Review - the Chemist by A. A. Dhand

The Chemist by A. A. Dhand

Publisher: HQ

Release date: 22 May 2025

Back cover blurb: Local pharmacist and pillar of the community, Idris Khan, spends his days doling out methadone to the hundreds of addicts in his care. They trust Idris with their secrets, and so he knows more than his mild manner suggests. So when his childhood sweetheart, Rebecca, doesn't turn up for her daily methadone dose, Idris is worried. Worried enough to go looking for her in the most deprived area of Leeds, alone. The mess Idris finds catapults him into the middle of a turf war between the two most powerful drug cartels in Yorkshire. Now, he must use every bit of intelligence and cunning he has to keep those he loves safe. Because a war is on the way. And when Idris goes after his enemies, they won't see him coming.

One of the best thrillers I've read in a long while, the Chemist offers something unique. 

Idris Khan is a respected local community pharmacist, known locally as 'the Chemist'. Although it isn't factually correct, it's a term that Idris finds quite endearing.

As well as filling prescriptions and providing essential advice, Idris' pharmacy also has the responsibility of looking after the local 'blue scripts'. Those former or current drug addicts who are obtaining a daily dose of legal methadone as an alternative to something far more sinister.

The Pharmacy also supplies to 'the Mews' a run down part of Leeds whose reputation is notorious. It is a dangerous place to which Idris is given unprecedented access in exchange for a 'special' delivery service to the estate.

Not all of the arrangements he has are strictly legal [or moral] but Idris' heart is in the right place, and he knows that his involvement in the Mews is a much safer alternative for most of the residents he is supplying.

When once of Idris' regular blue script patients doesn't appear, he fears for their wellbeing. This particular patient he has a more complex relationship with than most, and he is keen to make sure that they are ok.

His concern leads him to a dark place, worse than he could have imagined, and he finds himself in a situation that he should really not be getting into. He grapples with his conscience and makes a heat of the moment decision that will have devastating consequences for all involved. 

I can totally see The Chemist as a hit TV show, which I know would make for a gripping series. This thriller comes highly recommended.

The Chemist is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Last train to Freedom by Deborah Swift

Last Train to Freedom by Deborah Swift

Publisher: HQ Digital

Release date: 8 May 2025

Back cover blurb: 1940. As Soviet forces storm Lithuania, Zofia and her brother Jacek must flee to survive. A lifeline appears when Japanese consul Sugihara offers them visas on one condition: they must deliver a parcel to Tokyo. Inside lies intelligence on Nazi atrocities, evidence so explosive that Nazi and Soviet agents will stop at nothing to possess it. Pursued across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Express, Zofia faces danger at every turn, racing to expose the truth as Japan edges closer to allying with the Nazis. With the fate of countless lives hanging in the balance, can she complete her mission before time runs out?

1940, Lithuania. Zofia and her twin brother Jacek must flee to survive the approaching Soviet forces. 

Already having fled one country, they have nowhere to go, and no one left except each other.

When it seems that all is lost, they are thrown a lifeline the form of the Japanese consulate. They are giving away visas, against their country's wishes, as Consul Sugihara cannot bear to see the people suffering.

Zofia and Jacek are the last of a lucky few to receive these visas, which come with a price. 

They must deliver a very important package to Tokyo.

When Zofia learns what is inside the package she agrees almost immediately, and adds her own testimony to those already inside. For what Sugihara is asking, could potentially change everything.

The package is full of eye witness accounts, including photographs of the Nazi's atrocities across Europe.

The journey to Tokyo from Lithuania is long and dangerous, with multiple sources wanting to get their hands of the package that Zofia and her Brother must deliver.

This is another brilliantly written and researched book by Deborah Swift, and I look forward to the author's next. 

Last Train to Freedom is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam

Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ)
Release date: 27 February 2025

Back cover blurb: Yesterday they were just exes. Today they’re a writer and a publicist... on tour in Europe... for a month. When Andie lands her dream job as a senior book publicist, she’s ready to take the world of New York publishing by storm. Until her first day, when she discovers that her biggest author is Jack Carlson – the same Jack who ruined her life in university. Who she hasn’t spoken to in five years. Who is not only still infuriatingly hot but incredibly successful. And whose campaign she definitely cannot mess up, if she wants to keep her job. To make matters even worse, the central part of this career-defining campaign is a book tour. For a month, Andie will have to travel across Europe with the man who, if she were being totally honest, she’d like to hit with her car. But she will not lose this opportunity, especially not because of him. One month on tour with Jack Carlson, visiting some of the most romantic spots in Europe. Deep breath. She can do this.

