Karen Cole
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karlou72.bsky.social
Karen Cole
@karlou72.bsky.social
1.3K followers 800 following 260 posts
UK book blogger at Hair Past A Freckle, book reviewer on Alfred FM.
Primary school ELSA/SEN TA
https://linktr.ee/HairPastAFreckle
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karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview #BeforeHerEyes by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social 'strikes a fine balance between being a poignant, perceptive character study and a nerve-shredding suspense thriller, with some twists that made me gasp out loud.'
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/befo... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social
Before Her Eyes by Jack Jordan #BookReview #Blogathon
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
My reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this weekend is Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6RfB... (from approx 53:34) #Booksky 📚💙
The Alfred Daily – 8th November 2025
open.spotify.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social
'Packed with twists and turns, Little Secrets is an intelligent, suspense-filled murder mystery – this compulsive thriller kept me guessing until the dramatic conclusion.'
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/litt...
#Booksky 💙📚
Little Secrets by Victoria Goldman #BookReview
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen
'a thriller which revels in its dark humour and ludicrous characters but ultimately proves to be a surprisingly heartwarming tale that's perfect for the festive season.'
@orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
'With its compulsive plot and first-rate characterisation, Gallery of the Dead is a thought-provoking, exciting thriller from start to finish'
#BookReview Gallery of the Dead by Chris Carter
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/gall...
@tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social 💙📚
Gallery of the Dead by Chris Carter #BookReview #Blogathon
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:55 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
Every Saturday, I have the pleasure of recommending a book I've enjoyed to listeners of Alfred radio and podcast. This week I've chosen Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0S34... (from approx 53:53) @hodderfiction.bsky.social
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Karen Cole
effiemerryl.bsky.social
Thank you Karen! Great review for Criminal Poetry on this Halloween 👻 🎃
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
Something a little different on my blog today, with my #BookReview of Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch @effiemerryl.bsky.social
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/crim... #Booksky 📚💙
Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch #BookReview
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
If you still need to convincing to pick up a copy of #Snowblind #Fadeout, READ THIS REVIEW!

'Fadeout is a poignant, compelling portrait of the detective as a young man; Ari Thór Arason will always hold a special place in my heart and I loved every moment of this unexpected reunion.'
October 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
'I found Snowblind an unsettling read, perhaps because I suffer mildly from claustrophobia myself, the overwhelming sense of being trapped in this dark little town was palpable. I became so immersed in this world, in which the landscape was as much as character as the people of Siglufjörður'
October 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
'Ari Thór's sense of isolation at this news is immediately palpable, he's in a strange town, one that views outsiders with suspicion and he somehow has to learn to work within this tight-knit community but if nothing happens how can he ever hope to be accepted?'

#Snowblind #Fadeout
October 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
#Snowblind #Fadeout is an ABSOLUTE staple for any #Mystery #TBR!!

'In this novel he is a rookie officer who, when he accepts a job offer, must move away from Reykjavik and his girlfriend, and adapt to life in Siglufjörður, a quiet fishing village in the far north of the country.'

Out now!
October 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
' Lilja Sigurdardóttir's beautifully perceptive writing ensures these complicated, flawed individuals are vibrantly, authentically real throughout.'

*SWOONING* Over this review of @liljawriter.bsky.social's #BlackAsDeath t Lorenza Garcia!

Looking for your next fave series? THIS is it!
October 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
'We already know there can't be a happy ending of course but there is some resolution and perhaps even a little hope. Black as Death is an outstanding finale to a brilliant series but I hope Lilja Sigurdardóttir will forgive me when I say I'll always keep my fingers crossed for more'

#BlackAsDeath
October 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
THIS!!

'Lorenza Garcia's seamless translation which sees the narrative flows effortlessly. In an attempt to distract herself from her constant thoughts of Ísafold, Áróra immerses herself in Daniel's financial case, and this sub-plot is just as satisfyingly perplexing.'

#BlackAsDeath is out NOW!
October 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
orendabooks.bsky.social
'Black as Death is the fifth and final book in Lilja Sigurdardóttir's superb An Áróra Investigation series and the series comes full circle as Áróra finally discovers exactly what happened to her sister, Ísafold. Although I've always recommended reading this series in order...'

#BlackAsDeath
October 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
karlou72.bsky.social
I'm thrilled to be sharing my #BookReview of TWO #AriThor stories today with the fabulous 10th Anniversary Edition of #Snowblind AND a prequel, #Fadeout hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/snow... Thank you #RagnarJonasson @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Bluesky 💙📚
Snowblind (tr. by Quentin Bates) 10th Anniversary and Fadeout (tr. by Larissa Kyzer) by Ragnar Jónasson #BookReview #BlogTour
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview #BlackAsDeath by @liljawriter.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/blac... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #booksky 💙📚
Black as Death by Lilja Sigurdardóttir (tr. by Lorenza Garcia) #BookReview #BlogTour
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview #NoSafePlaceToHide by @murraybailey.bsky.social
'No Safe Place to Hide is Murray Bailey at his best and this is a dynamic, compulsive thriller from start to finish. Highly recommended.' #Booksky 📚💙
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/no-s...
No Safe Place to Hide by Murray Bailey #BookReview #BlogTour
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 18, 2025 at 8:08 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
I'm delighted to be sharing my #BookReview of My Girl by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social for the Compulsive Readers blogathon today. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/my-g... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social
My Girl by Jack Jordan #BookReview #Blogathon
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:05 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview Looking for a spooky read? My weekend book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Howling by @mjmalone.bsky.social
thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:34) @orendabooks.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
The Alfred Daily – 11th October 2025
The Alfred Daily is a 60-minute radio programme for Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, being broadcast 7 days-a-week. On today’s Alfred Daily:
thisisalfred.com
October 12, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Reposted by Karen Cole
rowancoleman.bsky.social
What a lovely review!
October 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social 'a richly imaginative, compelling tale exploring love, family and belonging; I thought it was wonderful and highly recommend it.'
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/neve...
@annerandomthings.bsky.social @hodderfiction.bsky.social 💙📚
Never Tear Us Apart by Rowan Coleman #BookReview #BlogTour
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#Booksky 💙📚Had a great time last night celebrating the @goldsborobooks.bsky.social Glass Bell Award 2025. Huge congratulations to the winner, A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike! 🍾
David Headley, MD of Goldsboro Books is wearing a great jacket with a t-shirt underneath. He is in his bookshop, standing in front of a small crowd of people and giving a speech.
October 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
karlou72.bsky.social
#BookReview The Waterfall by Gareth Rubin 'one of the most engaging, memorable books I've read this year.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
The Waterfall by Gareth Rubin #BookReview #BlogTour
Hair Past A Freckle - For the love of books! Reviews and more....
hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM