ShortBookandScribes July 2026 Reads, Book Post and Stats
July was another eight book month, which appears to be my norm. Here they are:
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
A great read about a dysfunctional family, some dodgy stuff that went on in their house and Jane Trevally, the one that got away.
Can You Solve the Murder Book 2: The Forest of Death by Antony Johnston
Deputy Timber here to tell you that I would make a lousy detective. I didn’t solve the crime in the first of these ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style books and I failed abysmally to solve it in this one. Still, it’s good fun choosing your own path of detection (or non-detection in my case).
I absolutely loved this story about Elsie Fitzpatrick who is actually Mad Mabel Waller and was convicted of murder as a child. There’s a lot to delve into about Mabel’s childhood and it’s both funny and sad. Easily one of my favourites of the year.
The Glass Key by Amanda Geard
Set in Ireland in 2005 and Norway during the occupation of the country and its surrounding islands during WWII which makes for an interesting and lesser-known backdrop. I loved this author’s previous books but have to admit to struggling a bit with this one.
We Search the Island for Grace by Bonnie Burke-Patel
I always enjoy this author’s books. This one has a nod to Agatha Christie with its ‘locked-room’ remote island setting. It’s very atmospheric with lots of secrets coming to the forefront.
The Wythenshawe Dandy by S.J. Galbraith
An excellent crime thriller debut, a twisty and dark story set mostly in Sheffield. A dead girl is found laid on the bed of James Flynn but is he capable of murder? His (very new) sort of girlfriend, DI Cassie May, investigates.
The Dancing Years by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Book 33 of the Morland Dynasty series and the younger generation want to forget the horrors of WWI by dancing themselves silly.
The Winding Road by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Book 34 and the dancing years give way to the General Strike and the Wall Street Crash. I loved the outcome of this book as there’s new hope for Morland Place and its residents. Sob…only two more books in the series to go now.
Book post received in July with thanks to the named publishers and authors:
The Break In by Katherine Faulkner (sent by Bloomsbury)
The Winter Guest by Sarah Moss (sent by Picador)
Family friends by Chloe Ashby (giveaway prize sent by Laura Pearson)
Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger (sent by Vintage)
A Cottage in the Country by Katie Fforde (sent by Bloomsbury)
The Falling by Carole Hailey (sent by Atlantic)
Black Earth by Kate London (sent by Firefinch)
The Wythenshawe Dandy by S.J. Galbraith (sent by Salt Publishing)
I also bought:
Summer at Flora’s House by Freya North
The Museum of Second Chances by Jo Leevers
Clear by Carys Davies
Receipts from the Bookshop by Katie Clapham (this was a birthday present)
Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman
and these beauties with gorgeous sprayed/stencilled edges:
The Scandalous Ladies Football Club by Frances Quinn
Mr Sidhu’s Post Office by Amman Brar
Finally, my Storygraph stats for July:
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