First off the blocks, and FREE: An Unfamiliar Murder: An absolutely addictive female-led crime thriller – really it is…(DCI Helen Lavery series Book 1)  by Jane Isaac Kindle Edition

Some secrets just won’t stay buried. Arriving home from a pretty ordinary day at work, Anna Cottrell has no reason to think her life is about to change – forever. You see, she finds the stabbed body of a stranger – right there – in her flat. Not only that, she becomes prime suspect in a murder inquiry. This is only the beginning, though, because evidence seems to link her with the victim…

Leading her first murder investigation, DCI Helen Lavery unravels an unsettling trail of deception, family secrets and betrayal. Then people close to the Cottrell family start to disappear, and Lavery has to up her game. Will she solve the case before he kills another victim – perhaps the main target. As I said. It is a free offer – just what you need when expenses are high. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D8S1HC3G/

If I Were You | A totally gripping domestic thriller with a heart-pounding twist. Kindle Edition by Helen Matthews 

Tessa, a former career woman with long Covid and depression, lives a reclusive life in a London suburb. When her long estranged younger sister Maddie suddenly turns up with a baby, events spiral. Maddie claims she’s fled a controlling partner who is threatening to take the child. Overwhelmed at first, Tessa wants to help—both her sister and, by acting, herself.

But the situation grows murkier. Maddie’s story is flawed. Doubts nag. Is she really just a victim? As Tessa gets pulled deeper into Maddie’s story she begins to question her own reality. Loyalty is strained by mistrust,and then Maddie suddenly disappears and leaves the baby with Tessa, What on earth does Tessa do now? And frankly, what on earth is going on. The situation needs solving. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G64HJ23M/ @ the heady price of £0.99 for a limited time, instead of £4.99.

Snow Fallen: A compulsive police procedural thriller (DCI Murrain Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Alex Walters Book 3 of 3: DCI Murrain Series

One winter’s night, a lone figure walks into a remote Pennine village. As heavy snow begins, a man’s body is discovered in the village churchyard. Anne Tilston, one of three sisters living in a brooding run-down house in the shadow of the church, realises that the dead man is her father, a disgraced former senior police officer long estranged from his family.

As DCI Kenny Murrain’s team arrive in the village to investigate the unexplained death, another body is discovered in a nearby field – a young man from the village but is there a connection to Tilston or his daughters? With the snow continuing to fall, another body is discovered, and Murrain finds himself stranded with his team in the sisters’ house with a seemingly motiveless killer waiting outside in the night. Creepy? Oh yes. In fact it reminds me of an Agatha Christie, updated of course. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G65D24DX/ @ £1.99 instead of £2.99.

Milly Adams’s latest kindle trilogy The Waterway Girls is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

The Thirsk Yarnbombers have signalled the start up to Christmas, with nativity scenes on post boxes, and the shepherds on their way to the stable.

The bollards are festive, with wonderful knitting from our Yarnbombers who come in the night and festoon the Market Square.

And of course, Santa is not forgotten though he may be stuck in the chimney, or is it just that he gave us a moment of his time before slipping down and dispensing toys into stockings hung on the end of beds?

And carol singers, which reminds me, there will be carols with the glorious Royal British Legion Band in the courtyard of The Golden Fleece on the evening of 18th December.

And we must not forget Christ, Mary and Joseph, ooops, and the donkey who carried Mary with her ‘precious load’.

Here, in Thirsk we are thrilled when these wonderful knitters, busying themselves all year, come quietly to festoon the square for the meaningful ‘occasions’ concerning our community. ‘Yes,’ we say, ‘The tree is up, the lights are on, and the Yarnbmbers have been, so Christmas is on the way, all is well with the world.‘ Just as quietly, all these little miracles will be gone. We won’t know, when, but are safe in the knowledge that they will come again, for the next occasion worthy of note.

These are just a few of the many that have lifted our hearts.

