quickening feel remarkably close to home, and all the more unsettling because of it. Add on the references to The Handmaid's Tale and I was doubly sold! 

Although set in 2040, this is a novel that feels uncomfortably close to the world we already know.

Great Britain has been transformed under the rule of the Hope Party. Birth rates are increasing, and the government celebrates a return to traditional family values. Yet beneath the surface, personal freedoms have disappeared. Women's bodies are monitored, contraception and abortion are against the law, and fear influences everything that they do.

Karen has spent years trying to protect her family by keeping her head down. Her husband has embraced the opportunities offered by this new society, while Karen has watched her own dreams slowly slip away. When her teenage daughter Charlotte reveals that she is pregnant, Karen knows that everything is about to change. Desperate to help her daughter, she turns to her sister Isobel, a doctor who finds herself facing an impossible decision. Together, the three women are drawn into a race against time where every choice carries enormous consequences.

One of the things I loved most about this novel was its characters. Karen is such a believable woman, someone who has convinced herself that staying quiet is the safest option until silence is no longer possible for her, and her daughter. Charlotte is so determined and hopeful, and Isobel's story highlights the heartbreaking dilemmas faced by those working in such an oppressive system. Their relationships feel real, and it is impossible not to become emotionally involved with each of them.

Claire McGowan keeps the tension high throughout the story. The pace is excellent, the chapters certainly had me thinking  'just one more', and the world she has created feels frighteningly plausible because it stems from issues we are already talking about today.

This is the sort of novel that stays with you long after you have closed the book. It is gripping, emotional and thought provoking, while also delivering all the pace and suspense of an outstanding thriller. I can already imagine The Quickening creating lively discussion in book groups.  Highly recommended.

Claire McGowan published her first novel in 2012 and followed it up with many others in the crime fiction genre, as well as in women's fiction - writing as Eva Woods. 

She has had three radio plays broadcast on Radio 4, and her thrillers, What You Did and The Other Wife both went to number one on Kindle in the US and UK.

The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain #thecastleofstories @mattcainwriter @pansybooksuk @randomthingstours #bookreview #virtualbooktour

 

Stories don’t always unfold the way you expect them to…

When 45-year-old Adam inherits a rundown farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he didn’t know existed, he quits his job in Manchester to renovate the property. He’s thrilled his boyfriend of two years, newly divorced and out-of-the-closet Theo, is joining him. But Theo’s ex-wife says she can’t take their children for the summer, so they come too. As the temperature rises, so does the tension. The kids are hostile to Adam, immune to the beauty of the rural location – and scared of the resident lizards.

As Adam explores the crumbling walls of the castle and sorts through his uncle’s possessions, he discovers some dark family secrets. But could they finally allow him to break free from the pain of the past, start building a new family and open a life of queer joy?

THE CASTLE OF STORIES is a moving, heartwarming and uplifting novel about modern family in all its forms, what it means to love, and the importance of understanding your own story.

The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain was published on 21 May by Pansy. I purchased my copy from Waterstone's. I am delighted to share my review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Virtual Book Tour 

I have been a fan of Matt Cain for quite a few years now and his novel The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I was delighted to hear that Matt had recently opened his own publishing company; Pansy, and The Castle of Stories is their first publication. 

Matt Cain has such a wonderful gift for writing stories that are full of heart and humanity, and The Castle of Stories is another absolute triumph. Warm, rich and so uplifting, this is a novel that completely swept me away from the very first page and held me there until the ending.

The story follows Adam, who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling farmhouse and castle in the Tuscan countryside from a great uncle he never knew. Leaving behind his life in Manchester, he heads to Italy with his boyfriend Theo, he dreams of restoring the castle and beginning a new life together. Their plans take an unexpected turn when Theo's children join them for the summer, this creates a household filled with complicated emotions, with strained relationships, and becomes really challenging. Alongside the restoration work, Adam begins uncovering long hidden family secrets, and this adds another compelling layer to an already captivating story.

