Voices From the Dead by Tony Bassett (Detectives Roy and Roscoe #8)

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The brand-new gripping crime thriller in the popular Detectives Roy and Roscoe series.
A murdered beauty influencer. A buried secret waiting to surface. A killer who’s already one step ahead.
In the picturesque Warwickshire town of Queensbridge, a retired nurse escapes to her hotel room looking for peace from the chaos of her great-nephew’s rowdy thirtieth birthday party. But to her horror she witnesses a brutal crime from her balcony — a young woman strangled in the room opposite.
Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy — staying at the same hotel after attending a nearby wedding — is first on the scene, and quickly realises this isn’t a random attack. The victim, glamorous beauty influencer Candy Goodhope, was living a double life — and everyone close to her has something to hide.
Roy’s boss, DCI Gavin Roscoe, takes charge of the investigation, and as the pair follow the trail, another brutal killing tears through the town. Roy is sure there’s a link between both murders, but Roscoe isn’t convinced.
But as Roy digs deeper, she closes in on a secret so dangerous someone will kill to protect it.
Because in this town, the past never stays buried — and even the dead still have a voice.

Purchase Links
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US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2MB79M9/

My Review:
This was my first book in the series and it immediately fell into the “just one more chapter before sleep” category. The kind of story that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to stop. I kept promising myself I would read only one more chapter, then another, and another. It was genuinely hard to put down.
I loved the twists, the surprises, and the characters who feel both realistic and likeable. They’re flawed in ways that make sense and they carry the story with ease. Even the victims and their entourage come with secrets and betrayals that add tension and depth. The book isn’t dark but there is a steady sense of unease running underneath everything, a quiet feeling that something is about to break even when the sun is shining and it’s a lovely May morning.
It’s not a perfect book, there is some repetition and a touch of infodump, but nothing that pulled me out of the story. If anything, those moments felt like small bumps in an otherwise engaging read.
Finishing it made me want to go back and catch up on the earlier books, not just to fill in the past but to spend more time in this world and with these characters.
Recommended for readers who enjoy layered mysteries, flawed but compelling characters, and stories that steal your evening one chapter at a time.
Many thanks for the digital copy, all opinions are mine.

Tony Bassett is a former journalist who worked on regional and national newspapers in Britain for more than 40 years. He mainly reported on crime, show business, human interest and consumer topics. Now retired, he writes crime fiction.
Tony is best known for his series of novels set in the West Midlands featuring Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Roscoe, an experienced detective and family man, and his sergeant, law graduate and resourceful problem-solver Sunita Roy.
His latest novel, VOICES FROM THE DEAD (Book 8) begins in the picturesque Warwickshire town of Queensbridge where a retired nurse escapes to her hotel room from a rowdy birthday party, looking for peace. But to her horror, through a window, she witnesses a brutal crime — a young woman being strangled in the new wing of the building.
Detective Sergeant Sunita Roy —attending a wedding in the same hotel — is first on the scene, and quickly realises this isn’t a random attack. The victim, glamorous beauty influencer Candy Goodhope, was living a double life — and everyone close to her has something to hide.
The fifth book in the series, HEIR TO MURDER, was judged first in the Mystery and Suspense (Police Procedurals) category in the American Fiction Awards in June 2024.
Other books in the series (in order) are: MURDER ON OXFORD LANE; THE CROSSBOW STALKER; MURDER OF A DOCTOR; OUT FOR REVENGE; and IT NEVER RAINS.
A collection of the first three books was published in May 2024 under the title THE MIDLANDS MURDERS: Detectives Roy & Roscoe box set (Books 1 – 3). The whole series has been released by London publishers The Book Folks, part of Joffe Books.
Tony has also written a stand-alone thriller, SEAT 97, about a man shot dead at a London concert hall (published by The Book Folks) while two further works (the crime novel Smile Of The Stowaway and the spy novel The Lazarus Charter) were published by The Conrad Press.
Tony first developed a love of writing at the age of nine when he produced a junior school magazine. A few years later, his local vicar in Tunbridge Wells staged his play about Naboth’s Vineyard. At Hull University, Tony was judged Time-Life Magazine student journalist of the year in 1971.
Tony, who has five grown-up children, is a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists. He lives in South-East London with his partner Lin.

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The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting by Naomi Kuttner (Retired Assassin’s Guide #2)

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Assassin. Gardener. Reluctant cat adoptee.

All Dante wants is to be left alone in the small New Zealand town no one’s heard of. No drama. No bodies. No questions. But then, of course, the orchid convention comes to town, and Dante is knee deep in suspects, intrigue, and red herrings.
On top of all this, Dante must navigate a mysterious woman from his past, cat issues, and the terrifying prospect of a first date. And he has to do it while fighting his instinct to solve problems the old-fashioned way: permanently.
The ‘Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting’ is a cosy paranormal mystery with found family, ghosts, a grumpy assassin and a sunshine gardener.

Come for the murder, stay for the cat, the gardens, and the New Zealand country charm..

Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DWVD5XRM

My Review:
My previous review was This is a very synthetic review give more books in this series. I need more stories featuring Dante the characters in this book and the lovely setting. A humorous and multilayered story that kept me hooked. Good storytelling solid plot.
I loved this new book just as much.

It is such a pleasure to read. The retired assassin only wants a quiet life with his orchids, yet trouble keeps finding him like it knows his schedule.
The mystery works especially well here, with clues that look simple at first but slowly reveal a deeper game behind the missing orchids and the suspicious visitors who never share the full truth. The side characters shine too, from the neighbour who pretends not to notice anything to the friend who offers help while hiding their own secrets.
The mix of calm moments and sudden danger is the charm of this series. Kuttner keeps the humour light, the twists clever, and the characters easy to love. I smiled through the whole story and enjoyed every chapter.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

Naomi is a writer living in New Zealand. When not busy writing or raising her twin son and daughter, she spends her free time (ha!) surfing, kitesurfing, and retrieving her shoes from Max the dog.

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Wildewood by Jessica Thorne

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You don’t need to run, my beloved. Not anymore. It’s time to come home to Wildewood…

The last of the de Wildes, scientist Alex point-blank refuses to believe the family is cursed – even though all her relatives died in mysterious circumstances at their ancestral manor, Wildewood. Now her twin brother has passed away there too. All she wants is to finally sell the old place and move on.
But Nick, the brooding, dangerously hot groundskeeper and her brother’s best friend seems determined to stand in her way. He was a suspect in her brother’s death. And Alex can find no records of him before he came to Wildewood 15 years ago…
Yet, when Alex nearly falls to her death restlessly pacing the shadowy halls in the dead of night, it’s Nick that saves her life. Cradled in his arms at the bottom of the winding staircase, Alex is barely able to stop herself kissing him as a sultry voice from seemingly deep within the house whispers, just give in.
But this near-death experience isn’t the last. Increasingly strange and potentially fatal accidents mount – each with striking similarity to those that claimed her relatives. Alex is forced to dig into her family’s wretched history, with Nick’s help. But are they ready to face just how dark the heart of Wildewood truly is?
This absolutely gripping and unputdownable gothic romance is perfect for fans of Grimstone, Gothikana and Karina Halle.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0FX4GQ59Bsocial

My Review:
This novel is an atmospheric and eerie gothic fantasy that leans into Irish folklore, haunted house tension, and slow burn emotional drama. It is not a goth mystery, even if it plays with some of the same shadows and moods. The author creates a world that feels both beautiful and unsettling, with a dreamlike atmosphere full of creepy moments and quiet chills. The story moves with a steady rhythm and draws the reader into a mystery that becomes darker and stranger as the chapters go on.
The book is exciting in a very specific way. It is not full of battles or fast action, but it builds tension through hauntings, family secrets, and the feeling that something ancient and dangerous is always close. Readers who enjoy gothic suspense will find a lot to appreciate. The setting is vivid, the atmosphere rich, and the emotional stakes rise naturally as the truth behind the Wildewood estate slowly appears.
This is a paranormal tale shaped by curses, folklore, and the blurred line between the living and the dead. The supernatural elements feel natural to the story and add to its charm.
The romance plays an important part too. There is tension and chemistry, but it never pushes the paranormal and fantasy elements aside. It is also not a long series of spicy scenes. Queen of Skipping Sex Scenes here.
At the same time, some characters feel a bit too passive in key moments, which can make certain scenes less exciting.
Wildewood is a moody, engaging, and atmospheric read that blends gothic suspense with gentle fantasy and heartfelt romance. It delivers a strong sense of place and a story that keeps you turning the pages, even if a bit more drive from some characters would have made it even stronger.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

Jessica Thorne saw Star Wars at an impressionable age and life was never the same. She’s loved fantasy, romance and science fiction ever since and spends her time looking for adventure – in the pages of her books.
Sometimes she is Ruth Frances Long and won the European Science Fiction Society Spirit of Dedication Award for Best Author of Children’s Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2015.

