September reading and storygraph

Charleston letters by Imgoen Penrose 

Another great addition to this charming series. I love seeing how Cleo develops over this series, an independen  and atrong female lead is always welcome. There is a lot of quite in depth detail of antiquarian books in this series and combined with a twisty mystery this makes for a very satisfying read 4 🌟

The art of dying by Ambrose Parry

Good addition to the series although I didn't see the point of the first few chapters 4🌟

Five get into a fix

I had quite forgotten this one. The story did come back to me as I read through it. Another great adventure for the five, thankfully not too much of the attitudes of the time come through in this one 5 🌟

No mercy, a live story for the ages on Audible by Gary Masson

Beautiful but haunting 5 🌟

The vanished by Irina Shapiro 

I love a dual time line story and this does not disappoint.  I am new to this series and although this is no 10 in the series it works well as a stand alone. As ever thr author delivers a beautifully written complex tale with credible characters
This may have been my first in the series but it will not be my last 5 🌟

The never land thieves by Katie Tsang

What a beautiful story, with great illustrations. I loved how sensitively but realistically it dealt with Tom's illness and its effects on his friendshis, but it never overwhelms the story. How wonderful to revisit neverland and see it through fresh eyes. 5 🌟

A murder at midnight by Ellie Alexander

What a charming cosy. This was the first in the series for me but this was fine because there was enough background information that you dont feel the lack of not having read any others (although I now fully intend to do so!) 

A really intriguing plot with many twists turns and surprises leading to a very satisfying conclusion. I appreciated that the conclusion didn't feel too rushed which was nice 

Great cast of characters and some lovely story arcs.

With thanks to the author and Netgalley 5 🌟

The body at Waterloo Station by Emily Organ

A great historical mystery. I have read the Penny Green series but not this one, its lovely to see Penny's story play out alongsude that of Emma's. Although its the 6th in the series I didn't feel the lack of not having read any others in the series. There is enough background information for any reader new to the series.

The story carefully blends historical fact and fiction to create a very satisfying mystery. The pace was good and I was quickly invested in all the main characters and am keen to see how the story arc with Emma pans out. Thanks to the author and Netgalley. 5 🌟

Harley James and the Egyptian tablets by Leah Cupps 

This was a decent enough tale but very reminiscent of the other plots in the series 

3.5 🌟

The Christmas Carol killer by Chris Frost

Great police procedural. I haven't read any of the rest of this series but there was enough background information that this didn't matter
I liked Yom and Lauren they felt believable main characters, flawed but not too flawed and their interactions felt credible 
The mystery is satisfying, enough twists to keep you engaged but not so many it gets confusing  4.5 🌟

Nothing but barnacles and bones by Karsten Knight

Karsten Knight writes such great horror stories and this was no exception. 

Great short reads 4.75 🌟

Murder on the Royal Crescent by Harriet F. Townson

An enjoyable read. I think it would be beneficial to read the first in the series. I was quite confused by the 'schism' at the start of the book although it does become clearer later on.

Once the story got going i was more engaged and really enjoyed the main character Dora, feisty and no nonsense but with empathy. The book has many enjoyable larger than life characters.

Enough twists and turns to keep you engaged and a satisfactory conclusion 4 🌟

Duma key on Audible by Stephen King 

I really enjoyed this but three quarters of the way through it lost it fir me a bit but then picked up at the end.

Pretty standard SK fare but enjoyable and with a great narrator 4 🌟

Don't let him in by Howard Linskey

Just not for me DNF

Vera by Elizabeth von Arnhem 

While I felt that this was well written this was a hard book to read and quite triggering for anyone who has suffered coercive control. I agree with the reviewer who said it was not just a precursor to Rebecca but also gaslight 3.75 🌟

Earth rising by Daniel Arenson

OK this is overblown hyperbolic SF at its best. Yes there is every stereotype going but its so much fun it really is. 4 🌟

The Chinese maze murders by Robert Van Gulik 

Another excellent addition to the series 5 🌟

Five go to Finneston farm by Enid Blyton

Ok giving this 3.5 for nostalgias sake. I felt this series gets progressively worse. Its sad coming back as an adult, ironed these when younger but they have dated so much. So muc misogyny stereotypical one dimensional characters 3.5 🌟

Miss Archer by Jordan Harrison

What a beautiful book. Its so difficult to describe without giving spoilers but the story unfolds gradually with layers being pulled back throughout. Just when you think you have a handle on the narrative something comes at you often from left field.

