In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall is joined by Sarah Hilary to talk about The Drowning Place, the gripping first novel in a new crime series set in the Peak District. Together they discuss crime fiction, setting, writing atmosphere, rural communities, audiobook narration, and the journey of building a new series. T

Philippa also reviews two very different books:

Mars One by Charlotte Robertson — a high-stakes space thriller packed with sabotage, conspiracy, tension and reality-TV energy.

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst — a warm, whimsical YA fantasy audiobook full of magic, comfort and cosy escapism.

There’s also a Hay Festival update: Philippa will be appearing with Sheila Kanani at Hay Festival on Friday 22 May 2026 at 8.30pm for The Starspotter’s Guide, a conversation about the night sky, stars and space.

If you enjoy:

crime fiction, thriller interviews, atmospheric mysteries, space thrillers, cosy fantasy, audiobook recommendations, and spoiler-free book chat, this episode is for you.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insider episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld (Penguin Random House), to answer a brilliant listener question about book marketing, ARCs, and social media influence.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why do some books dominate Instagram and BookTok?
• How do publishers decide which books get major promotion?
• Are ARC reviews always honest?
• Do great books get overlooked?

…this episode pulls back the curtain on the real publishing ecosystem.

• How publishers choose their “lead titles”
• The truth about ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and influencer marketing
• Why you keep seeing the same books on Instagram
• How word-of-mouth, bookshops, and libraries still shape success
• The balance between authentic reviews and publisher relationships
• Why some incredible books quietly build audiences over time

• Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone – Louise O’Neill
• Mars One – Charlotte Robinson
• The Ending Writes Itself – Evelyn Clarke
• It's Not What You Think – Claire Mackintosh
• Elizabeth & Marilyn – Julie Owen Moylan
• The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
• Slings & Arrows – Nick McLachlan

A thoughtful question from Johanne sparks an honest discussion about:

• Social media book promotion
• Authenticity vs visibility
• Whether “hyped” books can still be trusted

Alison Barrow is PR Director at Transworld (part of Penguin Random House UK), working with global bestselling authors and shaping major publishing campaigns.

Article mentioned in The Bookseller: https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/events-not-a-campaign-solution

Got a question for Alison?

Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com

If you enjoy Quick Book Reviews, don’t forget to:

• Follow / Subscribe
• Leave a review
• Share with a fellow book lover

More author interviews, book reviews (no spoilers!), and insider publishing chat every week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall shares a mix of book recommendations, honest reviews, and practical tips for getting out of a reading slump.

Philippa also shares her experience appearing on BBC Breakfast and behind-the-scenes of recording while unwell (powered by Vonia and sheer determination!).

• The Drowning Place – Sarah Hilary ⭐ (highly recommended, potential book of the year)
• Solitary Agents – David Goodman ⭐ (thriller/spy crossover, gripping and accessible)
• Operation Bounce House – Matt Dinniman
• Look What You Made Me Do – John Lanchester

If you’re struggling to read or feeling stuck in a reading slump, Philippa shares what worked for her:

• Take a break from reading (it will come back!)
• Try a different format (audiobooks, graphic novels, poetry)
• Re-read a favourite book
• Limit your choices (pick a small stack and commit)
• Visit a bookshop or library for inspiration
• Don’t panic — reading slumps are normal

• The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
• Slings and Arrows – Nick McLachlan
• A Family Matter – Claire Lynch

These three books completely reignited her love of reading.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

J.P. Delaney joins Philippa to talk about his latest psychological thriller, The Move — a tense, unsettling story about a dream home that turns into a nightmare.

We talk about:

• The inspiration behind The Move and the emotional pull of houses and “home”
• Why this novel steps away from tech-driven thrillers
• Writing routines, plotting, and the importance of rewriting
• Obsession, truth, and the psychology behind his characters

J.P. also shares what he’s been reading:

• Daisy Darker, Sometimes I Lie and Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
• The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason
• The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
• In Her Defence by Philippa Manica — a standout courtroom thriller he highly recommends

Plus: writing in beautiful locations, why Starbucks is his worst nightmare, and the surprising snack (not biscuits) that fuels his writing.

