Episodes
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Philippa opens with an update on the Great Book Parcel Saga — a box of holiday reading, a Greek customs office, a handwritten letter explaining why a normal person would post books to themselves, and the very real possibility of being detained at passport control. Then it's three book reviews and a long-overdue conversation with Tim Sullivan, creator of the beloved DS George Cross series, about his eighth book The Tailor.
📚 Three Book Reviews
The Pinnacle – Abir Mukherjee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A washed-up Hollywood actor wakes from a drunken stupor to find his Bollywood superstar wife murdered in their Mumbai penthouse. Told from multiple perspectives across one luxury skyscraper — brilliantly written and Philippa's favourite Mukherjee yet.
Table for One – Emma Gannon
A woman's carefully constructed life falls apart, and she has to rediscover herself from scratch. Philippa read this on a train surrounded by serious businessmen while experiencing silent heaving sobs. Deeply moving and not what you might expect.
The Divorce – Freida McFadden
A woman whose husband has left her for a younger woman refuses to accept defeat and spirals into dangerous obsession. Gripping, compulsive, and — toward the end — absolutely unhinged in ways Philippa did not see coming.
🎙️ Tim Sullivan on The Tailor
A bespoke tailor is found murdered in the lavatory of the Bristol to London train. George Cross can tell immediately it wasn't opportunistic — and follows the evidence wherever it leads, even into territory that makes him deeply uncomfortable.
Tim and Philippa discuss:
Why George Cross belongs in the tradition of Dupin, Holmes, and Poirot — and why his autism is his gift, not an accessoryThe rule Tim never breaks: we never laugh at George, only with him or at others' reactions to himWhy this is absolutely not cosy crime — and why the original covers did the books a disserviceWriting longhand with fountain pens (a collection of Pelikans, Montblancs, and Lamys), and why the family complain less if there's no laptop openWriting book nine without knowing who the second killer is — and why not plotting keeps the writing organicBeing turned down by agents for neurodivergent appropriation, self-publishing the first two books, and being embraced by the autistic community insteadWhy he's reluctant to sell TV rights — and why protecting George's authenticity matters more than a screen dealThe exclusive interview with George Cross hidden inside the hardback first edition (George found the whole thing fairly pointless)What he's reading: Northanger Abbey, Bleak House, and an advance copy of Ian Rankin's new bookHis one remaining ambition: to look up on the Tube and see a stranger reading one of his booksBiscuit answer: Flapjacks or white chocolate cookies — and absolutely no dunking. George would never allow it.
💬 Get in touch
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Philippa sits down with the brilliant Adele Parks — bestselling author of 25 novels, over six million copies sold, OBE for services to literature — to talk about her latest book Eyes on You, the pressure of reader expectations, and a biscuit revelation that may change your tea break forever.
🎙️ Adele Parks on Eyes on You
When Amy was 15, she watched her father brutally murder his secret lover. Her testimony sent him to prison. Now in her early 30s, she's living a small, quiet life — until a privileged, wealthy man walks into the noodle bar where she works, and everything changes. What feels like connection may hide something far darker.
Adele & Philippa discuss:
Why Adele thinks this might be her best book yet — and why that's not just author hypeThe working title that was ditched: The Murderer's Daughter — too on the nose, too reductiveDaddy issues, trauma, and why Amy's story is really about what happens when the person who was supposed to protect you destroys everything insteadThe pressure of being an "auto-buy author" — and why that status has to be earned every single timeWhether podcasters and book reviewers have made readers more demanding of twists and reveals (Adele thinks probably yes, and is fine with it)Why she writes at home, needs air conditioning installed, and requires a scary social media bouncer to confiscate her phoneHer nightmare writing location: a writer's retreat, surrounded by other writers all typing away confidently while she types "the" again and againThe importance of pre-orders — how they affect stock decisions, first print runs, and author sanity on launch dayHer signed pre-order service through Bert's Books in Swindon
📚 Order a signed copy of Eyes on You from Bert's Books🔗 Pre-order Eyes on You and find Adele's tour dates at adeleparks.comWhat she hopes readers feel at the end: shock, awe, possibly tears, and the satisfying sense that everyone got what they deservedWhat Adele's reading:
Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth (an 80-year-old with a very murky past and a suspicious neighbour)The Last Tudor – Philippa Gregory (big, fat, brilliant, and finished in two days)Biscuit answer: Cherry GoAhead biscuits, dunked in tea, timed to perfection. Three per pack — the ideal number. Not to be eaten dry under any circumstances.
Eyes on You is out 27th August. Pre-orders open now.
YOU CAN:
🔗 Pre-order Eyes on You and find Adele's tour dates at adeleparks.com
📚 Order a signed copy of Eyes on You from Bert's Books
💬 Get in touch with the podcast
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Missing episodes?
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Philippa is joined by three brilliant crime writers — Abir Mukherjee, Jane Casey, and Sarah Hilary — to talk all about St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend, the unique Oxford crime fiction event running 4th–6th September. Each guest is allotted a school role (head girl, school council rep, and chair stacker) which determines the questions they're asked — and the chaos that follows is exactly as fun as it sounds.
🎓 St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend 🔗 Book tickets for St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend
What makes St Hilda's different from every other crime festival — long-form talks on themes rather than authors plugging their own booksThis year's theme: Bad Apples: Crime Fiction's Enemies and AntiheroesThe legendary annual Whodunit, costumes, accents, and Abir's reputation for staying in character (and wig) all weekendThe Friday Night Special ticket — drinks on the lawn, a talk on Bond villains, a three-course chef-prepared dinner, and an after-dinner speakerGuest of honour Andrew Taylor, and returning speaker Natasha CooperThe online option for people joining from Australia, Japan, and beyondPunting mishaps, Jimi Hendrix-via-laptop disasters, and other backstage panic storiesThe on-site Blackwell's bookshop and the chance to win a rare first edition at the Whodunit📚 The Books
The Pinnacle – Abir Mukherjee
A failing Hollywood actor moves to Mumbai with his Bollywood star wife, wakes up after a bender to find her murdered, and becomes suspect number one to 1.4 billion people. Described by Abir as "exotic satire crime fiction."
Everything She Didn't Say – Jane Casey
Set on the windswept west coast of Ireland — a woman wakes covered in blood with no memory of what happened to her missing best friend. A twisty, modern gothic thriller.
The Drowning Place – Sarah Hilary
Seventeen years after a school bus tragedy drowned everyone aboard except one survivor, DS Joseph Ash investigates a murdered family in a small Peak District town — accompanied by a best friend who may or may not be a ghost.
🍎 The Final Question (Bad Apples Edition)
No biscuits this time — favourite apples instead (Golden Delicious, Braeburn, and Pink Lady all get a mention) — though the conversation inevitably swings back to biscuits anyway, sparking a full-blown debate about thin arrowroots, fig rolls, dunking etiquette, and the legal status of the Jaffa Cake.
🔗 Book tickets for St Hilda's Crime Fiction Weekend
💬 Get in touch
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Philippa opens with a much-requested update on the Barcelona Kindle story — specifically, the one detail everyone wanted to know: did the Kindle survive? (It did. The case did not.) Then it's three book reviews and a wonderful conversation with debut novelist Amman Brar about Mr. Sidhu's Post Office — one of BBC News's 12 books to read in 2026.
📚 Three Book Reviews
The Burning Tide – William Shaw (out 16th July)
The second Eden Driscoll mystery sees the ex-Met detective pulled into a case involving a stranger who claims someone is trying to kill him — only to vanish before Eden can ask more questions. Beautifully written, with Shaw's signature warmth in portraying adult-child relationships.
The Tailor – Tim Sullivan
A bespoke tailor is found murdered on the Bristol to London train. DS George Cross deduces immediately it's an execution, not a robbery — and finds himself in personal danger for the first time. Tim Sullivan joins Philippa next Monday to discuss it in full.
Eyes on You – Adele Parks (out next month)
A woman whose father murdered his secret lover when she was 15 meets a man with his own dark past — and what feels like love may be something far more dangerous. Philippa opened it intending to file it away and couldn't put it down. Adele Parks joins the podcast soon.
🎙️ Amman Brar on Mr. Sidhu's Post Office
Mr. Sidhu is a widower in his 60s, quietly devoted to his post office, his two willful grown-up children, and his coworker Rose — with whom he's unexpectedly falling in love. When money starts going missing from the till, his carefully built life begins to unravel.
Written as a tribute to Aman's father, who ran a post office in Richmond for decades, the book also quietly acknowledges the devastating Post Office Horizon scandal and its human cost.
