Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to David Goodman about his latest spy thriller Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his brilliant debut A Reluctant Spy.David talks about writing spy fiction for readers who may not usually read spy novels, creating the hugely compelling character of Jamie Tulloch, and the long road to publication after earlier books did not sell. He also discusses awards, resilience, TV adaptation developments, and his upcoming science fiction novel Shards of Starlight, written as David W. Goodman.Philippa also reviews:The Good Listener by Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl by Andrea MaraThe Thick of It BBC audiobookIn This EpisodeDavid Goodman on Solitary AgentsWhy spy fiction is having a major momentWriting accessible spy thrillersJamie Tulloch and the world of MI5 and MI6The challenge of writing a second bookRejection, persistence and finding your writing communityTV adaptation news for A Reluctant SpyWriting science fiction as David W. GoodmanDream and nightmare writing locationsPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsAbout Solitary AgentsSolitary Agents follows Jamie Tulloch after the events of A Reluctant Spy. Having tried to return to civilian life, Jamie finds himself pulled back towards the secret world — this time hoping to become an agent runner.But during a training exercise involving MI5 and MI6, Jamie and new character Sam Lee witness something that may be part of the drill… or may be frighteningly real.Perfect for readers who enjoy:spy fictionthrillersMI5 and MI6 storiescharacter-led suspensesmart, pacey writingnovels by Mick Herron, John le Carré and David McCloskeyBooks ReviewedThe Good Listener – Holly WattA gripping thriller about an anonymous caller, a shocking confession, and a mother still searching for justice.Such a Nice Girl – Andrea MaraA tense, twisty thriller about two missing young women, a luxury wedding, and a friendship pushed to breaking point.The Thick of It – BBC audiobookA brilliantly sweary political satire featuring Malcolm Tucker and the chaos of government.Books MentionedSolitary Agents – David GoodmanA Reluctant Spy – David GoodmanShards of Starlight – David W. GoodmanChildren of Strife – Adrian TchaikovskySlow Gods – Claire NorthThe Last Contract of Isako – Fonda LeeThe Good Listener – Holly WattSuch a Nice Girl – Andrea MaraThe Thick of It – BBC AudioBiscuit VerdictDavid chooses Nairn’s salted caramel oatcakes, after formerly being a chocolate Hobnob fan. A strong Scottish biscuit-adjacent choice.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling thriller author Jack Jordan about his brand new novel, Deception — a tense, addictive thriller that asks one terrifying question:How far would you go to save your child?Jack discusses:the inspiration behind Deceptionwriting high-stakes moral dilemmasbalancing relentless tension with emotional depthwhy readers become emotionally involved in his booksthe pressure of deadlines and perfectionismTV adaptations of his novelsworking with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Convictionhow his books became known for their impossible ethical questionsPhilippa and Jack also talk about:dream and nightmare writing locationswriting while emotionally “living” the scenesairport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmarethriller pacing and giving readers room to breathethe importance of book cover designreader bookshelves and collectible editionswhy Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees themAbout DeceptionEmma and Miles are desperate to save their son, who urgently needs life-changing surgery they cannot afford.Their last hope is a mysterious organisation called The Levels — a dangerous competition where contestants commit escalating crimes for escalating rewards.But they are not the only players.As the stakes rise, Deception forces both its characters — and its readers — to confront impossible moral questions:What would you do to save the person you love most?Topics CoveredPsychological thrillersMoral dilemma fictionWriting process and perfectionismTV and streaming adaptationsPublishing deadlinesCrime fictionBook cover brandingWorking-class journeys into publishingReader communitiesThriller pacingMemorable MomentsJack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreatThe airport nightmare writing scenario“A panic attack in two covers”Jack revealing nobody sees his real first draftsThe emotional intensity of writing thriller scenesThe revelation that Deception has been optioned for televisionBiscuit VerdictOfficial writing fuel:BourbonsFour-finger Kit KatsBonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit KatsStrong support for peanut butter Kit KatsFollow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, it is feedback week! Please send Philippa your thoughts on the podcast, you can email here: quickbookreviews@outlook.com. You can find her on instagram at this account: @quick_book_reviewsPhilippa chats to bestselling author Rosie Walsh about her gripping new novel The One Day You Were My Husband.Rosie discusses the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of writing after major success, researching the life of a surgeon, and why this was the book she came closest to abandoning.Philippa also reviews three very different books:The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode by Anthony HorowitzDeception by Jack JordanIn this episodeRosie Walsh on The One Day You Were My HusbandWriting emotional thrillers with huge twistsThe pressure of following bestselling novelsWhy this book was so difficult to writeBalancing publicity, motherhood and creativityWriting under the name Lucy RobinsonResearching medicine and surgery for fictionThe importance of titles in publishingPhilippa’s spoiler-free book reviewsFeedback week for the podcastAbout The One Day You Were My HusbandCarrie and Johan are newly married on a beach in Thailand when armed men arrive and take Johan away.Twelve years later, Carrie has rebuilt her life. She is remarried, has children, and is preparing to return to work as a surgeon. Then she sees a familiar face online — Johan, alive in Stockholm, with a new life of his own.Why did he never contact her?What really happened in Thailand?And should Carrie risk everything to find out?Books reviewedThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA wildly inventive, hilarious and action-packed instalment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.A Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzA clever, funny Hawthorne mystery set around the filming of The Word Is Murder.Deception – Jack JordanA high-stakes thriller about desperate parents, impossible choices and a deadly game.Books mentionedThe One Day You Were My Husband – Rosie WalshThe Love of My Life – Rosie WalshGhosted / The Man Who Didn’t Call – Rosie WalshThe Things You’ll Never Know – Ashley AudrainThe Eye of the Bedlam Bride – Matt DinnimanA Deadly Episode – Anthony HorowitzDeception – Jack JordanBiscuit verdictNo biscuits for Rosie Walsh — but there is a memorable discussion of cold sliced hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and a life without sugar.

