Thank you to the authors and Zooloos Book Tours for the review copy.

I thought the narrative was most effective when each chapter focused on a particular band, but other chapters mentioned a lot of them and almost became a list of who played where, when and for what fee. I would have preferred one chapter per band so the influence of playing to students could be more easily traced. It’s chronological, going from jazz, to rock’n’roll, prog rock and a little of punk and new wave at the end. The bands included The Who, Dire Straits, Wings, Elton John, Suzi Quatro and Pink Floyd. The observation that the state basically enabled many rock bands’ careers was food for thought, because students got free tuition and grants. The era was also charmingly naive in some respects, with rugby students serving as security, students sitting cross-legged to watch some of the bands, and fire regulations often ignored. I expect the book will appeal most to people who were there at the time, but it’s also worth reading for a unique cultural history.

Thank you to the publisher Mudlark at HarperCollins for the review copy via NetGalley. The book is out today.

The premise of the book is that top headliners at the music hall (which is run by HAL the computer) are being exploded on stage. Private detective Cameron Bell, whom everyone likens to Mr Pickwick but is more like Sherlock Holmes, sets about solving the crimes. Other characters include Colonel Katterfelto, a veteran down on his luck who aims to build the robot, and Darwin, his educated monkey-butler; and the lovely Alice who has a troupe of acrobatic kiwi birds. She is apparently the original Alice, whose trips to Wonderland were a result of magic mushroom-infused soap. The book includes historical characters and deliberate anachronisms, plus ray gun fights, magic, terrible music hall songs and a thrilling carriage chase through central London. It’s a very odd story indeed and makes little sense – ‘a load of old toot’ to quote a phrase frequently used in Rankin’s books – but there were some fun moments. If you like steampunk or alternative histories and wacky humour, give it a go.

Published by Gollancz, 2011.

As with the previous book, the author only discusses the details of the crimes where they enhance our understanding of the narrative. The writing did become repetitive and a little like a text-book, and the narrowed focus of the time period was not as appealing. It was an important read, however, and I’m glad to have furthered my knowledge. The author has a talent for explaining the law in an accessible way; I’d be interested to read more books from her on legal history.

Published by Mudlark, 2024.

This film, starring Vanessa Regrave as older Mrs Dalloway and Natascha McElhone as the younger, is about as close as we could possibly get to the essence of the book. Some of the thoughts are instead expressed in dialogue. The story takes place over just one day, which in the book seems a little outlandish, but works very well for a film. Clarissa Dalloway prepares for hosting a party, for no reason but that she likes parties and has been ill. We follow other characters too, who are either going to the party or are linked in some way. For example, Peter Walsh, who has come back from India and whom Clarissa decided not to marry because she could not share everything. Her daughter Elizabeth, who is out in society but is under the influence of a poor religious friend, Miss Kilman. Septimus Warren Smith, a young man who is traumatised by his experiences in the War and feeling survivors’ guilt.

In the book, of course, we get much more background on the characters. The film enhances certain aspects of the story, such as Clarissa’s relationship with her friend Sally (it’s obvious that if it were allowed, then Clarissa would have married Sally, not Peter or Richard) and the effects of the War upon Septimus. I think the film is very well done and would be an effective substitute if you can’t get on with the writing style of the book.

Image by unknown: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119723/mediaviewer/rm1630599680, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60032313

Some parts of the book that I really liked were memories of Maggie Smith, the set-up for the blood-spewing scene in Downton, meeting Michael Bond, and winging it on stage as a Roman soldier without having rehearsed. Not all of the book was especially riveting, as he tended to go into detail about plays that I don’t know, complaints about auditions, and stagecraft in general. It’s his story though and I appreciated that’s all interesting to him. There is a good selection of photos. While it’s not one of my top memoir reads, I liked it and would recommend it for anyone interested in acting and in Hugh’s career.

Published by Little, Brown, 2022.

In summary, this is a good read, particularly as debut literary fiction, but it deserved a better ending.

Published by Canongate, 2025.

The book follows P&P from Mary’s perspective and then what happens afterwards. When Mary has to leave their family home, as the Collinses take up residence, she feels uncomfortable at her sisters’ homes and her mother is always criticising her. Staying with her aunt in London is a lifeline for Mary, who is appreciated for her intellect and two men are interested in her; the eccentric but polite Tom Hayward, and the impulsive Mr Ryder who is pursued by Caroline Bingley.