Amman and Philippa discuss:
Growing up around his father's post office in the '80s and '90s, and wanting to capture a world that's slowly disappearingWriting the book as a way of spending time with his father after he passed away eight years ago — and why finishing it felt like letting him go all over againHis background in theatre (Royal Court, Soho Theatre, Tamasha) and how writing a novel is completely different — more solitary, less terrifying than opening nightThe original working title: Dave and Rose (which made him laugh, which is why he chose it)Why his dream writing location is the South of France — and why his black Labrador is his best untangling toolHis nightmare: the quiet carriage, one man on his phone, and the moment Aman became that guyWhat he's reading: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniel MurtaghThe second book: another family drama, this time about his own generationBiscuit answer: French Normandy butter and almond biscuits, dunked in coffee — with rosé on the side if Philippa's paying.
💬 Get in touch
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Kate Eberle's debut novel If Books Could Kill sparked a 10-way bidding war, sold film and TV rights, and is being published in over 14 countries — and it's easy to see why. This rom-com-meets-thriller follows Roxy Mitchell, a romance novel superfan who wishes herself into her favorite author's next book... only to discover the author has swapped genres to crime thriller, and her dream date is now trying to kill her.
In this episode, Kate joins Philippa to talk about:
The meme that sparked the entire idea (yes, an Emily Henry meme)What it's actually like to live through a 10-way book auction in real timeWriting a genre mashup nobody knew how to categorize — and why publishers loved it anywayCreating Grant Hoffman, the know-it-all love interest readers can't stop talking aboutHer dream (a library with snacks) and nightmare (a concert with FOMO) writing locationsWhy she's been hearing from readers whose partners think they've lost it from laughing so hardPlus: the book that's keeping Kate up at night right now, and the cookie that powered every word of If Books Could Kill.
Mentioned in this episode: If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle, Beach Read by Emily Henry, In Every Possible Way by Alicia Thompson
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Philippa welcomes back Alison Barrow, PR director at Transworld, fresh from Capital Crime, for a fascinating look behind the curtain of book publishing and promotion.
The Business of Book PR
Alison shares insights from a recent masterclass on author publicity, including the eye-opening shift in how many times someone now needs to see a book before buying — and why there's no single magic trick to a successful launch.
They discuss:
Why book promotion is "an amalgamation of things" rather than one big lever to pullHow publishers start thinking about a book's positioning years before publicationThe enduring power of bookseller advocacy and word-of-mouth recommendationWhy traditional media still matters even in a podcast and social-media-saturated worldWhat Transworld Is Publishing Now
Not That Sort of Girl – Andrea MaraGetting Away With Murder – Shari LapenaThe Creative Compass – Emma GannonData Empire – Roopika Risam(a history of data — and an unsettling glimpse at where AI is headed next)What Alison's Been Reading
An Unlikely Visitor – Joanna Cannon (no, it's not about a dog — Philippa needed reassurance)It Could Have Been Her – Lisa Jewell (a dark, Barbara Vine-esque departure)The Whistler (Tom Lake) – Ann Patchett (on connection, memory, and a chance reunion four decades in the making)Meet Me at the Museum – Anne Youngson, plus a celebration of novels-in-letters, including The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and the classic 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene HanffListener Question: The Unlimited Budget
A listener asks what Alison would do with an unlimited budget to launch a book. Her answer goes well beyond money — covering proofs with sprayed edges, nationwide bookseller tours, and why most of the real value comes from time and human connection rather than spend. (A branded helicopter is briefly considered and wisely abandoned.)
Billboard advertising and marketing myth-busting are saved for a future episode — watch this space.
Get in touch
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Philippa opens with a genuinely unbelievable true story — how a friend trapped in a locked Barcelona hotel toilet used her Kindle to prise the door open and escape. Reading saves lives, people.
Then it's three book reviews and a brilliant listener Q&A with crime fiction favourite M.W. Craven, talking about book eight in the Washington Poe series, The Killer's Mark, out 13th August.
📚 Book Reviews
The Midnight Train – Matt Haig
A beautiful, emotionally rich audiobook about love, regret, and the moments that matter. Uplifting rather than sad, and perfect for fans of Matt Haig's reflective style.
Octagon – C.J. Merritt
A fast-paced spy thriller following former MI6 agent Stella McCrae and ex-SAS operator Tommy Kane as they race to stop a devastating plot against the West. Cinematic and action-packed.
Rivals – Jilly Cooper
Philippa picked this up after the TV series left her on an emotional cliffhanger with five months until part two. 720 pages later, she has both more and fewer answers than she started with. Enjoyable — especially at the beginning — but perhaps a lesson in patience.
