fiction – N S Ford

Review of ‘Straw Girl’ by Brigid Barry

nsford — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:07:00 +0000

This is a haunted house novel based on true events which happened to the author. Unfortunately for me it wasn’t as spooky as it promised to be and took a long time to develop. I appreciated that it was a little different from the usual haunted house story, including an ex-US Air Force protagonist with PTSD, injuries and weight gain, who invites various paranormal investigation groups into her newly built house to explore the ghostly happenings. I wasn’t interested in the lengthy descriptions of the investigations, which included minor characters not important to the story, and the emails going back and forth. I would have liked more atmosphere. I did like the characters, Mel who narrates the story, her found family (Alexandra and Sarah, and their toddler Olivia), and love interest Ryan, who is sceptical about the paranormal. It’s a good debut novel and well-written, but not scary enough!

Thank you to the author and Zooloos Book Tours for the review copy. The book was published in 2025 by Rowan Prose.

Review of ‘The Infamous Gilberts’ by Angela Tomaski

nsford — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:19:00 +0000

What an extraordinary novel this is, and for a debut novel it’s incredibly good. I’m surprised there are so many negative reviews of it on Goodreads. The theme of a dysfunctional twentieth-century family, harbouring dark secrets in a decaying English country house, is not particularly original. However, the narrative style is unusual and that is what I most enjoyed. The story is told from the viewpoint of Max, an old friend of the family, who is showing us around the house before the hotel development people come in and spoil it. He invites us to observe, touch and smell the rooms and objects within, as he pieces together the stories of the Gilbert siblings through a collage of memories, research, imagination and artistic licence. He’s an unreliable narrator, as we are not to know how much of the content is true. Early on, tragedies are hinted at, but the full picture is slowly revealed through chapters named after places and artefacts in or around Thornwalk House, such as ‘The Blood on the Blue-room Floor’, ‘A Fire Axe’, ‘The Onion Basket,’ ‘The Blacksmiths’ Cottages’ and ‘Concrete Lions’. This is a sad story with a lot of cruelty in it, but also beautifully descriptive and thought-provoking. It’s also interesting from a heritage perspective; ordinary, well-used belongings may become historical artefacts, as well as the obviously valuable things, but who is to decide which items are worthy of museums when they don’t know what memories and events are attached to the objects?

Highly recommended. I finished it in twenty-hour hours.

Published by Fig Tree (Penguin), 2026.

Film of the book: ‘Chocolat’ (2000)

nsford — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Joanne Harris’s bestselling novel Chocolat was published in 1999. Set in a French town, it’s about a single mother and good witch, who opens a chocolate shop at the beginning of Lent. While she changes the lives of the people for the better, she is opposed by the priest, who is most tempted of all. I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of the book and of the sequels, but it does have some appeal for me because the writing is so good.

The film, which was directed by Lasse Hallström, starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and and Alfred Molina, captures the essence of the book, but it’s a little different. While the book has some chapters narrated by Father Reynaud, which gives additional insight into his character, the film does not – moreover he’s a mayor, instead of a priest. I’m not sure why this was changed, perhaps it was thought some viewers might be offended. The magical realism tone of the book is generally dropped and it’s not clear that Vianne has something witchy about her. Another change is that the boat fire, which persuades the traveller Roux to stay in the town, is moved to much later in the film as a dramatic denouement and involves Vianne diving into the water (Roux diving after her) because she thinks her daughter Anouk is on the boat. Of course, the romance theme is much increased and the exploration of beliefs is reduced. There are also many memories of Vianne’s mother which are not represented. The film has a definite era, the 50s, whereas in the book it could be set any time in the last few decades. The setting looks very French and quaint – some of the film was shot in France – however none of the characters look like I imagined them, for some reason. The film is very well-made and the music is nice. It’s just not really my cup of tea, or rather, chocolate.

Film poster: Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7984022

Review of ‘I Hope This Finds You Well’ by Natalie Sue

nsford — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:46:00 +0000

I found this book terribly unfunny. It’s described as a ‘wildly funny and heartwarming office comedy’, ‘laugh-til-you-cry’, ‘laugh-out-loud dialogue’ and even ‘sparkling’. I only kept on reading to find out if the main character would be fired from her job. There were some moments I may have smirked, as there are cringeworthy mix-ups and eccentricities you might find in a sitcom, plus if you’ve ever worked in an office you will find some relatable details about office politics, managers, etc. However, the marketing for this book was the most misleading I’ve ever seen.

