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
Gorgeous nails make a huge difference to our mood, and what better gift for Christmas? We love mirror nails, and this gorgeous nail kit.
Mirror nails have cemented their place as the standout nail trend of 2025, and Mylee is taking things up a level with the launch of two striking new Pressed Pigment Palettes, www.mylee.co.uk.
Designed to deliver a high-shine, mirror-like finish with effortless application, this latest innovation makes achieving pro-level chrome nails at home easier, and cleaner, than ever.
Simply buff your chosen shade over Mylee’s No Wipe Top Coat, and watch your nails transform into a high-gloss, light-catching mirror chrome that lasts.
Available in two chic chrome colourways – the Camden and Chelseapalettes – each curated quad brings a versatile mix of chrome tones to suit every mood, season and skin tone.
Ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, travel, or at-home salon sessions, the palettes are as cute as they are practical. The formula is non-toxic and fade-resistant, making them a smart choice for trendsetters who don’t want to compromise on performance or safety.
The 3-Step Secret to Healthier, Happier Nail
Nail wellness just got a major glow-up – and who better to lead the charge than Mylee. Introducing the Treat Your Tips Care Kit– Mylee’s first-ever 3-step nail care routine that makes healthy, natural nails simple, satisfying, and seriously effective. Think of it as a mini mani makeover: salon-inspired, self-care approved and designed to keep your nails looking flawless between manis (and beyond).
Inside the beautifully boxed kit, you’ll find three nail care icons: A Crystal Nail File to shape and seal with precision A 3-Way Buffer to smooth, shine, and instantly boost glow A Raspberry Ripple Nail & Cuticle Oil, a sweet-scented hydration hero packed with almond, jojoba, and coconut oils
No polish needed, no complicated steps – just naturally gorgeous nails that look as good as they feel. Whether you’re in between gel sets or indulging in a self-care moment, this kit gives your nails the TLC they deserve. Available now at mylee.co.uk, Amazon, and selected UK retailers.
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.
With Christmas just around the corner, these Glow For It must-haves are perfect for Christmas The growth kit is perfect for the lash obsessed and the blush stick is a budget-friendly stocking filler.
The Growth Starter Kit A best-selling set featuring the viral Lash Growth Serum and Brow Growth Serum — ideal for beauty lovers looking for real results and fuller lashes this party season. Available at glowforitshop.com
Blush Sticks A budget-friendly stocking filler infused with skin-loving ingredients for a radiant, healthy glow. Creamy, blendable and universally flattering — a festive must-have.
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?
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
Once the clocks go back, and we are overtaken by the dark nights, watching Bake Off becomes a must; and whilst I could never hope to emulate those talented bakers, it doesn’t mean that I don’t want to give it a go.
A kitchen filled with the scents of baking is always comforting, and never more so than in the run up to Christmas. I then spend far too long searching for the baking tins which seem to migrate throughout the kitchen into a variety of cupboards and drawers.
But no longer, as the Green Pan Reserve Bakeware 6 – piece set stack neatly inside one another. These come in a stylish range of colours, and I chose the Pine Green to match my kitchen, the two other colours being Oxford Blue and Black. Featuring the beautiful and eye- catching gold PVD coated stainless steel handles.
My wife likes these not because they are beautiful, which she agrees they are, but because with the exception of the muffin tray, these are all dishwasher friendly, and for some inexplicable reason, she thinks that I am a messy baker.
Each item is sturdy with an impressive weight that exudes quality, combining performance and beauty, heating up quickly and evenly up to 230° C in the oven.
They are perfect for planet – friendly baking, as the range has 2 layers of PFAS – Free ceramic non – stick coating on durable aluminised steel that won’t warp or bend.
The set is comprised of one of each of the following 6 items. A baking tray, roasting tray with roasting rack (and I would also use this as a cooling rack), round cake tin, loaf tin and a 6 cup muffin tin.
I would buy this for an aspiring baker, it would make the perfect Christmas gift for the star baker in your life, and should you see me on next year’s Bake Off you’ll know how it all started.
Green Pan Reserve Bakeware 5 – piece set in Oxford Blue, Black and Pine Green, RRP £129 greenpan.co.uk
For her — SoleCup Original, 18oz Ice Cream Silicone A joyful pastel band (lilac/mint/lemon) with the premium glass build and comfortable grip. Dishwasher safe and made for coffee, tea or hot chocolate – ideal for cosy commutes and weekend strolls. It is a modern, design-led gift that people will use daily (and actually enjoy using).
It is dishwasher and microwave safe and has an additional tea infuser and smoothie filter that is easy to attache and clean. Sustainable and eco-friendly, it is made with reinforced glass. This is the perfect cup. We are obsessed with it. Love it.