Is it any wonder that people come from miles to enjoy these gems, and perhaps slip across the road to The Golden Fleece for a coffee and, this year, 3 white Maltesers as a nod to a possible white Christmas. Or let’s not forget the myriad other cafes pubs and restaurants. Do come, and share in the sights.

Milly Adams is the author of The Waterway Girls, Love on the Waterways and Hope on the Waterways. (Kindle editions) You can shop all three @ £5.97, or one at a time. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

Freebie Alert… Read on.

The Seduction of Lord Stone is a witty, passionate Regency romance novel and the irresistible first book in Anna Campbell’s Dashing Widows series. By Anna Campbell. So, if a daring widow. A notorious rake. A scandalous game of love takes your fancy, read on. Caroline, Lady Beaumont, after a miserable ten years of marriage and one year of mourning, is finally up and at ’em. How about London? Will it give her the wonderful balls, intrigue and an uncomplicated lover – but no, absolutely no, marriage, which in Caroline’s eyes, is nothing but a cage.

Enter Silas Nash, Viscount Stone—devil-may-care, dangerously charming, and shocked to discover he’s fallen in love at last. Oh, but Caroline wants freedom. Worse, she’s asked him to introduce her to his wickedest friend.

But will Silas allow the woman he desires to slip through his fingers? And will the dashing widow dare to risk her heart?

The Seduction of Lord Stone is perfect for fans of Julia Quinn, Mary Balogh, and Grace Burrowes. Expect witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a Regency romance where a widow discovers the one man she cannot resist. Price? Wait for it … Nearly there: Free: Yes, really, https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DK276ZYQ/

The groom that got away | A flirty Second Chance Romantic Comedy (The Logan Brothers Book 1) Kindle Edition. by Sally Clements 

Goodness, He left her sister at the altar and now she’s the one forced to keep him out of trouble – and out of her heart… Fun and flirty – a romantic comedy with a good heart.
April hates Matthew’s guts, because he left her sister at the altar. Now all is well because June’s getting hitched to another man. April’s making the dress, the cake is iced, and nothing, but nothing, will ruin her sister’s big day. Or will it? Only £0.99 instead of £2.99 for a limited time. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G4HCCC1N/

The Mystery of the Christmas Bauble: A cozy 1930s murder mystery (Jack and Frances Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition by Carmen Radtke

A clairvoyant, a crime, and a prophecy: Some mysteries ripple through time. When an inherited Christmas ornament reveals its hidden message, it connects the past and the present for the finders in more than one way. When Fiona Langdon discovers an old, hand-blown bauble hidden in her grandmother’s attic, she expects nothing more than a touch of nostalgia. Instead, she uncovers a hidden message that links her family to a long-forgotten mystery. The trail leads back to London in 1931, where her daring ancestor Frances Palmer helped a clairvoyant named Madame Gloria catch a jewel thief during a glittering Christmas performance. As Frances’s adventure unfolds, it sets in motion a legacy that will echo across decades. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G25F8P7X/ @ £0.99

Dying Brand: A twisty and pulsating psychological thriller (Allison Campbell Mystery Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Wendy Tyson

Every lie leaves a trace. Truth demands reckoning. A psychological thriller that will keep you up all night – not sure that’s helpful before Christmas but so be it. Your mind will certainly be filled with things other that writing the cards as a former boyfriend is dead, slain on the streets of Philadelphia. His widow claims he was meeting with Allison, yet Allison hadn’t spoken to him in years. Nothing about his death—or life—makes sense. When compromising photos from their past arrive at Allison’s office, they raise more questions than they answer. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G26H1755/ @ £1.99

Milly Adams is the author of The Waterway Girls, Love on the Waterways and Hope on the Waterways. (Kindle editions) You can shop all three @ £5.97, or one at a time. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

As the years slip by frighteningly fast, I’m only too aware that my face not only deserves, but frankly needs good quality products, and so I absolutely love Origins. Their mission is to care for skin holistically using the power of plants and science, and their scientists spend their days creating transformative skincare formulas, by discovering high-performing, bioactive elements within natural ingredients. Consequently their new products are at least 90% naturally-derived and free from all the nasties which, sadly, permeate so many skincare products – including parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, sodium lauryl sulfate, paraffin, and diethanolamine (DEA). Origins are committed to sustainability and responsible ingredient sourcing too.

