Review: The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
3 August 2026
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Noir, Review, reviews, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Intrigue
My Five Word TL:DR: Noir isn’t Even My Thing
…and yet this author seems to make everything she touches entertaining, easy to read and quite compelling.
I will also point out that this story has no fantasy elements, it isn’t gothic or horror in nature and there isn’t so much as a drop of magical realism. Set in the 1940s this is a tale of a con man, hoping to score one last job that will set him up for life, taking a big chance by moving to a sleepy village where he hopes to marry a wealthy woman
Ulises Linares has been operating small time scams on lonely women since his father passed away. The two always worked together but Ulises, although he came up trumps in the looks department, doesn’t quite have the same instincts and since his father’s demise his situation has gone from bad to worse. He’s been running ads in the lonely hearts rags, forming acquaintances with gullible women and then emptying their bank accounts, but he was almost caught and is keen to disappear from the city for a little while, he has little money left, a few odds and sods that give him the appearance of being ‘well heeled’ and a lead in the form of a spinster called Perla who has invited him to come to stay at her family home turned guest house.
Of course, when Ulises arrives the guest house is rather dilapidated, clearly the family have fallen on hard times and so Perla may not in fact me the wealthy mark he expected, on top of which she has a niece living with her who isn’t shy and enjoys prying into Ulises affairs.
Okay, I’m not going to go into the plot for this one as you simply need to read it for yourself. Instead lets look at what I liked.
To be honest the real joy of this book comes down to the writing and the three main characters, and, well, some of the absolutely batpoop crazy decisions they make.
I will confess that when I first picked this up I found everything a little slow and, as I mentioned in my ‘short’ review noir is not something that I read a lot of. However, this book is one of those slow creepers that gets under your skin and makes you itch to return to it whenever you put it down. As the story started I thought I had a grip of what to expect but the tables really turn in a most unexpected way and the characters back stories all start to squirm out of the woodwork adding these extra layers of depth. I really didn’t expect to have any sympathy with either Ulises or Perla’s niece, Inés. In fact, although Perla comes across as very controlling and quite harsh at times, I expected to have sympathy for the lonely spinster who both her niece and would-be husband are plotting against, but ultimately I didn’t have any sympathy for her at all.
The characters are really easy to picture. Ulises is good looking, confident, charismatic. His smile wins people over quite easily, usually. Perla is not, however, going to be a pushover. She has some very clear ideas about proper behaviour and respecting her family name and legacy. For Ulises time and money are running out fast and he’s out of ideas in terms of Perla.
Inés is a very intriguing character. I mean, I don’t want to tell you too much about her because the real beauty of this story is the reveals about the three main characters. She is living with her aunt under duress – on both parts. Her aunt sees Inés as her carer in her old age, for which she will eventually inherit the dusty family home. There is nothing if not a lot of resentment.
Meanwhile Perla runs the household with an iron rod. She knows every penny, and in fact there’s a good deal of penny pinching. she enjoys having the attentions of a young attractive man, particularly in terms of the gossip round the village and the jealousy it incites in a would-be suitor who has been hoping to marry Perla and combine their assets.
The sleepy village of Puerco Ahogado in Veracruz is so easy to fall into. There aren’t plenty of descriptions but the place comes alive. There are just these little shout outs to all the local traditions, the restraints on behaviour and the gossiping that ensures people are scared to step a foot out of line. There’s plenty going on here. People being lovestruck, petty jealousies, so much bickering and talking behind closed doors. It’s positively deliciously claustrophobic.
And, finally, did I mention some crazy decision making? Wow, just wow. These people. What the actual fudge cake is going on. There was no working things through, giving things time to develop. Actual planning? Nah. What ifs? Not a chance. I love it. This was so wrong it was right. I was like ‘WHAT’, my mouth gaping open like a fish, for a good deal of the time.
In conclusion, this might not be my favourite book by the author. But, given that it had it’s work cut out by falling into a genre that I don’t usually plump for and that my usual comfort zone of fantasy was missing it did a fine job of pulling me in and keeping me eager to return. Seriously, this has this pulpy, noir, historic, crazy scheming no-idea-where-it’s-going-to-go feel that kept me turning the pages.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 scheming stars
Review: The Summer Fun Massacre (Slasher Season #1) by Craig DiLouie
6 July 2026
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Craig DiLouie, Horror, reading, Review, reviews, slasher, Slasher Season #1, The Summer Fun Massacre
My Five Word TL:DR Review: A Case of Managed Expectations
Okay, what do I mean by managed expectations? Basically when I requested The Summer Fun Massacre I jumped to the immediate conclusion that this was going to be your basic gorefest. Call me old fashioned but the words ‘Massacre’ and ‘Slasher Season’ I think very much helped me to go down that particular path. But, I did read an early review for this that suggested this had a police procedural feel and wasn’t just a (bare with me) ‘brainless’ slasher book and this helped me to be a bit more open to something different if you will. This is a really gripping story, there is blood and guts, tension and mystery but at the centre is a cop who wants to uncover the truth and I loved following in his footsteps as he tried to uncover the truth.