The characters of Albie and Dre are beautifully written and the interplay between them is touching and genuine. 5 🌟

Chalice of the gods by Rick Riordan 

Whilst this is still fun its not a patch on the original series 3.75

Night by Elie Wiesel

Haunting 5 🌟

It came from Neverland by Cynthia Peyalo

I did enjoy this but it took and age to get going. When it did get going it was fabulous. A gothic retelling of a classic story. 3.75 🌟

I am pilgrim by Terry Hayes

Nah DNF

Blackout by Erin Flanagan

Nah DNF

Duel of fire by Jordan Rivet 

Fantastic YA fantasty tale. Lovedvthe characters of Dara and Siv. Engaging story, looking forward to the next one 4.5 🌟

The hanging tree by Jessica Huntley

Loved it. This grabbed me from the start. Authentic characters great story and an amazing ending 4 🌟

You die i die by Jessica Huntley 

So much packed into 16 pages 4 🌟

The spend rift and the swallow by Ambrose Parry 

Great short story 5 🌟

Untouchable by Jeffrey Deaver 

Jeffrey Deaver always packs so much into a short space and this is no exception. 

Great plot, Constant Marlowe is a great FMC. 4🌟

So! What do the stats say? I think Poland is a new location, but otherwise pretty standard 

Genre, well LS has had a good month 😊 plus a non fiction book, it was part of a reading challenge. All looking good

Again yet more confirmation that I love series 🤣 not too many dont follow up so thats good

Ive really been streamlining my ARC game, got it down to mostly authors I know ill love. All good, and a prime too, a good month 😊

Yip, a very good month, roll on October!

August reading and storygraph

Five on a secret trail by Enid Blyton 

Giving it 4 for nostalgias sake and it is a good story but oh my the misogyny and sexism, its hard to read now 50 years after reading it for the first time 4 🌟

Berlin red on Audible by Sam Eastland 

Oh my this amazing series comes to an end and what an end. Its difficult to review without spoilers but this was a fitting end to an wonder series 5 🌟

The bloodless boy by Robert J Lloyd

Just not for me DNF 

The health of strangers by Lesley Kelly

So interesting reading this after a pandemic which yhis book (written in 2017) so accurately describes

The story itself is ok but im not sure i woul have read it without the pandemic setting 3.75 🌟

Planet of the yeti by Karsten Knight

Excellent! Just the right amount of scary. Such original stories in this series 5 🌟

Death by Greek fire by B.R. Stateham

Just didnt grab me DNF

The power of action by Hoang Le

Such sweet stories with beautiful illustrations  5 🌟

Finders keepers by Sabine Durrant

Really good story. Loved the possibly unreliable narrator, a bit of a slow burner with quite a satisfying ending, kept me hooked 4 🌟

Power of humanity by Hoang Le

Another beautiful addition to this series. Simple yet powerful tales. Quick to read and beautifully illustrated with lovely drawings to colour in 5 🌟

Power of kindness by Hoang Le

This is such a lovely series. Gentle tales which impart a lovely message. Lovely illustrations too 5 🌟

Bastille spy by C.S. Quinn

Just not for me DNF

The last Olympian by Rick Riordan 

Rip roaring finish to the series although there do seem more to come! A belter 5 🌟

Apocalypse by Kyle West

OK while this wasn't bad enough to DNF it still wasn't that amazing. 

