Latest reviews

30 for 30 podcasts have a way of finding those sports stories that are so much bigger than the sport themselves.

This is the podcast version of the ESPN 30 for 30 film series for those who may be familiar with the series? These episodes are clearly the work of professionals who craft and produce audio documentaries of the highest order. Cannot recommend enough. Even if you aren't a sports person, you may be surprised at how you get sucked into a good story.

I usually listen to podcasts to fall asleep, but this one doesn't work. Last night I listened to three episodes before I finally decided enough is enough. I'm hooked!

You can´t help but binge-listen. It´s so respectful and caring for every person involved in the crimes. But it tears you up and makes you cry.

Interview style journalism. Some of the stories are very interesting, some not so much. A lot of interviews I don't care about, particularly with celebrities, but a lot of topics covered that are intriguing.

The Guest is a tense domestic thriller built around a marriage under strain, a close friendship pushed to the limit, and a houseguest who arrives at exactly the wrong time.

Affairs, secrets, lies, boundaries (lack of them, pushing them, testing them), friendships of years being tested, marriage under strain and danger, missing person. The book has a bit of everything.

"Any Way You Want Me" presents a captivating story about the complexities of motherhood, infidelity, and self-discovery

While the book has been described as humorous with a twist, I found it heavier than expected, it also delves into heavier themes, showcasing the complexity of human emotions.

Sadie's character can evoke mixed feelings - her choices often frustrated me, yet they also highlighted the challenges of seeking validation and excitement in life.

The graphic portrayal of the affair and its repercussions can be uncomfortable, but it adds to the realism of the narrative.

This is the first volume of a two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros. It covers events from before the period seen in A Game of Thrones through to the civil war that nearly destroyed the dynasty.

The book begins with Aegon the Conqueror and the creation of the Iron Throne, then follows House Targaryen from Dragonstone. It also covers the Dance of the Dragons, the dangers of Valyria after the Doom, and the origin of Daenerys's three dragon eggs.

The account is framed as a chronicle by a learned maester of the Citadel and includes more than eighty black-and-white illustrations by Doug Wheatley. It presents Targaryen history in full, after earlier glimpses in The World of Ice & Fire.


I'd describe the book as dark and full of dragons, skulduggery, abuse, poison, murder, betrayal, lust and love. It also includes war, incest, in-house marriages and public consummation of marriages, alongside violent deaths and characters who are not safe from harm - much like an episode or season of Game of Thrones!

It offers an interesting backstory for fans of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, while warning that it becomes extremely grim.

I'd definitely recommend it for fans of Game of Thrones.

This is described by its creators as "a British Bourne."

It's fiction but well researched. The dramatic writing and input from real-life defence experts make for an atmospheric listen that blurs the lines between fiction and present reality.

This book dives deep into themes of belonging, community, and the emotional ties we have to our homes and memories.

The story follows Lilly-Bob, a woman in her seventies who has lived in her family home by the River Thames for most of her life. This house is not just a structure; it's filled with memories of her childhood and her father's love. However, her peaceful life is disrupted when a building developer threatens to take her home through a compulsory purchase scheme.

As Lilly-Bob grapples with the impending loss of her sanctuary, we see her journey unfold through flashbacks to her younger years, revealing the relationships and experiences that have shaped her into the person she is today. The narrative beautifully intertwines her past and present, showcasing her struggles with loneliness, the complexities of her family dynamics, and the friendships she forms with her neighbours.

This is fantastic.

For a subject that's been covered so extensively, it's still fascinating!

If you like your true crime I can recommend Crime Next Door from the BBC.

There's a number of different series, and the last one I've listened to is called The Anglesea Vampire Killer and is genuinely shocking