Two Heads Are Better Than One

Malcolm Hollingdrake

Publication Date: 9 September 2025

Publisher: Hobeck Books

SYNOPSIS

Antisocial behaviour is on the rise on the streets of Liverpool. Swift and silent, a sinister gang is patrolling the city on electric motorbikes, scouting for opportunities to steal.

DI April Decent and her trusted team of detectives are facing a complex series of crimes including the cold case of a young woman who died almost a year earlier. The perpetrator remains in the shadows, a traumatised past leaving them hell-bent on atonement, hoping to find a way to cleanse their soul of guilt.

‘The Controller’ of the gang pulls their strings, their orders becoming ever more ambitious and demanding, until a robbery goes wrong, and a gang member is arrested.

MY REVIEW

Extremely well plotted and written, Malcolm yet again had me completely engrossed. Vivid descriptions. Characters I enjoyed meeting again from his previous book plus plenty of new characters who all felt so real. Some I felt sorry for. Some I wanted to see behind bars.

There are few storylines which come together very satisfactorily although I was taken by surprise by the sudden ending as I was expecting there was at least another chapter! 

The main storyline of the thugs on electric bikes causing havoc and stealing is exactly what is happening in the real world, sadly. It is inevitable some of these thefts will end up similar to the storyline here where a woman fights back and is killed. Scary times.

I enjoyed the small side story about the dentist which popped up now and again throughout the book. It made me chuckle.

Love Malcolm’s sense of humour which came through frequently. There is a comparison to Cluedo which made me laugh out loud. 

I’m hoping there will be more from the wonderfully named DS Skeeter Warlock and DI April Decent and their hardworking department.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

You could say that the writing was clearly on the wall for someone born in a library that they might aspire to be an author, but to get to that point Malcolm Hollingdrake has travelled a circuitous route.

Malcolm worked in education for many years, even teaching for a period in Cairo before he started writing, a challenge he had longed to tackle for more years than he cares to remember.

He has written a number of successful short stories, has thirteen books now available and is presently planning the next crime novel set in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. He also has two books within the Merseyside Crime Series published by Hobeck Books and is working on the third.

Born in Bradford and spending three years at Ripon College, Malcolm has never lost his love for his home county, a passion that is reflected in the settings for all the DCI Bennett novels However, as well as the Bennett series he is writing a new series set in Merseyside.

Malcolm has enjoyed many hobbies including collecting works by Northern artists; the art auctions offer a degree of excitement when both buying and certainly when selling. It is a hobby he has bestowed upon DCI Cyril Bennett, the main character in his successful Bennett series.

Amazon page: http://bit.ly/AmtoMHdrake

Publisher page: http://bit.ly/BhBtoMH

Home

The Pumpkin Pact

By Charlie Dean

The Pumpkin Pact

Welcome to The Pumpkin Patch at Pickle Grove.

Andi is worried that her relationship with Drew has become dull and boring. They never do anything exciting these days, in or out of the bedroom. So when a swoon-worthy stranger appears she is instantly swept off her feet.

When they unexpectedly meet again, they realise they have more in common than they thought possible so draw up a pact to spice up their lives! The plan they conjure up while working together at The Pumpkin Patch, to make their partners jealous, brings them closer than ever.

Andi plucks up the courage to finish with Drew but there are no signs of Andrew doing the same and she thinks she’s lost him forever.

With meddling exes, misunderstandings and miscommunication getting in the way, can The Pumpkin Pact bring them back together?

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/iAh5Mtx

Follow Charlie Dean on Twitter – https://twitter.com/CharlieADean

Rosie Green

Publication Day: 15 August 2025

SYNOPSIS

Clara’s dance school is finally open, much to the excitement of the residents of Sunnybrook.
The stress-busting, lights-off ‘Dancing in the Dark’ sessions are a big hit with the Little Duck
Pond Café girls. But when the school is threatened with closure, will Clara’s dream be over before it’s even begun?

Love is in the air for new recruit Anika, but could her dreams of romance be about to turn sour, too?

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DRZZS141
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRZZS141

MY REVIEW

I loved both Clara’s and Anika’s stories, and how the girls came together as Clara employed Anika to run the Little Duckling cafe at Clara’s new dance school. Great name for an extension of the existing Little Duck Pond cafe!