🎙️ Author Interview: M.W. Craven on The Killer's Mark
Poe and Tilly are back — this time as private investigators, drawn into a case that begins with a young American woman who has seen her supposedly dead mother in a porn film. Darker than some recent entries in the series, but with the trademark humour firmly intact.
Mike and Philippa discuss:
Why this book starts smaller and more personal than previous Poe adventuresThe deliberate shift in the Poe/Tilly dynamic across the series — and who relies on whom nowA new teenage character and the questions only a 15-year-old will ask directlyThe Martin Clunes passage that made Philippa nearly choke on her coffee (no spoilers, but it's brilliant)His favourite in the series (The Mercy Chair) and the underrated Black SummerLessons learned writing a James Bond children's book — including deaf sensitivity readers, footnotes in place of deleted chapters, and why you can't spend three chapters setting up a single jokePoe's Croft: completely fictional, despite what several convinced readers insistListener questions from the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group — including whether Tilly's mum is okay, who Poe's Croft is based on, and Mike's fantasy convention costume (spoiler: Gimli)What he's reading: The Man with the Golden Compass by Vaseem Khan and the Vinyl Detective series by Andrew CartmelThe biscuit answer: chocolate-covered Battenberg, fig rolls and Jammie Dodgers from Castle Chocolates in Carlisle — links in the show notesThe Killer's Mark is out 13th August — pre-orders matter!
🍫 Castle Chocolates, Carlisle
📚 📚 Pre-order The Killer's Mark by M.W. Craven at Waterstones
💬 Get in touch
Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
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Philippa sits down with Lindsey Kelk — writing as Elle Kelk — to talk about her brand new novel Hit or Miss, the first in the Junior Year Abroad series. With over three million books sold, Lindsey is one of the UK's best-loved romance authors, and this conversation is funny, warm, and unexpectedly moving.
In this interview, Elle and Philippa discuss:
Why Lindsey chose a new pen name for this book — and why it's not exactly a secretWhat "new adult" fiction actually means (and why genres are, in her words, "all fake")The joy of writing a college romance series set at a fictional UK university — think Oxford meets American campus lifeMia and Ethan: two characters running in opposite directions until they collideAnxiety as a central theme — Lindsey opens up about her own late diagnosis at 32, how bad things got, and why she finally asked for helpToxic masculinity and the pressure on men to silently hold everything togetherWhy the bookish community seems disproportionately affected by anxiety ("it turns out, it's all of us")Dealing with bad reviews — especially when you suspect someone hasn't actually read the bookWriting in Vegas hotels at 2am, the importance of a bath, and why airports are the worstHer wrestling podcast Tights and Fights — now 10 years old — and whether a wrestling romance might be nextWhat she's reading right now: Dungeon Crawler Carl on audio and The Vampire Armand by Anne RiceThe life-changing biscuit discovery: McVitie's Jaffa Cake Digestives (with a strong recommendation to dunk)Hit or Miss is out now.
💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Philippa has just received the most exciting email of the year: her holiday hotel has offered to receive a box of books in advance and put them in her room on arrival. The result? An unstoppable 12-book, 4-graphic-novel holiday TBR — and an episode dedicated entirely to sharing it.
In this episode, Philippa runs through every book she's packing (plus the first line of each!), covering a wonderfully eclectic mix of:
The Confessions – Paul Bradley Carr (AI thriller)Roman Mornings – Matson Taylor (historical fiction, Rome)The Scandalous Ladies Football Club – Frances Quinn (Victorian women's football)It Could Have Been Her – Lisa Jewell (domestic thriller)Getting Away – Kate Sawyer (family saga across decades of holidays)The Ark – Haruo Yuki (translated Japanese locked-room thriller)How to Get Away With Murder – Rebecca Philipson (cat-and-mouse crime)The Favourite – Fran Littlewood (family secrets, holiday implosion)The Corfe Castle Murders – Rachel McLean (Dorset detective series, book one)Against the Tide – G.D. Wright (crime series, book three)This Can Never Not Be Real – Sera Milano (YA terrorism survivor testimonies)Under the Hammer – Samantha Dooey-Miles (very angry woman, very bad landlords)Plus four graphic novels — including the only authorised manga adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, The Bad Doctor by Ian Williams, I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner, and Clara and the Devil Vol. 1 by Olivie Blake & Little Chmura — many discovered at Hay on Wye Comics, a brand new graphic novel bookshop in Hay-on-Wye.
