Thousands of books. No time to waste. No spoilers. Ever. Quick Book Reviews — your twice-weekly reading companion with host Philippa Hall What it is Quick Book Reviews is a spoiler-free book podcast hosted by Philippa Hall, published every Monday and Friday. Philippa reads widely so busy readers don't have to guess — delivering honest, enthusiastic, bite-sized reviews alongside in-depth author interviews and a friendly window into the publishing world. This is a warm, welcoming show for readers who love books but don't have time to read everything — and want someone they trust to help them choose what's next. Format Spoiler-free reviews : Fast, honest breakdowns of new releases and upcoming fiction Author interviews : In-depth conversations with novelists about plot, character, and writing craft — from global names to indie debuts Publishing insider news : Literary trends, BookTok and Bookstagram highlights, and behind-the-scenes publishing gossip Genres covered Crime · Psychological thriller · Cosy crime · Contemporary drama · Dark academia · Rom-com · Historical fiction · Horror · Romantasy Ideal for Readers with an ever-growing TBR pile · Book club members looking for their next pick · Anyone who loves hearing authors talk about their creative process · Fans of BookTok and Bookstagram looking for a deeper dive Genre & metadata Host: Philippa Hall Format: Reviews / interviews / publishing news Frequency: Twice weekly — every Monday and Friday Spoilers: Never Status: Active and ongoing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bestselling psychological thriller author John Marrs joins Philippa for a Quick Book Reviews Summer Special to talk about his latest thriller, Dead in the Water . John and Philippa chat about holiday reading, Kindle versus physical books, family trips, travel sickness, nightmare cruises, dream road trips across Canada or New Zealand, ice cream memories, and why raspberry ripple may require mint Tic Tacs. They also discuss the writing of Dead in the Water , John’s plotting process, red herrings, psychological thrillers, speculative fiction, social media, TikTok, author promotion, publishing transparency, and why he wants readers to close his books feeling entertained. Dead in the Water follows Damon after a near-drowning, when his life flashes before his eyes and reveals one disturbing memory he cannot place: a dead boy, a face he does not know, and a moment he cannot remember living. The official synopsis describes it as a chilling thriller about buried memories and obsession. Perfect for fans of John Marrs , psychological thrillers , crime fiction , twisty thrillers , summer reads , author interviews , and no-spoiler book podcasts . Books and authors mentioned: Dead in the Water by John Marrs The One by John Marrs The Good Samaritan by John Marrs The Passengers by John Marrs The Marriage Act by John Marrs The Family Experiment by John Marrs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Philippa sits down with Ellery Lloyd — the husband and wife writing duo of Colette and Paul — to talk about their brilliant new novel Time to Burn , their Radio 2 Book Club selection, and what it's really like to write a book with the person you live with. Plus listener questions from the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group, and a biscuit answer that connects beautifully with a very recent episode. 🎙️ Ellery Lloyd on Time to Burn In the very near future, time travel is possible — but only for the obscenely wealthy. Tech entrepreneur Inigo Frank has built Tempus Tours, and documentary maker Phoebe Hunt is there to film his story. Until the first day of filming, when a returning group of time travellers come back bloodied and dazed — and one of them is missing. Someone Phoebe knows. Colette, Paul, and Philippa discuss: The real-world inspiration: billionaire obsessions with space travel, and what happens when technology outpaces consequence Why the book is driven by character and mystery rather than quantum physics — it's a thriller that happens to involve time travel, not the other way around Their dream writing locations: a railing-free balcony on Dartmoor (Colette) and a house with extraordinary sea views in Devon (Paul) — neither of which involves being in the same room The nightmare writing location: sitting next to Paul, who types loudly, laughs at his own sentences, and performs the act of writing like a 1930s movie reporter The Radio 2 Book Club announcement — recorded with Sara Cox the morning of this episode Reader questions from the Facebook group: cover design, who first suggested writing together, how they develop ideas (WhatsApps, balconies, and a legendary late-night text from China), whether they argue about plot points (they don't — but one of them keeps a backup Word document, just in case) The Ellery Lloyd formula: a world you haven't been inside before, characters with real motivations, and everything tied up satisfyingly at the end Where they'd travel if they could: Paul chooses dinosaurs and Romans; Colette wants a dress she saw when she was 18 and has never stopped thinking about What they're reading: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Colette) and The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (Paul) Biscuit answer: Colette powers her writing with Tim Tams — bite off both ends, suck tea through the middle, eat immediately before it collapses. Paul eats his daughter's digestives resentfully and wishes he'd bought Hobnobs. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Philippa opens with a brief history lesson — the word "blurb" was invented in 1907 by a writer mocking self-congratulatory publishers, and his fictional creation Miss Belinda Blurb gave us the word we still use today. Then it's three book reviews and a wide-ranging, genuinely fascinating conversation with David Baldacci — over 200 million books sold — about his latest novel Hope Rises . 📚 Three Book Reviews The Compound – Aisling Ruhl Ten women wake up in a desert compound, cameras rolling, waiting for men to arrive. A dark, thought-provoking take on reality TV culture — more layered than it first appears. They Called Us the Enemy – George Takei A graphic novel memoir by the Star Trek actor recounting his family's imprisonment in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. Essential, heartbreaking, and — given it has now been banned in some US libraries — more important than ever. Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth 81-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick has a curious history of people around her coming to a foul end. A beautifully narrated audiobook that defies easy genre labels — somewhere between a slow-burn thriller and the Thursday Murder Club, but entirely its own thing. 🎙️ David Baldacci on Hope Rises Walter Nash did everything right — worked hard, earned well, built the American dream. Then an FBI agent turned up the night of his father's funeral and told him he had a choice: help bring down the criminal organisation he'd unknowingly worked for, or lose everything anyway. David and Philippa discuss: Why Walter Nash is a metaphor for everyone wondering where they fit in a world being reshaped by AI The three-year class action lawsuit David and other authors brought against major AI companies — and the nine-hour deposition in which he was asked whether he'd copied Charles Dickens Why he writes in a Greek deli near his Virginia office, where he has an unofficial plaque above his usual table Being both an introvert and an extrovert — and why total isolation is actually his nightmare writing location The reading crisis: why he stopped letting "I just don't have time to read" go unchallenged at book signings The Wish You Well Foundation and why forcing children to read specific books is the fastest way to kill a love of reading Growing up in segregated Richmond, Virginia, and why books were his "body armour against bigotry" What he's reading: essays by Jesmyn Ward, a Toni Morrison biography, James by Percival Everett, Kurt Vonnegut's Jailbird , and ARCs from Ann Cleeves and Michael Koryta The expression he hopes to see on readers' faces at the end of Hope Rises: a contented sigh, and a little more empathy Biscuit answer: Cheez-Its — reduced fat, but consumed in quantities that would alarm a nutritionist. His son ate two boxes and then went out to buy a replacement, then ate that one too. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Philippa sits down with Robert Peston — ITV political editor, bestselling author, and reluctant biscuit convert — to talk about The Kill Switch , the third and final book in his Gil Peck thriller trilogy, and why he felt compelled to put artificial intelligence and the fragility of democracy at its heart. 🎙️ Robert Peston on The Kill Switch When the prime minister dies in mysterious circumstances, journalist Gil Peck finds himself at the centre of a conspiracy that may or may not involve artificial intelligence. In a world of misinformation, fractured democracy, and technology that is rewriting the rules of everything, who — or what — is really pulling the strings? Robert and Philippa discuss: Why AI had to be at the heart of this book — and why he believes we are living through the most dangerous moment for democracy since the 1930s The acknowledgment that stopped Philippa in her tracks: "Don't take democracy for granted. Our way of life is more at risk than at any time since the 1930s. This is the fight of our lives." How the trilogy was always planned as three eras: New Labour 1997, the financial crisis of 2007-08, and the AI revolution now Why writing fiction is joyful and writing nonfiction feels like work — and why he may never go back How COVID gave him the time and space to finally finish a novel he'd been putting off for decades The nightmare writing scenario: not a place but a moment — Trump inaugurations, government collapses, and the relentless news cycle taking over every inch of available brain space His dream writing location: a central Lisbon Airbnb over Christmas and New Year — sunny, beautiful food, friendly strangers, and a scene in the novel