Clara had dreamed of having her own dance school so was over the moon when the day finally came to open the doors for the first time. Unfortunately things seem to be going awry with her relationship with Rory, and she is worried he may be seeing someone else.

Anika is having a really tough time. Having lost her mother years ago in an accident, her father is now in hospital in a coma following an act of bravery. They live together and are struggling to pay the bills. When Xander comes into her life, she is still not over being dumped by Loathsome Les a few weeks before their wedding. Is she ready for a new relationship? 

Every time I pick up one of the Little Duck Pond novellas, I am immediately back in Sunnybrook and can’t put them down! I adore Rosie’s writing style and all the gorgeous characters she creates. We get to know more about them in every book, plus new characters are always being introduced.

Can’t wait for the next one!

ROSIE GREEN

Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for more drama and romance in ‘Autumn Wishes
& Fireside Kisses’ and ‘A Merry Little Christmas’, which will be published in October and November 2025.

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

Helen Rolfe

Publication Date: 24/8/25

SYNOPSIS

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.
But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter.
Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.
Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

MY REVIEW

Well that was quite the tearjerker! I lost count of the number of times I cried whilst reading this one! Some of it was a bit close to home for me which made it more emotional for me to read.

This was the fourth book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed them all.

The book is set between England and Vienna. Having been to Vienna it was lovely to read about some of the places I had visited. A Christmas visit is now on my bucket list!

When Bea dies in a care home, Sophie her carer and friend decides to travel to Vienna to tell Bea’s lifelong friend Greta Whyte the sad news in person.

In Vienna, the Whytes are reeling from a loss of their own but they are overjoyed that Sophie has made the trip to visit them. 

Sophie has a connection with Jennie, a girl the Whytes took under their wing, which neither girl is aware of and which is going to deeply affect everyone.

Such an emotive read and so well written. My heart went out to both Sophie and Jennie and the trauma they had both faced in their lives and the severe guilt they still carried.

A really great read to add to your Christmas reading list.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/ThisIsChristmas

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

Social Media Links –
Facebook: @HelenRolfeAuthor
Instagram: @helen_j_rolfe
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HelenRolfeNews
Bookbub profile: @helenrolfe

My Rockstar Neighbour

By Kathy Strobos

Publication Date: 10th October 2025

SYNOPSIS

When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?

Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.”  In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms. 

That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….

Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.

Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?

 

Pre-order Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHZ2LNFR

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FHZ2LNFR/

https://books.apple.com/us/book/my-rock-star-neighbor/id6748830148

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathy Strobos is an award-winning author living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys, and dollhouses. She took a break from working as a lawyer to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape. She is still working on getting in shape. 

Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and her smart heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the award-winning author of: A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend, Love Is an Art and My Secret Snowflake. 

Social Media Links – 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathystroboswriter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathystrobosrewrites

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathy-strobos

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathystrobos9451

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21826543.Kathy_Strobos

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kathy-Strobos/author/B09GGB2G1B

Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Kathy-Strobos/B09GGB2G1B

 

Book 4 of the Joseph Spector series

By Tom Mead

Publication Date: 14 August 2025

Publisher: Aries / Head of Zeus

SYNOPSIS

LIKE LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES? YOU’LL LOVE TOM MEAD’S JOSEPH SPECTOR SERIES!

This gripping locked-room mystery sees Joseph Spector investigate his most sinister case yet: murderous machinations at a haunted manor house.

A former First World War field hospital, the spooky old mansion at Devil’s Neck attracts spirit-seekers from far and wide. 

Illusionist-turned-sleuth Joseph Spector knows the house of old. With stories spreading of a phantom soldier making mischief, he joins a party of visitors in search of the truth.

But the house, located on a lonely causeway, is quickly cut off by floods. The stranded visitors are soon being killed off one by one. 

With old ally Inspector Flint working on a complex case that has links to Spector’s investigation, the two men must connect the dots before Devil’s Neck claims Spector himself as its next victim.

MY REVIEW

Wow that was quite a ride! My mind is completely boggled after finishing it. What a clever, twisty, locked room(s) murder mystery which kept me guessing. All of my questions were answered at the end in quite the enlightening summary from Spector! I did not have a clue how it would end. And thank you Tom, I’m going to have nightmares about The Stepney Lad!

With Joseph Spector in situ, nothing can slip through the net. Having been an illusionist who has turned his hand to solving murders, he approaches the scene of the crime with a different eye to that of his old ally, Inspector Flint. 

With what appears at first to be a suicide in a house in London, and a murder in a remote old house cut off by a causeway, both Spector and Flint have their work cut out to find the connection. Can this have anything to do with the Aitken inheritance and a similar murder suicide set up two decades earlier?

If you love Agatha Christie you’re going to enjoy reading this series from the master of the locked room mystery, Tom’s Mead. His Golden Age settings for his crime novels make them stand out as something a bit different from the masses of crime novels out there, and us readers like to find something a bit different. This is the fourth in the series and I have enjoyed every one. They don’t need to be read in order each can be read as a stand alone.

Buckle up for a heck of a ride, and take nothing at face value! 

Delighted to be sharing my review on the blog tour, thanks to Sophie at Ransom PR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Mead is a UK crime fiction author specialising in locked-room mysteries. He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the International Thriller Writers’ Organization. His debut novel is DEATH AND THE CONJUROR, featuring magician-detective Joseph Spector.

Clare Marchant

Publication Day: 18/8/25

Publisher: Boldwood Books

SYNOPSIS

Brand new from the bestselling author of THE HOUSE OF THE WITCH. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Amanda Geard and Christina Courtenay ✨

Two women, linked by the cards, unravel a secret spanning the decades… 🃏🗝️

1644: Portia is living in London, having escaped an abusive man in Italy, with just baby Vittoria and the clothes on their backs. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her – who need help. As she delivers the Devil card to their door, each has the chance to escape… But to what future? Because Portia is a woman with secrets. And they are about to come back to haunt her.

Now: After her mother’s death and father’s hasty plans to remarry, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in London. But when she’s unpacking, she finds a set of cards she’s never seen before, one that’s evidently been handed down through generations of her family. It’s a set that is missing a card though… the Devil’s Card. She begins to search for the lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17^th century London… 

Will she find the truth… or will she only see the illusions the cards are suggesting?

If you love The Midnight House and The Square of Sevens? You’ll adore Clare Marchant’s Daughter of the Tarot!

MY REVIEW

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Clare’s books are always an absolute joy to read and lose myself in.
Having been a huge fan since her first book, The Secrets of Saffron Hall, I eagerly await each new release.
Daughter of the Tarot is another fantastic dual timeline novel, where Clare’s talent for writing absorbing, meticulously researched historical fiction shines through the pages. I absolutely loved it, both the historical part set in 1644 and the part set in the present.

My heart was in my mouth as in 1644 Portia, who herself escaped a dangerous life, helps married women with abusive husbands escape their life threatening lives with the help of her tarot cards. A chance meeting puts her own life in danger again, but can she escape a second time?
In the present timeline, Bea has opened a shop selling tarot cards and offering readings. She finds an antique set of hand painted cards in her mother’s possessions but the Devil card is missing. She sets out on a mission to find it and make the set whole again, and at the same time finds romance.

I paced myself as I wanted this book to last as long as possible but I couldn’t resist finishing it today!

Wonderful!

Huge thanks to the publisher for my advance copy of the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Growing up in Surrey, Clare always dreamed of being a writer. Instead for many years she followed a career in IT, before moving to Norfolk where she lives with her husband and the youngest of her six children.

Now writing full time, Clare’s books have been translated into eight languages. She loves Tudor and 17th century historical mysteries and especially the forgotten stories of women throughout the centuries. Her weekends are spent researching for her historical dual timeline books amongst the local castles and monastic ruins, or visiting the nearby coast.

Clare loves to chat with readers and she can be found on various social media platforms.

Eva Glyn

📚 COVER REVEAL 📚

Publication Dates – 16th January 2026 (ebook) 29th January 2026 (paperback)

SYNOPSIS

Where books are borrowed, and friendships are forged…

When her beloved grandfather dies, Ana Meštrović buys a catamaran in his memory, which she names Dida Krila – Grandad’s Wings.

For the summer months, it will be transformed into a travelling library, delivering books to children living across the Croatian islands.

Joined by crew members Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, and Lloyd, an older widower who needs a fresh start, the newly-formed trio all have their own reasons for needing the floating library to be a success.

Embarking on an adventure that will change them for good, they each discover that a new chapter is only a boat ride away…

Pre-order Link – https://mybook.to/CroatianIslandLibrary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.