Bad Publicity is something that Jack really doesn't want. About to embark on his first major book tour, he wants everything to go as smoothly as possible.

Andie has just gotten her dream job as a senior book publicist but then she sees Jack’s name on her Author list and realises her world is about to be turned upside down.

Jack and Andie knew each other at University, and they didn't exactly part on the best of terms...

I really felt for Andie, she was going through a lot of different emotions during the course she of this novel and doing her best to keep on top of everything whist remaining professional.

On the other hand she seemed quite immature and out for revenge for something that we didn’t as a reader know was serious until the very end, but then you remember how young they both are and realise why they behave in the way they do.

Jack for his part seems largely up hashed by Andie’s demeanour. He clearly knows that he has done wrong, thinks he can apologise once and move on.

But Andie isn’t so quick to forgive, and as they continue to work together their relationship becomes even more strained.

Can they put their differences aside for the sake of their careers? Or will their strained relationship ruin everything?

Bad Publicity is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - When Sally Killed Harry by Lucy Roth

When Sally Killed Harry by Lucy Roth

Publisher: Avon Books UK

Release Date: 27 March 2025

Back Cover Blurb: THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY. THIS IS A ROM COM GONE ROGUE.​ I’ve woken up in the Big Apple with the world's worst hangover, an empty bank account, and the sinking feeling that my life just nosedived. Last night's escapade is a blur, but one thing is clear: I’ve been swindled and I’m not happy about it.​ ​The culprit? Harry - a total dreamboat and my worst nightmare. He’s got charm, secrets, and a smile that screams trouble. Little did I know, Harry's not just a pretty face - he's a liar, conman and he’s turned my life upside down.... ​When I discover I’m not the only victim, I decide it’s only right I take my revenge. And with a group of wronged women behind me, murder isn’t on the agenda just yet because Harry’s in for a nightmare and I’m only just getting started…

Sally Parker has had it with men. The dates that she goes on are nothing short of atrocious - If I'm honest, I know how she feels...

But then she meets Harry, and he is perfect.

No really, he is.

Hahahaha...

Don't be ridiculous, of course he's not!

Harry is a conman, a swindler, a charming, beautiful man who has conned Sally out of her deserved inheritance. 

A crime for which he must pay.

The novel opens with Sally, well killing Harry, and no it's not a spoiler. I mean, did you even read the books' title before you picked it up?

Sally had a terrible upbringing, so she escaped to New York City to start afresh, she is damaged sure. But not irretrievably so, she just needs someone she can love, who can take her mind of things.

She thinks that Harry is it. Until he isn't. But murder isn't usually how you deal with a conman is it? Well no, of course not, but Sally isn't like other women, and Harry isn't the first man who has crossed her!

When Sally Killed Harry is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - the Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin

The Lamplighter's Bookshop by Sophie Austin

Publisher: HarperFiction

Release date: 1 March 2025

Back cover blurb: When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide. There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to. As the layers are brushed away, can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is a beautifully written historical fiction novel. Set in a time where the rich, were ridiculously so, and the poor, mere dirt at their feet.

Evelyn is one of life's wealthy people. A heiress to her Baron Father's fortune ... or at least she was until the Police/Baliff's came knocking at the family mansion one morning to turf them out of the house until her Father pays his debts.

The shame and humiliation is instant. Evelyn has grown up having everything she could ever have wanted, and not knowing what it is like to go without. Her Mother is bereft, she herself was once poor, and married into money against it seems everyone's wishes, particularly those of her own family.

She doesn't want Evelyn to know poverty, and is determined that she marry quickly once they have settled into a temporary home with Evelyn's Aunt in York. But Evelyn is equally determined that she will not marry for the status, and will not be humiliated by the rich that she once was.

Evelyn quickly realises that to forge her own path in life, she must take care of her own destiny. A chance meeting with a grumpy young man of a similar age to her, and an advert for an assistant in a dusty forgotten bookshop is how Evelyn is going to move forward. 

Her Mother has forbidden her to get a job, complaining that it is not ladylike. Evelyn's response that she is a no longer a Lady of course doesn't help her change her Mother's mind. But Evelyn is stubborn, and knows what she wants.

