Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Spring 2026 To Be Read (TBR) List

On September 8, 2026 By The Unseen LibraryIn List4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official topic for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is an indie freebie. While this is an interesting topic, it’s not one that I had a lot of good examples for, so instead I’m going to use this post to look at some upcoming books. This is because it’s the start of Spring 2026, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to do my quarterly post about the best upcoming books I am looking forward to reading in Spring (Autumn for folks in the Northern Hemisphere). This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and I always love to highlight some of the most impressive sounding novels coming out in the next three months.

For this list, I have come up with ten books coming out between 1 September 2026 and 30 November 2026 that I am most excited for. There are quite a few amazing novels set for release in the next few months, so it took me a while to finalise my final top ten list, including my usual honourable mentions section. I have primarily used the Australian publication dates to reflect when I will be able to get these awesome novels, and these might be somewhat different to the rest of the world. I have previously discussed a number of these books before in prior Waiting on Wednesday articles, and I even have some early copies of a some of them (I’m hoping to read them soon). I am extremely excited for these next three months and I feel that quite a few of these upcoming reads have the potential to be some of my favourite books of 2026.

Honourable Mention:

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer – 6 October 2026

The final book from the legendary Jeffrey Archer.

SHOT by Shelley Burr – 27 October 2026

A gritty and intense Australian thriller from an outstanding rising crime fiction star.

Monsters of Ohio by John Scalzi – 3 November 2026

The always highly inventive John Scalzi presents another crazy science fiction novel, with the weird but no doubt entertaining Monsters of Ohio

Absolon Creed by R. S. Ford – 10 November 2026

An upcoming fantasy novel with an excellent sounding plot and an awesome cover.

Top Ten List:

Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor – 10 September 2026

The first book I want to feature on this list is the horror thriller Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor. A compelling and unique standalone novel that sees a family encounter unusual behaviour and dark secrets in the supposedly tranquil town of Serenity Falls. I am extremely curious to see where Tudor takes this new story, but I’m very confident that I’m going to enjoy Serenity Falls, especially after having a blast with Tudor’s previous novel The Gathering.

Star Wars: Edge of the Abyss by Rebecca Roanhorse – 15 September 2026

I’m going to get my Star Wars fiction itch scratched in a few weeks when I get the chance to read Edge of the Abyss. The second book in the Reign of the Empire series, Edge of the Abyss serves as a sequel to The Mask of Fear and will examine the early days of the Rebel Alliance from the perspective of several key figures from the Star Wars extended universe. This second entry is written by Rebecca Roanhorse, and I cannot wait to see how Roanhorse dives into this amazing period of the Star Wars canon.

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman – 15 September 2026

There was no way that I couldn’t include the incredible upcoming novel We Chase Shadows on this list. The next book from the hilarious Richard Osman, We Chase Shadows is a sequel to the outstanding novel, We Solve Murders (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2024) and will see the unlikely protagonists of the first book investigate a new global conspiracy. Sure to feature Osman’s trademark blend of incredible storytelling, great characters and impressive humour, We Chase Shadows will likely be one of my favourite books of the year, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

The Only Way Out is Up by Django Wexler – 29 September 2026

One of the more exciting and fun sounding books coming out in the next month is The Only Way Out is Up by the very talented Django Wexler. An intriguing progressive fantasy novel that will follow a young man and his constructed companion as they attempt to survive in an elite fighting tournament, The Only Way Out is Up has so much potential, and I know that I’m going to have a blast reading it.

King’s Ransom by Matthew Reilly – 29 September 2026

While there are some great crime fiction reads coming out in the next three months, the one I predict is going to be the most over-the-top and enjoyable is King’s Ransom by Australian author Matthew Reilly. The sequel to Reilly’s outrageous 2025 novel, The Detective, King’s Ransom will see returning protagonist, the unusual Sam Speedman, compete against several other elite private detectives to solve a particularly deranged crime. Sure to be an exceptional and highly addictive read, I cannot wait to get my hands on King’s Ransom.