💬 Tell Philippa what you think! Should any of these stay at home? Is there a book she's missed? Get in touch: Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Are hardback books too expensive, too heavy, and past their sell-by date? A recent Guardian article made the provocative case that hardbacks should die — and Philippa has thoughts.
In this episode, Philippa dives into the great book format debate, covering:
Why she strongly disagrees with calls to "ban" hardbacksThe real problem with hardback pricing — and those eye-watering £40 price tagsHow long is too long to wait for a paperback edition?The e-book pricing scandal: why is a digital file costing £15?The case for libraries, audiobooks, and Spotify's free listening hours as budget-friendly alternativesSprayed edges (spreadges) — and why they might just be the best argument for buying hardbacksPhilippa's verdict? All formats are equal. Audiobook, hardback, paperback, e-book — just read the book.
This episode was inspired by a question from author Frances Quinn, whose new novel The Scandalous Ladies Football Club is out 2nd July.
💬 Join the conversation Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Philippa reviews four very different books — from Tintin to Elizabeth Strout — before sitting down with TV wine expert and debut crime novelist Olly Smith to talk about his joyful new book Death by Noir, and the sub-genre he's invented: wine crime.
📚 Book Reviews
The Adventures of Tintin and the Picaros – Hergé A revolutionary adventure featuring Bianca Castafiore and a mysterious plot around carnival time. Fun, but Philippa wasn't left desperate for more Tintin.
The Things We Never Say – Elizabeth Strout ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Philippa's first Strout — and now she wants them all. A quietly devastating 200-page novel about a man keeping a secret from the world, and from himself. Exquisite, beautiful writing that made Philippa sob unexpectedly. Unmissable.
The Ballad of Small Hope and Penny Royal – Jodi Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Time-travelling bounty hunters, sharp humour, and perfect audiobook narration. Brilliant as a standalone even if you've never read Jodi Taylor before — and book two is coming this summer.
The Inheritance – Mark Dawson Book five in the Atticus Priest series. Enjoyable enough, but Philippa felt the magic of the earlier books wasn't quite there this time.
🎙️ Author Interview: Olly Smith on Death by Noir
Set in the rolling hills of East Sussex around the town of Lewes, Death by Noir follows Barclay Flint, eccentric proprietor of the Bottle Bank wine shop, who must use his wine-detecting skills to solve a crime and clear his own name — all before the explosive Lewes Bonfire Night finale.
Olly and Philippa discuss:
How four characters arrived fully-formed in Olly's mind while flying over the HimalayasWhy he wrote every word himself (no ghostwriter)Inventing "wine crime" as a new sub-genreThe late Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom vineyard, who read his chapters just before he diedWriting through a gallbladder operation, missing deadlines (never), and the advice of a biodynamic economistWhy teetotallers love the book just as much as wine loversA rainbow moment that changed how he thinks about writingWhat he's reading right now: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland, and moreThe writing fuel that isn't a biscuit: crunchy peanut butter with a drop of soy sauceDeath by Noir is out 18th June.
💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | [email protected]
Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Celebrate the weekend (nearly) with crime fiction royalty!
In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall sits down with the brilliant, Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Casey to talk about her highly anticipated, mind-bending standalone thriller, Everything She Didn't Say.
Marking an exciting, fresh departure from her iconic series fiction, Jane's new Irish-set novel weaves an intricate web of secrets, unreliable narration, and deep betrayal. In this exclusive, spoiler-free conversation, Jane reveals how she maps out complex plot twists mid-walk, why she relies on her phone's Notes app for real life, and her ultimate dream writing cottage (where Wi-Fi is strictly banned!).
Plus, Jane shares a hilarious breakdown of her absolute nightmare writing environment—a turbulent, short-haul flight in a middle seat—and shares her surprisingly practical, real-life advice as a self-proclaimed "professor of falling over."
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why Everything She Didn't Say is a unique standalone departure for Jane Casey.How Jane crafts her plots while walking through the woods without taking notes.The psychology of adrenaline in crime fiction versus real-life clumsy mishaps.Jane’s ideal, isolated writing cottage (and why the internet is a total disaster!).The hilarious horrors of trying to type a high-stakes thriller on a cramped airplane.Books mentioned in this episode:
Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Casey [
Connect with us:
Follow us on Instagram: Drop by and say hello at @quick_book_reviews for daily book recommendations, behind-the-scenes podcast clips, and literary chats!Listen & Subscribe: Love our spoiler-free book reviews? Hit follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss a Friday episode!Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Welcome back to Quick Book Reviews! In this jam-packed, slightly different episode, Philippa takes you from a sweltering recording room straight into the heart of the UK book scene.