So you can imagine my excitement at discovering their 4-Piece Mini Mask Skincare Gift Set – four travel-sized (15 ml) face masks in a box. Let me share with you – the experience, not the face masks (they’re mine, and far too good to share).

Firstly, Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask with Avocado Butter & Hyaluronic Acid. This totally did what it said on the tin – as I’ve aged my skin has become quite dry and I couldn’t believe how my wrinkly old mug became positively peach-like after just one application. It lasts for 72 hrs, so just twice a week is enough to restore those youthful looks.

Next in the box – Clear Improvement™ Active Charcoal Mask for a true deep-cleansing. Charcoal naturally absorbs toxins and has many medical uses in this regard. Origins have captured this natural property using Bamboo Charcoal to draw out environmental toxins and unplug blocked pores.

The third treasure is Original Skin™ Retexturizing Mask. A blend of clay and Jojoba Beads, it gently draws out dirt and debris, whilst exfoliating, retexturizing and minimizing pores in one simple step.

Finally my favourite, if it’s possible to choose one – GinZing™ Glow-Boosting Mask. The Vitamin C and encapsulated Mineral Optics create an instant, healthy-looking glow and brighter skin. I can vouch for the amazing effect. I just looked and felt ten years younger instantly. People remarked on how great I looked. I just love it.

So how much do these mini-miracles cost? Well, just £25, will secure you this fabulous collection on the Origins website.

So if you’re still puzzling what to buy your loved ones and friends for Christmas, I suggest you hot foot to the Origins website for some incredible top quality products. I will be shopping for myself there (because I deserve it).

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Derek Owusu ( ©Josima Senior) – Hunger Pains (Merky Books, Penguin Random House)

The Reading Agency has today revealed the six authors behind the 2026 Quick Reads titles – marking 20 years of the life-changing initiative – publishing during the National Year of Reading.

Quick Reads helps adults overcome barriers to reading by providing short, accessible books by leading authors. Unlike other short-form fiction, Quick Reads go through a rigorous review process to ensure accessibility – including testing for readability, concentration, and suitability for those rebuilding reading confidence. The 2026 collection spans thrillers, romance and contemporary fiction – genres proven to tempt new or lapsed readers back to books. The full list is:

• Rachel Hore – The Girl in the Picture (Simon & Schuster)
• Leye Adenle – Cell One (Simon & Schuster)
• Rosie Goodwin – Sweet Charity (Bonnier Books UK)
• Louise Jensen – The Woman Next Door (HQ, HarperCollins)
• Derek Owusu – Hunger Pains (Merky Books, Penguin Random House)
• Carmel Harrington – The Last Bench (Headline, Hachette)

The new titles will be published in the run-up to World Book Night (23 April 2026), when thousands of free copies will be gifted through libraries and community groups. Additional books will be available in supermarkets and participating retailers for just £1. The Reading Agency’s Quick Reads support readers who have lost confidence, face concentration challenges, or are living with or recovering from illnesses such as cognitive disorder or brain injury.

As short, affordable, and carefully crafted books, Quick Reads help to give readers confidence and rediscover a joy of reading. In 2026, 30,000 Quick Reads will be distributed free of charge, supported by publishers, libraries, charities, trade unions and employers nationwide.

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency, said: “Quick Reads are more than short books – they’re stepping stones back into reading that are designed to fit modern life. Literally turning a page can change your life – improving wellbeing, focus, and even life satisfaction. The National Year of Reading is the perfect moment to make reading part of everyday life again.”

