Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldree

The third book in this series, which I’d recommend reading in publication order if you want to make the most of it. At first glance this book feels like quite a departure from the previous two. The main character is bookseller Fern instead of loveable orc Viv. Instead...

The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi

The Shattering Peace is a fun, almost cosy tale about the possible extermination of a colony. I know, it sounds all wrong, but I’m right about this. Add in some super intelligent aliens and tricky politics, and you’re in for quite the ride. This is part of...

The Burning Stones by Antti Tuomainen

A humorous crime caper laser-focused on the world of sauna retail. Anni Korpinen is our main character. When Ilmo Raty is murdered in the opening pages, in his very own sauna, no less, she becomes both next in line to run the Steam Devil Stove Company (once Erkki...

The Pieces of Us by Claire Alexander

This is a thoughtful novel about family, memory, and what makes us who we are. Cat lives in a flat with her teenager Ruby, when she takes her mum Minnie in. Minnie has Alzheimer’s and her decline is sadly worsening. So when Cat uncovers a life-altering secret of...

The Cut Throat Trial by S. J. Fleet

This is an extremely clever, well-written novel about every side of a court case – one that’s focused on the murder of an old man in an alleyway, the accused three teen boys who are more likely to throw shade on one another than tell the truth. It’s...