🎧📖 Book Review ~ My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

MacMillan Audio
January 2026

Narrated by : Bel Powley, Richard Armitage, Henry Rodley 

BorrowBox from local library

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

🎧My Review..

Oh, what a tangled web we weave/when first we practise to deceive, and there is nothing more tangled than this complex thriller which absolutely nails the tension from the very beginning in a story which dances and weaves its way through a whole lot of lies, secrets and even more lies. All of which are expertly controlled by a set of unreliable protagonists who you can never truly believe if they are telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing like the truth.

My Husband’s Wife is a masterclass in subterfuge, each character gets under your skin to such an extent that you want to believe what they’re saying but there are so many red herrings and plot twists that any of them could be withholding the truth. The roller coaster of a ride takes some concentration and I was really pleased to have the company of three excellent audio narrators who control the characters so skilfully - Birdy, Harrison, Eden and Carter come vibrantly to life in a story which rattles along at high speed. The added bonus of short and snappy chapters certainly help to keep the momentum of the plot cranked up to high.

Intelligently written, with enough depth of detail to keep me listening, the nine hours of narration flew by in a flash and with the unexpected twist at the end I was left with a real sense of satisfaction which comes from having listened to a complex story, well told.

About the Author 

Alice Feeney is the Sunday Times and New York Times multi-million-copy bestselling author of eight novels. The Netflix adaptation of His & Hers was a Global number 1 in 80 countries, and the most watched TV show in the world in January 2026.

Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years before becoming an author. Her books have been translated into forty languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, including her most recent novel, My Husband’s Wife. Her ninth novel, Twist, will be published in 2027.

X @alicewriterland #MyHusbandsWife 

X @panmacmillan

🎧 Audio Book Review ~ Tansy Bloom : Monster Hunter by L. J. Weller

Audible Original
27 June 2024

My thanks to Audible and Midas for my audio copy of this book

 

Audible, a leading provider of spoken word entertainment, has announced Sex Education star Tanya Reynolds will narrate a new and exciting Audible Original title from debut novelist L.J. Weller.

Three months ago, twenty-eight-year-old Tansy Bloom quit monster hunting. Since then, she’s been trying to live a normal life (whatever that means), but ending up single, unemployed, and living on a boat outside her godfather’s pub definitely wasn’t part of the plan. So, when Tansy’s ex-husband – fellow monster hunter Rex Barclay – turns up like a bad penny and asks for her help with his latest investigation, Tansy reluctantly agrees.

At first, the job appears to be a straightforward monster hunt – following a spate of large creature sightings, Rex believes a werewolf is on the loose in Norfolk, and he intends to capture it. But Tansy’s not convinced. For one thing, the mysterious black dog Rex is hunting is able to vanish into thin air. For another, everyone who’s encountered the black dog is dying in a series of freak accidents.

Bad news for Tansy, who’s just come face-to-face with the creature herself.

🎧 My Review..

Tansy Bloom is a monster hunter who has been told to take a break from hunting but when she goes to stay on a houseboat near to the pub where her godfather is landlord, she soon discovers that there is some mysterious stuff going on around Norfolk. With her interest well and truly piqued, Tansy is determined discover the significance of the mysterious black dog who seems to be appearing  as a warning. There's more to the novel than just creepy monster hunting and as we get drawn deeper into the story so we begin to learn more about Tansy and of the events which have brought her to Norfolk.

This is a really fun listen and the ten hours of the story whizzed by in a flash. Tansy comes alive in this quirky story of monsters and mayhem which is all beautifully brought to life by an expert narrator. Tanya Reynolds does an excellent job of keeping the pace of the story relevant and interesting.

Tansy Bloom : Monster Hunter kept my attention from beginning to end and is another great production from Audible Originals.

About the Author

L.J. Weller, author of Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter, said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Audible to bring my debut novel to life. From day one, Audible has championed this book with enthusiasm and excitement, and collaborating with the team has been a wonderful experience. I hope everyone enjoys listening to Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter as much as I enjoyed writing it!”

About the Narrator

Tanya Reynolds, narrator and actor, said: “Recording audiobooks can be quite challenging, but when you can totally lose yourself in the world that you're reading, it is such a joy, and this was indeed a joy. All the characters were so vibrant on the page and so fun to read, and the story itself is a joyful journey into mythical folklore with a wicked sense of humour. I had so much fun recording this.”