The announcement comes as new findings from The Reading Agency’s State of the Nation’s Adult Reading 2025 report show:

• Only half of UK adults (53%) describe themselves as regular readers – down from 58% in 2015.
• Nearly half (46%) struggle to focus on reading due to distractions, rising to 55% among 16–24-year-olds.
• Almost half of under-44s now read “on the go” while commuting, exercising or doing chores.
• Three in five adults (nearly 33 million) say the cost-of-living crisis leaves them with less time and money for leisure.

The Reading Agency is calling on supermarkets, employers, NHS libraries and trade unions to back the 2026 campaign and help get Quick Reads into more hands. Since the programme launched in 2006, Quick Reads has collaborated with over 30 publishers to create and distribute 5.4 million copies with over 6.2 million library loans. Quick Reads 2026 titles will be available from participating retailers for £1, or free from libraries nationwide.

The books can be ordered online from The Reading Agency. In 2025, Quick Reads is sponsored by Penguin Random House and Hachette.

When a chance encounter leads to murder, Ella Bridges finds herself trapped in a deadly game of secrets and lies. On the Wrong Track – the all-new case in the Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries by the fabulous J. New.

When Ella Bridges steps off the London to Linhay train after witnessing a sudden death on the platform, she hardly expects it will lead her to a windswept island estate and a house filled with strangers. But something about the woman’s passing strikes Ella as suspicious and she’s a woman who won’t ignore her instincts.

With Detective Sergeant Baxter at her side, Ella follows the trail to Gifford House, where a group of guests has gathered after winning a mysterious competition advertised in The Times. But when a storm cuts them off from the mainland, suspicions rise and long-buried secrets begin to surface. As tensions mount within the grand house, Ella must use all her wits to unmask a killer before more lives are claimed.

On the Wrong Track is ideal for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon, and classic British whodunits. Pre-order: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G43ML227/ @ £1.99

The Mystery of the Christmas Bauble A cozy 1930s murder mystery (Jack and Frances Mysteries) by Carmen Radtke. I do love this period, and it particularly suits cozy crime, don’t you think?

A clairvoyant, a crime, and a prophecy: It seems some mysteries ripple through time. Ann inherited Christmas ornament reveals a hidden message, which connects the past and the present in more than one way. When Fiona Langdon discovers an old, hand-blown bauble hidden in her grandmother’s attic, she expects nothing more than a touch of nostalgia. Instead, she uncovers a hidden message that links her family to a long-forgotten mystery. The trail leads back to London in 1931, where her daring ancestor Frances Palmer helped a clairvoyant named Madame Gloria catch a jewel thief during a glittering Christmas performance. As Frances’s adventure unfolds, it sets in motion a legacy that will echo across decades.

Nearly a century later, Fiona’s search brings her to a charming shop called Christmas Magic—and to Simon Coutts, whose family owns a bauble identical to her grandmother’s. As old secrets surface and fate weaves its spell, two families discover that some mysteries are meant to be solved… and that love can bridge even the distance of time. Do have a look: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G25F8P7X/ @ £0.99

Christmas for me, is a house full of people letting their hair down and enjoying plenty of food and drink. And whilst cocktails seem to add to the party atmosphere, quite often by the time I have made the last cocktail, the person served first, is almost ready for a second.

At a point in the year when time is at a premium, this can soon ruin the vibe, which is where these cocktails in a can come in.

At Christmas I am guaranteed to be short of two things, space and time and anything that assists with such challenges is always welcome.

No more juggling bottles for me or taking 5 to 7 minutes to make one cocktail per person as Sierra Tequila has launched a delicious range of ready-to-drink Margaritas in the UK.

These ‘bar quality’ Margaritas are available in two flavours, Strawberry and Lime.

High-quality, convenient cocktails, the Sierra Margarita cans are available in stores throughout the UK, as well as online via Amazon and are also available from Aldi and Lidl

Sierra is known for its bold, fruity, and award-winning flavour, made with the finest blue Weber agave, guaranteeing that the cocktail inside the can is full of bold flavour, expertly mixed, and made for those moments worth savouring.

