Review: ‘Unnatural Causes’ Richard Shepherd

Meet the forensic pathologist, Dr Richard Shepherd.He solves the mysteries of unexplained or sudden death.He has performed over 23,000 autopsies, including some of the most high-profile cases of recent times; the Hungerford Massacre, the Princess Diana inquiry, and 9/11.He has faced serial killers, natural disaster, 'perfect murders' and freak accidents.His evidence has put killers behind …

Review: ‘King’s Capture’ (Lyon Dynasty #1) Vivian Wood

Money. Notoriety. Violence. These things go hand in hand with my chosen profession. My brothers and I are known internationally as lords of war - the most ruthless arms dealers in the world. Absolutely no one’s safe from us... as long as we are making our next million. And I only need one person in …

Review: ‘Demon’ (Six Stories #6) Matt Wesolowski

In 1995, the picture-perfect village of Ussalthwaite was the site of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, in a case that shocked the world. Twelve-year-old Sidney Parsons was savagely murdered by two boys his own age. No reason was ever given for this terrible crime, and the ‘Demonic Duo’ who killed him were imprisoned …

Review: ‘The Strange Affair of Madeleine Smith’ Douglas MacGowan

It was a case that rocked Victorian society. Emile L'Angelier was a working-class immigrant from the Channel Islands who began a clandestine affair with prominent Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith. Six weeks after Emile threatened to show Madeleine's father their passionate letters, on 23 March 1857, he was found dead from arsenic poisoning. The evidence against …

2021 in books

So, 2021 was a good year for me in terms of books. I haven't read 45 books in a year in, well, years. I probably haven't read 45 books in a year since I was a kid, when my grandparents and I used to go to our local library every Friday evening to select our …

Review: ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Ira Levin

Rosemary Woodhouse and her struggling actor-husband, Guy, move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbours Roman and Minnie Castavet soon come nosing around to welcome them; despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing, her husband starts …

Review: ‘My Sweet Girl’ Amanda Jayatissa

Ever since she was adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka, Paloma has led a privileged Californian life: the best schools, a generous allowance and parents so perfect that Paloma fears she'll never live up to them. Now at thirty, Paloma has managed to disappoint her parents so thoroughly that their relationship will never recover. …

Review: ‘Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’ Florence Given

I know, my duvet cover is adorable Women Don't Owe You Pretty is the ultimate book for anyone who wants to challenge the out-dated narratives supplied to us by the patriarchy. Through Florence's story you will learn how to protect your energy, discover that you are the love of your own life, and realise that today is a …

Review: ‘Veronika Decides To Die’ Paulo Coelho

Veronika has everything she could wish for. She is young and pretty, has plenty of boyfriends, a steady job, a loving family. Yet she is not happy; something is lacking in her life, and one morning she decides to die. She takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake up some time later in …

Review: ‘Cause of Death’ Geoffrey Garrett

Dr Geoffrey Garrett was for over 30 years a Home Office pathologist. This is his personal memoir, in conjunction with crime journalist Andrew Nott, of many infamous, unusual and heartbreaking cases and a fascinating history of his professional life, giving a unique insight into a pathologist's work. I came across Cause of Death while trawling …