The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman – 13 October 2026

Possibly the most anticipated fantasy novel still left for release in 2026 is The Thrice-Bound Fool by Christopher Buehlman. The sequel to Buehlman’s beloved The Blacktongue Thief, The Thrice-Bound Fool will see the two protagonists from the first novel, a secretive thief and a deadly knight, traverse a dangerous fantasy landscape, trying to stay ahead of an array of lethal assassins. Set to be an intense and highly addictive dark fantasy read, I have no doubt The Thrice-Bound Fool is going to be something special.

Ghosts of the Void by Jonathan Maberry – 13 October 2026

A must read for me in the next three months is the final book in Jonathan Maberry’s NecroTek series, Ghosts of the Void. Following on from the exceptional first two books in the trilogy, NecroTek and Cold War, Ghosts of the Void will see a group of human scientists and their fallen comrades attempt to escape ancient space gods as they fight a seemingly unwinnable war. I cannot wait to see how this dark and powerful trilogy comes to an end, and I have no doubt that Maberry will load up plenty of twisted tragedy.

The Hollow by Michael Connelly – 3 November 2026

After already impressing this year with Ironwood, legendary crime fiction author Michael Connelly has another amazing sounding book coming out later this year with The Hollow. The first book in several years to feature his iconic protagonist, Harry Bosch, as the sole main character, The Hollow will see an older Bosch investigate a dark secret from his childhood. Set to be a particularly intense and momentous entry in Conelly’s shared crime universe, The Hollow has the potential to be a particularly impressive novel, and I look forward to reading it.

The Wolves of War by John Gwynne – 3 November 2026

Next up we have is the upcoming fantasy novel, The Wolves of War by John Gwynne. Another compelling fantasy adventure novel with a Viking-inspired story, The Wolves of War sounds like an exceptional read in a cool new world. After deeply enjoying Gwynne’s previous Bloodsworn Saga (The Shadow of the Gods, The Hunger of the Gods and The Fury of the Gods), I am very confident that I’m going to have an amazing time with this fantasy epic, which I will probably try to enjoy on audiobook.

The Sword of Rome by Simon Scarrow – 5 November 2026

The final book on this TBR list is the next entry in the always awesome Eagles of the Empire series, The Sword of Rome by Simon Scarrow. A very intriguing new addition to one of my favourite series, The Sword of Rome will see two veteran Roman officers thrown into a new chaotic battle for survival, with their families held hostage back at Rome to ensure they succeed. Sure to be a particularly epic book in an outstanding series, I cannot wait to read The Sword of Rome.

Well, that is the end of my Top Ten list. I think it turned out pretty well and it does a good job of capturing all my most anticipated books for the next three months. There are some impressive books coming out in this part of 2026, and I cannot wait to read each of them soon. Let me know which of the above you are most excited for and stay tuned for reviews of them in the next few months. In the meantime, it looks like I have quite a bit of reading to do in the near future.

Book Haul – 6 July 2026

On July 5, 2026 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year. I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer

The first book I want to feature in this Book Haul post is the upcoming release from Jeffrey Archer, Adam & Eve. The final book written by Archer, Adam & Eve is a compelling, standalone historical epic which sees two lovers divided by class dragged into the chaos surrounding World War II and the German invasion of England. Sure to be an excellent and captivating novel, Adam & Eve is high on my to-read list, and I am deeply intrigued to read Archer’s final book.

The Wreck by Riley James

Next on this list is the excellent upcoming Australian crime fiction release, The Wreck by Riley James. The second novel from James after her 2024 debut, The Chilling, The Wreck will see a group of UFO chasers trapped on a deserted island, with a dangerous presence stalking them from the shadows. I am very curious to read this second book from James, and I look forward to diving into The Wreck later this year.

Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern

One of the more intriguing novels I recently received was Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern. A compelling Australian crime fiction read with some interesting time travel elements to it, Every Time She Wakes has a lot of potential, and I’m actually hoping to read it next.

The Doubles by Jacob K. Gallagher

Another particularly interesting Australian novel I recently received was the cool fantasy read, The Doubles by Jacob K. Gallagher. A unique urban fantasy novel with some local Australian flair, The Doubles sounds like a great book and it’s one I’m looking forward to reading.

The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez

Next up we have the very entertaining and ultra-intense debut from V. A. Vazquez, The Death Row Club. A murder mystery thriller set at a gathering of the adult children of notorious serial killers, The Death Row Club sounds extremely awesome and I’m hoping to read it soon.