The book is narrated by Jolene, a 30-something loner of Iranian descent who struggles with social interaction and alcohol dependency. She works in an office, where she hates everyone and has got into trouble for very stupidly typing mean things in white text in emails to her colleagues. When an attractive HR guy named Cliff (not exactly a romantic name!) arrives to recommend which employees should get the chop, he accidentally gives her access to the emails and chats of her colleagues. She uses the information to help, sometimes hinder, her plan to stay afloat at the company, but must not fall in love with the HR guy. She also gets into trouble when a fellow Iranian colleague has pretended to his parents that she is engaged to him and she goes along with the pretence, to the delight of her own parents who were despairing of her single state. We also understand that when she was at high school, Jolene’s best friend died in an accident but rumours have followed her, adding to her guilt and trauma. I felt that this part of the plot was still very mysterious as it wasn’t given much attention. I thought the book wasn’t too bad a read, until about halfway through, when I realised how silly it was, that all the characters were boring and that certain expressions were over-used. People were always huffing, knitting their brows, narrowing their eyes, or had ‘ticks’ in their jaws (sounds nasty, I hope they managed to remove the little critters…)

In summary, I wasted my reading time on this, in the hope of getting some laughs.

Published by HarperCollins, 2024.

Review of ‘What Happened That Summer’ by Laura Pearson

nsford — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:16:00 +0000

This book had a really good twist towards the end. That was the best thing about it! I had been lured in by promises of 90s nostalgia and that it was similar to Daisy Jones and the Six. I didn’t think it did either of these particularly well, but it was a page-turner all the same. It’s in the form of a podcast, with a very irritating host who makes a lot of unnecessary interjections throughout. The premise is that a teenage popstar, AJ Silver, died in a rollercoaster accident in 1996. He had hired an entire theme park, which was owned by an English family. After the tragedy, the family were found negligent, lost the theme park and broke apart. This podcast uses interviews and new claims which later emerged to explore the circumstances around what happened. The end of each episode includes a few comments from listeners. I liked that the story was credible, although I think it unlikely that almost everyone involved could be tracked down so many years later and agree to be interviewed. There was some commentary on the effects of fame on young popstars, which made the big twist – that I’m not going to spoil! – seem very apt, though I never saw it coming. I think it was a good read, one for your summer list, although I got impatient with it and I wasn’t that keen on the podcast format.

Published by Boldwood Books, 2026.

Review of ‘The Night Stairs’ by Erin Kelly

nsford — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 08:43:00 +0000

Another atmospheric, sophisticated psychological thriller from Erin Kelly! This one is set in an old Catholic boarding school for girls. The timeline switches between the early 2000s and the present. It’s about secrets which were covered up, to protect careers and the school, and are being brought to light. The book includes themes of teenage girls’ relationships, privilege, faith, bullying, the legacy of abuse in religious institutions, and something quite unusual; contagious symptoms with a psychological origin, allegedly with a supernatural cause.

I felt that the story was a little too stretched out and would have liked a faster pace. However, this was a compelling read with some really good twists, including a character whose identity is not who the author suggested they are. It was very well done! The kind of book which will make you think. There is certainly a deeper tone than you usually get in a psychological thriller. I’d recommend it if you want something different and unique.

Thank you to the publisher Vintage for the review copy via NetGalley. The publication date is 9th July.

Check out my other reviews of Erin Kelly’s books: He Said/She Said, The Burning Air, The House of Mirrors, The Sick Rose, Watch Her Fall, We Know You Know.

Review of ‘The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances’ by Glenn Dixon

nsford — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:16:00 +0000

A gently dystopian novel which explores what it is to be human in an increasingly automated society, this wonderful tale is set in the near-future and owes a debt to Thomas M Disch’s story ‘The Brave Little Toaster: A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances’ (set in 1976, published in 1980). There are some similarities between these simply told stories, most notably the resourceful and optimistic main character who sacrifices herself to save her humans. However, Disch’s story is a commentary on consumer society and a study in existential anxiety with its constant questioning of purpose and fear of obsolescence. Dixon’s story has the appliances considering what happiness is and whether they can rebel against the system, while the humans cling on to books, music and memories in the face of their eventual extinction.

