Two Heads Are Better Than One

Felix Francis

Published: 24 September 2026

Publisher: Zaffre

SYNOPSIS

RACING IS AN ART WORTH KILLING FOR . . .

The brand new 2026 novel from the master of the racing thriller – now available in hardback and ebook.

Fabian Tulley is only trying to run his own art gallery in London’s Mayfair in peace – but someone is determined to ruin his life.

Accused of selling a fake Sir Alfred Munnings painting, he is unable to prove his innocence because the police are holding the piece as evidence.

While running a retail stand at Cheltenham Racecourse, some of his other paintings are vandalised. Then, two men try to run him down in the racecourse car park.

To make matters even worse, his regular clients are threatening to keep away from his gallery and his landlords are trying to terminate his lease. Everything is against him, but with someone trying to destroy his life’s work, Fabian resolves not to cave under the pressure.

Saving his business will prove to be the fight of his life – or his death . . .

MY REVIEW

Another engrossing page turner from Felix. This is my 4th, so that speaks volumes.

Almost 50 years old Fabian Tulley. Divorced many years ago. Contentedly living alone and surviving on microwave dinners. Selling artwork from his own gallery to earn a modest living, and fairly content with his life. 

That is until one of his customers accuses him of knowingly selling him a fake painting and threatens to sue him for a crazy sum and ruin his reputation. Fabian’s life, his business and everything he has worked for is suddenly at risk. And if that’s not bad enough, his landlord has given him notice that his lease on his gallery is being broken.

Realising he is dealing with a bully, he refuses to lie back and take it. What follows is a battle of wits as Fabian even dodges murder. More than once. 

Told from Fabian’s point of view, he came across as a true gentleman, only just coping with this crazy turn of events in his comfortable life but getting more and more determined to win as the story progressed.

There’s a bit of positivity for him in the form of Vanessa, who once ran a florist in the same building. He would have struggled without her although she comes across as rather needy and clingy, prepared to do anything for him.

There is a fair bit of references to horse racing as most of his artwork includes horses, and much of the action takes place at various race courses, as do all of his books as he follows in the footsteps of his father, Dick.

Overall a great read. Good pacing and I couldn’t put it down. Couldn’t wait to see how it all turned out and I was very happy indeed with the ending. Jam packed with plenty of horse racing and art world facts too.

Julie Shackman

Publication Date: 31st January 2027

SYNOPSIS

A story about where we come from – but most importantly, where we’re going…

Brooke never intended to return to her native Scotland. That is until she’s offered a job with legendary literary agent, Levi Hudson, who just happens to represent her favourite author, Petra Swan.

Petra’s books helped her find hope again after her heart was broken, and Brooke will do anything to meet her. Even if it means working with the formidable Levi.

Not only is he grumpy, he’s also infuriatingly handsome. Yet as his frosty exterior slowly begins to melt, Brooke realises that moving back to the highlands might be the best decision she’s ever made…

Author Bio

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She has two sons and an adopted Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. Dreaming of a Scottish Summer is Julie’s sixteenth novel.

 

Social Media Links – Julie Shackman Author   – Website

 

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman – Instagram

 

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman    – Facebook

 

https://x.com/G13Julie – X

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@julieshackmanauthor    – TikTok

 

Book 5 of 5: Ash Carter Near East Crime-Thriller

Murray Bailey

Published 25 Sept 2026

SYNOPSIS

The war may have ended, but the cover-ups never did.

Israel 1950. SIB Captain Ash Carter is called into the British ’embassy’ to report on the death-in-service of a consular officer. Despite assurances that there is nothing suspicious, Carter begins a challenging investigation – one that the authorities disprove of. And the deeper he digs, the more complex it appears.

Meeting an Israeli private detective, investigating a linked crime, Carter forms an uneasy alliance. Together, they uncover something too shocking to be believed without hard proof. With the highest of political stakes, distrust at every turn, deceit, kidnapping and murder, Carter must find a balance between the law, justice and revenge. 

Dead Man’s Run is the fifth historical crime novel in the Ash Carter Near East series but can be read as a stand-alone

MY REVIEW

Another fast paced, action packed thriller from Murray Bailey.

I am such a huge fan of Murray’s writing and his characters feel like old friends.

Ash Carter is a military investigator, and in this outing he is called to dot the i’s and cross the t’s on a suicide.

However, in Ash’s dog with a bone style he uncovers not only the fact it was not a suicide, but a huge forgery business where loose ends seem to be getting tied off. 

