A Curious Ending by Sally Page

                                                

Ebook:  410 pages      

Genre:  Contemporary Literary Fiction, Fiction, Mystery,                                        

Publisher: Harper Collins September 10th 2026

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: Lady Porter was drifting. For a moment she thought she might be in a boat at sea, rocked by the waves.

Review Quote: ‘I absolutely loved it! So different, clever, funny and charming’ Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde

My Opinion: 

A few years ago I was recommended to Sally Page's novels and she is now a favourite author of mine. This is the fifth novel of hers I have read and once again I was captivated by the story. Having always wanted to believe in ghosts I was fascinated by Sally Page's 'kindred spirit' Abigail who is a main protagonist in 'A Curious Ending' along with Lara.

Having recently moved to Dorset and opened a florists, Lara thought life would be drama free in the small village. How wrong she was, as she finds herself along with Abigail trying to solve a death in the locality. They are convinced it is murder and not a suicide as reported.

Obviously not a typical murder mystery novel but it was certainly a very readable narrative with lots of twists and turns. A lovely read that I can recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Escape into the world of Sally Page with the perfect armchair read! From the author of phenomenal bestsellers The Keeper of Stories and The Book of Beginnings comes another novel that will warm your heart.

When Lara bought a floristry and moved to North Dorset, she did so with the expectation that her life would become less eventful. But since the death of her loyal customer and good friend, Lady Porter, Lara suspects foul play…

The Hon. Abigail Rossmore knows exactly how it feels to suspect murder but not to have sufficient she’s seen it all before. She’s seen it many times, in fact, over the course of the last 190 for The Hon. Abigail Rossmore is a ghost, drawn to haunting suspicious deaths.

Despite her initial shock, Lara’s relief at having someone to share her concerns with soon develops into a steady friendship with Abigail as they investigate the circumstances behind Lady P’s death. But who is keeping her fate secret?

Previous Reviews:  The Keeper of Stories.  The Book of Beginnings  The Secrets of Flowers

Six Little Words

Author Profile: 

Courtesy of Author Website

After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.

In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.

Photograph, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.    Author's Official Website.   Instagram Profile  Twitter Profile

Facebook - SallyPageAuthor.   Goodreads Profile

It's Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh

                                              

Hardback: 391 pages     

                                                                                           

Genre:  Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Psychological Thriller,

Publisher: Harper Collins 2026

Source:  Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: The lights change from green to amber. Nadeeka hesitates for a heartbeat before pressing her foot flat against the accelerator.

Review Quote: 'Madly twisty and super pacy and so so clever' LISA JEWELL

My Opinion: 

Having only just discovered Clare Mackintosh's writing I will certainly try and read more of her novels in the future. This one kept me reading until 1am to finish it, I was so riveted to the story.

To start with 'It's Not What You Think' feels like it is going to be a typical murder mystery. The female protagonist Nadeeka is convinced her partner Jamie is having an affair. Rushing home to she thinks catch him in the act, she is mortified to find him dead! Of course this results in a murder investigation, but one that takes so many twists and turns. The novel certainly lives up to its title.

The topics covered in this addictive novel are particularly relevant to current affairs. At time quite scary but I urge you to read if you enjoy a good thriller, as it may well open your eyes. Certainly gives the reader plenty of food for thought.

 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

He has a secret. She knows he's lying…

YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs. She's been here before.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST

When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he's lying. He's with another woman, and she's determined to catch him in the act.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS

But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can't explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…Jamie is dead.

Author Profile:

                                              

                                                             Courtesy of Goodreads

The following is just a snippet from her Goodreads Profile

I love connecting with my readers, and there are plenty of ways you can get a sneak peek at what's going on behind the scenes. My Facebook group offers reading recommendations and exclusive extras to members (just search online for 'The Clare Mackintosh Book Club'), or if it's general chit chat you're after, please do follow me on Instagram, where I go to avoid writing, and to share snippets of my life in rural Wales, complete with three spaniels and Pete the goat. I'm also on TikTok, much to the dismay of my three teenagers...

* * *

With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. She has since written seven more bestselling novels. Together, her books have been translated into 40 languages and spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Clare Mackintosh Official Website    Twitter Profile.   Goodreads Profile.   Facebook Profile

Instagram Profile

A Fatal Love by Louisa Treger

Hardback + EBook: 229 pages     

                                                                                           

Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, 

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2026

Source: The Author + NetGalley

First Sentence: Ruth got out of the car and walked towards the Magdala, the gun in her hand heavy and cold.