This week on Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by publishing powerhouse Alison Barrow for a fascinating behind-the-scenes conversation about the world of books, publishing, publicity, BookTok, book reviewing, and what really happens inside a major publishing house.Alison shares the emotional impact of the recent Bookseller Awards, including the extraordinary success of Nobody’s Girl and the moving tributes to legendary romantic fiction authors including Jilly Cooper, Sophie Kinsella and Joanna Trollope.They also discuss:the launch of Transworld’s new horror imprint 3AMthe rise of horror and romantasy publishing trendsAlison’s own experience writing and editing her debut novelhow exhausting structural edits really arethe realities of social media for book reviewerswhether TikTok or Instagram matters more for publishingwhy authenticity matters more than follower countsPlus Alison recommends some brilliant reads, including:London FallingFame SickThe Agatha CureIf you’ve ever wondered how publishing really works, how books become bestsellers, or how to start reviewing books online, this episode is packed with insight, warmth and honesty.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to Ardal O’Hanlon about his new novel A Plot to Die For, the first book in his Blooming Murder Mystery series.Best known for Father Ted and Death in Paradise, Ardal brings comedy, warmth and murder mystery together in this funny, charming and sharply observed cosy crime novel set in a small Irish town.Philippa also reviews three books exploring the current tradwife trend in very different ways:Yesteryear by Caro Claire BurkeTradwife by Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret by Leanne ChildIn this episodeArdal O’Hanlon on A Plot to Die ForWriting cosy crime with genuine comedyWhy funny writing still takes serious craftThe influence of Death in Paradise and murder mystery structureCreating Finn O’Leary, celebrity gardener turned amateur detectiveSmall-town Ireland, community secrets and Tidy TownsWriting a series and what might come nextAudiobook narration and why Ardal reads his own bookPhilippa’s tradwife fiction recommendationsAbout A Plot to Die ForA Plot to Die For introduces Finn O’Leary, a TV celebrity gardener who returns home to Ireland to care for his mother — only to find himself caught up in murder, secrets and local rivalries.Expect:cosy crimeIrish humouramateur sleuthinggardeningcommunity dramaa brilliant cast of charactersand a murder during choir practiceBooks reviewedYesteryear – Caro Claire BurkeA twisty, genre-bending tradwife novel perfect for book clubs and holiday reading.Tradwife – Sarah LanganA horror take on the tradwife trend, with farmhouse perfection hiding something deeply unsettling.The Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne ChildA psychological thriller full of secrets, lies and domestic tension.Books mentionedA Plot to Die For – Ardal O’HanlonThe Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz NugentThe God of the Woods – Liz MooreWhite City – Dominic NolanYesteryear – Caro Claire BurkeTradwife – Sarah LanganThe Tradwife’s Secret – Leanne ChildBiscuit verdictArdal chooses the Wagon Wheel — original preferred, jammy accepted in emergencies.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews

Bestselling author Veronica Roth joins Philippa to talk about her gripping new novel Seek the Traitor’s Son — a romantic dystopian fantasy packed with prophecy, danger and high-stakes love.We cover:Life after the global phenomenon DivergentWriting pressure, creativity & finding joy againPlaylists, world-building & surprising story twistsWhy this is just the start of a new seriesPerfect for fans of The Hunger Games and epic sci-fi fantasy.Love books? Follow Quick Book Reviews and never miss an episode!Email Philippa at quickbookreviews@outlook.com