Mary’s character development is central to the novel as she learns to stand up to people and know when to trust her emotions over rationality. Through Mr Hayward, she also gains an appreciation for poetry, when she used to prefer reading only facts. I felt as if I was reading an Austen book, as the structure and ideas were inspired by them, but that’s what I liked about it. There were further perspectives on characters such as Mr Collins, Mr Bennet and Mrs Hill, which might even enhance my next reading of P&P.

Published by Macmillan, 2020.

Whispers in Yellow: Spring Stories by N S Ford

Step into Springtime with this collection of quirky stories!

A bout of Spring-cleaning turns into a crazy journey to parallel universes. On an egg hunt, a harassed father questions his sanity when only he can see the Easter bunny. A woman named April Showers is embarrassed about her name, but a date with a clown gives her a new perspective. When a magnolia tree is under threat, the forces of nature must work together to save the garden. Among the daffodils, invisible beings whisper of a planet where it is always Spring.

Five unique stories with N S Ford’s trademark mix of weird and wonder, darkness and light.

My Devil Wears Denim (London Magic Book 1) by Angela Pearse

When the devil shows up in tight Levi’s, how can you resist?
Jade Jameson would quite happily sell her soul for a better life. To her surprise, the universe takes her seriously and sends a handsome devil with an offer. But there’s a catch: sealing the deal requires more than a handshake.

Ever the opportunist, Jade negotiates a workaround, picturing cocktails and a resort with patchy Wi-Fi. Instead, she lands in the 1980s – no internet, no smartphone, and an alarming amount of neon. Not to mention having to juggle new flatmates and a job she never applied for.

Sebastian Burns has a bad habit of letting people off the hook, and Jade is his latest fiasco. Demoted and desperate to earn back Lucifer’s favour, he knows he should be focused on scoring souls – not getting attached to a sassy brunette who pushes his buttons.

When he shows up looking sinfully good in stonewash and armed with survival tips for the ‘80s, Jade’s walls start to crumble. This sexy devil might just be the reason her life takes a turn for the better – but how do you plan a happily ever after with a man from Hell?

If you like funny paranormal romcoms with banter, temptation, and wickedly charming immortals, then you’ll love My Devil Wears Denim. Dive into romantic mayhem and time-travel trouble today!

The Ghostwriter: A Tiny Terrible Tale by Sarah Jules

For as long as she could remember, Clio Pike devoured stories. It was only natural that she’d become a ghostwriter.

Percy Hern wasn’t her usual client.

He was ninety-eight: a shut in, a technophobe, and he said he had a story worth telling. In Clio’s experience, there was a direct positive correlation between the client’s age and the dullness of the stories they wanted immortalised.

Hern was offering £50,000, more money than Clio would typically make in a whole year. How could she possibly say no?

All she had to do was travel to the Isle of Kresnick, a tiny island just off the north coast of Scotland, listen to an old man’s stories, and then weave them into something worth reading…

But something is wrong with the Isle of Kresnick, and its sole occupant. Something… monstrous. And Clio has no way to escape its grasp.

Hideaway Valley Fire: The Complete Series by Eliza Rockwood

Welcome to Hideaway Valley – where the alpha heroes of the local Fire District fall hard and fast for feisty, independent women.

His Hidden Star: She’s a movie star on the run, and he’s the small-town fire chief who’s also her best friend. When a fire drives her into his protective arms, will his love be enough to keep her safe?

His Hidden Desire: He was her dad’s best friend and the only man she’s ever loved. Bound by honor, he’s kept his distance. But when he learns she’s planning to date a rookie firefighter, will jealousy finally push him to claim the heart that’s always been his?

Her Hidden Protector: She thought he was gone forever, but he’s been watching her from the shadows for years. When he finally steps out of the darkness, can she forgive him for letting her believe he was dead?

Her Hidden Hero: She’s the hometown girl he never stopped loving, and he’s the man who shattered her teenage heart. Now, fate has brought them both back to Hideaway Mountain – will they risk it all for a second chance at love?