What she doesn't realise then is that her life, already changed, is about to change forever, for the better. A grumpy young man by the name of William Morton, and a dusty old bookshop are exactly what she needs to ensure her future is very different to her past, and all that that entails.

The Lamplighter's Bookshop is available now via Amazon online and all good books.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - Always on My Mind by Carys Green

Always on My Mind by Carys Green

Publisher: Vintage

Release date: 27 February 2025

Back cover blurb: When Elijah suggests going to One Mind to celebrate their ten-year anniversary, Anna is dubious about getting the implant that will allow them to hear each other’s thoughts. However, eager to please him, and to make up for the fact she can’t give him what he really wants, she agrees to take this step towards the ultimate intimacy. And at first things are great. Anna feels closer to her husband, and the novelty of communicating mind to mind is a thrill. But then she develops a strange side effect and begins having dreams that aren’t dreams, but memories. Memories that aren’t hers. And if Anna is now seeing Elijah’s memories, what if he can see hers? Will he discover what she's kept buried in her past? Desperate to keep the truth from her husband, Anna's mind becomes a prison she can't escape. How long can she keep the traitorous thoughts at bay before she drives herself mad?

Always on My Mind is an interesting concept for a novel. Futuristic in content, but traditional in romantic (or not?) story telling.

Always on My Mind is a story centered around an implant for couples. Each one of the wearing a high tech implant behind their ear so that they are able to hear each others thoughts.

What could possibly go wrong?

When Anna’s husband first suggests getting them, she thinks that it is another of his tech fads, that they’ll do it, it’ll be great for 6 months and then they’ll move on to something else. She agrees to it based on that assumption.

But both Anna and Elijah have secrets from their University days that they don’t want the other to know about, secrets that must remain hidden or everything they have built together will be destroyed.

When Anna starts getting side effects from her implant being installed too deeply, she begins to see her husbands dreams, and is terrified that he’ll be able to see hers. 

Can Anna persuade Elijah to ditch the implants before it all goes wrong, or is she already too late?

Always on My Mind is available now via Amazon online and all good book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review - The Promise She Made by Julie Hartley

The Promise She Made by Julie Hartley

Publisher: Bookouture

Release date: 12 February 2025

Back cover blurb: As our ship starts to sink, I see flares lighting up the midnight sky. ‘Hold on tight. I will keep you safe. I promise,’ I say to my terrified little sister as I hold back my tears. But I know I can’t hold on for much longer and as she slips away, my heart breaks. Will I ever see her again? York, 1942. On the night of the Blitz, Ruby returns to her beloved hometown with her heart shattered. She couldn’t keep the one promise she made to her dying mother, to keep her little sister Eliza safe from harm. The Germans have taken everything from her – her family, her fiancé Antoine, and now, her home. When she finds her family home destroyed, she falls to her knees in tears. Among the ruins of her life, she wonders if she has the strength to carry on. But then, she finds a mysterious note which gives her a flicker of hope. Eliza is alive. I’ve seen her. You must find her… Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Ruby joins the Special Operations Executive keen to defend all that she has left and fight against the Nazis. Whilst there, she is tearfully reunited with Antoine, who believes he may know what happened to Eliza that dark night on the ocean. Can they reignite their love after all the loss they’ve suffered, and will Ruby ever see her little sister again?

Ruby a talented pianist, is heartbroken when she is effectively orphaned after a car accident, and she promises her Mother on her deathbed that she will do everything to keep her little sister Eliza safe from harm.

It is a promise she is able to keep with no problem at all, until the Blitz descends on York, and poor Eliza is petrified.

Believing that she is doing it for the best, she applies for the pair of them to leave her Aunt's guardianship and travel to Canada with the Children's Overseas Reception Board initiative. 

But tragedy strikes enroute and Ruby is convinced that Eliza is lost forever to the sea.

Believing she has nothing to live for now, and determined to wreak her revenge on Nazi Germany she joins the Special Operations Executive with very little regard for her own safety.

When she is reunited with her fiancée, he convinces her of the possibility that Eliza may still be alive, and together against the challenges that War throws them, they try to piece together puzzle pieces that might bring them all back together.

Based loosely on the sinking of the SS Benares by the Nazis, and the real life recruitment of female intelligence officers into the SOE, this novel is beautifully written account of one woman's journey through the darkest of times.

The Promise She Made is available now via Amazon online and all book shops.

Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.