Matt Cain has created a cast of characters who feel so very real. Adam is an easy protagonist to believe in, he is both determined, yet quite vulnerable.  Theo is also easy to engage with as he navigates the complexities of parenthood and a new relationship. Watching the family dynamics evolve is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Every character feels believable, flawed and deeply human, making it impossible not to become really emotionally involved in their journey.

The Tuscan setting is simply glorious. The sun soaked countryside, the neglected farmhouse and the mysterious old castle provide such a beautiful backdrop. The location becomes such an important part of the story, filled with atmosphere and history. I could almost feel the warmth of the sunshine and picture every ancient stone and winding pathway.

Beneath its engaging plot there is a thoughtful exploration of family, identity, belonging and the stories that shape who we become. There is plenty of emotion throughout, balanced perfectly with moments of humour, tenderness and optimism. Matt Cain writes with such warmth and compassion that every page feels so real and so heartfelt.

The Castle of Stories is a beautifully told novel about love in all its forms, the courage to embrace change and the joy of finding where you truly belong. It is an uplifting, unforgettable read that I absolutely loved and I will be recommending to everyone.

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster and leading commentator on LGBTQ+ issues. He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Lorraine. He’s a patron of LGBT+ History Month, has received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University, addressed the Cambridge Union, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture.

Matt’s bestselling novels include The Madonna Of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and One Love. His latest, The Castle of Stories, is set in the Italian property that has become his second home. Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt’s main home is in London with his husband Harry and their dog, Teddy.

Pansy is an independent LGBTQ+ publisher founded by novelist Matt Cain and Harry Glasstone, who’s spent more than twenty years working with small and growing businesses. The name was inspired by a homophobic slur, reclaiming the term as an act of empowerment. As this suggests, the ethos behind Pansy is political and disruptive, as well as being playful and fun.

The publisher will launch with the release of The Castle of Stories in June 2026, a few weeks after the book is released by Matt’s long-term traditional publisher in the US. Following this, Pansy will open up to other queer authors of fiction - avoiding niche or literary titles to target readers with more mainstream tastes. In doing so, it will respond to a major need in the publishing industry, which has often neglected or under-resourced queer-themed books classed as ‘commercial’, underestimating their potential readership and clipping the wings of LGBTQ+ authors. Pansy is here to overturn that belief and to put queer authors first.

Behind The Throne by Chris Sedgwick #VirtualBookTour #AuthorInterview #ChrisSedgwick @randomthingstours #HistoricalNonFiction

 

This book covers English history from the late ninth century, when England was being unified into a single country, to the late seventeenth century, when it abolished absolute monarchy.

It is focused, not on monarchs or wars, but on powerful or creative men and women who were not monarchs (although including some consorts) – from Dunstan of Glastonbury to William Marshal, Robert Grosseteste to Robert Hooke, Eleanor of Aquitaine to Philippa of Hainault, Simon de Montfort to John Lilburne.

At the start of this period, there was an unwritten and variable justice system (including trial by ordeal), a peripatetic government without efficient administration, laws promulgated by royal charters, and a mindset which believed everything bad was caused by divine retribution for sinfulness. 

By the end of this period, there was a codified evidence-based legal system, relatively effective administration, parliamentary control of legislation and a widespread acceptance that government should be representative rather than autocratic. There was rapidly rising literacy, a developing economy, and the start of a scientific approach to solving problems and gaining knowledge. These developments were invariably conceived, initiated and implemented by people ‘behind the throne’.

Behind The Throne by Chris Sedgwick was published on 22 May 2026 by Eightsongs Books. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Virtual Book Tour, I am delighted to share an Interview with the author. 

Interview with Chris Sedgwick - author of Behind The Thrones 

1. What first inspired you to focus on the influential figures ‘behind the throne’ rather than the monarchs who usually dominate narratives of English history? 