Sierra Strawberry Margarita is a delicious combination of juicy, sweet strawberries with smooth agave notes of Sierra Tequila Blanco. Whereas the Sierra Lime Margarita is the perfect combination of tangy lime, well-balanced sweetness, a hint of salt, and cooked agave notes.

These would also make superb stocking fillers and guarantee you top billing at the office secret Santa.

And if I am not too early, let me be the first to wish you a Happy Christmas.

RRP: 12 x 250ml cans for £30. ABV: 6% per can. Available to purchase online from Amazon. https://www.sierratequila.com/en/ @sierra_tequila

Oh, fab-u-lous: The Carlswick Mysteries return with a tale of blackmail, forbidden art, and a deadly game played out on the streets of New York City. Stephanie Cooper joins her boyfriend James Knox and his band in New York for the final week of their tour. But teh bands new found popularity has attracted unwanted attention and Stephanie’s research project at a New York museum puts her on a collision course with an old adversary. From the glitzy modern day bars and clubs of Manhattan to the gritty Lower East Side tenements of the 1940s, Stephanie tries to keep one step ahead of an increasingly desperate faceless blackmailer as she traces the final legacy of war time Nazi art liberator Karl Hoffman. (Fascinating) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FXLZ3SDL/ @ £1.99 Kindle edition

Here we have a three book offer – Kindle edition. Dr Margaret Demeray – Historical Crime Box Set 1-3. I find historical’s fascinating as one usually learns so much, and you certainly will from these three books. The Wrong Sort to Die by Paula Harmon: June 1910. Dr Margaret Demeray gives a stranger called Fox information about a dead down-and-out. When a second man dies the same way, Margaret starts to wonder why the enigmatic Fox keeps turning up to ask ever more complex questions. Margaret must discover the truth before someone silences her for good. Death in the Last Reel by Paula Harmon After the violent murder of three policemen in the line of duty, Fox asks Margaret to help with a mission and she can’t wait to assist. How can they discover who is behind the threat to London when it’s not entirely clear what the threat actually is? The Treacherous Dead the third in the series by Paula Harmon: It’s summer 1912. When Dr Margaret Demeray tells Fox about an unlikely spy plot, something reminds him of an old case. Just as they decide the allegation is nonsense, a young woman is found dead and evidence at the scene links Fox to her murder. Is someone now seeking revenge? 

Get all three captivating novels in one box set at the incredible price of £2.99 –https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G35HG4XY/

I absolutely love, love, love Cozy Crime, and here we have three historical cozy crimes by the fabulous Celina Grace. This collection of Miss Hart and Miss Hunter Investigate (Historical Cozy Crime Box Set 1-3) is a simply lovely Golden Age murder-mystery collection with three witty and delightful whodunits.

Book 1: Murder at Merisham Lodge Derbyshire, 1930s. When Lady Eveline Cartwright is found dead in her study, life at Merisham Lodge begins to unravel. Amid lies, loyalties, and hidden dangers, Joan Hart and Verity Hunter must uncover the truth before they become the next to fall. Can they expose a cunning killer before they become the next victims?

Book 2: Death at the Theatre
London, 1932. A night at the theatre turns deadly when the curtains rise on an unexpected tragedy. A man has been stabbed to death almost under their very noses. Behind the glittering lights, Joan and Verity uncover a world of deception and ambition where the stage is set for danger.

Book 3: The Hidden House Murders West Country, 1934. What begins as a peaceful retreat quickly descends into chaos after a poisoned dinner. The deadly dish proves fatal for one unlucky soul. As Verity and Joan begin to delve deeper into the tangled relationships of the Ashford family and their guests, it becomes apparent that too many people have secrets to keep … some of which are worth killing for … https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G366L1R4/ @ £2.99