The novel is told in the third person and follows Scout, a sentient vacuum cleaner who names herself after the character in To Kill A Mockingbird. Other appliances include the Fridge, Clock, Auto (self-driving car) and Watch (which controls the smart house). They serve a retired couple, Harold and Edie. When Edie passes away and Harold is plunged into grief, the controller of everything (‘the Grid’) is going to remove the most precious of his belongings and move him out of the house. His daughter Kate, a computer expert who is still paying the price for a rebellious action years ago, won’t let that happen. Kate, Scout and Adrian (a piano-playing boy who used to be Edie’s student) will do anything they can to keep Harold in his home with his valuable books.

I liked this story very much, even though it has many unanswered questions. When it’s on this small a scale, you can’t expect the complete downfall of the system, but there are people who live outside of the Grid. I would have liked more links between Harold’s books and the story. The Catcher in the Rye is mentioned frequently as one of his treasured books but there is no discussion of its content. I also thought that Harold was portrayed as very elderly at the age of sixty-eight. I know that people are longer-lived even in our time, but perhaps in the near-future controlled by the Grid, the reverse could be true and the automated boredom of life ages them!

In summary, a recommended read. It’s not that weird a book, I’ve read much stranger ones. It will definitely make you think.

Thank you to the publisher Faber and Faber for the review copy via NetGalley.

More discussion on ‘The Brave Little Toaster’ can be read in Mirrors, Movies and Magic: 1980s Children’s Films Based on Books.

Review of ‘Celestial Lights’ by Cecile Pin

nsford — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:23:00 +0000

One of the best novels I’ve read this year! It was so simply written and profound, in a quiet way. Although some of it is set in space, the book has a crossover appeal to readers who wouldn’t normally go for science fiction. It’s more about the choices we make and the complexities of relationships. One of the interesting things about the book is that at first, it appears to be in our world, because the narrator Ollie discusses the Challenger disaster, as he was born at the same time. However, we hear of a manned mission to Mars and it becomes apparent that space travel continued apace, so that around our present year, after studying in London and a Navy career, Ollie commands a crew on a 10-year journey to Europa and back. It’s therefore set in an alternate timeline, but in all other ways the same as our world.

The narrative switches between Ollie’s memories of his younger days, especially of a quirky girl he befriended one summer, and his diary on board the spacecraft on its long journey, where they are out of contact with Earth. He made a decision to leave his family to go on this mission and he’ll forever wonder if he did the right thing. It’s quite a sad novel in some ways and the main character remains somewhat mysterious. I was very impressed by everything about this book. The author also mentions Tim Peake’s Limitless in her acknowledgements, for a sense of what it’s like to work in space.

Published by 4th Estate, 2026.

Review of ‘Lonely Crowds’ by Stephanie Wambugu

nsford — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:07:57 +0000

This novel about art and identity has a curiously detached writing style. It’s set in the early 90s; that’s according to the blurb, as it wasn’t very apparent to me from the text itself. Narrated by Ruth, the story follows her obsession with Maria; they have very different upbringings but as Black girls with artistic ambitions, they are drawn together. Ruth is fascinated by Maria and is very much her follower, not her equal, while Maria is only warm when she has something to gain. It feels like they should be a couple but are destined never to be. Much of the novel is a meandering through parties, substances, odd conversations and a sort of existential crisis. It felt real, but at the same time I wasn’t keen on how directionless the story was. Still, I generally liked the novel and thought it impressive for a debut. The ending was disappointing, however, and that’s what I’ll remember about it. It’s not a good sign that you turn the page after the ending, in the hope that there’s more – not because you loved the book and didn’t want it to end, but because the ending was so abrupt and mysterious that you didn’t understand it. I think other readers must feel the same, because when I searched for this book title, a suggested search term was ‘lonely crowds ending explained’.

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

Published by Canongate, 2025.

Indie book releases – Spring 2026

nsford — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0000

Welcome to my quarterly feature of new indie releases! Here is my new book for Spring, followed by some more indie books to check out:

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.