The Burn by Jessica Mansour-Nahra

A compelling and drama laden novel, set amid a climate of intense bushfires hitting Australia.

Devil Mountain by Inessa Jackson

An intense and impressive sounding Australian crime fiction novel, where an investigator must uncover dark and potentially occult secrets in a small Australian country town.

Just Like The Night by Michael Caleb Tasker

Another great sounding Australian read, featuring a con-woman mother who attempts to save her daughter from the dangerous criminal element she has become entangled with.

Island X by Marissa Yarrow

The final awesome book I recently received was Island X by Marissa Yarrow. A fantastic and creepy horror novel, where influencers at an exclusive music festival are being hostage by mysterious events and the dark whims of their social media accounts. I am very intrigued by Island X, and it sounds like it could be a weird, yet very fun, novel to check out.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2026 (Mystery, Thriller and Historical Fiction)

On July 1, 2026 By The Unseen LibraryIn Historical Fiction, List, Murder Mystery, ThrillerLeave a comment

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. In this list, I continue to examine my most anticipated releases for the second half of 2026. While my other list of the night looked at the best upcoming fantasy and science fiction novels, this list will look at the crime fiction, thrillers, and historical fiction novels that I am most excited for in the next six months.

Just like with my previous article about upcoming fantasy and science fiction books, this was a bit of a difficult list to pull together. Even after I excluded fantasy and science fiction novels from it, there were still a ton of great books I could feature, and I had a hard time deciding what to cut. I was eventually able to whittle it down to a top ten list (with an honourable mentions section), and I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Just like with my fantasy and science fiction list, the following list does a great job of highlighting what books I am most excited for in the second half of the year, so let us see what makes the cut.

Honourable Mentions:

The Unknown by Riley Sager – 4 August 2026

An intriguing and spooky thriller from the always impressive Riley Sager.

King’s Ransom by Matthew Reilly – 29 September 2026

A new book from one of Australia’s best-known authors, Matthew Reilly, King’s Ransom sounds like a fantastic novel with a layered detective plot behind it. I’m very keen to read this book, although I’m leaving it as an honourable mention for now as I still need to read the initial book in this series, The Detective.

The French Illusion by John Grisham – 29 September 2026

Another intriguing and intense legal thriller from the legendary John Grisham, this time involving a kidnapping in Paris and the lawyer sent in to help.

Choppy Water by Jack Heath – 3 November 2026

A fun upcoming novel from one of my favourite Australian authors, Jack Heath. Choppy Water (no cover yet) has a very entertaining plot about a murder on a cruise ship, that I know I’m going to love.

Top Ten Tuesday:

One of Us is Guilty by Steve Cavanagh – 28 July 2026

The legal shenanigans of Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series look set to continue with the awesome sounding new book, One of Us Is Guilty. In this latest book, conman turned lawyer Eddie Flynn needs to figure out which member of a rich and supposedly perfect couple committed a brutal murder and which one is innocent. I love the sound of this cool new plot from Cavanagh, and I can’t wait to see the author’s next batch of crazy legal antics unfold.

Duel of Beasts by Boyd and Beth Morrison – 30 July 2026

The amazing author duo of Boyd and Beth Morrison look set to continue their exciting historical adventures with the upcoming fourth Tales of the Lawless Land novel, Duel of Beasts. Bringing back wandering knight Gerard Fox and his wife Willa as they journey across Europe, Duel of Beasts sees the two protagonists venture through medieval Spain to protect a recently widowed noblewoman from a vengeful relative. However, their latest adventure pits them against a menagerie of deadly beasts that are unleashed to hunt them throughout the countryside. This new book sounds just as fun and over-the-top as the previous Tales of the Lawless Land entries, and I have a feeling this one is going to be particularly entertaining.

Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins – 4 August 2026

The next book I am excited to check out is Bad Neighbours by Australian author Joanna Jenkins. The author’s third book, Bad Neighbours will follow on from the excellent How to Kill a Client and The Bluff and sees Jenkin’s lawyer protagonist investigate the murder of a vagrant at her seemingly perfect new apartment building. Based on how impressive Jenkin’s last two novels have been, I strongly believe that Bad Neighbours will be one of the stronger Australian crime fiction novels of 2026, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

The Killer’s Mark by M. W. Craven – 11 August 2026

Highly entertaining escapes are sure to occur in the upcoming thriller novel, The Killer’s Mark by M. W. Craven. The next entry in the over-the-top Washington Poe series, The Killer’s Mark will see Craven’s extremely amusing protagonists start their own private detective agency and get drawn into a sinister case filled with dark secrets and conspiracies. I have had such an incredible time reading Craven’s last two books (especially his ultra-twisty novel The Mercy Chair), and I cannot wait to see what intriguing and unusual investigation the author has cooked up for The Killer’s Mark.

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman – 15 September 2026

Richard Osman continues his crime fiction domination in 2026 with his next novel, We Chase Shadows. The sequel to his outstanding novel, We Solve Murders (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2024), We Chase Shadows brings back the incredible cast of his previous novel and sets them on another globe-trotting investigation. Set to feature another hilarious and deeply clever mystery with some fantastic characters, We Chase Shadows is going to be amazing and will probably be one of my favourite books of the year.

Serenity Falls by C. J. Tudor – 15 September 2026

One of the more unusual and potentially scary novels I am looking forward to in the second half of 2026, is the upcoming horror thriller from C. J. Tudor, Serenity Falls. Following a father and daughter who move to the idyllic town of Serenity Falls, this novel looks set to quickly go off the rails, with mysterious deaths and other dark secrets haunting the new inhabitants. Tudor has produced some incredible reads in the past, including her 2024 novel The Gathering, and I’m so excited to see what her next shocking book is going to contain. I did wonder if I should include Serenity Falls on my fantasy and science fiction list, but I have a feeling readers won’t truly know the cause of the dark events in this novel until the very end. As such, I’m leaving Serenity Falls as an entry on this list, and I know I’m going to love it no matter what.

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer – 6 October 2026

After years of producing heartwarming and entertaining reads, the iconic Jeffrey Archer will finish off his literary career with his final novel, Adam & Eve. A historical epic, Adam & Eve will follow an unlikely couple and their journey towards World War II, with their forbidden relationship impacting the course of the war. Likely filled with compelling historical detail and fantastic character-driven drama, Adam & Eve should be an outstanding final outing from Archer, and I look forward to seeing the entire story unfold.

Shot by Shelley Burr – 27 October 2026

After finishing off her debut PI Lane Holland series (featuring Wake, Ripper and Vanish), Australian author Shelley Burr has another outstanding upcoming mystery that I’m very excited for, Shot. Set to follow a damaged true-crime vlogger as she attempts to solve a particularly infamous double murder, Shot sounds like an incredible read, and I’m already quite curious about its mystery.

The Hollow by Michael Connelly – 3 November 2026

Easily one of the books that I am most excited to check out in the second half of 2026 is the new Michael Connelly, The Hollow. Once again focussing on Connelly’s most iconic protagonist, Harry Bosch, The Hollow will see an older Bosch attempt to investigate a historic murder that has haunted him since he was a child. Thanks to its deeply personal and intense plot, The Hollow has a ton of potential, especially considering Connelly’s recent track record, and I have no doubt this is going to be one of the top books of the year.

The Sword of Rome by Simon Scarrow – 5 November 2026

The final book I want to highlight on this list is the upcoming 25^th entry in the epic Eagles of the Empire series by Simon Scarrow, The Sword of Rome. Following on from the political upheaval of Tyrant of Rome, The Sword of Rome will see the protagonists engage in another deadly mission as they travel to the edges of the Roman Empire to fight back an invading army. However, this mission could have grave consequences from the protagonists, as they must content with dangerous Roman politics and gamble with the lives of their families held hostage back in Rome. The Sword of Rome sounds like it is going to be a particularly awesome entry in one of my favourite series, and I cannot wait to see how it comes together.

Well, that’s the end of my second list. As you can see, there are some outstanding mysteries, thrillers and historical fiction novels coming out in the next six months which should prove to be amazing reads. Combine that with the fantasy and science fiction releases from my previous list and I know that I am going to have an incredible time in the second half of 2026. While I am waiting to get my hands on these books, why not let me know if any of the above interest you and let me know what your most anticipated releases for the next six months are in the comments below.

