Book reviews, Luke’s Blog

22Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Chasing Graves by Ben Galley book review

A couple of months ago, I put out a tweet asking people where I should start with Ben Galley as I'd seen some good things about him. A few people came back, including Galley himself - his suggestion was to start with the Chasing Graves as it was the series he was most proud of. He then decided to DM me and said he'd be happy to send me a copy if I wanted to get started and you can't say no to that! So it was only fair that I slotted his book to the top of my TBR when it arrived. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at…

18Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson book review

Book reviews, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

The Jigsaw Man was another book that when I asked people which book I should read from my physical TBR list received a lot of recommendations. The reviews on the blurb and the front of the book likened it to Val McDermid too which is high praise. However, I must say... I was incredibly underwhelmed. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. The Jigsaw Man tells the story of DI Henley and her return to the frontline of the police force after a couple of years out and her experience with…

15Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Romance

I won't lie to you, I picked up Lessons In Chemistry because it had a really appealing cover and ai had seen some really positive things about it. For £5 in my local supermarket, I couldn't say no. Then when I got home, posted it to my social and the tweet ended up getting a massively positive reaction, I knew it had to be the next book I picked up! Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The use of these affiliate links does not affect my final opinion of the products. Lessons in Chemistry follows the story of the incredible Elizabeth Zott,…

10Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

When I received the sequel to The Ember Blade, The Shadow Casket, from Gollancz, I quickly went out and ordered the first book in the series The Ember Blade. I did some quick research on it and quickly saw it had received a lot of praise from people who'd read it with some even claiming it to be "the best fantasy" they'd ever read and "Lord of the Rings for the modern age" so I went it to it with high expectations. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of these products. The…

06Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

The Fall by Ryan Cahill book review

Book reviews, Fantasy

The Fall is a prequel novella to Ryan Cahill's much-praised The Bound and The Broken fantasy series. It's a series I'm desperate to start at some point this year and so I thought, after a slow reading month last month, I'd pick up his sub-100 page prequel novella The Fall. And wow. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Ryan Cahill‘s name is constantly being bounced around my Twitter feed as someone whose books are an absolute must and that, topped with some wonderfully mature and appealing front covers, has made…

04Mar 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Freeze by Kate Simants book review

Book reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Freeze by Kate Simants was kindly sent to me by Viper books after they put out a tweet with the premise and I keenly jumped on their tweet saying I'd love to receive a proof copy prior to launch. The premise I hear you ask? A group of "celebrities" go to Greenland to film a reality survival show but there's clearly someone on that boat who is determined to ensure someone else on that boat doesn't make the journey home. Intriguing huh? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Tori and Dee…

28Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson book review

Book reviews, Mystery, Thriller

When I recently asked on my social media channels what I should read next from my TBR list, the majority of the answers came back for me to read Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson. I’d heard of the book before and had a general premise of what the book was about so I was keen to jump in and see if it could surprise me in any way. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose you purchase any products via the links before, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. Before I Go To Sleep tells the story of Christine who wakes…

25Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness 4 Comments

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith book review

Book reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

I'd heard quite a few people suggest picking up and reading Child 44 including a lot of people who voted when I asked people which book on my physical TBR they should I should pick up next. I went into it blind with no idea what it was about, didn't even read the blurb. Was that a mistake? Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links provided below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. Child 44 focuses on Leo, an MGB officer who is quite literally the poster boy for the army - he's young, good-looking and loyal. He…

15Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

Dead Head by C J Skuse book review

Book reviews, Crime, Thriller

The third book in the Sweetpea trilogy, Dead Head, sees our hilarious secret serial killer, Rhiannon, on the run. She’s trying to hide from society as the whole world has found out about her and weirdly made her into an exciting celebrity for the whole of Twitter to talk about. In fact, she even has a book out now. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the products. As I said above, Dead Head is the third book in the series, so if you've not read the previous two books in the series,…

15Feb 2023 by Luke Harkness No Comments

In Bloom by C J Skuse book review

Book reviews, Crime, Thriller

The Sweetpea series by C J Skuse is a series recommended to me by a fair few of my friends and one that I see a lot of people raving about online. In Bloom is the second in this series and sees us pick up Rhiannon's story right after she's just successfully had her cheating boyfriend sent to jail for the killings she's committed. Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase any products via the links below, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not affect my final opinion of the product. In Bloom carries right on after where Sweetpea finished. If you've not yet read Sweetpea you definitely need to -…