Month: September 2026

Book Review: Claws Out by Bella Mackie

Posted on by Libby Price

I have really enjoyed Bella Mackie’s previous books, so was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her latest, Claws Out. Here’s the blurb:

“Meet Diana Leyland. Widowed three times, but let’s not blame the woman now….
Diana’s on the hunt and has the perfect new target.
Finally, the type of wealth she’s always dreamed of. A five-storey house in Hampstead, unfettered access to London’s liberal elite and a bloated bank account.
If she can ensnare David Farrand, then she really will have clawed her way to the top.
The only snag? David’s daughter, Cat.
Diana might have got her claws into David, but Cat is sharpening her own. Entitled, suspicious and used to getting her own way, she’s been digging into Diana’s past.
And it turns out Diana’s last three marriages have one thing in common: the silly old fools are all six feet under.
To lose one husband is unlucky. To lose two is careless. But three? Three must be murder.“

As with Bella’s previous books, we’re back with moneyed Middle Class North Londoners – with a cast of pretty self absorbed and narcissistic characters! And again as with Bella’s previous books, it’s clever, well observed, intricately plotted, juiciness to romp through. The story focusses on Diana trying to get her claws into a 4th husband – much to the chagrin of his princess of a grown up (if not independent) daughter Catriona.

However there are then flashbacks – or ‘interludes for a murder’ as they’re called – to the demises of her previous husbands.

North London is the primary location for the storylines – but we do have some trips too – the most pertinent being to Venice. And as a proud Brummie I ADORED the fact that Birmingham has more canals than Venice was mentioned. Admittedly having been to Venice theirs are slightly more beautiful! The storyline has made me reiterate to my 14 year old that her and her friends should not be frolicking in the Birmingham to Worcester canal as they did during the heatwave earlier in the summer!!

Whilst Diana, David and Cat are the main characters – the supporting cast of family, friends, colleagues and animals are also colourfully described and entertaining. The humans are all fairly wonderfully hideous to be honest.

Overall it’s another fantastic read from Ms Mackie – and this would also make a perfect televised drama. I’m just sorry that Bella had to do the publicity for the book so soon after the sad death of her dog Barney, he was a superstar.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC and apologies for being a bit slow reviewing – but on a positive note, that means you can buy it right now!

Book Review: We Chase Shadows (We Solve Murders Book 2) by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

My previous blog posts have more than highlighted my love of all things Richard Osman, so I was delighted he had a new book out – and even more delighted when my cousin-in-law let me have a proof copy before it was released! It came on holiday with me to Canada – but was never out of my sight – imagine if I’d left that on an open top bus. Although I’m wondering if that could be a location for the next book – as the first book in the We Solve Murders series had part of the storyline set in St Lucia (where we got married) and then this book the murder is in Lucca (where we holidayed as a family in 2022) so it does feel our holiday destinations are relevant (or perhaps just popular for murders / murderers?!)

Proof copy of We Chase Shadows in the Air Canada lounge at Montreal airport!

Back to the book! Here is the blurb:

“At sunrise, high in the Italian hills, a body is found on the steps of a beautiful private villa. On the body is a threatening note, signed by a mystery man.
As Amy, Rosie and Steve get the ‘We Solve Murders’ business up and running, they leap at the chance to take on their first proper case. So what if their new client seems to have his own reasons for avoiding the police? All they need to do is uncover who left the note, and then find them. Simple.
But once they start digging, the suspects keep piling up. And as the trio chase a villain through the shadows, danger travels closer to home . . .
Between Italy and Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve’s village pub, can the team catch an elusive killer who knows EXACTLY where to hide?”

It was so nice to be back with the familiar gang again – now with their own ‘We Solve Murders’ detective agency – but unfortunately no murders to solve, as in most instances, the police have to deal with these. But a timely appearance on the Graham Norton show for Rosie, where she discusses her new business as well as her new book, means the team are approached with their first proper case!

There won’t be any spoilers here – but let’s just say, the main characters – and their supporting family and friends – manage to solve everything again, mostly!

Yet again Steve hates travelling, Amy and her husband don’t spend a lot of time together, and Rosie remains ageless. Older people’s obsession with the route being taken to drive everywhere features a lot – as do pub quizzes (who doesn’t love a pub quiz?!)

And I adored the final sentence of the book – and desperately want to tell you why – but you’ll just have to read it yourself!!

As part of the publicity for the book, Richard Osman came to Symphony Hall in Birmingham to be interviewed by fellow crime author (and Traitors star) Harriet Tyce – with some Q&A from the audience too. Obviously I had to go (paid for) all merched up (kindly gifted – thank you cousin in law!) and my non book reading husband came along too. It was a wonderful evening – and I was delighted to get my book signed (and not be issued with some kind of restraining order for being a Richard super fan!) I’m also proud to have shown slightly more restraint than when I met Stan Collymore in 1997 and just told him I loved him (pre Ulrika debacle)

I’m already eagerly awaiting the third book in the series!

All merched up!
Signed by Richard Osman – to me!
So excited to meet Richard in person!

Book Review: The Trouble With Sister Francis by Matt Coyne

Posted on by Libby Price

I adored Matt Coyne’s first novel, Frank & Red, and so was delighted to receive an ARC of his new book The Trouble With Sister Francis. Here’s the blurb:

“Sister Francis is an unlikely nun.
She’s sixty, sweary, drives like a lunatic and smokes like a stacked chimney . . . and she runs the Blessed Assumption Boys Club.
Richie, Bennett, Kenny and Stan are four best friends from the Whittle council estate with little to do but get up to no good. After a run-in with local bullies, they discover the crumbling, forgotten club and find themselves in the company of the most remarkable person they will ever meet.
Set against early 1980s Britain, THE TROUBLE WITH SISTER FRANCIS is a funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of unlikely heroes, quiet rebellions, fierce loyalty and unexpected hope.
And at the centre of it all lies a long-forgotten journal that might just change everything.”

The book is told from the point of view of Richie talking about his time as a young lad in the 1980s going to a local boys’ club at the local church. It’s on a run down estate – and has been restarted by the eponymous Sister Francis. Whilst helping set up the club, Richie finds a diary of a teenager called Reginald who had been evacuated to the area at the start of World War 2 – and also attended the boys’ club when it first started. You therefore get a dual timeline of activties of the club.

Richie and his friends and family are wonderfully described – as are Sister Francis and the priests at the Church. As with Frank & Red – the book also looks at intergenerational friendships and relationships in a beautiful way.

I have to say I did guess some of the twists – but in a feeling smug way – it didn’t ruin the story at all.

As with Mat Coyne’s previous book – this really was a lovely, funny, emotional read – a warm hug of a book that I would thoroughly recommend.

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for my ARC. It’s already out, so you can order it immediately if you like the sound of it. It would also make a perfect Christmas present for friends and family of any age.

Book Review: Death Writ Large by Susie Dent

Posted on by Libby Price

Having thoroughly enjoyed Susie Dent’s debut novel ‘Guilty By Definition‘, when I was offered an ARC of her new book, I jumped at the chance. Only when I started reading it did I realise it was an actual sequel to the previous Clarendon Lexicographers book. Here’s the blurb:

“When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt, and tensions intensify when further graffiti is found near the body of a university lecturer.
Martha is not the only one to have doubts when the suspicious death is assumed by police to be a suicide. Called upon to lend their linguistic expertise to the case, she and her colleagues begin to unearth a tragedy that extends beyond the ancient walls of the university. As new messages portend more death, it’s clear that a spirit of vengeance is stalking the city’s streets, and may be reaching out towards them too.”

As before, each chapter starts with a word and its definition – and as previously, some I knew, and some were an education (so I could feel suitably smug if I did know it already!) This felt relevant to the storyline and not a superfluous use of unnecessary adjectives (harping back to a review of a recent book I didn’t like but won’t mention!) Susie’s style is well written, intelligent and tells an interesting story – with different arcs and back stories all cleverly intertwined.

It was great to catch up with Martha and her colleagues, family and friends. Whilst it was nice to have the prior knowledge, I do think the book would stand alone (but I would definitely recommend reading the first one anyway)

The murder mystery element of the book is intertwined with education on language and interwoven with back stories and storylines.

A thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended read. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC. It’s out now (because I’m behind in my blog posts – sorry!)