WWW Wednesday – 17 September 2025

On September 18, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW Wednesday2 Comments

WWW Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (Hardcover)

I’ve just started reading the intriguing new Dan Brown novel, The Secret of Secrets. Bringing back Brown’s iconic protagonist on another history-laden mystery, The Secret of Secrets is a very compelling read and one I know I’m going to enjoy. I’ve only made a little progress on The Secret of Secrets so far this week, and I’m hoping to get through a fair bit of it this weekend, and I imagine I’ll have a great time doing so.

Born of an Iron Storm by Anthony Ryan (Audiobook)

I’m still listening to the excellent fantasy novel Born of an Iron Storm by Anthony Ryan at the moment. The sequel to last year’s A Tide of Black Steel, Born of an Iron Storm continues the great story from the first book, as several compelling characters attempt to survive an oncoming invasion from a previously hidden nation. I’m more than halfway through Born of an Iron Storm at the moment, and it is proving to be an outstanding listen. I’m very curious to see how Ryan wraps this excellent story up and Born of an Iron Storm is proving to be one of the best fantasy books of 2025.

What did you recently finish reading?

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (Trade Paperback)

I managed to finish off the complex fantasy novel, Katabasis by R. F. Kuang this week. A curious and intense novel from a rising star in fantasy fiction, Katabasis has an intriguing plot about two rival students who must journey to hell to save their professor’s soul. I really enjoyed the excellent narrative that emerged, and this was an outstanding 2025 release.

End Game by Jeffrey Archer (ebook)

I absolutely powered through the awesome new Jeffrey Archer novel, End Game, this week. The final entry in Archer’s long-running William Warwick series, End Game had a very exciting and compelling thriller narrative set around the 2012 London Olympics. End Game ended up being one of the more impressive books in this series and it serves as a worthy final entry in a consistently entertaining series.

Crossroads of Ravens by Andrzej Sapkowski (Trade Paperback)

I had an amazing time reading the new Witcher novel, Crossroads of Ravens, this week. An exciting prequel novel from Sapkowski, Crossroads of Ravens was an excellent addition to series, and I really enjoyed its compelling adventure.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Everyone in this Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

After failing to get to it this week, I am still hoping to check out is the fun Australian murder mystery, Everyone in this Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson next. The next book in the outstanding Ernest Cunningham series, Everyone in this Bank is a Thief looks set to be another hilarious and clever read, and I’m looking forward to checking it out.

That’s it for this week; check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Book Haul – 21 July 2025

On July 21, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year. I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

The Last Soul Among Wolves by Melissa Caruso

The first new book I want to highlight is the excellent fantasy novel, The Last Soul Among Wolves by Melissa Caruso. The sequel the Caruso’s 2024 novel, The Last Hour Between Worlds, The Last Soul Among Wolves looks set to be another gripping fantasy mystery as the protagonist tries to survive a will reading that has been made livelier by a deadly curse. Sure to be one of the more compelling and complex fantasy reads of 2025, I cannot wait to check this book out.

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

I was also extremely happy to receive a copy of one of the most anticipated fantasy releases of 2025 with Katabasis by R. F. Kuang. A cool dark academia fantasy novel that will see two rival students got to Hell to retrieve their professor’s soul, Katabasis has a ton of potential, and I am very excited to read my first book from Kuang, whose books have been high on my to-read list for a while.

The Bone Raiders by Jackson Ford

One of the more insane and entertaining books I have recently received is the fantastic and fun novel, The Bone Raiders. Written by rising author Jackson Ford, The Bone Raiders will see a group of bone-clad raiders attempt to survive an oncoming invasion by taming giant, fire-breathing lizards that stalk the steppes with them. I really love the sound of this book’s awesome plot, and I have no doubt that The Bone Raiders will be a particularly epic read.

End Game by Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer brings his William Warwick series to an end later this year with End Game. The eighth book in the series, End Game will see the final battle the protagonist and his mortal enemy, all while trying to stop an assassin using the 2012 London Olympic games as cover. I am really looking forward to seeing how this series comes to an end, and End Game should be a particularly awesome read.

