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The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict

November 11, 2025 at 6:53 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @jenlucas.bsky.social

The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict jenmedsbookreviews.com/2025/11/11/t...

Today I am sharing my review of the brand new Christmas mystery from Alexandra Benedict, The Christmas Cracker Killer. The book sees the return of puzzle setter, Edie O’Sullivan, which made me very…

The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict

November 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @jenlucas.bsky.social

The Christmas Cracker Killer by Alexandra Benedict jenmedsbookreviews.com/2025/11/11/t...

Today I am absolutely delighted to be sharing my thoughts on the brand new Christmas mystery from Alexandra Benedict, The Christmas Cracker Killer. My thanks to publisher Simon & Schuster for t…

Top Ten Tuesday 11th November 2025: Ten books set in times of war | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog #BookSky 💙📚

November 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

Top Ten Tuesday 11th November 2025: Ten books set in times of war | #TopTenTuesday #amreading #bookrecommendations #TuesdayBookBlog #BookSky 💙📚 portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/11/t...

This week’s topic: books set in times of war As it’s Remembrance Day today, I’m deviating from the nominated topic (yes, again!) and have chosen ten books set either wholly or par…

Giveaway: Let the Bells Ring Out by Milly Johnson

November 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @lindasbookbag.bsky.social

Giveaway: Let the Bells Ring Out by Milly Johnson lindasbookbag.com/2025/11/11/g...

You all know that I’m a huge fan of Milly Johnson – and I’m delighted that she’s become a true personal friend over the years. To celebrate Milly’s latest book, Let The Bells Ring Out which …

#MusicMonday – Something keeps on pulling me closer…

November 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @clairekreads.bsky.social

#MusicMonday - Something keeps on pulling me closer… aknightsreads.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/m...

Whoop whoop! Welcome to this week’s #MusicMonday! This is my opportunity to share a track of my liking with you lovely people, all in the name of #MusicMonday, the brainchild of the Tatto…

aknightsreads.wordpress.com

November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @clairekreads.bsky.social

Before Her Eyes by Jack Jordan #beforehereyes #blogathon #bookreview aknightsreads.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/b...

Before Her Eyes by Jack Jordan #beforehereyes #blogathon #bookreview

Happy Monday! Today I’m back with Jack Jordan and Before Her Eyes, his third thriller first published 7 years ago!! And yes, I read it back then.

aknightsreads.wordpress.com

November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @jenlucas.bsky.social

A Backstage Betrayal by Michael Ball jenmedsbookreviews.com/2025/11/10/a...

A Backstage Betrayal by Michael Ball

Today it is back to Mandie who is sharing her thoughts on A Backstage Betrayal by Michael Ball. We’re both theatre lovers, so this really is right up her street. Here’s what the book is…

Grumpy Gnome by Peter Wiholm, illustrated by Alejandro Segura Baron

November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @lindasbookbag.bsky.social

Grumpy Gnome by Peter Wiholm, illustrated by Alejandro Segura Baron lindasbookbag.com/2025/11/10/g...

My enormous thanks to Peter Wiholm for sending me a copy of his children’s book Grumpy Gnome all the way from Canada. Grumpy Gnome is illustrated by Alejandro Segura Baron and it’s my pleasur…

#Festive #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Kathryn Croft #author of The Christmas Party | @Bookouture @katcroft

November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

#Festive #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Kathryn Croft #author of The Christmas Party | @Bookouture @katcroft portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/10/f...

I’m delighted to be joined by Kathryn today, author of The Christmas Party. The Christmas Party was published by Bookouture in October and available now in as an e-book: full details below. O…

Rewind Recap: Weekly Update W/E 09/11/25

November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @jenlucas.bsky.social

Rewind Recap: Weekly Update W/E 09/11/25 jenmedsbookreviews.com/2025/11/10/r...

Well I survived the week. I am taking that as a positive. Spent half a day being assessed for my apprenticeship mid week which added far more stress to my life than I was expecting. It has meant th…

The Token - Sharon Bolton | Book Review | #TheToken - My Reading Corner

November 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @karendennise.bsky.social

The Token - Sharon Bolton | Book Review | #TheToken www.myreadingcorner.co.uk/2025/11/the-...

Seven beneficiaries. Seven people who stood to gain a huge amount of money, for a reason none of them yet understood. Seven strangers receive a mysterious note informing them of their impending inheri...

www.myreadingcorner.co.uk

November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @cat-ryan12.bsky.social

#SundayStills ~ Exploring the Beauty of Autumn Colour through #Leaves #Nature betweenthelinesbookblog.com/2025/11/09/s...

#SundayStills ~ Exploring the Beauty of Autumn Colour through #Leaves #Nature

Welcome to the Sunday Stills feature hosted by Terri at This week’s theme is ‘leaf peeping’ A couple of weeks ago I was staying at my sister’s house and while there we paid …

betweenthelinesbookblog.com

November 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

Book Review - Transcription by Kate Atkinson whatcathyreadnext.co.uk/2025/11/08/b...