as a thank-you to the city Why he doesn't have a current auto-buy author but is devoted to Dorothy L. Sayers, John Buchan, and Isaac Bashevis Singer The endless agony of book titles — including the battle to keep WTF on the cover of a Waterstones-stocked book What he hopes readers feel at the end: hope, and curiosity about what comes next What he's reading: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe and Mariana Mazzucato's The Common Good Economy Biscuit answer: A chocolate man first and foremost — his go-to is the Choco Leibniz. Introduced mid-conversation to the M&S chocolate-drenched custard cream, which he had already discovered and confirms is "totally addictive." Castle Chocolates in Carlisle and their chocolate-covered lemon sponge are now firmly on his radar for the next book. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Philippa is joined by T.M. Payne — and her co-conspirator Susie — for what may be the most gloriously chaotic episode in Quick Book Reviews history. There are kitchen implement debates, merch updates, a real duck called Crispy, and a live Penguin biscuit demonstration that will genuinely change how you eat biscuits forever. Oh, and there's a brilliant book to talk about too. But first, three book reviews. 📚 Three Book Reviews The Reader on the 6.27 – Jean-Paul Didierlaurent Please don't read the blurb — just pick this up. Under 200 pages, beautiful and surprising. All Philippa will say is: what Gillian does for a living will floor you. Queenie is Working on It – Candice Carty-Williams Queenie is back — still fallible, still gorgeous, still making questionable decisions — and that's exactly why she's so loveable. If you loved book one, you'll love this. Heartstopper Volume Six – Alice Oseman The final chapter of Nick and Charlie's story. Not what Philippa was expecting — but on reflection, exactly right. She needs to talk to someone about it. Get in touch when you've read it. 🎙️ T.M. Payne on One Bad Deed DI Sheridan Holler is back — and this time she does something she never thought she'd have to do. That's all Tina will say. Tina, Susie, and Philippa discuss: The tongs vs spatula debate — and the merch empire that has got completely out of hand Why Sheridan Holler is deliberately not a flawed, angst-ridden detective, and why her warmth comes from Tina's real 14 years as a police case investigator Whether you need to start at book one (Tina says ideally yes, Susie and Philippa respectfully disagree) The extraordinary true story behind the book's deaf character: a chance encounter with a hotel receptionist in Portsmouth who had been deaf since birth, who lip-read Tina from 12 feet away, and whose voice was then perfectly captured by audiobook narrator Heather Bleasdale — who will never be able to hear it The dream book festival: a pop-up travelling event on a Routemaster bus, driven by Tina in a cap, pulling up outside people's houses when they can't get to a festival The nightmare book festival: anywhere near a beetroot factory Crispy the Duck — real, found on the Norfolk Broads, returned to the following year The smell of One Bad Deed : duck poo and water Philippa gets a mention in the acknowledgements of book six — alongside broccoli Biscuit answer: Penguins — but not eaten normally. Bite off both ends, submerge in warm tea, suck the tea through the biscuit, shove it in your mouth at once. Three have been posted to Philippa. Videos are expected. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Philippa sits down with the brilliant Jo Spain — 13 bestselling thrillers already published, translated into 17 languages, TV writer and producer — to talk about her extraordinary new novel Never to Be Found , which sparked a bidding war from some of the biggest names in television before it was even published. 🎙️ Jo Spain on Never to Be Found In Japan, up to 100,000 people every year voluntarily evaporate from their lives — a phenomenon known as jōhatsu . Entire industries exist to help them do it, providing new identities, documents, and a clean start. Veronica Paige has brought this concept to Britain, running a business disappearing people — until she discovers she's helped a murderer vanish. Jo and Philippa discuss: How a lunchtime article led to the entire concept of the book — and why Jo raced to write it before anyone else could The once-in-a-career bidding war: Sam Mendes' production company, Amazon MGM, and The Walking Dead showrunner Angela Kang all in pursuit of the same book Why Jo always writes books for the love of them and scripts for the money — and why those two things are entirely separate The three categories people fall into when they hear about jōhatsu: those who want to vanish, those horrified by abandonment, and those who think they'd be brilliant at making people disappear How Veronica justifies what she does — and the moral question at the heart of the book Why layers matter more than first drafts, and what it looks like from the outside when Jo is deep in the editing stage Her dream writing location: the coast path between Moville and Greencastle in Donegal — where the Wi-Fi barely works and the day takes its time Her nightmare: a writer's room, surrounded by other writers, expected to create on demand The pressure of reader expectations for twists — and why she's made peace with the fact that she can't please everyone BookTok: how she joined to keep an eye on her children and ended up addicted, embarrassing them daily, and discovering her last three books there What she's reading: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the latest Jane Harper, and London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe Biscuit answer: A committed biscuit addict who has written an entire novel powered by ginger nuts. Current favourite: shortcake with sultanas, dunked, and firmly classified as healthy eating. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 accessory The rule Tim never breaks: we never laugh at George, only with him or at others' reactions to him Why this is absolutely not cosy crime — and why the original covers did the books a disservice Writing longhand with fountain pens (a collection of Pelikans, Montblancs, and Lamys), and why the family complain less if there's no laptop open Writing book nine without knowing who the second killer is — and why not plotting keeps the writing organic Being turned down by agents for neurodivergent appropriation, self-publishing the first two books, and being embraced by the autistic community instead Why he's reluctant to sell TV rights — and why protecting George's authenticity matters more than a screen deal The 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 book His one remaining ambition: to look up on the Tube and see a stranger reading one of his books Biscuit answer: Flapjacks or white chocolate cookies — and absolutely no dunking. George would never allow it. 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 hype The working title that was ditched: The Murderer's Daughter — too on the nose, too reductive Daddy issues, trauma, and why Amy's story is really about what happens when the person who was supposed to protect you destroys everything instead The pressure of being an "auto-buy author" — and why that status has to be earned every single time Whether 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 phone Her nightmare writing location: a writer's retreat, surrounded by other writers all typing away confidently while she types "the" again and again The importance of pre-orders — how they affect stock decisions, first print runs, and author sanity on launch day Her 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.com What she hopes readers feel at the end: shock, awe, possibly tears, and the satisfying sense that everyone got what they deserved What 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 books This year's theme: Bad Apples: Crime Fiction's Enemies and Antiheroes The legendary annual Whodunit, costumes, accents, and Abir's reputation for staying in character (and wig) all weekend The Friday Night Special ticket — drinks on the lawn, a talk on Bond villains, a three-course chef-prepared dinner, and an after-dinner speaker Guest of honour Andrew Taylor, and returning speaker Natasha Cooper The online option for people joining from Australia, Japan, and beyond Punting mishaps, Jimi Hendrix-via-laptop disasters, and other backstage panic stories The 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 disappearing Writing 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 again His background in theatre (Royal Court, Soho Theatre, Tamasha) and how writing a novel is completely different — more solitary, less terrifying than opening night The 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 tool His nightmare: the quiet carriage, one man on his phone, and the moment Aman became that guy What he's reading: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee and This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniel Murtagh The second book: another family drama, this time about his own generation Biscuit 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 time Writing a genre mashup nobody knew how to categorize — and why publishers loved it anyway Creating Grant Hoffman, the know-it-all love interest readers can't stop talking about Her dream (a library with snacks) and nightmare (a concert with FOMO) writing locations Why she's been hearing from readers whose partners think they've lost it from laughing so hard Plus: 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 Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes. 📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com 📸 Instagram & Threads: @quick_book_reviews 🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews 🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3 🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 pull How publishers start thinking about a book's positioning years before publication The enduring power of bookseller advocacy and word-of-mouth recommendation Why traditional media still matters even in a podcast and social-media-saturated