ShortBookandScribes July 2025 Reads, Book Post and Stats

For the first time in ages I can report an eight book month. Admittedly, I had started one book in June but even so, I’m taking it as a victory. Enjoyed them all very much too. Here’s what I read:

The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse

I always love a Lesley Pearse book and I was hooked on this story of a young woman who takes another woman’s identity after a WWII air raid.

 

Killer Instinct by Nicola Williams

A gripping legal thriller about the death of the senior clerk of the chambers where barrister Lee Mitchell works. A killer storyline written with knowledge and style.

 

Watch You Watch Me by Lily Samson

Alice agrees to let her boss, Mina, use her flat for what turns out to be a dubious and sexy reason. Taut, addictive and voyeuristic, I loved this psychological thriller.

 

Six Poppies by Lisa Carter

A lovely military romance following Carl and Sarah who met in Afghanistan and who are unable to forget each other, despite their own baggage on returning home. Emotional and moving, it highlights how hard it is for soldiers to adapt to civilian life.

 

Dead as Gold by Bonnie Burke-Patel

Adam is a goldsmith in a small coastal town where a number of strange events occur, culminating in a robbery at his workshop. The reasons must be unravelled and the story has some unexpected twists, interwoven with dark fairy tales. I really enjoyed this gothic crime novel.

 

25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie

An engaging story of the inhabitants of one house over the course of over one hundred years. I particularly enjoyed the more historical aspects and the themes around women’s rights.

 

The Tangled Thread and The Emperor by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Books 10 and 11 in the Morland Dynasty series and my love for these books just keeps on going. The Tangled Thread takes place around the French Revolution, following the illegitimate thread of the Morland line and The Emperor encompasses sadness and discontent at home mingled with drama on the high seas.

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Last week I also shared a Green Last Now Next reading update. I couldn’t resist as these books complemented each other so nicely.

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Book post received this month with thanks to the named publishers and authors:

Just a Taste by Anise Starr (sent by Simon & Schuster)

The Best of Intentions by Caroline Scott (sent by Simon & Schuster)

How the Other Half Die by Rachel North (sent by Corvus Books)

The Christmas Magpie by Mark Edwards (sent by Michael Joseph)

Other People’s Fun by Harriet Lane (sent by W&N)

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge by Rachel Hore (sent by Simon & Schuster)

 

I received this fabulous Harrogate at Home box from Faber:

The books are The Confessions by Paul Bradley Carr

The Christmas Clue by Nicola Upson

The Good Patient by Nilesha Chauvet

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 

I also bought:

The History of England by a Partial, Prejudiced and Ignorant Historian by Jane Austen

Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl (these two are part of the new Penguin Archive collection)

The Wedding People by Alison Espach*

The Kitchen by Laura Carter*

Sandwich by Catherine Newman*

Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence

Miss Veal and Miss Ham by Vikki Heywood

Without Prejudice by Nicola Williams*

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden*

I went a bit mad and snapped up the starred books on Vinted at £1 or £2 each (apart from The Safekeep which was a bit more) and was having great fun celebrating my bargains until I realised that with postage on top they weren’t much cheaper than an average paperback and some people’s idea of what constitutes very good condition doesn’t quite match mine. Lesson learned!

 

Finally, a couple of books with spredges to add to my collection:

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West

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Finally, my Storygraph stats for July: