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Week beginning April 29 2016

Michael Ridpath Operation Berlin Boldwood Books, April 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for this uncorrected proof for review. Having recently reread Michael Ridpath’s financial thrillers I found it difficult to change pace with this more elegant approach to murder. Operation Berlin has a certain charm, which grows as the narrative moves toward revealingContinue reading “Week beginning April 29 2016”

Week beginning 22 April 2026

Anjali Enjeti Ballot Bloomsbury Academic, February 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. Ballot makes an enlightened and enlightening contribution to the Object Lessons series. It is passionate, without being didactic, politically astute in its descriptions of voting practices and advice on how these have impactedContinue reading “Week beginning 22 April 2026”

Week beginning 15 April, 2026

Kate Stephenson The Book Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh Pen & Sword | White Owl, January 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. Kate Stephenson’s Guide is not only a notable practical resource, but a pleasure to read. Well designed and clearly explained walks become literary explorations asContinue reading “Week beginning 15 April, 2026”

Week beginning 8 April 2026

Eurie Dahn, Snack, Bloomsbury Academic, February 2026. Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic, for this uncorrected proof for review. Snack is another title in the Object Lessons publications that can be so much fun, as well as making a serious contribution to information about the wide range of topics they address. Snack is less entertainingContinue reading “Week beginning 8 April 2026”

Week beginning April 1 2026

Clare Mackintosh, The Butler, Podium Entertainment, June 2026. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. The Butler sets a pace that is quite different from Clare Mackintosh’s previous novels, and I had to adapt to the pace and tone. Once having done so, I was impressed with this writer’s abilityContinue reading “Week beginning April 1 2026”

Week beginning 25 March 2026

Thomas S. Hischak Bringing Song and Dance to the ScreenDirectors of Golden Age Hollywood Musicals Bloomsbury Academic, October 2025. Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. The tone, the language, the content: all lead the reader on a remarkable journey through musicals in the Golden Age ofContinue reading “Week beginning 25 March 2026”

Week beginning March 18 2026

M.L. Stedman A Far-flung Life Penguin Random House Australia| Penguin eBooks (AU Adult), March 2026. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. I found M. L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans a stunning, poignant read. A Far-flung Life is both, and more. The writing is beautiful, the plotting refined, characterisationContinue reading “Week beginning March 18 2026”

Week beginning March 11 2026

Amanda Reynolds The Screenwriter Boldwood Books, January 2024 Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. This title attracted me and, although unattracted to Reynold’s Close to Me in its televised form, suggests that potentially I have found a new source of entertaining psychological thrillers. The Screenwriter has the added attractionContinue reading “Week beginning March 11 2026”

Week beginning 4 March 2026

Scott Ryan The Last Decade of Cinema Black Chateau Fayetteville Mafia Press, June 2024. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review. Scott Ryan has a distinct writing style that carries this serious, perceptive and analytical approach to a decade of film with a firm grasp of the need to engageContinue reading “Week beginning 4 March 2026”