Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

Welcome to the Quick Book Reviews Podcast — the podcast featuring author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.In this episode Philippa shares 10 new books she’s excited to read this month, covering everything from gripping psychological thrillers and crime fiction to literary fiction and historical drama.If you're looking for new books to add to your reading list, this episode is packed with brilliant recommendations and upcoming releases.Books mentioned in this episodeWhen I Kill You – B. A. ParisA chilling psychological thriller about secrets, suspicion and the terrifying feeling of being watched.How to Get Away With Murder – Rebecca PhillipsonA darkly compelling crime novel about a mysterious manual for aspiring serial killers and the detective determined to uncover the truth.The Arc – Haruo YukiA tense survival thriller in which hikers trapped in a flooding bunker must decide who will be left behind.Dead Heat – Sabine DurrantA sun-drenched Greek summer turns dark as jealousy, secrets and suspicion simmer among friends.Unreliable Narrator – Araminta HallWhen a woman sees her life mirrored in a bestselling novel, the line between truth and fiction begins to blur.Kin – Tayari JonesA powerful story of friendship, family and identity set against the backdrop of the American civil rights movement.Whidby – T Kira MaddenA gripping literary thriller exploring justice, revenge and the long shadow of trauma.Lady Tremaine – Rachel HockenhauserA fascinating re-imagining of the Cinderella story told from the perspective of the infamous stepmother.First to Finish – Rebecca J. CafferyA high-speed romance set in the world of Formula racing where competition and chemistry collide.Meet the Newmans – Jennifer NivenA sweeping novel set in 1960s America about fame, family secrets and the changing world of television.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.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to author Claire Leslie Hall about her extraordinary novel Broken Country — a story of love, grief, longing, and the choices that shape our lives.Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, Broken Country begins with a shocking line: a man is dead — but who is he, and why? From there unfolds a deeply emotional story of a marriage under strain, a first love that returns, and a community divided.Claire shares the fascinating journey behind the book — from the moment of inspiration during lambing season in rural Dorset to the four-year writing process that included rewrites, abandoned drafts, and even stepping away to write another novel before returning to the story.Philippa and Claire discuss:The real-life moment that sparked the opening sceneWhy the novel took four years to write and dramatically changed along the wayHow the book blends genres — love story, mystery, and courtroom dramaWatching a murder trial at the Old Bailey for researchThe meaning behind the title Broken CountryThe evolution of the book’s cover designThe surreal moment the novel was chosen for Reese’s Book Club by Reese WitherspoonClaire’s background as a journalist and how it shaped her writing styleWhat readers might expect from her next novelPlus: dream writing sheds, nightmare writing locations, the joy (and terror) of editorial notes, and the all-important biscuit question.If you love character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a touch of suspense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Books MentionedBroken Country — Claire Leslie HallPictures of Him — Claire Leslie HallDays You Were Mine — Claire Leslie HallTo Kill a Mockingbird — by Harper LeeThe Amateur by Chris Bohjalian Odette Rising by Julianne EdwardsQuick Book Reviews features author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.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.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa speaks to actor, comedian and author Andi Osho about her third novel, Most Wanted.Most Wanted explores the housing crisis through the story of a couple pushed to desperate measures in their attempt to get on the property ladder. Blending sharp comedy with serious social themes, the novel examines control, financial pressure, responsibility and how quickly one decision can spiral.In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Andi discusses:The real-life frustrations that inspired Most WantedWhy property fiction feels so timelyBalancing humour with serious themesWriting morally complex charactersPlanning twists versus letting the story evolveNarrating her own audiobooks and performing her charactersCreativity, acting and moving between genresPerimenopause, brain fog and recording in the boothThe realities of buying property in the UKWe also talk about scripts versus novels, the pressure of second and third books, and the biscuits that powered the writing process.If you enjoy fiction that reflects real life, explores big social themes and still makes you laugh, this episode is for you.Most Wanted by Andi Osho is available now in hardback, ebook and audiobook.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.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa speaks to bestselling crime author Nadine Matheson about her gripping new novel The Shadow Carver, the latest instalment in the Inspector Henley series.We discuss:Writing dark crime fiction with legal authenticityHow her background in criminal law shapes her storytellingThe emotional toll of writing morally complex charactersBuilding long-running crime series readers can’t quitWhy readers are drawn to justice-driven thrillersPlus, Philippa shares thoughts on one of the most talked-about new psychological thrillers, Room 706, and what makes it such a compulsive listen on audio.If you love crime fiction, legal thrillers, police procedurals, and intelligent psychological suspense, this episode is for you.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.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by global bestselling author Lisa Jewell to discuss her paperback hit Don’t Let Him In and her brand new summer release It Could Have Been Her.Lisa talks candidly about writing morally complex characters, creating psychological tension without crossing credibility lines, and why her epilogues often carry the darkest revelations. She shares her unusual writing process — drafting without a plan, discovering twists late, and working at her kitchen table while the world carries on around her.The conversation also explores:The psychology of manipulation and trust in Don’t Let Him InWhy ordinary domestic settings can feel so sinisterThe dark premise behind It Could Have Been HerWhether modern thriller readers are harder to surpriseThe difference between a twist and a revealThe realities of building a long-term writing careerPublishing pressure, branding, and reader expectationsAudiobooks, reading slumps, and life as a bestselling novelistLisa also reflects on how her career has evolved, what she would (and wouldn’t) change, and the biscuit that powered the writing of her latest novels.Alongside the interview, Philippa reviews:Intelligence by Robert NewmanStrange Buildings by UketsuA War of Wyverns by S. F. WilliamsonA wide-ranging and honest conversation with one of the most successful voices in contemporary psychological suspense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa explores a bold claim making waves across the book world: are wearable e-readers really the future of reading?After researching the much-talked-about SOL wearable e-reader glasses, Philippa shares her scepticism, the surprising reactions from early adopters, and asks listeners whether immersive tech could change how we read forever.Before that, returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld, answers another listener question and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at publishing today, including:The standout debut novels to watch right nowWhy audiobooks are booming and reshaping the industrySpring publishing trends, from romantic fantasy to horrorHow bestseller charts fail to reflect modern reading habitsHonest advice for anyone starting a career in publishingThe importance of positivity, curiosity, and commercial awarenessAlison also champions under-the-radar books she believes deserve far more attention and discusses why some extraordinary novels slip through the cracks.A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about books, trends, careers, and the future of how we read.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.

n this powerful and deeply honest episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by award-winning author Catriona Ward to discuss her haunting new novel Nowhere Burning.This conversation goes far beyond the book. Catriona opens up about writing through profound personal grief, why she cries while writing, and how love — especially between siblings — can become both a source of salvation and destruction. Together, they explore childhood trauma, abandoned places, hostile landscapes, and the unsettling idea that some environments remember what happened there.They also dive into:The origins of Nowhere Burning and its unsettling settingWhy Catriona prefers the word reveal over plot twistHorror, literary fiction, and why genre labels often miss the pointThe worst writing advice Catriona has ever receivedCreative writing courses, resilience, and finding your voiceWhy “dark” fiction makes people uncomfortable — and why that mattersBooks Catriona is reading and recommending right nowBiscuits, dunking rules, and the surprising truth about stroopwafelsAlongside the interview, Philippa also reviews:The Favorites by Layne FargoBody of Lies by Jo Callaghan — the gripping finale to the AI crime seriesFollow 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.