In Safe Hands is a psychological thriller set in London and Singapore, about a once successful but now penniless woman who seeks help from her elderly, wealthy father but finds that her role has been replaced by an attractive and efficient caregiver.
Where does your inspiration come from?
For me, inspiration comes from reading, theatre, sightseeing and walking, travel, TV and movies. I very rarely take inspiration from real people as I want to create settings and characters that are larger than life. Fiction is about stretching the boundaries of our imagination. For In Safe Hands, I was inspired by the class struggle and status consciousness in both Singapore and London, two parallel cities absorbed with economic and commercial growth which made me want to write about the have and have-not characters.
What does it feel like to be published by Penguin Random House?
Like most authors, I grew up on Penguin classics. I used to admire the plain orange spines, and wonder how I would ever write a book that appears on the shelf with the Penguin logo. When I received an offer 9 months after submission for The American Boyfriend, I thought it had to be a scam. I didn’t even reply for a week. After investigating the email, I was grateful that I was going to be not just an author, but a Penguin author.
Can you describe the moment you signed your book deal?
The moment I signed my book deal, I felt excited and light-headed, Prosecco-filled and buzzing. This was swiftly followed by a heavy responsibility, and also that I was an amateur and not good enough. Although in theory every author feels a debilitating sense of anxiety and inferiority, I felt the pressure of no longer someone who was just messing about, experimenting with writing, with sporadic success. Now I was a “real” writer and there were consequences, which were a sense of professional duty to perform, the urge to gain readers from all over the world, while developing my author brand, and finally the responsibility in delivering a top quality product to the world.
Tell us about your writing journey.
My writing journey actually began quite early, even though I only published my debut novel in my late 40s. I was writing short stories throughout my childhood for fun. Some received national commendation. I had always been interested in competitions, in case I won something. A real breakthrough came when one of my short stories was broadcast on the BBC World Service. I was actually even paid for it. It was the first time I had been paid for my writing. Gradually I entered more competitions and eventually won two big first prize competitions.
Encouraged by my initial success, I signed up for an MA in Writing. I began writing my first novel then, which won a literary prize in Hong Kong. After I started writing novels, I was less interested in writing short stories, which I saw as something you do in between novels, like a side dish or a snack. I really enjoy investing time and energy into novel writing, which I feel is all-consuming and more like a satisfying, seriously rich meal.
In Safe Hands is your sixth book. Does it get easier?
Yes and no. They’re like children. The problems change and get bigger. Before, they just come out, exist and you make sure they don’t die. Then, when you have more books, you have to look after the whole family, your brand identity, your own development, the commercialisation of your writing, your publishing strategy and plan. There is no more hodgepodge or random scribblings, unless they are just for fun. The marketing and promo is the least fun bit of being an author, yet a significantly and disproportionately large part of publishing today, to the detriment of the fun bit: just writing. Everytime I make a reel, I know I’m not writing.
Which book is your favourite?
In Safe Hands is my favourite book. I say this not just because it is my latest book. I have made meteoric improvements since my debut 8 years ago. I exceed my own expectations with each book. I wrote better and better books. With each book, I tackle a little weakness or strength learned from previous books. Had I given up, which of course, I have considered doing many times, I would never have realised my potential to grow as a creative thinker and writer.
What is your writing routine?
I don’t have a writing routine. Being a full-time architect and mum of two, I just write whenever I can. If I have one hour while waiting for my daughter at ballet, then I’ll write for one hour. If I have 15 minutes in between appointments, then I will write for 15 minutes. I don’t schedule any of it or get stressed if the words don’t come, because I feel that eventually when you get those minutes or an hour, the words will come. If it’s a story, then the story will be told sooner or later.
Are you a plotter or a panster?
I’m definitely a plotter, as I had made the mistake of spending 12 years writing my first novel due to not having any plot. I would just make things up as I felt like, until I got to the end. This only cost me many more years of rewrites. Now I can fill an A3 page with a diagram of my plot, and a google sheet with my chapter plan. It gives me a sense of peace just staring at these diagrams or Google sheets. I don’t mind if I have to spend a bit more time on the plotting. I see them as just as valid as plans for a building, or instructions to construct an object.
What writers and books do you love?
I enjoy character-driven plots. I read Liz Nugent, Elle Marr, Tony Parsons, Emily Barr, Shari Lapena, Lisa Jewell and Andrea Mara. I also enjoy literary fiction. Books which have influenced me include Penguin Classics. For contemporary book club fiction, I enjoy JM Coetzee, John Lanchester and Rebecca Kuang. An automatic read for me would be David Szalay. I have already ordered his Booker winner, Flesh. I love anything he’s written.