- Well, there are lots of excellent books about monarchs, both heavy academic tomes and popular histories. We have more information about them, of course, but there is much more to history than the lives of monarchs. The last few decades have seen an interest in ordinary people and their lives, but information which survives is usually pretty scant, especially early in this period, and ‘social history’ books are often less easy to read than narrative histories. But there is an area in between the two which is not often covered, and sometimes a fair bit of information survives about the people just below the monarch: they are usually the people actually running the country, and the brains behind changes and innovations. They often receive only brief mention, although many of these characters and their lives are really interesting. It’s nice to take the focus away from kings and their endless wars for once!

2. The book spans more than 800 years of history. How did you decide which individuals deserved inclusion, and were there any difficult omissions? 

- I think all the people in the book were exceptional, and it would be interesting to hear suggestions of anyone else I should perhaps have included. Since completing the book I have already made a list of over a dozen more people I should perhaps have included. Perhaps I should have added some of the clerics like Stephen Langton (who helped draft the Magna Carta), and later Stephen Gardiner and Archbishop Laud, although mostly they were involved in religion. Maybe I should have included a few more business people from later in the period, like Thomas Gresham and Thomas Smythe. 

3. Many readers will be familiar with figures such as Eleanor of Aquitaine or Simon de Montfort, but perhaps less so with Robert Grosseteste or John Lilburne. Which lesser-known individual surprised or fascinated you most during your research? 

- I knew of Francis Bacon, but knew nothing about Robert Grosseteste before I started writing. He was a towering figure whose influence resonates down the centuries.

- I had no idea how reasonable and moderate the ideas of John Lilburne, Thomas Rainsborough and the other Levellers would seem today. Again, I think their influence, via later radicals like Tom Paine, have had a significant long-term effect on later developments.

- Phillippa of Hainault started the textile industry in England !! It was to become a key industry at the start of the Industrial Revolution hundreds of years later.

- I developed a soft spot for St Dunstan. So did my daughters who read the book, and we went looking for traces of him in London (there are quite a few). Multi-talented doesn’t begin to describe him. Quirky perhaps but I think a pretty decent bloke too.

- Licoricia of Winchester must have been an extraordinary woman. So was the redoubtable Nicola de la Haye.  

- The surgeon John of Arderne doesn’t often get mentioned – but his work and writings about surgery set new standards.

- Not everyone was very nice – the achievements of Edmund Coke were extraordinary, and very important, but he must have been a nightmare to handle in his private life (I liked the comment by his wife when he died).

- Ben Jonson was more popular than Shakespeare in the seventeenth century! He must have been fun to know.

4. Your academic background is in observational cosmology rather than history. Did your scientific training influence the way you approached historical research and evidence? 

- Historical research is like science in some ways: always looking for new evidence, keeping an open mind and not blindly accepting authority, recognising the importance of analysing primary sources where possible, being objective, etc. 

- Astronomy, unlike most other scientific disciplines, is based on observation rather than experimentation, and history is like that too.

- Some things (in my opinion) are often better presented by popular science books than in popular history books: 

o Charts are often lacking in popular history books. I show charts of population levels, the rise and fall of wool and textile production, how the law courts related to each other, etc. A figure can often make a point more clearly than a paragraph of words, and are often under-used in history books.

o a few illustrations interspersed with the text make reading a bit more enjoyable.

o Genealogies need to be near the text they relate to, not be over-complicated, and not hidden away with a tiny type font in an appendix.

o Timelines showing how lifetimes overlapped are interesting; little boxes with background information can help the reader who may not be knowledgeable about some topics.  

5. As this is your first published history book, what were the biggest challenges in transforming years of historical interest and research into a narrative that would engage general readers? 

- I just started writing, reading more as I covered each period, trying to dig out information about important but obscure figures, reorganising, adding, summarizing -  I just started and kept going and was quite surprised with what I ended up with. I quite enjoy writing (some days more than others!) and I hope it’s fairly readable. Nowadays there are often web sites run by people enthusiastic about fringe subjects which can be helpful. 