Of Flame and Fury by Mikayla Bridge

An explosive and cool YA fantasy debut from Australian author Mikayla Bridge, Of Flame and Fury follows a team of phoenix racers as they attempt to win big while getting dragged into an elaborate conspiracy. A fun book that I am currently reading at the moment, Of Flame and Fury is proving to be a fantastic novel, and I am excited to see how it comes together.

The Scene of the Crime by Lynda La Plante

A cool, CSI based series from one of England’s leading crime fiction authors, Lynda La Plante.

Death at Booroomba by A. L. Booth

A rural, post-World War I Australian crime fiction novel, Death at Booroomba is a compelling sounding novel that will see a scarred veteran attempt to settle into a remote property he inherited, only to be accused of murdering the land’s previous owner by the suspicious locals. I have a feeling Death at Booroomba is going to be an excellent piece of Australian fiction and I’m hoping to read it soon.

How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates

Another particularly awesome and unique sounding novel I have recently received is the thriller How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates. Set around a controversial party on an isolated island that soon becomes a bloody mess, How Bad Things Can Get sounds like a ball of gruesome fun, and I am really keen to check this incredible book out.

Legacy by Chris Hammer

A particularly exciting new book from one of Australia’s leading thriller authors.

Agricola: Commander by Simon Turney

The final book I was lucky enough to recently receive is the third book in the Agricola series by Simon Turney, Commander. Following the early life of the legendary Roman general as he returns to Britannia to make a name for himself, Commander should be an outstanding read and I’m keen to check it out.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Canberra Weekly Column – Crime Fiction – 17 October 2024

On June 19, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn Canberra Weekly Column, Murder Mystery, ThrillerLeave a comment

Originally published in the Canberra Weekly on 17 October 2024.

A copy of this column also appeared on the Canberra Daily website.

Make sure to check out my extended reviews of High Wire, We Solve Murders and An Eye for an Eye.

Quick Review – An Eye For An Eye by Jeffrey Archer

On February 13, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn Quick Review, Thriller1 Comment

Publisher: Harper Collins (ebook – 24 September 2024)

Series: William Warwick – Book Seven

Length: 384 pages

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

One of the world’s most interesting and well-known authors, Jeffrey Archer, returns for the penultimate entry in his long-running William Warwick series, An Eye For An Eye.

Well-known British figure Jeffrey Archer has carved an intriguing niche for himself as a crime fiction author over the last few decades. Known for his compelling and fast-paced crime fiction reads, which often contain a historical element to them, Archer has written a huge body of work, including his Kane and Abel books, his Clifton Chronicles and standalone novels such as Heads You Win. His most recent focus has been his entertaining William Warwick series, which follows the titular protagonist as he rises the ranks of the Metropolitan Police over a period of years while solving a series of complex crimes and facing off against his dastardly nemesis. I have had a brilliant time with several books in this series, including Nothing Ventured, Hidden in Plain Sight, Turn a Blind Eye and Traitors Gate, all of which have proven to be quite exciting and enjoyable. As such, it was an easy choice to grab the latest entry in the series, An Eye For An Eye, which had an excellent plot behind it. The seventh book in the series, An Eye For An Eye is the second to last William Warwick book, and Archer keeps the excitement going all the way to the end.

Plot Synopsis:

In one of the most luxurious cities on earth…

A billion-dollar deal is about to go badly wrong. A lavish night out is about to end in murder. And the British government is about to be plunged into crisis.

In the heart of the British establishment…

Lord Hartley, the latest in a line of peers going back over two hundred years, lies dying. But his will triggers an inheritance with explosive consequences.

Two deaths. Continents apart. No obvious connection.

So why are they both at the centre of a master criminal’s plot for revenge?

And can Scotland Yard’s William Warwick uncover the truth before it’s too late…

The ultimate race-against-time is about to begin.

Archer pulls together another compelling, intense and exciting story for An Eye For An Eye that combines an intriguing new storyline with some of the series’ existing plotlines. Starting off with a murder in Riyadh that throws the British government into turmoil, the plot sees William Warwick and his team drawn into an international concern, as one of their team members, the roguish Inspector Ross Hogan, is recruited to save a British government delegate and the heir to the Hartley family, who has been framed and falsely imprisoned for murder. However, things become even more problematic when the protagonist’s old criminal rival, Miles Faulkner, becomes involved with the plot, desperate to not only have his revenge against Warwick, Hogan, and their loved ones but also steal a valuable letter from the Hartley family.