A very naive style of writing and very predictable plot 3 🌟

11.22.63 on Audible by Stephen King 

Incredible story, I knocked half a star off because it did drag in places but overall it was amazing. Wonderful narration 4.5 🌟

Death at the bookclub by Imogen Penrose 

Lovely cosy mystery, plenty of twists and turns. A delightful heroine plus cat and intruguing ghost. Most enjoyable. Thanks to the author for the copy 4 🌟

Worcester Whispers By Kerry Toombs

Enjoyable although it did drag to begin with, but entertaining once it got going 3.5 🌟

Whickering place by London Clarke

Just not for me DNF

The less dead by Denise Mina 

Wonderful story, literally couldn't put it down. Slightly abrupt ending but really good 4 🌟

Ravenser odd by Robert Wilkinson

Just not for me DNF

Five go to Billycock Hill by Enid Blyton 

Entertaining addition to the series and thankfully not as racist as some of the others 5 🌟

Cortes trilogy by John Paul Davis

Tripe DNF

Coffin road by Peter May

Brilliant 5 🌟

Harley James and the Puzzle in Paris by Leah Cupps 

Nice short mystery. 4 🌟

Victims of St Just by Sally Rigby 

Nice solid police procedural. Although part of a series could easily be read as a stand alone. I really enjoy the multiple suspects which kept the reader on their toes. Good pace, didn't flag. Enjoyable main characters 4 🌟

I feel bad about my neck by Nora Ephron

Enjoyable 4 🌟

Necklace and Calabash by Robert Van Gulik

 Such an enjoyable series 5 🌟

His missing wife by Jamie Lynn Hendricks

Too much abuse DNF

The safe room by Sarah Denzil

Absolute cracker of a thriller. Great pace which kept me engaged. I really felt invested in Amber's story. Loved the complex family dynamics which played out over the dual time line which worked really well. A very crisp ending which felt satisfying. Thanks to the author for the copy 5 🌟 

The Alpha Plague by Michael Robertson 

Just tripe DNF

Written in bone by Simon Beckett 

Beautifully written and such a gripping story but the ending(s) blimey still processing and not sure what to think? Hence 4 instead of 5 stars 4 🌟

Best laid plans by Tom Abrahams

There was obviously enough in this to keep me reading and while it wasn't badly written the clichés just became too unbearable in their obviousness 3 🌟

The Mecklenburgh affair by Imogen Penrose 

What a lovely addition to the series. Its so wonderful to see the story arc develop and see Cleos story unfolding while we learn more about Viviennes past.

A crisp and satisfying mystery accompanies this. Thanks to the author for the copy 4 🌟

Kill night by Victor Methos

This got off to a cracking start but then just ended abruptly, it had all the hallmarks of a great short story but then meh the ending 3.75 🌟

Safe room by Lisa Unger

Lisa Unger writes great short stories and this is no exception. Tight taught, great pace, she packs so much into such a short space 4.5 🌟

So what do the stats say? Firstly I reached 600 consecutive days tracking with Storygraph in August. I just love storygraph 💕

Book source is much the same but more ARC and some prime too which is good

Still reading more series than stand alone which is fine, quite a few unsure, I've been taking more chances recently with books

Genre, well not much change there!

Ditto location 

Nice cover graphic

A couple DNF I'm becoming stricter about that 

Fewer hours listened? Didn't feel like that but 🤷

So a very good month, couple of crackers in there, how I love storygraph 💕

July reading and Storygraph

Circling the drain by Lisa Unger

It's all hotting up, really good series 5🌟

Love the way you lie by Lisa Unger

Cracking end to the series. All wrapped up nicely 5🌟

Five go down to the sea by Enid Blyton 

I remember this being a favourite whne I first read them a a child. They still enchant but do reflect the attitudes of the time 5 🌟

The emperors pearl by Robert Van Gulik 

I think this is my favourite judge Dee story. Mainly for the character of Miss Lieng. A rollicking good read 5 🌟

The Red Ikon by Sam Eastland 

I love this one. We get to see so much of Pekkala and Kirov. I love the dual timeline of all of the books in this series but this one seems the best to me. 5 🌟

Phoros nexus by Katherine Okia 

Cracking addition to the series. This is an engaging cosy sci fi mystery with a great cast of characters. I particularly love the female lead Mira and her friend Hannah, both strong women but in different ways. The mystery follows on from the first in the series I really appreciated the reminder at the beginning of the book about events from the first in the series. Sometimes this is missed out or sometimes it goes on far too long. Here it was just right. A very satisfying mystery follows, good pace enough but not too many twists and turns finishing with a very satisfying conclusion. 5 🌟

