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The Blurb On The Back:

I have enough.
I do enough.
I am enough.

In a world where people are always busy, always rushing, and never feel like they are a good enough friend, partner or employee, Sheridan Stewart’s I Am Enough helps harness and prioritise being calm, slowing down and focusing on self-care.

Drawing on the author’s own experiences, I Am Enough is the story of her 90-day challenge to have enough, do enough and be enough, hoping that her enriching experience will encourage and teach others. Alongside Sheridan’s personal story, this book is also an inspiration and road map for readers to take up the I Am Enough quest themselves and change their lives by following in her footsteps on a journey towards contentment.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sheridan Stewart is a writer, speaker and broadcaster for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Her debut book is a strange mix of memoir and self-help tips in a 90 day programme intended to assist the reader in pausing and reflecting on what it means to be, do and have enough. There are some valid points in the book that made me think about what is going on in my life, but the mix of actions and affirmations is quite thin and generic.

I AM ENOUGH was released in the United Kingdom on 19th January 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Wag your tail if you believe in fairies!

Oh no! Peggy the pug’s local park is shutting down! Now where will she go for walks with Chloe, her best friend? Chloe plans a summer fair with a cake sale to save the park, but Peggy has a better idea - she just needs to find a fairy to grant her friend’s wish!

You don’t always need wings and a wand to work some magic …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 7th in Bella Swift’s (a pseudonym for a group of writers) illustrated series for readers aged 6+ is a genuinely fun affair that gets across how Peggy is very keen to help but doesn’t quite understand everything that is going on. I enjoyed her friendship with Chloe and especially her conversations with the other dogs and animals, which are well done while the illustrations have a warmth to them and get across the various personalities.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Dive into a mermaid adventure!
Sea Keepers

The Sea Keepers are searching for a magic pearl in the tropics. But when evil Effluvia kidnaps a baby manatee, it’s up to the girls to rescue it. Can Emily, Grace and Layla find the missing manatee before the rest of the herd leave it behind?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 9th book in Coral Ripley’s (a pseudonym for a group of writers) illustrated fantasy series for readers aged 6+ is a fun, ecologically aware read with a suitably wicked antagonist. Although the illustrations are a little basic, this could have been an overly cutesy read but the emphasis on friendship and support and the way the main characters make fun of some of the traditional villain tropes keeps it feeling fresh.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Our heroes are following a magical map on their Quest through the Netherworld. Their old enemy Malvel has unleashed four new Beasts, including Styx, a deadly alligator!

Free the beasts
Live the adventure

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The second book in the 28th series of the BEAST QUEST illustrated adventure fantasy books by Adam Blade (a pseudonym for a collection of writers) for readers aged 7+ is a pacy affair with a real sense of jeopardy. I liked the fact that Katya had some personality and impetus, Styx was a genuinely frightening antagonist and there’s a hint that Zarlo has an agenda of his own. Well worth a look if you have a young reader into fantasy.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The Evil Wizard Malvel has banished four young adventurers to the mysterious Netherworld! Now the most dangerous Quest yet begins. Can anyone defeat Ossiron, a monstrous skeleton jackal?

Free the beasts
Live the adventure

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The first book in the 28th series of the BEAST QUEST illustrated adventure fantasy books by Adam Blade (a pseudonym for a collection of writers) for readers aged 7+ is hampered by a lot of set-up, which is quite heavy handed to the point that the new potential Beast masters get lost as a result. The action scenes are solidly done and it hits the beats you expect but you probably get more from this if you’ve read the preceding books.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Kat the Jungle Fairy looks after the beautiful, lush jungles in the fairy and human worlds. But when Jack Frost steals her magical objects, all jungles are in danger! Can Kirsty and Rachel help save the homes of all the tropical plants and animals?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 57th book in Daisy Meadows’s (the pseudonym for Narinder Dhabi, Sue Bentley, Linda Chapman and Sue Mongredien) RAINBOW MAGIC illustrated fantasy series for readers aged 5+ is a solid affair that emphasises the importance of jungle habitats. However the illustrations are a little basic as is the depiction of jungle life and its importance, although I did like how some of the goblins are given personalities rather than being a uniform blob.

RAINBOW MAGIC - KAT THE JUNGLE FAIRY was released in the United Kingdom on 4th August 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Cash Is Queen is the definitive guide to money for girl, breaking down the basics of how young women can learn to understand and manage their money - an essential skill that will last them forever.

With clear explanations and empowering text by experienced financial expert Davinia Tomlinson, this book is vital reading for young girls everywhere as they enter adulthood and set out to make their mark in the world.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Davinia Tomlinson has 15 years experience in investment management and professional services. This is a comprehensive guide to money management for readers aged 9+ (illustrated by Andrea Oerter) that is specifically aimed at girls but while there is some solid advice here, I felt that the cryptocurrency section undersold the risks, there is an assumption that readers are starting with some money and the layout was at times difficult to read.

CASH IS QUEEN was released in the United Kingdom on 5th January 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

In a country town ravaged by drought, a charismatic young priest opens fire on his congregation, killing five men before being shot dead himself.

A year later, journalist Martin Scarsden arrives in Riversend to write a feature on the anniversary of the tragedy. But the stories he hears from the locals don’t fit with the accepted view of events.

Just as Martin believes he is making headway, a shocking discovery rocks the town. The bodies of two backpackers are found in the scrublands. The media descends on Riversend and Martin is the one in the spotlight.