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Lords of Iron by MJ Porter (The Dark Age Chronicles Book 3)

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During Britannia’s tribal age, vengeance is brutal, bloody and will come for even those who think themselves invincible.

Britain AD541
Family feuds must be settled, whatever the cost. Both Seeress Meddi of the Eorlingas and Wærmund of the Gyrwe have old scores to settle. Meddi for her tribe to survive and thrive, and Waermund to cast himself from his father’s shadow once and for all.
But unbeknownst, Meddi and Wærmund share a common enemy who threatens them both – the elusive Elen and her ally is someone Wærmund has travelled the breadth of Britannia to outrun.
United in their hatred of Elen, Meddi and Waermund must defeat powerful enemies with the sharpest blades and the magik of iron to overawe them and gain much-needed vengeance for past wrongs inflicted against them.
In the stunning conclusion to the Dark Age Chronicles Meddi and Wærmund will finally collide in a world of iron and rust. Will they triumph or will their legacy be nothing but ash?

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/LordsofIron

My Review:
This is another gripping and atmospheric instalment in the Dark Age Chronicles. MJ Porter continues to build a world that feels harsh, tense, and full of quiet danger. Having read the whole series, I can say that this book becomes even more rewarding when you know the earlier events and understand the long history between the characters. I strongly recommend reading the previous books first, as they give essential context and make the emotional weight of the story much stronger.
The early medieval setting is vivid without ever slowing the pace. Small details, shifting loyalties, and the constant threat of conflict create a world where every choice matters. Even peaceful scenes carry a sense of unease, as if trouble is always waiting just out of sight. This atmosphere is one of the series’ greatest strengths, and it is used here with real skill.
The mystery at the heart of the book unfolds with careful control. What begins as a simple problem slowly reveals a deeper and more dangerous plot. Porter uses subtle clues and political manoeuvring to keep the reader guessing. Characters must decide who to trust, who to fear, and when to act, often with incomplete information. This uncertainty gives the story a steady pressure that keeps you fully engaged.
The characters remain a highlight. Warriors, leaders, and ordinary people are all written with depth and vulnerability. Many carry doubts they cannot show, and their private fears make them feel human even when they act with confidence. Their histories from earlier books add layers to their actions here, which is why reading the series in order is so satisfying.
Lords of Iron is a tense, thoughtful, and immersive read that continues to expand a world full of shifting loyalties and quiet danger. I enjoyed every chapter and appreciated how the story grows naturally from everything that came before.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to Eleventh-Century England, and in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant that the author’s writing destiny was set.

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THE SPIDER by Stewart Giles (Detective Jason Smith #36)

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From bestselling author: Stewart Giles comes another brilliant addition to the Detective Jason Smith series.

If you’re in his web, you’re as good as dead.
A new kind of killer is stalking the men and women of York.
He knows everything about his victims – he kills quickly, and with absolute precision.
When DS Jason Smith watches a CCTV clip of this creature in action, he dubs him The Spider.
He moves like a spider and he kills like a spider.
Smith soon learns that there’s a common denominator at play. All of the victims share one thing in common, but for the first time in his career, understanding the motive behind the murders isn’t going to help Smith one little bit.
How do you bring down a killer who is impossible to catch?
It’s quite possible that The Spider is going to be the one that finally beats Smith.