First up, hear the hilarious story of how a registration mistake at London's The Podcast Show left Philippa walking around with a giant lanyard that read "Not Applicable"—and why it actually became the ultimate conversation starter! Then, we take a trip to the Hay Festival, where a beautiful new graphic novel shop and irresistible early releases caused absolute disaster for Philippa's bank account.
Books & Authors Featured:
Land by Maggie O'Farrell: A slow, meandering, but utterly exquisite historical tale set in 1865 Ireland. Philippa shares why this beautiful book requires your full attention, how it became a therapeutic escape from screen time, and why she is currently desperate for a literary counselling session with anyone else who has read it!M.W. Craven Re-read: Philippa is on a mission to re-read all seven Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw crime thrillers before book eight, The Killer's Mark, hits shelves. Hear why re-reading The Puppet Show, Black Summer, The Curator, and Dead Ground completely changed her perspective on how dark these books really areThe Great Audiobook Debate:
Responding to listener feedback from Sue, heavy-user Philippa gives her completely honest, unfiltered thoughts on finding a viable alternative to Amazon's Audible. We look at the pros and cons of:
Audible: Great selection, but the subscription costs can add up (plus, a sneaky tip on how to get a cheaper rate!Spotify & Library Apps: How Philippa blends her 15-hour monthly Spotify allowance with library apps to get the most "bang for her buck" Book Beat & Kobo Plus: Why the unlimited packages don't quite hit the mark for chart-topping new releases just yetListener Challenges & Coming Up next:
The Challenge: If you had to launch a brand-new podcast called "Not Applicable", what would your show be about?The Hunt: Do you know of a brilliant audiobook platform that rival's Audible's chart-topping selection without costing the earth? Let Philippa know before her membership runs out in September Next Episode: Tune in this Friday for an exclusive, spoiler-free author interview with Jane Casey discussing her highly anticipated new page-turner!Connect with the Show:
Email: [email protected] Instagram: @quick_book_reviewsIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a brief moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it keeps our little community of bookworms growing!
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In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Harrogate International Festivals.
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at one of the world’s most beloved crime fiction festivals, this is the episode for you.
Sharon shares:
how the festival began back in 2003why Harrogate feels different from other book festivalsthe famous beer tent atmospherefestival gossip and disasters over the yearslone traveller meet-ups and making the event inclusiveauthors going missingthe hotel nearly catching firethe fiercely competitive quiz nightwhy readers are truly at the heart of HarrogatePhilippa and Sharon also discuss:
the rise of crime fiction festivalsbalancing blockbuster authors with exciting debutsthe new Swift Half Stagewhy readers return year after yearproof copies, goodie bags and “golden goodie bags”festival nerves, security and keeping events safePlus: an unexpectedly passionate biscuit debate involving Kit Kats, digestives and secret chocolate habits.
This Year’s Festival HighlightsFeatured authors and events mentioned include:
Lisa JewellLee ChildDavid BaldacciAnthony HorowitzAnn CleevesChris WhitakerAlice FeeneySteve CavanaghHolly JacksonBrenda BlethynHarlan CobenVal McDermidMark BillinghamWhy Listeners Will Love This EpisodeIf you love:
crime fictionbook festivalsbehind-the-scenes publishing storiesauthor gossipreader communitiesliterary eventsfestival planning chaosfunny podcast conversations…this episode is for you.
Memorable MomentsThe “freshers’ welcome” for lone travellersGolden goodie bag brainstormingAuthors accidentally trying to enter the wrong hotel roomThe legendary Harrogate beer tentThe near-disaster involving a cigarette and the hotelThe wildly competitive late-night quizSharon’s emergency Kit Kat stashBiscuit VerdictSharon chooses:
Jammie DodgersTwo-finger Kit Kats (strictly rationed)Chocolate digestives… eaten unconventionally.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to David Goodman about his latest spy thriller Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his brilliant debut A Reluctant Spy.
David talks about writing spy fiction for readers who may not usually read spy novels, creating the hugely compelling character of Jamie Tulloch, and the long road to publication after earlier books did not sell. He also discusses awards, resilience, TV adaptation developments, and his upcoming science fiction novel Shards of Starlight, written as David W. Goodman.
Philippa also reviews:
The Good Listener by Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl by Andrea MaraThe Thick of It BBC audiobookIn This EpisodeDavid Goodman on Solitary AgentsWhy spy fiction is having a major momentWriting accessible spy thrillersJamie Tulloch and the world of MI5 and MI6The challenge of writing a second bookRejection, persistence and finding your writing communityTV adaptation news for A Reluctant SpyWriting science fiction as David W. GoodmanDream and nightmare writing locationsPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsAbout Solitary AgentsSolitary Agents follows Jamie Tulloch after the events of A Reluctant Spy. Having tried to return to civilian life, Jamie finds himself pulled back towards the secret world — this time hoping to become an agent runner.
But during a training exercise involving MI5 and MI6, Jamie and new character Sam Lee witness something that may be part of the drill… or may be frighteningly real.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
spy fictionthrillersMI5 and MI6 storiescharacter-led suspensesmart, pacey writingnovels by Mick Herron, John le Carré and David McCloskeyBooks ReviewedThe Good Listener – Holly Watt
A gripping thriller about an anonymous caller, a shocking confession, and a mother still searching for justice.
Such a Nice Girl – Andrea Mara
A tense, twisty thriller about two missing young women, a luxury wedding, and a friendship pushed to breaking point.
The Thick of It – BBC audiobook
A brilliantly sweary political satire featuring Malcolm Tucker and the chaos of government.
Books MentionedSolitary Agents – David GoodmanA Reluctant Spy – David GoodmanShards of Starlight – David W. GoodmanChildren of Strife – Adrian TchaikovskySlow Gods – Claire NorthThe Last Contract of Isako – Fonda LeeThe Good Listener – Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl – Andrea MaraThe Thick of It – BBC AudioBiscuit VerdictDavid chooses Nairn’s salted caramel oatcakes, after formerly being a chocolate Hobnob fan. A strong Scottish biscuit-adjacent choice.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling thriller author Jack Jordan about his brand new novel, Deception — a tense, addictive thriller that asks one terrifying question:
How far would you go to save your child?
Jack discusses:
the inspiration behind Deceptionwriting high-stakes moral dilemmasbalancing relentless tension with emotional depthwhy readers become emotionally involved in his booksthe pressure of deadlines and perfectionismTV adaptations of his novelsworking with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Convictionhow his books became known for their impossible ethical questionsPhilippa and Jack also talk about:
dream and nightmare writing locationswriting while emotionally “living” the scenesairport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmarethriller pacing and giving readers room to breathethe importance of book cover designreader bookshelves and collectible editionswhy Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees themAbout DeceptionEmma and Miles are desperate to save their son, who urgently needs life-changing surgery they cannot afford.
Their last hope is a mysterious organisation called The Levels — a dangerous competition where contestants commit escalating crimes for escalating rewards.
But they are not the only players.
As the stakes rise, Deception forces both its characters — and its readers — to confront impossible moral questions:
What would you do to save the person you love most?
Topics CoveredPsychological thrillersMoral dilemma fictionWriting process and perfectionismTV and streaming adaptationsPublishing deadlinesCrime fictionBook cover brandingWorking-class journeys into publishingReader communitiesThriller pacingMemorable MomentsJack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreatThe airport nightmare writing scenario“A panic attack in two covers”Jack revealing nobody sees his real first draftsThe emotional intensity of writing thriller scenesThe revelation that Deception has been optioned for televisionBiscuit VerdictOfficial writing fuel:
BourbonsFour-finger Kit KatsBonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit KatsStrong support for peanut butter Kit KatsFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, it is feedback week! Please send Philippa your thoughts on the podcast, you can email here: [email protected]. You can find her on instagram at this account: @quick_book_reviews
Philippa chats to bestselling author Rosie Walsh about her gripping new novel The One Day You Were My Husband.
Rosie discusses the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of writing after major success, researching the life of a surgeon, and why this was the book she came closest to abandoning.
Philippa also reviews three very different books:
The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode by Anthony HorowitzDeception by Jack JordanIn this episodeRosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My HusbandWriting emotional thrillers with huge twistsThe pressure of following bestselling novelsWhy this book was so difficult to writeBalancing publicity, motherhood and creativityWriting under the name Lucy RobinsonResearching medicine and surgery for fictionThe importance of titles in publishingPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsFeedback week for the podcastAbout The One Day You Were My HusbandCarrie and Johan are newly married on a beach in Thailand when armed men arrive and take Johan away.