Tanya Reynolds landed her first major role as a series regular on the Sky 1 comedy-drama Delicious. She is also well known for playing Lily Iglehart in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education where she was a part of the main cast in the first three seasons. Other credits include Outlander, Death in Paradise, Emma, Dodger, The Baby, I Hate You and The Decameron.

Tansy Bloom, Monster Hunter will be available exclusively on Audible from 27th June and out now from Audible at http://www.audible.co.uk.

X @ljwellerwrites #TansyBloomMonsterHunter

X @midascampaigns

X @audibleuk

🎧 Audio Book Review ~ Guard Her With Your Life by Joy Ellis ( Narrated by Tom Bateman)

 

6 April 2023

My thanks to Audible and Midas for this audio book

Audible, a world-wide leader in spoken-word entertainment, has launched this gripping thriller from Joy Ellis, author of the hit Jackman and Evans series from Joffe Books. Audible acquired World English audio rights from Lorella Belli at the Lorella Belli Literary Agency. This new story is narrated by Tom Bateman, best known for the series Da Vinci’s Demons and the film Murder on the Orient Express.

Guard Her with Your Life is a new standalone thriller which tells the story of Detective Sam Helsdown. Sam hasn’t seen his daughter Zoe in two years and he’s excited and more than a little nervous to be at the airport picking her up for a visit. She’s 10 years old and has flown on her own for the first time.

Flight BA631 from Athens has already landed and soon a trickle of people begins entering Arrivals. Among them is a little girl who runs towards him, head down, and throws herself into his arms saying ‘Daddy!’.

The only problem is – it’s not his daughter.

Shortly afterwards Sam receives a phone call from his ex, Julia. ‘Help will come. Until then, guard her with your life.’

Soon unknown enemies are closing in and Sam must risk everything to keep this girl safe – and to discover her true identity.

Joy Ellis, author of Guard Her with Your Life said: “I’m so excited that Guard Her With Your Life is narrated by the star Tom Bateman. I have received such support for Jackman and Evans, I hope everyone is gripped by Detective Sam Helsdown just as much as I was writing his adventure.”

Tom Bateman said: “Narrating a thriller like Guard Her with Your Life was such a great experience, taking the listener on a journey full of twists and turns until the big reveal. I’m so pleased to be working with Joy Ellis and Audible on bringing this captivating story to life. I was hooked from the beginning and I’m sure listeners will be too.”

📖 🎧 My Review..

Detective Sam Helsdown is excited, and also apprehensive, about meeting his ten year old daughter, Zoe at the airport as he hasn't, thanks to the acrimonious relationship he has with his ex-wife, seen Zoe for two years.  When the little girl arrives unaccompanied Sam is shocked when she greets him as "daddy" because the girl in front of him isn't Zoe. What then follows is an interesting stand-alone thriller which sees Sam tested to the limit but at the same time never forgetting that at the centre of the story is a child who Sam has been told to guard with his life.

Overall I enjoyed listening to this audio novella, it's quite a quick listen, at just over three hours, so the plot moves along quickly however, whilst Tom Bateman is an interesting narrator, for me, his voice did come across as quite bland and I found my attention wandering a bit. This is the first book I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more of her work, particularly her Fenland series which I have heard are rather good.

About the Author

Joy Ellis is a crime author from Lincolnshire who, once a florist, joined Joffe Books in 2016. She has written three series, totalling 30 books, all of which are available on Audible. Joy Ellis has sold over 3.6 million copies of her books in English across all formats and her books have been translated into 14 languages.

The Jackman and Evans series is currently being developed for television, starring Richard Armitage as DI Rowan Jackman.

About Audible

Audible, an Amazon company, is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible.co.uk content includes more than 700,000 audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Audible has millions of members around the world who subscribe to one of 10 localised services designed for customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. Audible members download nearly 4 billion hours of content annually and listen across a wide range of supported devices.

Website

@audibleuk @midascampaigns

📖 Book Review ~ The Chocolate Maker's Wife by Karen Brooks

 

2019

Set against the backdrop of Restoration London, the plague and the Great Fire, this is a tale of cruelty, revenge, redemption, love and hope, and the sweet, sinister temptation of chocolate.

Damnation has never been so sweet...

When Rosamund Tomkins enters the world she is so different, with her darkling eyes and strange laughter, that the midwives are afraid, believing her a changeling. But Rosamund's life is set to be anything but enchanted...