world What Transworld Is Publishing Now Not That Sort of Girl – Andrea Mara Getting Away With Murder – Shari Lapena The Creative Compass – Emma Gannon Data 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 Hanff Listener 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 adventures The deliberate shift in the Poe/Tilly dynamic across the series — and who relies on whom now A new teenage character and the questions only a 15-year-old will ask directly The 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 Summer Lessons 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 joke Poe's Croft: completely fictional, despite what several convinced readers insist Listener 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 Cartmel The biscuit answer: chocolate-covered Battenberg, fig rolls and Jammie Dodgers from Castle Chocolates in Carlisle — links in the show notes The 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 secret What "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 life Mia and Ethan: two characters running in opposite directions until they collide Anxiety as a central theme — Lindsey opens up about her own late diagnosis at 32, how bad things got, and why she finally asked for help Toxic masculinity and the pressure on men to silently hold everything together Why 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 book Writing in Vegas hotels at 2am, the importance of a bath, and why airports are the worst Her wrestling podcast Tights and Fights — now 10 years old — and whether a wrestling romance might be next What she's reading right now: Dungeon Crawler Carl on audio and The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice The 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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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" hardbacks The real problem with hardback pricing — and those eye-watering £40 price tags How 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 alternatives Sprayed edges (spreadges) — and why they might just be the best argument for buying hardbacks Philippa'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 | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 Himalayas Why he wrote every word himself (no ghostwriter) Inventing "wine crime" as a new sub-genre The late Peter Hall of Breaky Bottom vineyard, who read his chapters just before he died Writing through a gallbladder operation, missing deadlines (never), and the advice of a biodynamic economist Why teetotallers love the book just as much as wine lovers A rainbow moment that changed how he thinks about writing What he's reading right now: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, The Traitor's Circle by Jonathan Freedland, and more The writing fuel that isn't a biscuit: crunchy peanut butter with a drop of soy sauce Death by Noir is out 18th June . 💬 Get in touch Quick Book Reviews Facebook Group | Instagram | quickbookreviews@outlook.com Quick Book Reviews: author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
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 are The 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 yet Listener 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: quickbookreviews@outlook.com Instagram: @quick_book_reviews If 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 2003 why Harrogate feels different from other book festivals the famous beer tent atmosphere festival gossip and disasters over the years lone traveller meet-ups and making the event inclusive authors going missing the hotel nearly catching fire the fiercely competitive quiz night why readers are truly at the heart of Harrogate Philippa and Sharon also discuss: the rise of crime fiction festivals balancing blockbuster authors with exciting debuts the new Swift Half Stage why readers return year after year proof copies, goodie bags and “golden goodie bags” festival nerves, security and keeping events safe Plus: an unexpectedly passionate biscuit debate involving Kit Kats, digestives and secret chocolate habits. This Year’s Festival Highlights Featured authors and events mentioned include: Lisa Jewell Lee Child David Baldacci Anthony Horowitz Ann Cleeves Chris Whitaker Alice Feeney Steve Cavanagh Holly Jackson Brenda Blethyn Harlan Coben Val McDermid Mark Billingham Why Listeners Will Love This Episode If you love: crime fiction book festivals behind-the-scenes publishing stories author gossip reader communities literary events festival planning chaos funny podcast conversations …this episode is for you. Memorable Moments The “freshers’ welcome” for lone travellers Golden goodie bag brainstorming Authors accidentally trying to enter the wrong hotel room The legendary Harrogate beer tent The near-disaster involving a cigarette and the hotel The wildly competitive late-night quiz Sharon’s emergency Kit Kat stash Biscuit Verdict Sharon chooses: Jammie Dodgers Two-finger Kit Kats (strictly rationed) Chocolate digestives… eaten unconventionally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