- A long string of mini-biographies could be boring, so I’ve tried to capture something of the uniqueness of each individual and not write to a standard formula like: parents/education/married/did stuff/died/buried.

- I’ve also tended to avoid graphic descriptions of the unending tortures and gruesome executions which seem to feature in pretty much all popular history books, often overshadowing the actual achievements in people’s lives.

- Also, I’ve tried to stick to a theme – lots of things improved over these 800 years and I would argue it was the people in this book who were mainly responsible for this, and I’ve tried to draw this together in the final chapter.

6. After spending so much time studying the people who shaped England from behind the scenes, has your view of leadership and power changed? Are there lessons modern politicians or public figures could learn from them? 

- I was surprised at how much time is needed for ideas for reforms to become acceptable. The idea that we should look at evidence to learn about the world (rather than just accepting the Bible or Aristotle) took centuries after Grosseteste and Bacon to become generally accepted. 

- But when ideas do finally become acceptable, they can be very powerful. The long-term impact of the Magna Carta and its use by figures as diverse as Edmund Coke and John Lilburne show its long-term effect. There was a failure to establish a republic after Oliver Cromwell, but the first steps towards a liberal democracy were taken in the next generation after the overthrow of James II, and ideas like a wider franchise filtered in slowly over the next 200+ years

- I’m not sure there are any lessons here for modern politicians, except that an open society which evolved from all these changes led to incredible developments in the following centuries (leading to extended life expectancy, lower infant mortality, reduced extreme poverty, increasing prosperity combined with increasing population) – but that’s a topic for my next book …

Chris Sedgwick has a PhD in observational cosmology from The Open University, where he is currently a Visiting Research Fellow. 

He previously started and built a successful independent record label and music publishing business.

He has held a lifelong interest in history, particularly in long-term trends and developments. 

'Behind the Throne' is his first published history book.

Animal Farm - Animation - Film @kovainternational #AnimalFarm @aniventure_studios @imaginariumproductions @andyserkis

 

VUE LUMIÈRE BRINGS ANDY SERKIS’ ANIMAL FARM TO UK CINEMAS

Seth Rogen, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson, Steve Buscemi, Jim Parsons and more star in the animated reimagining of George Orwell's iconic classic, in UK and Irish cinemas from 24 July, with Previews on 18 and 19 July.

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, actor and performance-capture pioneer Andy Serkis joins forces with Emmy Award-winning and three-time Academy Award-nominated actor Woody Harrelson to bring George Orwell's timeless masterpiece Animal Farm to a new generation

When the animals of Manor Farm decide to take control of their own future, life on the farm is turned upside down. Led by an ambitious group of animals, they set out to build a better world together. However, as unexpected challenges, unlikely friendships, and difficult decisions arise, they soon discover that leadership, teamwork, and staying true to oneself are not as easy as they first seem.

I was thrilled to be invited by KOVA to watch an early preview of this animated film adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Sadly, I am unable to attend the in-person screening in London, but they kindly supplied me with a link so that I could watch this at home.

I studied Animal Farm for O Level English Literature way back in 1982 (yes, I am that old!).  It was the only one of the selected texts that I actually enjoyed! I've read it again since then and was eager to see what this adaptation would be like. 

We really enjoyed this!  The combination of amazing animation, the slight modernisation of the story and recognising some of the most famous voices from Hollywood makes it an absolute joy to watch. 

Speaking about the project, Serkis said: "Animal Farm is a timeless story that continues to resonate across generations. We wanted to create a version that families could enjoy together while staying true to the heart, emotion and humanity of Orwell's remarkable tale."

The thing with Animal Farm is that it still resonates with audiences today, in fact, I'd go as far to say that it is even more relevant in our current times. The producers of this fabulous animation have captured the essence of Orwell's original text so well, whilst also updating it in places too. This does not take anything away from the meaning of the story. It adds buckets. 