Born into poverty, brutalised and ignored by her family, it is only when she is married off to a nobleman that her life undergoes a wondrous transformation, as he recognises that Rosamund infuses magic she does not know she possesses into everything she touches.

Clever, quick and irrepressible, Rosamund soon becomes the darling of the haute ton, and presides over her luxurious chocolate house where the rich go to be seen and indulge in their favourite pastime, drinking the sweet and heady drink to which they've become oddly addicted.

But Rosamund stands on the brink of losing all she has worked so hard to achieve and will be forced to make a choice: walk away from all she knows and has grown to love with her soul intact, or make a deal with the devil

📖 My Review ...

Rosamund Tompkins is rescued from her life of misery and neglect by Sir Everard Blithman who marries her for his own selfish reasons and then launches Rosamund into his world of chocolate. Whilst Sir Everard is not a chocolatier he does have a head for business and when he launches a new chocolate house, Rosamund charms the customers with her sweet nature. However, all is not so sweet in the world of chocolate and Sir Everard has his own nefarious reasons for setting up the business.

Set in Restoration London during the years 1660-1667 this rambunctious period in English history comes to life. It's the time of great social change, and with the opening of playhouses and theatres and with a pleasure loving Charles II newly on the throne the country is swept by a new and joyous mood which is why the chocolate, and coffee houses, which started to spring up in the city, were so successful.

With secrets, lies and intrigue very much at the heart of the story there is much to take in and the ending of the story, should the author decide on a sequel, certainly lends itself to a follow up. The story is quite long, over 560 pages, or over 20 hours, if like me you listen to the audio book, so it's quite an investment in time but it's an ideal read to listen to during a wintery afternoon.

☕Best Read with... a cup of rich, dark chocolate

About the Author

Karen Brooks is an Australian author, columnist, social commentator and academic. Brooks was born Sydney, New South Wales, and now lives in Hobart, Tasmania, with her partner and two children.

Twitter @KarenBrooksAU

Book Review ~ The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

 

Mira Books
March 2020

Jaipur Trilogy #1

Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…

Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

My thoughts...

After escaping an abusive marriage, Lakshmi, a gifted henna artist, is building her career amongst the wealthy ladies of Jaipur, where as a guest in their fabulous homes, Lakshmi is privy, not just to their secrets, but also to their hopes and fears. However, as the guardian of their insecurities, Lakshmi leaves her own life open to scrutiny, so when her thirteen year old sister, Radha, suddenly appears in Jaipur, a sister she never knew existed, Lakshmi's settled way of life is suddenly disrupted, and not always in a good way.

The sumptuous descriptions of life in 1950s Jaipur with its mix of wealth, and poverty, comes to vibrant life, and over the course of the story a picture is painted of a colourful world of chattering gossip and, sometimes, sly innuendo, but always with a distinct sense of the importance this society places on social class. Lakshmi is welcomed by the ladies of Jaipur who value her artistry but she is never one of them, and as she discovers, to her cost, this hard earned affability can change very quickly.

The story flows beautifully and the life that Lakshmi lives with her unexpected guest is an interesting one and filled with all the sights, scents and sounds of a teeming city at the height of its success. I especially enjoyed how henna art is explained, from the mixing of the henna paste, to the intricacies of Lakshmi's stunning designs as she seeks to create individual patterns for her clients which have their own special meaning, and which bring her such acclaim. However, success is fickle and Lakshmi has some difficult choices ahead of her before she can find her own true happiness.

The Henna Artist is the first book in a trilogy and I'm so pleased to have finally found the time to listen to the unabridged audio version of this fascinating story, which is so beautifully narrated, over 10 hours, by Sneha Mathan. I'm already looking forward to listening to the second book, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, which is out now.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur 

Mira Books
24 June 2021

Jaipur Trilogy #2

About the Author

Alka Joshi was born in India and raised in the U.S. since the age of nine. She has a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts. At age 62, Joshi released her debut novel, The Henna Artist, which immediately became a NYT bestseller, a Reese Witherspoon Book club pick, was Longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and is being developed for a TV series. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is its sequel.

Twitter @alkajoshi

Website

@HQStories

📖 Review ~ The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 

Penguin
2020

Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves

A female cop with her first big case

A brutal murder

Welcome to…

The Thursday Murder Club

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves The Thursday Murder Club. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it’s too late.

📖 My Thoughts...

Ok, so I'm a bit late to the party with this one as it came out in a flurry of excitement in September last year and I've no excuse for my tardiness other than using the saying too many books, too little time. So despite having an ecopy copy of the book lingering on my kindle, when I spotted the audio version narrated by Lesley Manville, well, I couldn't delay any longer.

Setting the story in a retirement village is such a great premise for a story, and to have four 'old folk' who have too much time on their hands, and who enjoy trying to outwit the local police detectives, well, it's a match made in heaven. I loved every minute of The Thursday Murder Club and am hard pushed to figure out amongst the four septuagenarians who my favourite character was, but I think, on reflection, Joyce is the one who I really looked forward to seeing on the page, her intuitive ponderings really brought the story to life, but equally, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim brought such a sparkle to the story, they are, by a mile, some of the best fictional sleuths I've met in a long time. 

The audio version is expertly narrated by Lesley Manville who brings each of the characters alive in such a lovely, meaningful way that I became so immersed in the story I didn't notice time passing. Also at the end of the narration is a wonderful interview/chat between Richard Osman and Marian Keyes, which is absolutely worth listening too for a glorious insight into Richard's inspiration for the book and the sheer joy of listening to Marion.

The Thursday Murder Club is witty and funny, tender and compassionate, and the most joyous, murder mystery I have read in a long time. All I can say is read it, and then bring on book #2 in September 2021.

About the Author

Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.

Twitter @richardosman

@PenguinUkBooks

Audible Original ~ Animal Societies by Ashley Ward

Audible Original
23 April 2020

My thanks to Midas PR for the opportunity to listen to this audio book

Animal Societies is a voyage of discovery across desert, forest, tundra and ocean to uncover the many benefits and intricacies of sociality in the animal kingdom.

Taking listeners on a journey from Aysgarth Falls to the Great Barrier Reef, Animal Societies explores the intimate worlds of social animals, demonstrating how studying their social behaviour provides insights to the development of such things as empathy, altruism, leadership and language. It’s clear that animals are not so far removed from us as we might imagine

In a time where humans are struggling to navigate cityscapes, isolation and a loneliness epidemic, Ward shows us that studying the social behaviour of animals offers a window into the evolutionary basis of our own species.

What did I think about it..

Animal Societies is a well described journey through the animal kingdom which is brought to life by the skill and passion of the author, who, by narrating his own work, brings his specific expertise in the study of animal behaviour to enhance the overall effect of the book. Whilst the narration is about the partnership of animals with nature, and their reliance on the natural world for survival and social grouping, it's also about the simple joy of enjoying the natural world in all its glorious splendour.

This detailed look at how all the different groups of animals go about their complex lives is thoroughly explained by an expert which brings a specific authenticity to the narration, and everything is explained in an easy to understand manner. The book is stacked full of facts, with much to consider and learn about animal behaviour, however, I never had the feeling that I was sitting in a lecture, rather more that I was listening to an interesting talk with the author. I especially enjoyed the occasional sound effects which added a nice touch and broke up the narration in a good way.

I've enjoyed listening to Animal Societies and thanks to the interesting topic and the skill of the narrator the 13 hours and 36 minutes of the book passed by very quickly.

About the Author

Ashley Ward is Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Sydney and has travelled extensively for his research all over the world – studying lions and elephants in Kenya, whales in the Azores and Tonga, crows in Iceland and Nevada, and fish in Lincolnshire.

@Midaspr

@Audibleuk

Review ~ Holding by Graham Norton (Audio)

Hodder&Stoughton
2016

A bit about the book..

The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama; and yet its inhabitants are troubled. Sergeant PJ Collins hasn't always been this overweight; mother of­ two Brid Riordan hasn't always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn't always felt that her life was a total waste.

So when human remains are discovered on an old farm, suspected to be that of Tommy Burke - a former­ love of both Brid and Evelyn - the village's dark past begins to unravel. As the frustrated PJ struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his life, he unearths a community's worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regret.

My thoughts..

When offered the opportunity to listen to Graham Norton's debut novel, Holding which is narrated by the man himself, well, as a huge fan, I couldn't resist spending 7 or so hours in his congenial company.