I was delighted that Ash’s friend and colleague Bill Wolfe turns up in this one.

The perfectly described setting in 1950’s Israel sucked me right in to the action.

My heart was pounding so many times as Ash gets himself into a fair few situations requiring his boxing training to be used. 

There is no dip in the middle of the book and no unnecessary fillers just non stop action all the way which ramps up even further towards the end. 

Oh and the pointy ears had me giggling!

Phew I feel I have done a few rounds with Mike Tyson but in a good way!

And I have a favourite line from the book. How’s this for a page turning quote:

‘Mayhem was coming and it was on a timer’

Yes! I’m here for the mayhem!

Could this be Murray’s best book yet? 

Can’t wait for more!

Thanks to Murray for an advance copy of Dead Man’s Run and for having me on the blog tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Murray Bailey Is the author of the Ash Carter thrillers, inspired by his father’s experience in the Royal Military Police in Singapore in the early 1950s. From the prequel series, based in Cyprus and Israel, The Prisoner of Acre won the 2025 Page Turner Award. A post-Singapore series is based in the Philippines. The Heretic Cypher is the first book of a trilogy featuring a young Robert Langdon-type character decrypting secret messages written by an ancient Egyptian. 

Murray is well traveled, having worked in the US, South America and a number of European countries throughout his career as a management consultant. However he also managed to find the time to edit books, contribute to articles and act as a part-time magazine editor.

Murray was born in Manchester and now lives on the south coast of England with his family and two dogs, Teddy and Muffin.

Marisa Linton

SPOTLIGHT POST – REVIEW TO FOLLOW

Publication Dates: HB 9 Oct 2025, PB 24 Sept 2026

Publisher: Hodderscape

SYNOPSIS

A gripping historical fantasy horror steeped in mystery, romance and the macabre.
It’s 1904, and occult detection is no profession for a woman. That won’t stop Evie Winstanley.
When her father, a collector of occult books, dies in strange circumstances, Evie is determined to investigate. Her only lead: a cryptic mention of the ‘Circle of Shadows.’ From a chilling séance on the lonely Yorkshire moors to the sinister, hedonistic halls of Oxford’s elite, Evie hunts for answers,
stalked by whispers of an ancient monster and an ever-shifting, ominous symbol.
But when a young woman’s body surfaces in the Cherwell, bearing that same mark, Evie uncovers a truth far more terrifying than a single murder. Now, Evie isn’t just seeking justice; she’s fighting to save her sister who she fears might be the next victim, in a dark and twisted adventure where gilded boys unleash hell and defiant women must pick up the pieces. Nothing will stop her investigation,
not outraging Edwardian notions of female propriety, and certainly not offers of romance.
Blending historical fantasy with Golden Age classic crime, Circle of Shadows is a dark and twisty adventure through an occult Edwardian England where wealthy boys toy with powers they don’t understand, and a lone woman takes a stand against them.

Sherlock Holmes didn’t deal with the supernatural. But Evie Winstanley does.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Shadows-gripping-historical-Winstanley/dp/1399740229/
https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Shadows-gripping-historical-Winstanley/dp/1399740180/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marisa Linton is both a professor of history, and a prize-winning author of supernatural fiction.
In 2023 Marisa won the Times/Chicken House competition with her eerie young adult fantasy, The Binding Spell. Published by Chicken House, May 2025. She describes it as a mash-up of The Wicker Man and This Country. It’s set in a remote village, where witches and druids still abide in secret.
Marisa’s first adult novel, Circle of Shadows, is a gothic historical fantasy and dark mystery about a determined young woman in Edwardian Britain who becomes an occult detective and fights demons, both fantastical and human. Published by Hodderscape, October 2025, the paperback will be
published 24 September 2026. The sequel, Domain of Darkness, will be published in December 2026.
It’s been described as ‘Enola Holmes meets Dennis Wheatley’ (Greg Mosse).

Social Media Links –
Instagram: @linton.marisa
Website: https://www.marisalinton.com

Little Duck Pond Cafe book 47

Rosie Green

Publication Date: 31 July 2026

SYNOPSIS

When new girl Ivy starts working at the café, Maddy suspects she might be hiding something. But when Ivy’s secret is finally revealed, it’s more heart-breaking than anyone could possibly have imagined.

MY REVIEW

Oh how I love going back to Sunnybrook to meet old friends, and to make new ones.

In this latest instalment we meet Ivy, the latest recruit to the Little Duck Pond Café.

Ivy has had something traumatic happen to her recently, and with the warm and supportive staff at the cafe she becomes more confident and reveals her heartbreaking secret.

I really enjoyed the mystery in this one, and hoped for a happy ending for Ivy although I had no idea how she was going get one! But the fabulous thing about Rosie‘s books is there is always a happy and uplifting ending albeit with a few tears. 

I love little Teddy too he is adorable!

Please keep writing this series Rosie, I always look forward to the next one.

Another beautiful cover too.

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Midsummer-Cottage-Little-Duck-ebook/dp/B0G5K963TY
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Midsummer-Cottage-Little-Duck-ebook/dp/B0G5K963TY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosie is the author of the popular, long-running Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional English village of Sunnybrook. She loves to write stories that are full of drama, romance, mystery, family and friendship – happy endings guaranteed, of course! Rosie has also written romantic comedies under the name Catherine Ferguson. 

Having studied English at Dundee University, Rosie worked as a journalist and then moved to Surrey, where she set up an organic fruit and veg box scheme. She then gravitated back to her birthplace and now lives with her family in the beautiful county of Northumberland. 

‘The Secrets of Midsummer Cottage’ is out now! Other new books for 2026 include ‘The Red Velvet Cake Mystery’ (September); and ‘First Dance at the Christmas Ball’ (November).

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88
https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

By Nicola May

Publication Date: 6th November 2026

SYNOPSIS

When Mabel Clutterbuck opens a Christmas shop in sleepy Merrycombe Bay, she has no idea how much her little emporium is about to change the hearts and minds of the people who live there.

Mabel Clutterbuck reluctantly returns to the seaside town she grew up in to be closer to her ailing mother. However, the old woman’s fading memories keep confusing Mabel with her sister Clara – the sister who sacrificed everything to care for their mother before recently disappearing without trace. 

Determined to breathe new life into the old shop Clara used for her crafting endeavours, Mabel transforms it into Mrs Clutterbuck’s Christmas Emporium, a magical haven filled with vintage decorations, festive treasures, and a little bit of wonder. 

The true magic, however, lies in Mabel’s Lucky Dip Gift Boxes. Carefully chosen for the hidden heartaches of the customers who buy them, each one brings comfort, hope, and unexpected joy. Not everyone in Merrycombe Bay is convinced, though, especially the formidable ladies of the local WI! 

As Christmas approaches, an unexpected romantic encounter gives Mabel a glimpse of a future she never thought possible. And while she helps others find happiness, she begins to heal the parts of herself she thought would remain broken.

But beneath the sparkle of fairy lights and festive cheer, old wounds refuse to stay buried. Why did Clara leave MerrycombeBay? And if she returns, will Mabel lose everything she’s finally found – including the future she never thought she deserved.

Heartwarming, uplifting and sprinkled with Christmas magic, Mrs Clutterbuck’s Christmas Emporium is a story of family secrets, second chances, unexpected romance, and the power of kindness.

Pre-order Link – https://amzn.eu/d/0h1XusUq

Author Bio 

Nicola May is a bestselling author renowned for her heartwarming and humorous romantic comedies. With twenty-three books to her name, her work has captured readers’ hearts around the world, has been translated into fifteen languages and consistently ranks in the top 100 of Amazon’s Kindle bestseller charts. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cream teas in her beloved Devon, hikes through nature, and occasionally places a bet on the horses.

Social Media Links – 

w: www.nicolamay.com

i: author_nicola

fb: Nicola May Romance Author | Facebook

 

 

Madders of Time – Book One

DL Orton

Published : 6 May 2025

Publisher : Rocky Mountain Press

SYNOPSIS

What if saving the future meant rewriting the past?

In a dying world overrun by microdrones, humanity’s last survivors cling to life inside the Eden-17 biodome. Isabel Sanborn knows her time is running out, but one desperate plan might give humanity a second chance. With the help of Madders, an enigmatic AI built from the memories of a brilliant physicist, Isabel sends Diego Nadales—the love of her life—35 years into the past. His mission? To change the course of history and prevent their world’s collapse. 

When Diego arrives in the vibrant yet fragile Main Timeline, he’s forced to confront ghosts of the past, including a younger, ambitious version of Isabel. As he battles to shape a better future, Diego must navigate a delicate web of relationships and events without destroying the very fabric of time. 