Buy link: The Spider (A DS Jason Smith Thriller Book 36) on Amazon UK

My Review:
Okay, so The Spider has officially become my favourite Jason Smith book, and I’m blaming Stewart Giles for the fact that I did not sleep like a responsible adult. I opened it thinking “just a chapter”, and suddenly it was the middle of the night, my tea was cold, and I was emotionally invested in a way that felt mildly unhinged.
This book is intense: the kind of intense where you keep saying you’ll stop after this chapter, but then the chapter ends in a way that personally attacks your self control. The pacing is wild, the tension is constant, and my brain was basically vibrating like a phone on silent mode.
If you love the series, this one feels like Giles decided to crank everything up and see who survives, spoiler free: me, but barely. Fast, addictive, and absolutely impossible to put down.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.
In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.
3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.
The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.
I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.
After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brought together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.
The Miranda trilogy is something totally different. A psychological thriller trilogy. It is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before.
The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow. I also have another series featuring an Irish detective who relocated to Guernsey, the Detective Liam O’Reilly series. There are also 3 stand alone novels.

Website: http://www.stewartgiles.com
Twitter: @stewartgiles
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How to Grieve Like a Victorian by Amy Carol Reeves (PROMO)

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Katherine Center meets REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY in a clever and poignant novel about an English Professor who grieves the sudden loss of her husband the Victorian way, by wearing widow’s weeds and escaping to London, where she unexpectedly discovers there’s still love, life, and burlesque to be had.

Dr. Lizzie Wells, a professor of British Literature and bestselling author, is grieving her husband the Victorian way. She keeps a lock of his hair in a choker around her neck and dons widows weeds–and notifies her colleagues and students that she will accept only paper letters instead of email.
But then she’s offered a trip to London for escape and healing, where she befriends fellow bestselling novelist AD Hemmings. Rakish and handsome, Hemmings pushes her out of her comfort zone. She attends a Victorian-style séance, gets pulled onstage at a burlesque bar, and sight-sees with her young son.
All the while, back in South Carolina, her late husband’s best friend and lawyer, Henry, peels back the layers of a family secret her mother-in-law is desperate to keep hidden. Cross-Atlantic ‘family business’ updates turn into regular FaceTime hangouts and their friendship evolves into something more. Lizzie fears she’s falling in love with him…
Struggling with conflicting feelings, Lizzie travels to Brontë country where in the windswept moors she comes to peace with grief, joy, and all the in-betweens.
Think: If Emily Henry wrote about a young widow in the vein of Really Good, Actually (irreverent, hot-mess heroine) and Lessons in Chemistry (female academic thrust into a commercial space; struggling as a single mom) with a warm-blanket romantic HEA, and loads of snark.

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On Sale Date: December 9, 2025
9781335014061
Trade Paperback
$18.99 USD

The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick

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Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, everyone’s favorite TV wife and mom. Now fame has faded, that once-glittering career a distant memory. Her marriage is on the rocks, her teenage daughter is distant, and she can’t even book any acting jobs.
When Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop serving a magical brew, she wishes for the perfect life in those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, she’s waking up in the idyllic town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to live the life she dreamed, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose between perfection and real life, with no turning back?

My Review:
The Time Hop Coffee Shop is a gentle and comforting read that felt like a warm pause in my week. The story moves with a soft, steady rhythm and focuses more on reflection and small emotional shifts than on dramatic twists, which made it very easy to settle into.
I enjoyed the way the magical element is handled. The time hop is simple, warm and never showy. It creates a space where the characters can breathe, think and reconsider their choices. The magic supports the story rather than overwhelming it, and that gives the whole book a tender, thoughtful atmosphere.
The pacing is slow and soothing. It is the kind of book that invites you to sit with it rather than rush through it. I liked the attention to small moments and the way the emotional arc unfolds quietly. At times I wished for a touch more structure, but the overall tone is so warm that it hardly mattered.
The atmosphere is cosy without becoming sugary, and the characters feel grounded in their own gentle way. I appreciated the focus on second chances and the idea of finding clarity in unexpected places.
In the end, this was a soft, comforting read that left a pleasant glow behind. Exactly the kind of book that works beautifully when you want something warm, quiet and kind.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

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Park Row Books Paperback Original

CIRCLE OF NINE: Mercy in the Mist (4) by Valerie Biel

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CIRCLE OF NINE Series by Valerie Biel Banner

CIRCLE OF NINE

by Valerie Biel

October 27 – December 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

The danger was supposed to be over.
The sacred treasures are safe.
The enemies banished to the Otherworld.

But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story.

The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed.

When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering.

To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything.