Perfect for fans of twisty psychological thrillers and fast-paced, high-concept fiction.

Follow Quick Book Reviews for more author interviews and spoiler-free book chat.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling thriller writer Clare Mackintosh joins Philippa to talk about her gripping new novel It’s Not What You Think— packed with jaw-dropping twists.

We cover:

• How Clare creates unforgettable plot twists
• Writing habits, pressure & her next very spicy thriller
• Dream writing spots (and total nightmares!)

Plus, quick-fire reviews of:

• My Friends by Fredrik Backman – emotional, funny, unforgettable
• Mrs Spy by M J Robotham– smart, fun spy fiction
• Supercrash: How to Hijack the Global Economy by Darryl Cunningham– sharp and eye-opening
• Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister - Out soon!

And: Kindle vs Kobo — which wins?

Love books? Hit follow and don’t miss an episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of this special two part episode.

Today I’m joined by the publicity team behind The Ending Writes Itself—Philippa Cotton and Becky Mansell from HQ—to go behind the scenes of one of the most inventive book campaigns in recent years.

We talk about:

• How early publicity gets involved in acquiring a book
• Building a campaign around secrecy and intrigue
• Managing (and protecting) a major author reveal
• The viral buzz, wild guesses, and reader engagement
• What worked—and what they’d do differently
• The realities of publishing behind the scenes

Plus—Bloody Scotland, proof drops, influencers, campaign chaos (including that wifi moment), and answers to the authors’ own questions.

If you enjoyed Part 1 with V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, this is the perfect companion episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special early episode for the bank holiday weekend.

In Part 1, I’m joined by the authors behind The Ending Writes Itself—V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke—writing together as Evelyn Clarke.

We talk about:

• The secret behind their hidden identity
• How this ambitious collaboration came together
• Writing a sharp, funny satire of the publishing world
• The realities (and absurdities) of being an author today
• Their unique co-writing process

Plus—Bloody Scotland book festival, Stephen King, FOMO in publishing, and the joy (and chaos) of keeping a literary secret.

Part 2 drops tomorrow, featuring the publicity team behind this standout campaign.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a crime-packed episode of Quick Book Reviews

Philippa is back with six crime and thriller recommendations—including bestselling psychological suspense, twisty mysteries, and edge-of-your-seat reads—plus a behind-the-scenes interview with the Festival Director of one of the UK’s biggest crime events.

• A stack of must-read crime thrillers (out now + upcoming releases)
• A surprising turnaround on Frieda McFadden
• A standout read from Claire Douglas
• Festival insider chat with Lizzie Curl from Capital Crime Festival
• Publishing insights, book recommendations & festival gossip

Recently Read & Reviewed:

• Dear Debbie – Frieda McFadden
• Want to Know a Secret? – Frieda McFadden
• The Family Friend – Claire Douglas

Also Mentioned (Out Now / New Releases):

• The Move – J.P. Delaney
• I Spy – C. M. Ewan
• It’s Not What You Think – Clare Mackintosh

Philippa chats to Lizzie Curl about:

• What really goes into planning Capital Crime Festival
• Big author names (including Lee Child)
• How the festival attracts new readers
• Behind-the-scenes challenges & surprises
• Why crime fiction fans shouldn’t miss it

• A mix-up involving “AI”
• Kindle Unlimited vs Kobo thoughts (more next week!)
• And the ultimate question: what’s the best biscuit for reading?

• Psychological thrillers
• Fast-paced crime fiction
• Book festivals & author events
• No-spoiler book recommendations

Follow, rate & review to support the podcast and never miss a book recommendation!

Email Philippa at quickbookreviews@outlook.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.