Book Review – Transcription by Kate Atkinson

About the Book In 1940, eighteen-year old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings o…

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk

November 9, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

#Festive #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Katie Gayle #author of Murder in the Winter Woods | @Bookouture @KatieGayleBooks portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/08/f...

#Festive #ThreeTwoOne quickfire questions with Katie Gayle #author of Murder in the Winter Woods | @Bookouture @KatieGayleBooks

I’m delighted to be joined by Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel (writing as Katie Gayle) today, authors of Murder in the Winter Woods. Murder in the Winter Woods was published by Bookouture …

A Kiss to Stop a Wedding by Sarah Mallory | #RegencyRomance #HistoricalFiction #bookreview | @SarahMRomance @MillsAndBoon

November 9, 2025 at 2:08 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

A Kiss to Stop a Wedding by Sarah Mallory | #RegencyRomance #HistoricalFiction #bookreview | @SarahMRomance @MillsAndBoon portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/09/a...

From Jane Austen to Bridgerton and several other books in between, I am quite a fan of Regency romance. So when I met author Sarah Mallory at an authors and readers lunch in York earlier this year …

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell | #BookReview #BookSky 💙📚

November 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell | #BookReview #BookSky 💙📚 portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/06/d...

OMG! How to even begin to talk about this one? Well for a start, I’m not sure I can say very much about the plot at all in case I give anything away. There are three main female characters. N…

The Songbird Army by Julia Blackburn

November 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @lindasbookbag.bsky.social

The Songbird Army by Julia Blackburn lindasbookbag.com/2025/11/07/t...

I’m a huge fan of children’s fiction – possibly because my awful sight meant I was such a late reader myself and feel I missed out a little bit as a child. Consequently I was delighted when J…

Murder Takes A Vacation by Laura Lippman

November 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @jenlucas.bsky.social

Murder Takes A Vacation by Laura Lippman jenmedsbookreviews.com/2025/11/07/m...

Today I am sharing my thoughts on Murder Takes A Vacation by Laura Lippman. I was sent a copy of the book by publisher Faber earlier this summer, and also bought a copy on Kindle. Here’s what…

An excerpt from A Knock at the Door by Peter Rowlands @peterrowlands_1

November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @whatcathyreadnext.bsky.social

An excerpt from A Knock at the Door by Peter Rowlands @peterrowlands_1 whatcathyreadnext.co.uk/2025/11/07/a...

My guest today is Peter Rowlands, author of A Knock at the Door, which was published in October 2023. It’s available to purchase in paperbook or as an ebook. A Knock at the Door is described …

whatcathyreadnext.co.uk

November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

First Line Friday 7th November 2025: The Orchid Hunter's Daughter by Jane Anderson | #FirstLineFriday #BookSky 💙📚 portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/07/f...

First Line Friday 7th November 2025: The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter by Jane Anderson | #FirstLineFriday #BookSky 💙📚

I’m sharing the first lines from Jane Anderson’s new historical fiction novel, The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter, which is due out next week. I’ll have my review as part of the b…

The Christmas Retreat by Trisha Ashley | #festivefiction #bookreview | @RandomTTours @PenguinUKBooks @TrishaAshley

November 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @portybelle.bsky.social

The Christmas Retreat by Trisha Ashley | #festivefiction #bookreview | @RandomTTours @PenguinUKBooks @TrishaAshley portobellobookblog.com/2025/11/07/t...

A Christmas book from Trisha Ashley is always a real treat so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read her latest, The Christmas Retreat, published yesterday by Bantam/Transworld. Thank you …

First Lines Friday ~ Embedded (Dakota Judd #Thriller Series Book 1) by John Lansing #BookX #CrimeFiction

November 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @cat-ryan12.bsky.social

First Lines Friday ~ Embedded (Dakota Judd #Thriller Series Book 1) by John Lansing #BookX #CrimeFiction betweenthelinesbookblog.com/2025/11/07/f...

Welcome to First Line(s) Friday, a weekly feature hosted by Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower. Just share the first line or lines from the book you’re currently reading. I’m about to start E…

betweenthelinesbookblog.com

November 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @maireadhearne.bsky.social

#BookReview of #James by Percival Everett www.swirlandthread.com/james-by-per...

James by Percival Everett | Review

James by Percival Everett is described as 'a profound and ferociously funny novel from one of our greatest living writers'.

www.swirlandthread.com

November 7, 2025 at 11:40 AM

Nicola Smith

@shortbookandscribes.uk

On @lindasbookbag.bsky.social

Staying in with Alice Jolly on The Matchbox Girl Publication Day lindasbookbag.com/2025/11/06/s...

Staying in with Alice Jolly on The Matchbox Girl Publication Day

I’m a huge fan of Alice Jolly’s wonderful and versatile writing and you’ll find my reviews of some of her books here. When I discovered she has a new book out I simply had to invite Alice onto Lin…