In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

My Review:

Mercy in the Mist is a series that feels like stepping into a rabbit hole—you keep going deeper, following every twist and turn, always wondering what will come next. From the very first chapter, the story grabs your attention and never lets go. The plot is full of surprises, and just when you think you have the answers, the author adds another layer of mystery.
The characters are one of the strongest points of the series. They grow and change in ways that feel real and meaningful. You see them struggle, learn, and evolve, which makes catching up with them a pleasure. Their development adds emotional depth and keeps you invested in their journeys.
The storytelling is well-paced and engaging. Suspense and emotion are balanced perfectly, and every chapter brings something new—whether it’s a revelation, a conflict, or a subtle clue that will matter later.
The world-building deserves special mention. It starts as a mysterious backdrop and gradually becomes a rich, complex universe with its own rules and secrets. This layered approach makes the setting feel alive and keeps your curiosity burning.
Overall, Mercy in the Mist is a captivating read for anyone who loves mystery, character growth, and unexpected twists. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about exploring a world where every answer leads to new questions. Highly recommended!

Praise for Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist

“Mercy in the Mist delivers spellbinding suspense. Positively enchanting!”
~ Tracey S. Phillips, award-winning author of Forewarned for CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST

Series Details:

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Published by: Lost Lake Press

Find CIRCLE OF NINE series at Amazon & Lost Lake Press

 

Author Bio:

author

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com
Valerie’s Substack Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @valerie_biel
BookBub – @ValerieBiel
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Threads – @valeriebielauthor
X – @ValerieBiel
Facebook – @ValerieBielBooks
YouTube – @ValerieBielAuthor
Pinterest – @ValerieBiel

 

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CIRCLE OF NINE: Sacred Treasures (3) by Valerie Biel

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CIRCLE OF NINE Series by Valerie Biel Banner

CIRCLE OF NINE

by Valerie Biel

October 27 – December 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES

Brigit Quinn thought uncovering her magical heritage was the biggest shock of her life. But a year after learning she’s descended from a legendary Celtic tribe sworn to guard the mystical power of Ireland’s ancient places, the real battle is just beginning. As she trains for her place in the Circle of Nine, Brigit is determined to protect the secrets and sacred traditions of her people.

But when a cryptic warning arrives—hinting at a shadowy force hunting the Sacred Treasures—everything she’s fought for is suddenly at risk. If the ancient weapons fall into the wrong hands, The Circle could be shattered forever.

Haunted by doubts about her powers, the true intentions of those around her, and disturbing revelations about her family’s past, Brigit must navigate a dangerous path of betrayal, magic, and myth. The enemy is closer than anyone suspects—and time is running out. Can Brigit uncover the truth before darkness claims the Circle?

“The first time I summoned a portal, I didn’t understand how I accidentally opened a doorway to another realm. The second time wasn’t a mistake. I was ready—and I stepped through with the grim resolve that my mission must succeed.” —Brigit Quinn

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

My Review

Secret Treasure by Valerie Biel is a captivating fantasy novel that draws readers into a world of magic, mystery, and adventure. From the very first chapter, the story moves at a fast pace, keeping you engaged and eager to discover what happens next. The plot is well-structured and full of surprises, making it a compelling read for anyone who enjoys stories that combine action with depth.
This book is part of the award-winning Circle of Nine series, and while it can be enjoyed as a standalone, reading the previous books makes the experience even more engrossing. The earlier installments provide background on the magical traditions and family history that shape the events in Secret Treasure. Knowing these details adds emotional weight and makes the connections between characters even more meaningful. However, if you are new to the series, you will still find this story easy to follow and highly entertaining.
One of the most impressive aspects of this book is its world-building. Valerie Biel expands the universe introduced in earlier installments, adding layers of history, culture, and magical elements that make the setting feel vivid and believable. The descriptions are detailed enough to create a strong sense of place without slowing down the narrative. This balance between immersive detail and dynamic storytelling makes the book highly engaging.
Among the characters, Birgid stands out as one of the most intriguing. She is strong, independent, and full of personality, yet she also has complexity that makes her feel real. Birgid’s choices and emotions add tension and depth to the story, and her presence enriches the overall reading experience. If you enjoy characters who are more than they appear at first glance, Birgid will definitely capture your attention.
The plot itself is full of twists and turns. There are moments of danger, discovery, and suspense that keep you guessing until the very end. Every chapter moves the story forward, and every event feels connected to the bigger picture. This sense of purpose and momentum makes the book hard to put down. You always feel that something important is about to happen, which creates a strong sense of anticipation throughout the novel.
Another strength of Secret Treasure is the way it blends fantasy with emotional depth. It is not only about magic and adventure but also about relationships, trust, and courage. The characters face challenges that test their loyalty and strength, and these moments give the story a human touch. You care about what happens to them because they feel authentic, even in a world filled with extraordinary elements.
In conclusion, Secret Treasure is a highly recommended read for anyone who loves fantasy that combines magic, mystery, and heart. Whether you start here or read the entire series, this book will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you are looking for a story that is exciting, immersive, and full of surprises, this one will not disappoint.