The small Irish town of town of Duneen is, on the surface, rather a gentle place, and for the local police officer , PJ Collins,  the only excitement is perhaps where his next bite of breakfast is going to be coming from. However, as with all small towns what you see on the surface is not necessarily what you get, and when human bones are discovered on the edge of an old farm, well, the anticipation generated is beyond anything that PJ has ever experienced.

There is a very good mystery at the heart of the novel which is explored in sympathetic detail. And as the story progresses, and despite gentle hints of humour, there is genuine pathos and more than a hint towards a darker time in the town's history. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, particularly Brid and Evelyn, but I also had a whole bucket load of sympathy for the enigmatic Mrs Meany and longed to be sitting in the Garda House with PJ tucking into one of her sturdy Irish breakfasts.

What I loved about this story, and yes, I did love every word, was the subtle way the author teased the reader with sly innuendo and tantalising little snippets of gossip so that it became like sitting down in a cosy chair, with a plate piled high with scones and biscuits, and having a good old natter with your best friend.

Graham Norton narrates Holding with his inimitable charm and flair. It’s beautifully written, splendidly narrated and a real joy to listen to from start to finish and every minute of the 7 hours and 20 minutes of the audio file was, for me, time well spent. 


Without doubt, this is a commendable debut novel which I hope is the start of many more by this talented author.

Best read with....a hearty breakfast and maybe a glass or two of strong Irish stout but not necessarily at the same time..

About the Author

Graham Norton is one of the UK's best loved broadcasters. He presents The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, has a weekly show on BBC Radio 2, and writes a column for the Telegraph. He is the winner of eight BAFTA awards. Born in Dublin and raised in West Cork, Norton now lives in London. Holding is his first novel.

Website

Twitter @grahnort

My thanks to  Audible.co.uk for the opportunity to listen to Holding and also to Francesca at Midas PR for the invitation to review the book.

~***~

Review ~ The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots by Beatrix Potter, Quentin Blake (Illustrator) (Audio)

September 2016
Warne
Puffin

"A serious, well-behaved young black cat, who leads a daring double life defeating vile villains."

When I was a little girl I had a much loved copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit and I can remember the comforting feeling of snuggling under bed covers and having someone read the story to me. The comfort of listening to stories and particularly Beatrix Potter stories has not diminished over time and so when asked to listen and review The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots I jumped at the opportunity, as not only was this a chance to read a completely new story from a much loved author, but also an introduction to listening to stories via Audible.

The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots tells the story of Miss Katherine St Quentin, an intrepid black cat, known as Miss Kitty, who gets herself into all sorts of exciting situations. In a cunningly dangerous adventure she meets the notorious villain, Mr Todd, a foxy hunter with devilish charm and whose outward demeanour belies his deadly intent. Beautifully narrated by the actress, Helen Mirren, the story has an olde-worlde charm which is so reminiscent of Beatrix Potter and yet, there is freshness to the story which makes it feel surprisingly more modern than its more famous counterparts. Written in the years before 1914 it was never published, until now, and personally, I think that this story shows Beatrix Potter at her enigmatic best.

The narration of The Tale of Kitty in Boots lasts around 16 minutes which is a perfect length to listen to the story in one sitting and just enough time for even fidgety children to sit still. The rest of the narration which runs to over 56 minutes continues with the actress, Anna Friel reading five more classic Beatrix Potter tales and which need no introduction from me. 

They are :

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck

The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

The Tale of Jeremy Fisher

Whilst both narrators are unique in their style of delivery, each individual tale was read with just the right amount of fun and gravitas, all beautifully spoken in a narration which was clean and precise. I especially enjoyed listening to Anna Friel sing Squirrel Nutkin's riddles so beautifully.

I know that there has been some debate around the Quentin Blake illustrations in The Tale of Kitty- In-Boots, which are so very different from Beatrix Potter’s more whimsical interpretation. Having 'listened' to the story I don't have a physical copy to look at, so I can't give an informed appraisal of the illustrations, except to say that what I have seen of the cover, I rather like Blake's depiction of Miss Kitty in her Boots.

Audible UK

Best Read with ...A glass of milk two chocolate digestive biscuits.

About the Author

Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator and conservationist who was best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Jeremy Fisher, et al.

My thanks to Audible.co.uk for the opportunity to listen to this book and also to Francesca at Midas for the invitation to get to know Miss Kitty-In-Boots. I think Jaffa is a little in love with Miss Kitty !

~***~