What follows is the usual game of cat and mouse between the protagonists and the vengeful Faulkner, as Warwick’s team attempts to counter the criminal’s various ploys, while also trying to find evidence that will allow them to put him away again. This combines nicely with the larger storyline around the international conspiracy involving the imprisonment of the British delegate, and I liked the compelling back-and-forth twists as the protagonists doggedly try to stop Faulkner getting out on top. There are some fun twists as we get towards the end of the book, and readers are treated to the usual fast-paced excitement that they have come to know and appreciate over the course of the series. Everything comes together nicely in a gripping cliffhanger conclusion as Archer lays the groundwork for the final book in the series, which looks set to be the big showdown between the long-time series rivals.

As with the previous books in the William Warwick series, An Eye For An Eye was a really entertaining and fast-paced read that kept dragging the reader along with it. Featuring a wonderful blend of intrigue, schemes, complex thrills and interesting character work, An Eye For An Eye was very fun and you honestly have a hard time putting down the constantly moving story. Archer once again brings back his eccentric group of protagonists, which include Chief Superintendent William Warwick, his boisterous family, the various key police officers he has teamed up over the years, as well as a fun collection of rogues and victims introduced in this plot. Thanks to Archer’s use of quick-changing character perspectives, you get an interesting look at the plot from various points of view, which allowed for an intricate tale with a lot of moving parts to it.

Out of all these characters, my favourite has to be the main series antagonist, Miles Faulkner, a master criminal and schemer who the protagonist has been feuding with since the very first novel. Thanks to their lengthy history and many defeats, Faulkner is a little obsessed with Warwick, Hogan, and their colleagues and families, engaging in a series of plots against them that range from killing their key witness to trying to get Warwick’s wife fired from her gallery directorship. While this rivalry and the elaborate means that Faulkner utilises to spite and try to destroy the protagonists is very over the top, especially as it has been going now for seven books and over 20 in-series years, it is frankly very entertaining, and I love how much energy Archer puts into writing Faulkner as the ultimate gentleman criminal. The back-and-forth schemes and ploys between Faulkner and the protagonists are always a highlight of any book in the series, and An Eye For An Eye showcases this perfectly, delighting both new readers and those already invested in the long-running feud. Indeed, the conclusion of this book brings this into focus perfectly, and I cannot wait to see how they finish off this feud in the final William Warwick book later this year.

Jeffery Archer once again impresses with his exciting and captivating William Warwick novel, An Eye For An Eye. Setting his fun protagonists on a compelling new crime fiction adventure while also featuring the author’s fantastic recurring villain, An Eye For An Eye had me hooked the entire way through, and it is so easy to sit back and enjoy this fantastic read. A gripping and highly enjoyable novel, I look forward to seeing how Archer wraps up the series with his next and final William Warwick book.

WWW Wednesday – 25 September 2024

On September 25, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW Wednesday2 Comments

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Capture or Kill by Don Bentley (ebook)

I just started reading the latest Mitch Rapp novel, Capture or Kill. The first book in this long-running series written by new author Don Bentley, Capture or Kill is so far proving to be a great addition to the series that sets the protagonist against a dangerous new enemy. The first 50 pages of this book have proven to be very interesting, and I am curious to see how the rest of Capture or Kill unfolds.

What did you recently finish reading?

Terra Incognita by Simon Turney (ebook)

A fantastic novel that follows a squad of Roman soldiers looking to find the source of the Nile, Terra Incognita was a fun and engrossing read I couldn’t get enough of.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (Audiobook)

I just finished the audiobook version of the new Richard Osman novel, We Solve Murders. An intriguing murder mystery set outside of Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, We Solve Murders was an incredible read, that is easily one of the best things I have read in 2024 so far.

An Eye for an Eye by Jeffrey Archer (ebook)

An outstanding, fast-paced and compelling new novel from Jeffrey Archer that sets his long-running protagonists against several criminal enterprises, including the machinations of their deadly rival.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Death on the Tiber by Lindsey Davis

Death on the Tiber Cover

While I have a few potential books to read next, I am hoping to finally dive into the new Lindsey Davis novel, Death on the Tiber. The latest book in Davis’ long-running Flavia Albia historical murder mystery series, Death on the Tiber will see the series’ protagonist investigate another complex murder in ancient Rome, this time while dealing with demons from her past. I really love this amazing series, and I have no doubt I will have a wonderful time reading Death on the Tiber.