Praise for Circle of Nine: Sacred Treasures

“Great writing, enthralling plot, fast-paced, and utterly seductive. . . . This is an extraordinary story with a fantastic setting and characters that remind readers of the sacred in them. I enjoyed the way the author explored the struggle between good and evil in this work and how the conflict reaches every aspect of the story.”
~ FIVE STARS from Readers’ Favorite for CIRCLE OF NINE: SACRED TREASURES

Series Details:

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Published by: Lost Lake Press

Find CIRCLE OF NINE series at Amazon & Lost Lake Press

Author Bio:

author

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com
Valerie’s Substack Newsletter
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads – @valerie_biel
BookBub – @ValerieBiel
Instagram – @valeriebielauthor
Threads – @valeriebielauthor
X – @ValerieBiel
Facebook – @ValerieBielBooks
YouTube – @ValerieBielAuthor
Pinterest – @ValerieBiel

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The Ruffler’s Child by John Pilkington (Thomas the Falconer Mystery #1)

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BE YE HUNTER OR PREY?

Introducing Thomas Finbow – falconer to Sir Robert Vicary and Lady Margaret of Petbury, Berkshire. He keeps his mind sharp and his body primed as he goes about his duties with the diligent confidence of one who once served Queen and country.
When Nathaniel Pickering, Lady Margaret’s older brother is found murdered, Thomas takes her away to London, in search of gryfalcons. Lady Margaret being a keen lover of the sport of falconry herself, Thomas hopes it will help distract his mistress from her grief, however once they reach the city it becomes apparent that much bigger things are at play – and the murder of Master Pickering was just the beginning…
Thomas’s astute mind is unable to ignore the clues, and in uncovering some dark secrets, he places himself – and his mistress – in grave danger. Now a target himself, Thomas must face some of London’s most notorious criminals, in a battle of both brain and brawn.

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/TheRufflersChild

My Review:
This is a novel which is high in my “sleep deprivation” and “one more chapter” charts. I fell in love with the novel since the beginning and found hard to spot reading.
Matthew is a great characters, light and shadow, a grieving widow with plenty of brain and an expert falconer (a plus as I am fascinated by birds of prey and falconry.
The mystery is set during the cuspid of Elizabethan era, it’s full of intrigue and hidden plots and camarillas.
The pace is right and there’s no dragging as twists after twists you are kept reading and enjoying the story.
An excellent historical whodunnit, I hope it’s the first in a long series.
Perfect If love historical mysteries that makes you travel in time.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

My Review:
This is a novel which is high in my “sleep deprivation” and “one more chapter” charts. I fell in love with the novel since the beginning and found hard to spot reading.
Matthew is a great characters, light and shadow, a grieving widow with plenty of brain and an expert falconer (a plus as I am fascinated by birds of prey and falconry.
The mystery is set during the cuspid of Elizabethan era, it’s full of intrigue and hidden plots and camarillas.
The pace is right and there’s no dragging as twists after twists you are kept reading and enjoying the story.
An excellent historical whodunnit, I hope it’s the first in a long series.
Perfect If love historical mysteries that makes you travel in time.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

A writer for over forty years, John Pilkington was born in Lancashire and worked at many jobs. He has also written plays for radio and theatre, television scripts for a BBC soap, a short-lived children’s series and numerous works of historical fiction, concentrating now on the Tudor and Stuart eras. He now lives in a village on a tidal estuary in Devon with his long-term partner Elisabeth; they have a son who is a psychologist and musician. When not at the desk he walks, swims, listens to music and tinkers with d.i.y. projects, and is enjoying being a grandfather.

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Bookbub profile: @jpscript