Katy Hays: The Vipers, Bantam UK, 9780857505972, c format paperback, March 2025 pub date

The Vipers in this case  are a filthy rich family, the Lingates,  whose controlled image to the outside world was disrupted by the questionable accidental death of Sophie Lingate in Capri 30 years ago. Helen, her only daughter will be sole heir to the family fortune, tightly controlled by her father and uncle, and is starting to question what really happend to her mother. When her assistant Lorna disappears, the family unity begins to unravel.

I found the novel highly constructed, throw in a jetset setting on the island of capri and a questionable death followed by an equally constructed ending. Not my type of thriller even Hay's previous book The Cloisters became a bestseller.

 Nicola Williams: Killer Instinct, Hamish Hamilton, 9780241568088, pub date: July 10, 2025

I was very taken by Nicola Williams first legal thriller, " Until Proven Innocent" and was not disappointed by her second book,  a twisted story called" Killer Instinct"  set in the British court system featuring barrister Lee Miller which is just as terrific.

When Dean Carter, a very respected Junior Clerk working in the same chambers as Lee,  is accused of murdering their controlling, manipulating boss Tom Mannon, he requests Lee to defend him. I had very little knowledge of how the British legal system works but this thriller is a fab introduction and a very gripping story full of intrigue, politics and the psychology of defense. A great read and a new voice to watch,  publishing July 2025, I was able to enjoy an early proof.

 C.J.Box: Three Inch Teeth, 9780593331347,, hardback, Putnam /US

I enjoy CJ Box's Joe Pickett series, this is the 24th book about the Wyoming game warden. It is a bit of a mix of western and thriller, bad guys chasing good guys who do not always end up winning.

 With a grizzly bear on the loose killing Joe's daughters fiance and  Dalles Cates, a serious piece of work Joe helped put behind bars, out of prison seeking revenge, I found this episode at times a bit far stretched but nevertheless a thrilling solid Joe Pickett read. 

 Patrick Bringley: All the beauty in the world, 9781529924596, Vintage/PRH, paperback

The first gem of a book I finished in 2025,  stumbled  upon when reading reviews.

 When Patrick Bringley's brother Tom dies of cancer at 26, his world comes to a stop and he knows he could not go back to his old job.  Seeking out beauty and peace as his healing method, he applies for a job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a  guard.  

So begins his healing journey. His observations of people visiting the museum, the life stories of fellow guards, the solace and beauty of art are a wonderful read.  To be part of his overcoming grief thru a quiet life and the love of his own young family is heartwarming.  Food for thought, beautifully written, illuminating descriptions of the art on display at the Met and museum life, loved it!