Unsolved by Heather Critchlow 

Excellent story, really gripping. I do love a dual timeline. Tightly paced, enough twists and turns but not too many and a nice twist 

at the end 4.5 🌟

The battle of the labyrinth by Rick Riordan

This is such a fantastic series. 5 🌟

Murder at devil's Ridge by Irina Shapiro 

Fantastic addition to the series. Its lovely to see Sebastian and Gemma enjoy married life as well as getting a glimpse into Sebastians past.
A particularly disturbing case involving what looks like a ritual child murder.
Plenty of suspects and enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. A sad but satisfactory conclusion I was kept guessing until the end. My thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the book 5 🌟

The night she disappeared by Lisa Jewell

Just not for me DNF

Five go to mystery moor by Enid Blyton 

OK im taking a star off because Enid Blyton Really can't hide her snobbery/racism in this one. Its a shame because its such a good story but her prejudices shame through even more in this one 4 🌟

A weekend getaway murder by Tam May 

A fabulous addition to the series. The characters feel fully fleshed and there is an authentic period atmosphere. The book is longer than most cosy mysteries I read but feels the better for it. More time to flesh out the plot which has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. A very satisfying conclusion. 

My thanks to the author and Netgalley for a review copy 5 🌟

Unseen by Heather Critchlow 

It's not often I'm bereft at the end of a series. I do hope we get to see Cal Lovett again. This series has gripped me from the start. So well written, tight plotting and pacing and main characters you actually believe in and are rooting for. I can't wait to see what the author does next.
With thanks to the author and Netgalley for the copy.

 5 🌟

Murder at Marchmont and Bell by Imogen Penrose

Enjoyable cosy mystery set in an antiquarian bookshop.

I wasn't quite sure about the ghost but I think there will be more revealed in later stories.

Overall a quick Enjoyable read 3.5 🌟

Halloween of the Briar King by Karsten Knight

Great addition to the series. Not too spooky like others have been but just spooky enough 5 🌟

Hangman's holiday on Audible by Dorothy L Sayers 

Enjoyable short stories but I don't like the narrator 4 🌟

Conviction by Denise Mina

Just didnt grab me DNF

In the teeth of the evidence 

Nice set of short stories but I prefer the full stories and I  don't like the narrator 4 🌟

The first edition by Imogen Penrose 

Enjoyable short prequel 3.5 🌟

The cancelled leaf by Imogen Penrose 

I enjoyed this one, the historical aspect gave it a charm I liked 4 🌟

Rotters end by Melissa Peterson Lewis 

Really sad to see this series end I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

This final installment was a fitting conclusion. Slightly rushed towards the end but a very nice conclusion 4.5 🌟

The mermaids singing by Val McDermid

Just way too gory DNF

Harley James and the Falcon Queen by Leah Cupps 

I do love this series but this wasn't the most exciting one. It was still enjoyable just not on a par with the previous two

Also as a Scottish person I did bristle at the attempts at Scottish dialect. A bit of a mish mash 3.75 🌟

Wolf Hall on Audible by Hilary Mantel

Found it too dry and boring DNF

The moons feeble fire by Allan Gaw 

Just brilliant loving this series. I didn't feel the actual murder was quite as engaging as the previous one. But in a sense I feel the murder is secondary to the back story which is so gripping and well written 

All the main characters are so well fleshed out and so believable 4 🌟

Moss and malice by Sadie Finch

This was a sweet enjoyable read. A nice length for a cosy

mystery. A little bit of the paranormal but not too much.

Lovely characters, i want to see how these develop.

And as a retired librarian I was happy with the portrayal

of the librarians in the story. Not too stereotypical or

cliched which was a refreshing change. 4🌟

The pattern by Sadie Finch

This was a nice wee prequel to the series 3.75 🌟

The labyrinth by Robert McNeil

Solid police procedural. Nice series starter 3.75 🌟

The final hours by David Menon

There is a good story in here but the writing is too stilted DNF

The folk of the faraway tree by Enid Blyton 

The stories are lovely but the attitudes of the time show through hence 4 instead of 5 stars 4 🌟

Edinburgh dusk by Carole Lawrence 

Just turgid DNF

Joyland on Audible by Stephen King

This might be one of my favourite Stephen King stories. So bittersweet, classic coming of age tale mixed with mystery and a few Ghosts.