Brimming with suspense, heart-pounding action, and a poignant love story that transcends time, Madders of Time – Book One is a breathtaking science fiction adventure. Award-winning author DL Orton weaves a tale that explores sacrifice, resilience, and the timeless power of love. 

Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Dark Matter will find themselves captivated by this unforgettable journey through parallel worlds and intertwining destinies. 

The clock is ticking. Can love survive the collapse of time itself? 

Prepare to lose yourself in the first installment of the Madders of Time series—a story that will keep you turning pages and leave you hungry for more.

MY REVIEW

Sci fi is not a genre I often read, but the handful I have read I have thoroughly enjoyed, including this one.

This is the first book I have read by DL Orton and is the first in a trilogy. I definitely want to read on and see what happens next.

Beginning in a bleak end of the world scenario, where the last two people on earth are living in a bio dome. Isabel and Diego come up with a plan to use the tiny amount of power they gave left to send Diego back 35 years to stop the destruction of the planet and the human race.

This book has a lot packed into the pages including time travel, nuclear bombs, a romance, bee bots and a loveable rescue cat and dog.

I was engrossed in the story. I especially enjoyed the heart in the mouth section where Isabelle was saved from a collapsing building by Diego, the love of her life whom she had not seen for 15 years. And the bee bots which were simultaneously a super clever invention but also terrifying. One of the main threads is Isabelle trying to keep control over them as her nasty ex husband wants to make a fortune by selling them as bio weapons.

The characters are well written and I enjoyed getting to know Isabel and Diego and also the younger Matt, the physicist who’s memories would become Madders, the AI of the biodome.

Would absolutely recommend to sci fi fans.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, D. L. ORTON, lives in the foothills of Colorado where she and her husband are raising three boys, a golden retriever, two Siberian cats, and an extremely long-lived Triops. Her future plans include completing the books in the BETWEEN TWO EVILS series followed by an extended vacation on a remote tropical island (with a Starbucks).

When she’s not writing, playing tennis, or helping with algebra, she’s building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.

Ms. Orton is a graduate of Stanford University’s Writers Workshop and a past editor of “Top of the Western Staircase,” a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica.com, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.

Her debut novel, CROSSING IN TIME, has won numerous literary awards including an Indie Book Award and a Publishers Weekly Starred Review. It was also selected as one of only 12 Great Indie Stars by BookLife’s Prize in Fiction.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222567665-hive 

Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/92ec58c7-fbb5-45cf-b7ab-23c42ea9f4e9 

Amazon: https://a.co/d/bnN8PN1 (Canada) https://a.co/d/7AiywJA (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/1P5EFIe (UK)

Rosie Green

BLOG TOUR

Publication Date: 30th May 2026

SYNOPSIS

When a catastrophe threatens Ellie’s business there’s a puzzling mystery to solve, and Gertie steps in to follow the clues.

Love and romance are the very last things on Gertie’s mind right now.

But while she’s risking her safety helping to hunt down the culprits, could she also be in danger of losing her heart?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRM5QNMQ
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRM5QNMQ

MY REVIEW

I am delighted to be part of the blog tour for a new book in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series! I absolutely adore this series.

Disaster strikes as The Little Duck Pond Cafe is burgled. Everything has been taken apart from Ellie’s birthday gifts.

With the police not having enough evidence investigate, and doubts about whether the insurance will pay up, Gertie suggests to Ellie that her next door neighbour and PI Jonah can help her try to track down the culprits and save the cafe. With Gertie and Jonah recently single following bad relationships, surely they are not ready for romance again?

Another wonderful story in this fabulous series of cakes, community, and belonging, and of course a lighthearted romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed joining Gertie and Jonah as they followed the clues around the south of England, eating cakes and closing in on the burglars. As always after finishing one of Rosie’s books I am feeling uplifted and ready for the next one!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional
village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘The Secrets of Midsummer Cottage’, which will be published in July.

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88
https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Grace Olson

Published: 10/6/25

Publisher: Brown Dog Books

Suggested reading age: 5 – 10 years

SYNOPSIS

How do you begin to find where you belong when you’re on your own? Rhubarb is an orphan lamb who desperately wants a new mummy. His adventurous spirit leads him on a fantastic journey, guided by the moon. Wisdom appears in the form of a pony who helps Rhubarb to discover that not only has he found a new family, but he has also found the greatest truth – we are all one family bathed in the love of one mother – Mother Nature.