His Hidden Fire: She’s a guarded tattoo artist with a dark past, and he’s the younger firefighter determined to ignite something unforgettable. He may be inexperienced, but he’s eager to learn – the only problem is, can she risk her heart to teach him?

A Taste of Smoke: He’s been searching for his forever, and she’s desperately trying not to be found. But when a wildfire forces her into his waiting arms, will she let him keep her safe from more than just the flames?

The Darkness Series Box Set by Jessica Huntley

Everyone has a little darkness inside them … But just how dark is yours, and what are you willing to do to keep it hidden?
“Cherry Hollow is a place where if you leave to live elsewhere, you never return, and if an outsider moves in, they never leave.”

It may seem like your average rural town in the Lake District, but Cherry Hollow hides more secrets than most. And it all started with the disappearance of Kieran Jones in 1998. Didn’t it?

Four friends deal with their grief over what happened in different ways, each suffering from their own version of The Creature, an entity that may or may not be real and feeds on their inner darkness.

New people move to the town. More secrets are revealed. And more lives are lost. But at what price?

How did The Darkness start? Why is it tormenting the town and its grieving residents, and who will be the one to finally reveal the darkest secret of all?

A dark psychological thriller series that focuses on mental health and explores just how dark our minds can go, the aftermath of trauma and how it can have repercussions for the rest of our lives … and beyond.

Dame Ophis: a sapphic fantasy tale by Merlina Garance

She has many names.

Lady of the Oak.

Dame Ophis.

Few are those to know her real one.

Sinha.

When wounded knight Cerris crosses through the forest on her way back to the castle, she doesn’t expect a surprising young woman to offer her shelter, nor to heal her.

Things take a complicated turn when Cerris realises who she is dealing with.

She is supposed to kill Dame Ophis.

The only problem is, she might have fallen in love with Sinha.

When the Devil Calls: a Collection of Horror Stories by Bethany Russo

Aliens cause havoc at a service station in Lancaster, and continue to terrorise the cleaners at two hotels in Plymouth. A woman recounts the horrors that lurked in the woods at her favourite childhood campsite in Dorset. Two women fight their way from Ambleside to Grasmere on the first day of the zombie apocalypse. A man takes part in the Chippenham scarecrow trail. With a human-looking scarecrow on his front garden, he’s surprised one night when it’s missing and is then interrupted by a knock at the door. Two new friends pay a visit to Sally in the Woods in their hometown of Bath, only to discover the woods hold more than just a creepy ghost story.

The Man on the Roof at Midnight by Eric Woods

A trilogy of three novellas, this paranormal thriller asks the question: what would you do if you were awakened at the same time every night by the sound of footsteps on your roof?
Dr. Owen Drake recently suffered a tragedy so painful that he picked up his entire life and ran away from the memories. Now, Owen is in a new city with a new job as a psychology professor at a reputable university. He also has a new home that sits on a lake, but the area is eerily quiet. The lake is calm. The neighbors are mysterious.

But then there are the nights… and the thundering noises above … that wake him every night at the same time…

Get the entire trilogy but be sure to fall asleep before you hear the footsteps!

If you would like to submit a title to be considered for my next indie books feature, please use this form.

Previous issues: Summer 25, Autumn 25, Winter 25.

This book is divided into two parts. The first part is the history of spectacles, up until the world wars. The focus is on the industries and processes which allowed the technology to improve, and society’s views on people who wore glasses. You will not be surprised to hear that women wearing glasses was frowned upon, even by doctors. The second part of the book is more of a cultural history, focusing on representations in the movies in particular and the history of designer frames. This part started off very interesting to me, but it became a little tiresome because there was so much discussion of film. I’m not at all fussed about designers either, although as a part-time glasses wearer I often go for designer frames if they suit me better. I felt that although the subject is very worthy of a history book, the focus of it was not quite what I wanted. There is praise from Simon Garfield on the front cover, and indeed it’s the kind of book he would write, with its niche history topic and irreverent, rambling style. There are some photographs of famous spectacles-wearers, including Harold Lloyd, Buddy Holly, Dizzy Gillespie, Michael Caine, Gloria Steinem, Jarvis Cocker, Keith Haring, and John Lennon (the nude photo of him and Yoko). It was a good read, considering I bought it from the discount trolley at Waterstones!

Published by Abacus, 2023.