Review Quote: Vividly and grippingly portrayed ― The Times

My Opinion: 

Lousia Treger has once again succeeded in writing another exhilarating novel about a 'Trail Blazing Woman'

'A Fatal Love' is the story of Ruth Ellis, who was the last woman to be executed in Britain. It was the 1950's and Ruth was working as a hostess in the infamous drinking clubs of London. Ruth already had a history of abusive relationships in her past and it was sad to see her drawn into another one with David Blakely. An abusive relationship which culminates in her shooting him.

The author has certainly found her niche, producing fictional stories, based on facts about real and fascinating women with stories to be told. Let us hope she has many more to reveal to us, as they so far have all been gripping reads.  Louisa Treger has an eye for detail and with her sensitive writing the reader understands how Ruth was a tragic victim of an abusive relationship.  Highly recommended reading.

 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

It is Easter Sunday in 1955 and a young man lies face-down on the ground covered in blood. A woman, blonde and petite, stands over him with a gun in her hand. This is the story of Ruth Ellis as never told before...

As Ruth awaits her trial in Holloway Prison, she recollects growing up in England during the Second World War and the events that led to the death of her lover, David Blakely.

Meanwhile, Kitty Carrington - the assistant to Ruth's trial lawyer - tries to forge her own path through the male-dominated legal world of the 1950s and ensure that Ruth receives a fair trial.

Navigating secrets, betrayal and a broken justice system, Ruth and Kitty try to take control of their own lives and narratives. But do we ever really know the full story?

Previous Reviews: The Dragon Lady   Madwoman.   The Paris Muse

Author Profile:

Born in London, Louisa Treger began her career as a classical violinist. She studied at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a freelance orchestral player and teacher.

Louisa subsequently turned to literature, gaining a First Class degree and a PhD in English at University College London, where she focused on early twentieth century women’s writing.

Married with three children, she lives in London.



Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Author's Official Website   Goodreads Author Profile  Amazon Author Page

Twitter Profile.    Instagram Profile  Facebook Profile

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

                                                       

Paperback:   288 pages                                                                         

Genre:  Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, 

Publisher:  Penguin Paperback 2026

Source:  Tywyn Library

Literary Awards:  *WINNER OF THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2026*
Audie Award for Ensemble Performance and Nominee for Fiction (2026), Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Audiobook (2025), Women's Prize for Fiction (2026), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction and for Debut Novel (2025), The Rooster -- The Morning News Tournament of Books Nominee for Longlist (2026), The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Nominee for Longlist(2025), She Reads Best of Award Nominee for Book of the Year (2025), Libby Award Nominee for Best Audiobook and Best Debut (2026)

Setting: Maryland, USA.  

First Sentences: At last, on Monday around ten or half past, Sybil Van Antwerp carries the mug of Irish breakfast tea with milk to her desk.

Review Quote:  'Immensely enjoyable' Guardian

My Opinion:

I have been wanting to read ‘The Correspondent’ for sometime now. Mainly because since publication last year it has been nominated for so many literary awards and I wanted to find out why.

In this her debut novel, the author Virginia Evans has given us a memorable protagonist in Sybil Van Antwerp. Sybil uses letter writing as communication and the novel is written as a series of letters, sent and received, through which the reader gets to know how life has treated her.

A unique idea which was an emotional read. Letters are not an easy format for a novelist to use as a medium to tell a story through. Virginia Evans has done so successfully and compassionately.  Highly recommended.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length... Until letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life.

Now, Sybil must send the letter she has been writing for all these years - and find forgiveness within herself in order to move on.

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be ‘a very small thing’, but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

Author Profile:

                                                                                                              

                                                Photo and Bio Courtesy of Amazon

Virginia Evans is from the east coast of the United States and was born in 1986.  She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature. After starting a family, she went back to school for her master’s of philosophy in creative writing at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she had the good fortune to study under Carlo Gébler, Eoin McNamee, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton and Kevin Power. She now lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, Mark, two children, Jack and Mae, and her Red Labrador, Brigid.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Goodreads Profile   Amazon Author Page.   Wikipedia Profile.    Author - Official Website