 

This really is such a fabulous cartoon film. Yes, there's sadness, but there are also laugh out loud funny moments, touching scenes and important messages told that apply to us all. 

The cast list is vast and quite perfect, if you've ever imagined the voices of Snowball, and Napolean then I think you will agree with me, these actors are perfect. 

CAST 

Andy Serkis - Randolph the Rooster (voice) / Director 

Seth Rogen - Napoleon (voice) 

Gaten Matarazzo - Lucky (voice) 

Steve Buscemi - Mr. Whymper (voice) 

Glenn Close - Frieda Pilkington (voice) 

Laverne Cox - Snowball (voice) 

Kieran Culkin - Squealer (voice) 

Woody Harrelson - Boxer (voice) 

Jim Parsons - Carl / Sheep (voice) 

Kathleen Turner - Benjamin (voice) 

Iman Vellani - Puff / Tammy (voice)

In Cinemas from 24 July, I would heartily recommend this film. It's excellent, totally entertaining and I will certainly be going to watch it on the big screen as soon as it is released.

My thanks to KOVA for this opportunity. 

From The Shadows by G R Halliday #fromtheshadows @gr_halliday @PointBlankCrime @randomttoours #MonicaKennedy #TheDark

 

Seven days. Four deaths. One chance to catch a killer.

Sixteen-year-old Robert arrives home late. Without a word to his dad, he goes up to his bedroom. Robert is never seen alive again.

The discovery of a body on the coast of the Scottish Highlands plunges Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy into a murder investigation that won't begin and end with one death.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Nichol has been missing for seven days. His last message was to social worker Michael, who can't quite shake the suspicion that something is terribly wrong.

As Monica is faced with catching a murderer who has been meticulously watching and waiting, Michael keeps searching for Nichol, desperate to find him before the killer claims another victim.

From The Shadows by G R Halliday was originally published in 2020. It has been re-packaged and re published by Point Blank / Oneworld and has been adapted for screen for ITV - the series, entitled The Dark begins on 12 July. 

I am delighted to share my original review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Virtual Book Tour today 

THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MY BLOG IN 2020 

Oh my goodness, I am so glad that I discovered G R Halliday's writing and his fabulous detective Monica Kennedy. This is crime fiction at its best, it's dark and deadly, compelling and chilling and I was gripped from that incredible opening, right through to the final paragraph. 

Halliday's setting of the Scottish Highlands and Inverness adds so much to this story, the desolate and eerie environment makes for the perfect setting for some horrific and brutal killings. It is clear that the author knows and loves the setting, the descriptions are wonderfully done.

The body of a teenage boy is found, brutally slain and with a black stone lodged in his throat. Monica Kennedy is heading up the investigation and it is not long before another body is found, it's obviously the same killer. Is there a serial killer lose in the Highlands? Monica is an interesting character, her appearance is unusual, her home life is chaotic and she has many issues with her superiors and colleagues too. Michael Bach is a social worker and one of his clients is missing, he is very concerned about this and suspects that there are links to the killings. Both Monica and Michael are not averse to bending the rules somewhat, as long as they get the job done, they will do it their way. Whilst this may move things along, it will also get them into trouble, and danger. 

This is a complex and multi layered crime story, with multiple characters and many suspects. Interwoven through the investigative part of the narrative, the reader hears from a character called The Watcher; a mysterious, anonymous voice whose words are chilling.

This is dark, the killings are violent and the prose is very descriptive. It's so very well done though and never feels gratuitous or sensational.

This is a great start to a new detective series, it is gripping and atmospheric and cleverly constructed. I look forward to reading the next instalment. 

G.R. HALLIDAY was born in Edinburgh and grew up near Stirling in Scotland. He spent

his childhood obsessing over the unexplained mysteries his father wrote about as a paranormal investigator, which have been a major inspiration for his writing. Gareth studied Ancient History at Edinburgh University and is a co-founder of the Caledonian Crime Collective. 