Now, before you throw your hands in the air, all exasperated because you’re now thinking that this isn’t a slasher story – well, it still is to be honest. There isn’t a shortage of victims but what really adds to this is the sense of mystery. I mean, what the fudge is actually going on in this tiny town? It’s really quite fascinating. A killer that seems to be something of an urban myth. So many secrets. Dodgy police and that one ‘final girl. I literally enjoyed this more than I ever expected. I came for the bloodfest and stayed for the gory mystery.
So, what did I particularly enjoy.
Well, the start is just really tense. We open up with Deputy Tom Bailey, our MC. He’s on his way (back) to the local Camp which has recently reopened. The people there are spooked and he’s already paid them a visit to check out all is okay and calm down a few frayed nerves, check under beds and in cupboards. But, something doesn’t sit right with Tom and on a hunch he decides to go back. This is all taking place in the summer of 1992, what happened more or less ten years earlier, was a massacre at that very same Summer camp – which has been closed ever since. Tom thinks its a terrible idea to reopen but who is he to reason why. He backtracks to reassure himself and before he knows it everything has gone to hell in a handcart. I loved this opener. If you want ‘massacre’ this opening gives it to you in spades. And, what I particularly loved is the way that as a reader you’re thrown straight in. Tom is a great character and you immediately like him, you want him to live, but for a moment there things really do hang in the balance. It’s all pretty darned scary to be honest.
Now, enter the scene the ‘final girl’ – Mary. As it happens, Tom and Mary were a couple, way back when, before everything went pear shaped. Mary was the last survivor of the 1983 Camp Massacre. Safe to say the pair drifted apart after that but Tom and Mary begin to reconnect, she has information and he is desperate to uncover the truth. Again, this ia a particular route that doesn’t go in the way you expect. In fact I love the twists with this story. I was hooked. I was just having a good time.
Tom is idealistic, perhaps almost a bit innocent. He simply wants to make a difference but at the same time as being naive he is also someone that others trust, he is solid and likable. Well, not everyone likes him. The Sheriff, and his son in particular, don’t like his interference. They’re all for an easy ride and with an election round the corner they don’t appreciate Tom’s delving, they want quick solutions. But something doesn’t sit right for Tom, too many unanswered questions.
For me this is a perfect combination of good writing, a winning MC, a police investigation combined with your basic camp massacre(s) and plenty of twists. I mean, really, I didn’t see things coming at all. I love a good mystery with a slasher in a bunny mask – doesn’t everyone? Lots of tension and another book yet to come. Colour me happy.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Round Up: What’s On My Plate for July
4 July 2026
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, July, reading, reviews, Round Up, Update, What's on my Plate
It’s been a while since my last round up so I’ll format this one slightly differently so as not to make it too lengthy. Instead of rounding up for June I’ll give an update of what I’ve read since February/March and also post my forthcoming books for July. My reading has been a lot slower in the past few months which certainly is not a reflection on the books themselves. I’ve enjoyed some absolute crackers. But, we’ve been away quite a lot and we’ve also had a lot of visitors this year, family and friends, which is fantastic but also takes time and attention away from other things. So, this year, by end of June I think I’m up to about 40 books – so I have some catching up to do if I can make it to my usual 100 in a year by the end of December. I’ll see how it goes, I’m not stressing about it.
In my last round up for (February) I posted the list of books that I was hoping to read during March (below) which I’ve updated here to show which books I read during that month. I had 8 books and apart from Steel Gods I read and reviewed them all. I will try to return to Steel Gods, I don’t know whether it was my mood at the time but I really struggled with it which was such a surprise as I’ve loved this author’s other books and indeed the first in this series:
- The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
- Steel Gods by Richard Swan – DNF
- Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence
- Wolf Worm by T Kingfisher
- Snake-Eater by T Kingfisher
- How To Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson
- Green and Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons
- Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
I then had a break during April so no reviews were posted and although I was reading during May I was only blogging a little. I posted four reviews as I was trying to catch up – which were:
- Death’s Daughter by SA Barnes
- The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer
- We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune
- The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
I’m nearly back on track with reviews. During June I posted the following:
- This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
- The Unicorn Hunters by Kathryn Arden
- The Children by Melissa Albert
- All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan
- The Wonder Engine by TJ Kingfisher
What’s On My Plate: July
I have already posted a review during July which was for Two Little Liars by Michelle Harrison – but this was a review book from June and part of my catching up. The books I’m hoping to read during July (I’m currently reading a June book – The Tinder Box by MR Carey) are:
- This Blade of Ours by Shalini Abeysekara
- Nine Goblins by T Kingfisher
- The Eye of Leviathan by MA Carrick
- The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
- The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood by HG Parry
- The Winter Folk by Jen Julian
- The Second Death of Locke by VL Bovalino
- Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan
Quite a few books but I’m really excited for all of these so lets see how things go. I’d also like to backtrack to try and include some titles from May and June that my slower reading meant I didn’t get to.