Set mainly in Croatia, her contemporary stories are more about friendship than romance, the coming together of people through shared interests, and the opportunity to make fresh starts in their lives. A love of books is a common theme too, so her publisher, One More Chapter, has christened them the Bookish Escapes collection which currently includes The Dubrovnik Book Club, and The Santorini Writing Retreat, with The Croatian Island Library to be published in January 2026.

In addition Eva has written two Second World War dual timeline romances, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter, and a new beginnings novel entitled The Olive Grove. All are set in Croatian, a country she loves.

Although she considers herself Welsh, Eva lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love with more than thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvaGlynAuthor

Twitter: @JaneCable

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evaglynauthor/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/eva-glyn

By Murray Bailey

Publication Date: 14 July 2025

SYNOPSIS

When Egyptologist Alex MacLure’s friend and mentor dies he’s stunned to discover she’s left a message—hidden, encoded, and meant only for him.

With a mysterious artifact and a trail of cryptic symbols, Alex is thrust into a deadly race against time. What begins as a quest to finish her research quickly spirals into a chilling conclusion: her death was no accident. She was murdered for what she discovered.

Now he’s the next target.

Hunted by a ruthless adversary, Alex finds himself swept from the academic halls of London to the heart of Egypt’s oldest sites.

As he races to decode a forgotten truth buried beneath centuries of deception, powerful enemies close in—willing to kill to protect a secret—a revelation so explosive, it could rewrite everything we know about ancient Egypt and religion.

MY REVIEW

I am a huge fan of Murray’s Blackjack series and also his Ash Carter series. Superb fast paced action thrillers which I highly recommend.

I was very excited to start on book 1 in The Egyptian Stones series. This time Murray is focusing on Egyptology, hidden codes and cyphers and of course a crime or two. 

Although the main character is not quite the action man Ash Carter is, he is an ace code breaker, specifically hidden Egyptian codes and mathematical sequences.

Following the death of his close friend, and with a message she left him to find her hidden research, Alex is now himself in danger and he must track down her research notes to see what she found before she was murdered. He must find out before those who do not want a deeply hidden secret revealed get to him. Having carefully hidden her research, she has left clues for Alex to solve. He enlists the help of a young woman he meets in a park who comes to his rescue, and who is more knowledgeable about ancient Egypt than you would expect a random stranger to be. I was concerned Alex was rather naive in trusting her so easily and you bet I shouted at him to be careful.

The story includes plenty of fascinating ancient Egyptian facts and plenty of twists and turns to keep those pages turning. I’m so intrigued by Ancient Egypt especially Tutankhamun’s tomb, which also gets lots of mentions, as do Howard Carter, Lord Carnarvon and Highclare Castle.

Thoroughly researched and brilliantly written it had me completely engrossed.

Thank you Murray for inviting me on to your blog tour. I’m looking forward to book 2.

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.

Little Duckpond Cafe series, book 40

By Rosie Green

Published 6 June 2025

SYNOPSIS

With help from the Little Duck Pond Café girls, Rosie’s Spice Kitchen is becoming a firm favourite at the Lockley Meadow farmers’ market. But when shocking things start happening and a face from the past stirs up memories she would rather forget, widow Rosie’s hopes for a better future for her and
her little daughter, Amelie, are suddenly dashed. Has someone discovered her devastating secret? The secret that is preventing her from moving on and finding love again?
Meanwhile, new mum Ellie and step-daughter Maisie are both hiding emotional secrets of their
own . . .

MY REVIEW

My heart is full following my latest visit to Sunnybrook and The Little Duck pond Cafe.

I was delighted to read Rosie’s story, having just met her in the previous book and hoping to get to know more about her.

Starting over in Sunnybrook with her young daughter after her husband dies, she quickly becomes friendly with the cafe girls and gets a part time job alongside her market job selling her homemade curries. Then someone from the past she wishes to forget turns up.

There were lots of tears (from me!) but also lots of laugh out loud and heartwarming moments as we encounter, in Rosie’s sensitive way of writing, love, loss, friendship, a teenager’s life worries and Post Natal Depression.

I absolutely love this series and as always can’t wait for the next one!

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DKD2FL4L
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKD2FL4L

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! She has also written romantic comedies under the name Catherine Ferguson. 

Having studied English at Dundee University, she 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. 

Rosie’s new books for 2025 include: Daydreams & Doughnut Cake, out in June; Teacakes & Tangos, out in August; and Autumn Wishes & Fireside Kisses, which will be published in October.

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