In 2024, h qualified from the University of the Highlands and Islands as a counsellor and psychotherapist.

He works as a volunteer for an addiction charity and has his own private counselling practice.

Gareth lives with his partner in the rural Highlands outside Inverness, where he pursues his favourite pastimes of mountain climbing and swimming in the sea, before returning home to his band of semi-feral cats.

The Sufragette of Ironbridge by Mollie Walton #thesuffragetteofironbridge @beccamascull @mountainleopardpress #molliewalton #historicalfiction #ironbridge

 

Ironbridge, 1911: Childhood sweethearts Jo and Alfie Woodvine couldn't be happier to finally be married with a home of their very own. But when their son, Harry, arrives, Jo finds herself quickly cut off from the world. Though she loves her baby, she hadn't anticipated the confines of motherhood - the long nights and the loneliness.

Only when she is introduced to a local group of bold suffragettes does Jo finally find her spark again - and with it a new sense of purpose. These brave, uncompromising women are willing to risk life and limb for the cause, and, despite her husband's reservations, Jo is determined to be a part of it however she can.

But 1914 brings news of war in Europe and as tragedy comes to Ironbridge, can Jo find the strength to keep helping others, even in the darkest hour of wartime?

Return to Shropshire for a spell-binding new WW1 saga novel, full of compelling historical detail and an addictive story of love, loss, heartbreak and bravery...

The Suffragette of Ironbridge by Mollie Walton was published on 9 April 2026 by Mountain Leopard Press. My thanks to the author who sent my copy for review. 

I have been reading Mollie Walton (aka Rebecca Mascull, and Harper Ford) for many years now. I've not read all of the Ironbridge series yet, but do intend to catch up with them all eventually. I really enjoy them, so much so that I actually visited Ironbridge, just after lockdown to see the place that the author so vividly describes. 

The Suffragette of Ironbridge is another wonderful addition to this much-loved series. 

Jo and Alfie Woodvine have been together since childhood, and their relationship feels so warm and natural. They are a couple that I have to root for, but life is never straightforward. Jo's struggles after the arrival of baby Harry are handled with such sensitivity. Her feelings of loneliness and isolation are easy to understand, and I found myself willing her to find something that belonged to her as well as to her family.

The story really becomes Jo's when she becomes involved with the local suffragette movement. I loved seeing her confidence grow as she discovers friendships with women who are passionate about making a difference. The suffragette storyline is fascinating and perfectly balanced throughout the story. It shines a light on an important period in history through the lives of ordinary women.

As the First World War begins to cast its shadow over Ironbridge, the whole mood shifts. The author captures both the uncertainty of the time and the incredible strength shown by those left at home. There are moments that are touching and emotional, but they never feel overwhelming because she makes sure that hope always shines through. It is this balance that makes the story such an absorbing read.

One of the real strengths of this series has always been its sense of place. Ironbridge is so vividly portrayed that it feels like another member of the cast. The bustling community, the familiar faces and the everyday details all combine to create a setting that is rich with atmosphere. The historical detail is woven beautifully into the story, yet the characters and their experiences do remain at the heart of everything.

Jo is a heroine who grows in confidence and determination, and I loved following every step of her journey. Alongside a wonderful supporting cast, she makes this a story that lingers.

Full of heart unforgettable characters, The Suffragette of Ironbridge is a beautifully written historical novel that completely drew me into its world. Mollie Walton continues to write historical fiction that entertains, informs and, above all, makes you care deeply about the people on the page. Fans of the series will adore this latest instalment, and anyone who loves character-led historical fiction is in for a real treat.

Mollie Walton is the saga pen-name for historical novelist Rebecca Mascull. 

She has always been fascinated by history and has worked in education, has a Masters in Writing and lives by the sea in the east of England. 

Under Mollie Walton, Rebecca is the author of The Ironbridge Saga and the Raven Hall trilogy.