Backlist Book
For the moment I’m not tackling the list I created at the start of the year as I’d like to catch up with my review books from the last two months to get back on track.
Bookforager‘s Picture Prompt Book Bingo
And the ‘wordy’ version:
Picture Prompt Book Bingo 2026 (text version)
| 1. | 2. A set of weighing scales | 3. | 4. |
| 5. A hot air balloon | 7. | 8. A cooking pot hanging over a campfire | |
| 9. | 10. | 11. | 12. An octopus |
| 13. | 14. A skull and crossbones | 15. A decorative water fountain | 16. A pinch-clip purse |
This month I’m going to tick off a number of prompts:
A plant being repotted – Green and Deadly Things by Jenn Lyons (this really is a perfect fit)
A hand holding some fanned out playing cards – The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru – I’m thinking of the card readings (tarot but playing cards can also be used)
A moth – Wolf Worm by T Kingfisher – gothic horror with insects, maggots and more
A human eye – A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett – this may seem a bit random but Ana, one of the two main characters in this series usually chooses to wear a blindfold in order to help her restrict all the sensory data and improve her thinking
A large, old key – The Children by Melissa Albert – keys, very unusual keys I might add, play a large part in this beautiful book
A Griffin – This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews – there are a few critters in this
A hand holding a threaded needle – The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett a group of women coming together, forming bonds and found family, there is actually literal stitching involved as well but I’m going more for the abstract idea here of the women joining together in times of need
Review: The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
2 December 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Christina Henry, Horror, Review, reviews, The Place Where They Buried Your Heart
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Haunted House, Character-led Horror
I loved The Place Where They Buried Your Heart and in fact would say it’s my favourite by the author. Henry manages to really capture the essence of the spooky, abandoned house where something terrible happens. The story put me in mind of old school King, the writing was excellent and I really liked the characters. The whole story is absolutely gripping. The House is terrifying and the author manages to deliver a coming of age story with depth and emotional impact.
The story is told by Jesse, who years ago ‘dared’ her younger brother Paul to go inside the creepy house on the street. Of course, Paul doesn’t want to go, especially alone, but he also doesn’t want to back down so he talks his two friends into going with him. The result, is that one of the friends is very badly injured, the other is traumatised and Paul – well, he’s never seen again.
As you might imagine, Jesse lives with massive guilt, made much worse by the further tragedies that eventually play out that I won’t go into here. She remains defiantly on the street, although other neighbours come and go, always in the hope that one day her brother will return.
Now, there’s much more to the story than the very brief outline sketched above but I prefer to focus on what really worked for me.
Well, the story really is gripping. It hooked me within a few pages and quite literally didn’t let up. The writing is so easy to get along with and the story just had me on the edge of my seat. I could barely put this book down in order to carry out basic day to day necessities.
I don’t read a lot of horror and tend to be a bit picky as some really don’t work well for me – but this simply fit the bill. It’s massively creepy, the way Henry writes about the house gives you a real feeling of fear to the extent that I didn’t want the characters to step inside because I was scared for them. And, of course, there’s no shortage of horror in the backstory. And yet this is all balanced by the whole emotional feel that the author delivers. I loved all the family related issues and the found family that Jesse eventually finds herself surrounded by. Not to mention that Jesse eventually becomes a mom herself and struggles with wanting to upsticks and run as far as she can with her new son and wanting to do the write thing, protect the neighbourhood, help her friends and keep others from falling into harm’s way.
As I mentioned, I enjoyed the characters, and in this story the House is a character itself. It’s a place of evil. The door will stand open, enticing people within, usually people who have already become obsessed with the place, and very few come back out. Attempts were made over the years to burn the place down, or to demolish it, and yet the house still stands, impervious to such weak attempts. And now, it’s power seems to be growing, putting out feelers in the neighbourhood and seeking new victims. Jesse and a few of her stalwart neighbours do their best to guard the property and keep people away, but their attempts don’t always work.