Great narration too 5 🌟

The beast beyond the fence by Marcus Rashford

Enjoyable and fun 4 🌟

Five have plenty of fun by Enid Blyton 

Giving it 4 stars for nostalgias sake. Still enjoyable stories but the further through the series I get the more I remember how she recycled plots. And oh my goodness the attitudes of the times are awful 4 🌟

Madness in the ruins by John A. Connell

Decent story, slightly one dimensional characters but enjoyable none the less. Quite graphic descriptions of torture 3.75 🌟

Up the faraway tree by Enid Blyton 

Classic Blyton 4 🌟

The adventure of Goblin the dog by Enid Blyton 

Its a classic Enid Blyton story and i love it for the nostalgia but over 50 years after reading it for the first time I now wince at some of the attitudes in it

But 4 stars for the nostalgia 4 🌟

Percy Jackson and the sword of hades by Rick Riordan

Thoroughly enjoyable short story 4 🌟

In malevolent hands by John A Connell

This was a mostly enjoyable short story but it seemed to lack some momentum half way through. Decent enough though 3.5 🌟

Frozen people by Elly Griffiths

Hmmmmm im really not sure about this book and somewhat at a loss as to how to rate it

I'll give it 3.25 because it did pick up over a third of the way in. I was on the verge of DNF several times before that

The ending was also "meh" but there was enough to keep me reading 3.25 🌟

Poets and murder by Robert Van Gulik 

Nice crisp short addition to the series 5 🌟

Striding folly on Audible by Dorothy L Sayers

Just love all the Wimsey stories 5 🌟 

Pigeon Tony's last Stand by Lisa Scottoline

Very sweet short story 4 🌟

Unknown caller by Lisa Unger 

Really poignant tale. Great short story 5 🌟

These cold strangers by J.T. Ellison 

Enjoyable but not the best in the series 4 🌟

Trouble by Janelle Brown

Cracking short story 5 🌟

Well July was a busy month for reading! 40 books 😳 but a lot of them were very short. Let's have a look at the stats. For source I was pleased to see more Prime reading in there and a fair few ARC books too. Ive been rereading quite a lot as well.

As seems to be usual im reading way more series than stand alone, follow up seems to predominately but a chunk of unsure. I was quite fatigued a lot of this month so tended to stick to books i knew I would like

Genre, well no surprise there! A bit more fantasy than normal? Maybe?

A new location this month, Germany but otherwise no surprises 

40 books! But many small ones, my page no has increased but it's still only averaging 220 per day which is ok I think 

All in all a very good month!

Reading and storygraph mid year review

So lets have a mid year wrap up shall we? What's the overall look? OK almost 10k more pages which averages 186 per day but less audiobook listening I think this reflects me sitting up more plus just being a bit stronger

Moods? Some slight jockeying for position here but apart from that its pretty similar 

Some slight differences in slow and medium pace but again not a huge difference 

Again not a huge difference in page number i like a short book!

Audiobook length? Pretty similar pattern there 

Ditto fiction vs non fiction!

A few changes in genres. More children's in 2026 and historical takes over from crime in second spot 

Ahh now some changes in tags, although this doesn't seem to represent all my tags? I was still reading KU for 2 months of 2025, in 2026 I finished my trial in the preceding December so no KU in 2026 so far. Plus I added inbthe little Sheila tag and rereading one.

Not much change in format 

Ah now you can see where my challenges affect the stats. All the top authors for 2025 and 2026 are from my reading challenges

Star ratings are really interesting. I think the KU trial really affects my star rating. Im afraid more liable to take a punt on something that might not be my thing. But in 2026 when im pulling only from my own supply of books im less likely to pull out a dud.

So let's look only at the wrap up for 2026, it looks fairly even overall which is nice

Well that was great fun!