A Murder of Rogues

 By: Joe Heap  

Location: FIC HEA

Genre: Mystery

A compulsively entertaining historical YA novel that playfully blends dark academia with scandal, murder mystery and queer romance - like If We Were Villains meets Lex Croucher.

In Regency England, Cascabel Gray dreams of freedom - and disguises herself as a boy to secure a place at Oxford University. After all, she's as comfortable in breeches as she is in ballgowns.

Her plans are upended, however, when she receives a blackmail letter from Charles Lafleur, a member of infamous secret society the Rogues Club, threatening to expose her.

But when Lafleur is found dead, the plot thickens... and Cascabel becomes a prime suspect in his murder. She joins the Rogues Club to conduct an investigation of her own, and her life soon begins to spiral out of control.

To survive, she must switch between her male and female personas, attracting both fellow student William Grenville and a chambermaid known as Mouse - and even attending a ball with an Austrian prince. Can she find a way to balance her double life and clear her name, before she loses everything?

This book combines the genius ingredients of cosy crime, queer romance and dark academia, all wrapped up in a fast-paced, entertaining plot - perfect for fans of Agency for Scandal, Laura Steven and Lex Croucher.
A fierce, determined and irresistible protagonist who slips fluidly between two identities and genders as Cascabel and Pom.
All the period-drama appeal of a historical Regency setting, with a vibrant, modern sensibility and a sensitive handling of prejudice.

Review by Sifa

A MURDER OF ROGUES is a historical mystery centring queer lives.

This is a book that takes the "girl dressing as a boy to do something interesting forbidden to girls" trope and explores it through a gender queer lens. It's a book that looks at the queer lives that are so often deliberately overlooked or written out of the historical narrative.

All of this is wrapped up in a murder mystery in an era without finger printing or DNA tests. The murdered boy is deeply unpleasant, blackmailing several students. It gives the reader plenty of suspects, forcing Cascabel to join the infamous Rogues Club to expose the real killer before they're outed.

I appreciated the book had Cascabel spiralling the more they were involved in the Rogues Club. It showed how deeply they had fallen, trying to find out what happened. They get a little addicted to alcohol and used to morphine. It impacts their studies and relationships. This is not a nice club and it was nice to see this changing Cascabel's behaviours.

Lucy Walker-Evans narrates. There are three tones used for Cascabel - one that's very feminine, for when they're having to present as a young woman, one that's more masculine (when being their brother), and then one that's in the middle for when they're just being them. It's quite subtle, but a really nice way of exploring the difference between role playing and natural in the story.

Aliya to the Infinite City

 By: Laila Rifaat  

Location: FIC RIF

Genre: Adventure

A sparkling magical debut, set in a fantastical Egypt full of flying carpets and mythical creatures!

At home in Cairo, an unexpected gift arrives for Aliya, promising to grant her greatest wish – to know more about her lost parents.

To her surprise, she’s whisked off by flying carpet to a parallel Egypt, where she’s enrolled at an academy for . . . time-travellers!

But while she’s there, an enemy is watching – a master of forbidden magic. If they can unlock Aliya’s inherited talent, they can change history forever . . .

Alex said this about this book...

If you like your adventures bursting with magic, then this is the story for you. Set in an academy for time-travellers in a parallel Egypt, this book is packed with gorgeous details, history and mythology. There’s lots of heart too, with an orphaned girl to root for and a mystery to solve.

But be warned, it’s also very funny. There’s Corpsy the corpseweed plant, a ghoulish matron who threatens to boil brains and serve them for afters, student assessments which include the Brain Freeze and the Shocker, not to mention officious sphinxes, creepy bedpost guardians and badly behaved magic carpets.

Prepare to get carried away. This story is an utter delight.

The Killing Stones

 By: Ann Cleaves   

Location: FIC CE

Genre: Mystery

Series: Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves #1

Set in Orkney!!!

There are lots of Bichans on that Island!

Detective Jimmy Perez returns in The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves, New York Times bestselling author of the Vera, Shetland, and Two Rivers series.

When a violent storm descends upon the Orkney Islands, the body of Archie Stout is left behind in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Archie was a popular, larger-than-life character, making his death a shocking blow to the community.

Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, making this case more personal than most. Now living in Orkney with his partner Willow and their son, Perez is soon drawn into the lives of the islanders, many of whom carry secrets. Dark secrets that could have led to the man's murder.

Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate and dangerous killer strikes again.

"I look forward to more in this series. I love Ann Cleeves various detectives. She is a wonderful writer - nothing too gory or salacious - her novels are not too twisty, her characters are engaging and likeable and she uses scenery beautifully. I also love that she sprinkles her books with the history of place. I always learn something from Ms Cleeves. Long may her detectives continue.

Very highly recommended."  Kate

Betrayal

 BY: Fiona McIntosh  

Location: FIC MCI

Genre: Fantasy

This story has many layers and lots of interesting characters which are brought together. It has mystery, romance, action, danger and magic. What more could you want. Fiona McIntosh is a great author.- SUE

Deep in the folklore of tallinor lies a dark legend of betrayal and destruction. It is the story of a powerful sentient called Orlac who almost destroyed the entire land. Even now, many centuries later, any sentient who is discovered is subjected to the barbaric practice of bridling and branding. But in a village far from the royal city a young scribe, torkyn Gynt, blazes with untold power and healing abilities which go undetected. tor agrees to be apprenticed to the Royal Physic Merkhud and with that decision tor takes the first step towards his destiny. Armed with only his wits and a pouch of mysterious stones given to him by his parents, tor must trust in the falcon Cloot and in Lys, the mysterious dreamspeaker, to guide him on a journey that will test his courage and his hea

We'll Prescribe You A Cat

 By: Syou Ishida  

Location - With all the other Japanese translated novels

Genre: B- Mrs Bs fav!

Whatever ails you- there is  cat to fix it al up. Just pop down to the secret mysterious address and consult the cat therapist and you will be gifted the cast to bring a salve to your soul, challenge your stubbornness and bring healing to your brokenness.

Another stunning translated Japanese novel to add to my wee collection in our library

Ryan Bradley Series #1 and #2

 By: Geoff Parkes  

Location: FIC PAR

Genre: Thriller

 #1 When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole     

  #2 The First Law of the Bush

The stunning King Country landscape and scenery imbue the story with a real atmospheric sense of place. Fans of Chris Hammer, J P Pomare and Alan Carter will enjoy this gripping debut.' Books + Publishing

YIPEE A THRILLER SET IN NEW ZEALAND!

She wasn’t the first and she wouldn’t be the last; swallowed into the deep, dark recesses of the King Country bush, never to be seen again.’

It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.

It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.

But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.

Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .



'A gripping murder mystery set in 1980s small-town New Zealand, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a community steeped in secrets. With relentless suspense and a rich cast of characters, this impressive debut keeps the reader guessing to the very end.' ROSE CARLYLE

THE FIRST LAW OF THE BUSH#2

Part thriller, part murder mystery The First Law of the Bush is a small town, rural noir that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

Set in New Zealand in the 1990s, each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective, which I really enjoyed. It gives you more insight into the small town dynamics and what each persons motivations are, good, bad or otherwise. It’s tense, atmospheric and blends light and dark together seamlessly.

Overall an enjoyable and gritty read

If you like rural noir, small town secrets and stories that feel grimy and real rather than polished, this is worth picking up.

Dead Fake

 By: Vincent Ralph 

Location: FIC RAL

Genre: Horror

DEAD FAKE is captivating, creepy and gives slasher vibes alongside a double-pronged whodunit. Vincent Ralph has created an intriguing trauma-laden town within the Bleak Haven series. Is a blend of 'Scream', 'Veronica Mars', and old-school Christopher Pike novels your jam? Then this is the book for you!- Biliobpeek

Would you Swipe to Die?

When the new craze takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava Wilson refuses to join in. As the niece of an infamous murderer, it’s the last thing she needs.

The mysterious website allows people to view their own ‘death’ – an AI generated version of their final slasher-movie-moments. But, when some of her classmates’ deepfakes are replicated in real life, Ava can either catch the killer…or be the next victim.