Twelve years later, Carrie has rebuilt her life. She is remarried, has children, and is preparing to return to work as a surgeon. Then she sees a familiar face online — Johan, alive in Stockholm, with a new life of his own.
Why did he never contact her?
What really happened in Thailand?
And should Carrie risk everything to find out?
Books reviewedThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt Dinniman
A wildly inventive, hilarious and action-packed instalment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.
A Deadly Episode – Anthony Horowitz
A clever, funny Hawthorne mystery set around the filming of The Word Is Murder.
Deception – Jack Jordan
A high-stakes thriller about desperate parents, impossible choices and a deadly game.
Books mentionedThe One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie WalshThe Love of My Life – Rosie WalshGhosted / The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie WalshThe Things You’ll Never Know – Ashley AudrainThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzDeception – Jack JordanBiscuit verdictNo biscuits for Rosie Walsh — but there is a memorable discussion of cold sliced hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and a life without sugar.
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This week on Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by publishing powerhouse Alison Barrow for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation about the world of books, publishing, publicity, BookTok, book reviewing, and what really happens inside a major publishing house.
Alison shares the emotional impact of the recent Bookseller Awards, including the extraordinary success of Nobody’s Girl and the moving tributes to legendary romantic fiction authors including Jilly Cooper, Sophie Kinsella and Joanna Trollope.
They also discuss:
the launch of Transworld’s new horror imprint 3AMthe rise of horror and romantasy publishing trendsAlison’s own experience writing and editing her debut novelhow exhausting structural edits really arethe realities of social media for book reviewerswhether TikTok or Instagram matters more for publishingwhy authenticity matters more than follower countsPlus Alison recommends some brilliant reads, including:
London FallingFame SickThe Agatha CureIf you’ve ever wondered how publishing really works, how books become bestsellers, or how to start reviewing books online, this episode is packed with insight, warmth and honesty.
Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to Ardal O’Hanlon about his new novel A Plot to Die For, the first book in his Blooming Murder Mystery series.
Best known for Father Ted and Death in Paradise, Ardal brings comedy, warmth and murder mystery together in this funny, charming and sharply observed cosy crime novel set in a small Irish town.
Philippa also reviews three books exploring the current tradwife trend in very different ways:
Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeTradwife by Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret by Leanne ChildIn this episodeArdal O’Hanlon on A Plot to Die ForWriting cosy crime with genuine comedyWhy funny writing still takes serious craftThe influence of Death in Paradise and murder mystery structureCreating Finn O’Leary, celebrity gardener turned amateur detectiveSmall-town Ireland, community secrets and Tidy TownsWriting a series and what might come nextAudiobook narration and why Ardal reads his own bookPhilippa’s tradwife fiction recommendationsAbout A Plot to Die ForA Plot to Die For introduces Finn O’Leary, a TV celebrity gardener who returns home to Ireland to care for his mother — only to find himself caught up in murder, secrets and local rivalries.
Expect:
cosy crimeIrish humouramateur sleuthinggardeningcommunity dramaa brilliant cast of charactersand a murder during choir practiceBooks reviewedYesteryear – Caro Claire Burke
A twisty, genre-bending tradwife novel perfect for book clubs and holiday reading.
Tradwife – Sarah Langan
A horror take on the tradwife trend, with farmhouse perfection hiding something deeply unsettling.
The Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne Child
A psychological thriller full of secrets, lies and domestic tension.
Books mentionedA Plot to Die For – Ardal O’HanlonThe Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz NugentThe God of the Woods – Liz MooreWhite City – Dominic NolanYesteryear – Caro Claire BurkeTradwife – Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne ChildBiscuit verdictArdal chooses the Wagon Wheel — original preferred, jammy accepted in emergencies.
Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.
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Bestselling author Veronica Roth joins Philippa to talk about her gripping new novel Seek the Traitor’s Son — a romantic dystopian fantasy packed with prophecy, danger and high-stakes love.
We cover:
Life after the global phenomenon DivergentWriting pressure, creativity & finding joy againPlaylists, world-building & surprising story twistsWhy this is just the start of a new seriesPerfect for fans of The Hunger Games and epic sci-fi fantasy.
Love books? Follow Quick Book Reviews and never miss an episode!
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