emlawley's reviews
92 reviews

Weyward by Emilia Hart

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book blew me away. It’s so clever and well-thought-out how all the protagonists’ stories interlink and the subtlety the author used with that ‘golden thread’ is wonderful. Pretty much every chapter ending on a bit of a cliffhanger was so skillful! A fantastic feminist tale that I didn’t know we needed. I had to force myself to stop listening so that I didn’t just get through it in one day 🫣
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The Deathwatch Journal: An Original Story for BBC Radio 4 by Ian Rankin

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Wonderful short story from the crime fiction/Scottish Noir master himself. The epilogue is a great surprise (no spoilers!) too which adds to the story. Well produced and great narrator too. 
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Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

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emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

After hearing lots of good things about this book I was immediately drawn into the story, and “just one chapter before bed” turned into “oops I read for 1.5 hours” on many occasions! It was watch-through-your-fingers at times but very compelling, and so so relatable in its honest portrayal of the messy aftermath of a marriage break down. The only disappointing factor for me was the, in my opinion, very abrupt and unsatisfactory ending - after laughing and crying in the final quarter I was hopeful for a much better conclusion. 
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The Bloody, Bloody Banks by Andrew Raymond

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I listened to this in three days - I couldn't stop! As a huge Ian Rankin, JD Kirk and David J Gatward fan, Andrew Raymond's DCI Lomond series has all of the 'good stuff' in it for me to enjoy. Funny elements alongside a nail-biting case that kept me guessing until the end (it's SO annoying when you can guess the ending so this is a huge deal!). The characters themselves in Lomond's team are great which I really enjoy. Added bonus is that the utterly wonderful Angus King narrates this series too, after doing such an amazing job with JD Kirk's books. 
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Good Omens: The BBC Radio 4 dramatisation by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this! Ashamedly, it's my first Terry Prachett and first Neil Gaiman. The dramatisation was excellent and I flew through it. I wish it had been longer. Great cast and high-quality production.
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I love Beth O-Leary's books, and this one didn't disappoint. The 'will they, won't they' stooryline kept me gripped throughout and I stayed up far too late on many nights as I was unable (or unwilling!) to put the book down. I love the unique storylines she brings into the love story genre, and her characters are always so unique with wonderful, interesting and believable backstories. 
This Little Piggy by J.D. Kirk

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am an unashamed JD Kirk megafan! He can do no wrong. I was very happy when he announced the second DI Filson spin-off book as he had piqued my interest in her during the DI Logan novels that I couldn't wait to read more about her. Kirk always balances his trademark humour and amazing character development with an interesting and detailed case exploration and gripping plot, and this book was no different. It is also amazing to see three unique and strong female characters in a crime fiction series (something Kirk has always done well in the Logan novels), with each being talented and endearing in equal measure. I also love how all of the books tie in so well together between Kirks' three series.
The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

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funny mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

After struggling with the third intallment of The Thursday Murder Club series, it was nice to enjoy this one more. Although I much preferred the original narrator and feel I have to very much tolerate the current narrator while listening to the books now (the attempt at accents is particularly shocking!). The Thursday Murder Club gang were back being their funny, mischievious selves and this for me was the best part of the book as the plot felt particularly far-fetched, sadly. 
The Rise by Ian Rankin

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funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Rankin can do no wrong, in my opinion! A great and fast-paced 'whodunnit' short story with his usual mixture of humourous asides. I liked the behind-the-scenes looks we got into the luxury apartments and I was kept guessing about the culprit until the very end. Rankin showed his unrivalled writing skills know no bounds in this Rebus and Edinburgh-less book.
Heartbreak Houseshare by Emily Merrill

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A lovely and relatable exploration of female friendship and of navigating your early 20s. An interesting plot was a good addition alongside the usual love story elements of a nice meet-cute and a good old happy ending. A quick, easy and enjoyable read.