There’s so much to enjoy in this book. I really, thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the only very small issue I had was the ending felt a little rushed. That being said, and because I like to argue with myself, I also don’t think I would have liked a longer ending – go figure.
In conclusion – highly recommended.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 creepy stars
Review: King Sorrow by Joe Hill
13 November 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Fantasy, Joe Hill, King Sorrow, Review, reviews
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Where Do I Even Begin?
This book! It definitely has the wow factor. I’m not gonna lie – when I saw the page count was just shy of 900 pages I had a little moment – but, having been granted a wish and receiving a review copy I also confess I was dancing a little happy dance. I’m only sorry that this review is later than planned due to personal reasons that I won’t bore everyone with.
First things first, this book didn’t feel like I’d read 900 pages! I’m absolutely serious. I’m not going to say I breezed through this in a couple of nights because that would just be silly (for me at least) but I was enjoying myself so much that I practically inhaled the first 30% of the story (which is a book in itself if we’re going to be honest).
Secondly, how to even begin to review this. I don’t really want to talk too much about the story so this will probably be more a short recap and then a good amount of gushing about what I really liked.
In a nutshell, King Sorrow (and I do love the title) brings to us a bunch of characters, friends (although they don’t always act like it) that strike a kind-of ‘Faustian” bargain – but with a dragon instead of the devil. And, to be fair, deals with devils, dragons and the fae – well, they’re never quite what they first appear. This is a sneaky dragon and these ‘young uns’ really didn’t look into the finer detail of what they were actually getting into. Long story short, this wasn’t a one time deal, it’s for life, and if our little group of friends don’t get their acts together they’ll be next up on the menu.
What worked really well for me? Well, everything to be fair.
The writing is perfection. It’s been a while since Joe Hill’s last book but this was, without doubt, worth the wait. A mystery, a fantasy, a horror and a story told by a group of friends who fall into a terrible pact that changes their lives beyond their wildest dreams (or nightmares), and definitely not in a good way. It has that wonderful feeling of familiarity somehow, like there’s elements of other much loved books (just enough to make you recall them but not enough to feel the same) A Secret History, for example, when the friends are a group of privileged students attending an elite college together (all except for one of their number that is), there are hints of Tolkien (terrible dragon! quest), and elements of old folklore – Arthurian legend (two of the characters are named Arthur and Gwen) but with a feminist twist and all sorts of wonderful little references to other books that I really enjoyed – of course, it’s possible that I just imagined those (or give things extra meaning than was intended) but I enjoyed myself regardless! The author has impeccable timing. I didn’t want to read a novel that turns into a yearly hit list, as creative as that might become, and so to keep up the momentum we move on to other dreadful encounters such as abduction and then deeper still into the land of fantasy with trolls and a seemingly impossible quest. Come on, everyone loves a quest! This is a story that is constantly evolving, rolling forward and taking you in directions that you really didn’t expect or see coming.
The characters are really good, their development so well crafted. I mean, would they be friends in the later stages if not for this terrible deal they struck? Probably not. As it is, they’re stuck with each other and, without doubt, the dreadful pact they made and it’s implications definitely shaped them in ways that would probably not have otherwise occured. There’s lost love, lust, manipulation, death, sorrow and definitely some backstabbing. I’m not even sure who the main character is. I felt like it started off as Arthur, perhaps it was Gwen? But, the others also have their share of the limelight as the story moves forward into the most unexpected territory. Hill manages to tie in many world events in a really creative way, even making this small group come to the notice of people that would be incredibly dangerous, if not for the fact that they have their very own secret weapon.
Then we have the dragon. An entity that can cross into our world. Despicable, cruel, can’t be bargained with, absolutely will not stop (much like the Terminator) until the mission is accomplished, and loves a good riddle. I loved the way that this dragon is bigger than an aeroplane and yet small enough to fit under your bed or into a cupboard. He can tap you on the shoulder with one claw that seems to come from the dark shadows in the corner of the room and loves nothing more than to cause confusion and discord between these friends – it’s like an ode to the imagination, anything is possible here. (I admit that I had the voice of Smaug running through my head at times!)
I’m not sure that I can really do this book justice. It’s definitely one of the best stories I’ve read for a long while. I was totally blown away and frankly I’d love to read it again because I think it would be even more satisfying the second time around. Perhaps I’ll pick up the audio copy and see how that compares.
Anyway, in conclusion, I have no hesitation in recommending this. Yes, it is a weighty tome indeed but it’s worth every minute of your time. Savour it and be happy.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 scorching, dragon breath stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 