A whimsical tale for lovers of Peter Rabbit, The Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh.

MY REVIEW

What I really loved is the story behind the story, that Rhubarb is a real sheep who is learning to be a therapy animal. 

The beautiful watercolour illustrations really bring this story to life and are such a good likeness to the real Rhubarb whose photograph is in the back of the book alongside Grace.

We follow Rhubarb as he begins his quest to find a mummy, just like the other lambs have and is surprised to find that a little girl can understand him where adults can’t and she joins him in his search.

Helped by the moon and learning about Mother Nature, he meets other animals along the way and finds happiness when he realises we are all one big family.

A really lovely short read to enjoy with your child, or for a more confident reader to read alone. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace was born and bred in Leeds, West Yorkshire. 

She dreamed of owning a pony ever since she was a little girl but it took until adulthood for the dream to come true. Unfortunately, Grace didn’t factor in the amount of poo that was involved with horse ownership. Had she realised that earlier in life she would have found a different hobby! 

Grace’s day job involves helping terminally ill people to feel more comfortable with their situations. She uses a combined treatment of massage, lymphatic drainage, coaching and healing. 

Her big dream is to set up a farm-based therapy centre where rescued farm animals can receive love and care and in turn help to heal the hearts and minds of terminally ill people.

The proceeds of this book will go towards making that dream a reality. So if you have enjoyed reading it please encourage your friends and family to buy it. You can also help by following Grace Olson – Author on Facebook and sharing her website. 

https//www.theyardbook.co.uk

By Matthew Hall

Publication Date: 21/5/26

Publisher: Eye Books

SYNOPSIS

The day Jessie Cunningham achieves her life’s goal and is made partner in an ultra-powerful Toronto law firm, she suffers a catastrophic burnout. While attempting to recuperate, she volunteers for a charity preserving ancient trees in the wilderness of British Columbia. There she meets Todd Samson, a man with a troubled past and a wounded soul.

The attraction is instant, but they’re from different worlds… that are about to collide.

When Todd is falsely accused of murdering a local conservation officer and his beleaguered community in the Three Valleys Reserve comes under pressure from the government to swap its ancestral territory for land on the outskirts of Vancouver, Jessie is drawn into their struggle against greed, corruption and injustice.

Forming an unlikely alliance with Chief Ray Squinas and wood carver and shaman Eldon Marshall, Jessie joins them in the fight of their lives – against just the kind of dark forces she has spent her career serving.

MY REVIEW

This is one of those books which comes along now and again and completely absorbs me into the storyline and the characters. What a brilliant read I loved every page.

What is initially a voluntary position for Jessie Cunningham, staying in a basic hut a world away from her usual life and recording ancient trees on land inhabited by an indigenous tribe, soon turns into a need to put her lawyer hat back on. So much for leaving everything behind for a while.

A woman is murdered and Todd, a local man with whom Jessie platonically shared a cabin one night after twisting her ankle, has been arrested for her murder.

Jessie promises to help his appointed lawyer prove his innocence, but she has no idea that this is just the tip of the iceberg and her own life and career are put in danger.

The descriptions of the wilderness, the people and their history had me totally enthralled. I could visualise that beautiful Totem pole being carved by Eldon, a talented wood carver and shaman.

Should they accept an offered ‘land swap’ to move from their ancestral valley to a new residential area near Toronto?

If you love a deep and meaningful read, one where you are drawn into the story completely, I would highly recommend this one. So far it is my book of the year and it’s going to take something exceptional to top it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Hall is novelist and multi-award winning screenwriter. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Worcester College, Oxford, where he graduated in law.

He has written over 60 hours of prime-time drama and in 2018 won a BAFTA for his most recent hit series, Keeping Faith (BBC1/S4C).

He has written 7 novels and a novella in his Jenny Cooper Coroner series. The Coroner and The Flight were both shortlisted for the Crime Writer’s Association Gold Dagger.

The Jenny Cooper novels have been adapted for television by the Toronto-based Back Alley Films. The series was CBC’s highest ranking show of 2019 and Universal UK TV’s highest ranking new drama release. ‘Coroner’ is distributed internationally by Cineflix/NBC Universal.

Seasons 1 and 2 premier in the US on The CW from August 2020.

He lives in Herefordshire with his wife Patricia Carswell and they have two sons.

Find out more at http://www.matthewhallbooks.com

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