That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

WWW Wednesday – 18 September 2024

On September 20, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW WednesdayLeave a comment

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Terra Incognita by Simon Turney (ebook)

I have started reading the intriguing historical read, Terra Incognita by Simon Turney this week. A fantastic novel that follows a squad of Roman soldiers looking to find the source of the Nile, Terra Incognita is Turney’s second book of 2024 (he also released the fantastic novel Agricola: Invader), and it is proving to be an excellent and addictive read.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (Audiobook)

I have also started listening to the audiobook version of the new Richard Osman novel, We Solve Murders. An intriguing murder mystery set outside of Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, We Solve Murders has a very compelling plot, and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds. I only just started We Solve Murders relatively recently, but I am already very invested in it.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Wrong Hands by Mark Billingham (Trade Paperback)

A unique English crime fiction read with a distinctive protagonist.

Warhammer 40,000: Daemonbreaker by Jude Reid (Audiobook)

An excellent and powerful Warhammer 40,000 novel that takes the franchises’ nuns with guns on a desperate adventure.

What do you think you’ll read next?

An Eye for an Eye by Jeffrey Archer

While I have several books I want to read next, I think I’ll start by diving into the new Jeffrey Archer book, An Eye for an Eye. The latest book in his William Warwick series, An Eye for an Eye will see the series protagonists investigate a complex murder case, while also battling the malign influence of a sinister art thief with a grudge against them. The William Warwick books always prove to be a ton of fun and I have no doubt that this latest entry is going to keep me very entertained.

That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Book Haul – 20 July 2024

On July 20, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book HaulLeave a comment

I have been having another excellent couple of weeks for books, and I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from local publishers and Netgalley. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year. I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

A Darkness Returns by Raymond E. Feist

The first new book I recently received was A Darkness Returns by one of my favourite authors, Raymond E. Feist. The first book in his new Dragonwar Saga series, A Darkness Returns will see Feist bring together characters from two of his fantasy universes into one epic new adventure. I am very excited for A Darkness Returns and I cannot wait to read this brand-new Feist novel.

High Wire by Candice Fox

Candice Fox returns with her third novel of the year, the intriguing Australian thriller High Wire. Following two people forced to participate in a crime spree in the Australian outback thanks to a couple of bomb vests, High Wire sounds very cool. Fox really impressed me this year with her other novels, The Murder Inn and Devil’s Kitchen, and I am extremely excited to see how High Wire unfolds.

An Eye for an Eye by Jeffrey Archer

Another fantastic crime fiction book I recently received was the new Jeffrey Archer novel, An Eye for an Eye. The latest book in his William Warwick series, An Eye for an Eye will see the series protagonists investigate a complex murder case, while also battling the malign influence of a sinister art thief with a grudge against them. The William Warwick books always prove to be a ton of fun and I have no doubt that this latest entry is going to keep me very entertained.

Confessions of the Dead by James Patterson and J. D. Barker

The first-rate team of James Patterson and J. D. Barker return with another standalone, horror-tinged thriller, Confessions of the Dead. Set in a small New England town, Confessions of the Dead see a series of strange events occur when a mysterious teenage girl arrives in town. I love the premise of Confessions of the Dead, and cannot wait to read it, especially as the last novel from Patterson and Barker I read, Death of the Black Widow, ended up being one of my favourite books of 2022.

The First Murder on Mars by Sam Wilson

A gripping and intense book about the first murder on Mars. What could be more awesome than that?

A Girls’ Guide to Winning the War by Annie Lyons

An intriguing historical drama that will see two women discover the power of the written word during World War II.

The Recruiter by Gregg Podolski

The final book I recently received was the fantastic sounding thriller, The Recruiter. The debut novel of Gregg Podolski, The Recruiter follows a criminal recruiter who is forced to go up against two of his deadliest contractors. I love the sound of this awesome thriller and I cannot wait to check it out.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.