Wrestling with his own demons, Martin finds himself risking everything to uncover a truth that becomes more complex with every twist. But there are powerful forces determined to stop him, and he has no idea how far they will go to make sure the town’s secrets stay buried.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Chris Hammer’s debut crime novel (the first in a trilogy) is a solidly written whydunit rather than a whodunit but the depiction of a town dying from drought is more convincing than the human characters, who are thinly drawn. The pacing is thrown off by key strands of information being withheld back until the final quarter, some of the journalistic practices were unconvincing while the tentative romance between Martin and Mandy was a bit icky.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Increase the confidence level of the most important person you will ever meet …

YOU

(And then see your self-esteem soar!)

Packed full of ideas and practical activities to increase confidence, plus explanations of the science behind how and why they work.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Becky Goddard-Hill is a former social worker who’s now a member of the National Council of Psychotherapists. This YA self-help book (illustrated by Josephine Dellow) is the type of thing I wish I’d had as a teenager as it’s aimed at building your confidence and self-esteem with plenty of tips, some scientific explanations and exercises and although I wasn’t struck on the graphic design the written content is very empathic and not patronising.

BE CONFIDENT BE YOU was released in the United Kingdom on 5th January 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

At Whisper Cove,
what the sea wants,
the sea will have

When Avril was a child, her mother drowned at Whisper Cove. Local legend claims that the women in the waves called her into the ocean with their whispering.

Now Avril is seventeen and as she investigates what happened all those years ago, Whisper Cove reveals itself to her. Distances shift in the strange fog. Echoes of the past rebound from the ocean. And Avril is sure she’s met Cole - the gorgeous but disturbed boy she can’t seem to keep away from - late at night at the edge of the ocean.

The truth Avril seeks is ready to be discovered. But will come at a terrible cost.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Ginny Myers Sain’s paranormal YA thriller is a slow-paced affair populated with generic characters (with the exception of Avril) structured around a central play that simply didn’t convince me as being something so extraordinary as to be Tony Award winning. Worse, the twists (with one exception) are telegraphed too early and the paranormal elements too wishy-washy. It isn’t a bad book, but it did struggle to hold my attention.

SECRETS SO DEEP was released in the United Kingdom on 29th September 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

”What would Harry do?”

Songwriter, trendsetter, social activist, mindfulness master - we’d all love to be more like Harry Styles. This “Golden” guide asked with Styles wisdom, will show you how.

Want to learn how to be your most authentic self, have the confidence to wear what you want, ad find inner peace? Discover how Harry finds his sparkle, so you can too.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Satu Hämeenaho-Fox is a writer, editor, pop culture fan and theorist. This self-help book, featuring bright and cheerful illustrations by Nastka Drabot, uses Harry Styles (including his work and things he has said) to set out some guidelines for how to live your life. There was nothing here that I disagreed with and if you know someone who is into Styles, then this is a fun, fannish book for them to check out.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Ella sits alone in her little boat, struggling to find the courage to set sail. But then a white bird breaks through the clouds, bringing with it light and the promise of hope.

A beautiful and timely story about turning fear into courage.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Britta Teckentrup’s self-illustrated picture book is a beautiful, lyrical story about finding your courage and conquering adversity. The illustrations are gorgeous and the message about persevering because there will always be someone to help you is a sensible one. Although the central metaphor may go over young readers heads, it does give them something to talk about with parents/care-givers, which adds a dimension to the book.

ELLA AND THE WAVES was released in the United Kingdom on 4th August 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Speak out, Leonard!

It’s a normal school day for Leonard and the other Shrew children. But some days, Leonard can be a bit shy and finds it difficult to speak up. And today is one of those days.

When little Leonard sees his friend being picked on in the playground, can he find the courage to speak out and save the day?

Come on, you can do it. Speak out, Leonard!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Jessie James and Tamara Anegón’s picture book sequel to LOOK OUT, LEONARD! is another charming tale about the importance of finding your voice and speaking up for yourself. Young readers will empathise with Leonard’s shyness and I liked Anegón’s vibrant pictures of the animals, but I wished some action had been taken against the bully and that Leonard had been told it was important to speak up not just to help others.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

The worlds of business, politics and crime collide when two men with the same name, from the same family, die on the same night - one death is a gangland murder, the other, apparently, a road accident. Was it a coincidence? That’s the official version of events. But then a family member, Gina Rafferty, starts asking questions.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Alan Glynn’s crime thriller makes good use of its Irish setting and the impact of property development on the economy and society but the initial murder twist is quite contrived and the plot becomes more contrived as it goes on. It’s not helped by the fact that neither Gina, Norton nor Bolger really feel like fully realised characters, which makes it difficult to empathise with them. Ultimately it’s not a bad read but it didn’t really gel for me.

The Blurb On The Back:

Could the courts really order the death of your innocent baby? Was there an illegal immigrant who couldn’t be deported because he had a pet cat? Are unelected judges truly enemies of the people?

Most of us think the law is only relevant to criminals, if we even think of it at all. But the law touches every area of our lives: from intimate family matters to the biggest issues in our society.

Our familiarity is dangerous because it makes us vulnerable to media spin, political lies and the kind of misinformation that frequently comes from loud-mouthed amateurs and those with vested interests. This Fake Law allows the powerful and the ignorant to corrupt justice without our knowledge - worse, we risk letting them make us complicit.

Thankfully, the Secret Barrister is back to reveal the stupidity, malice and incompetence behind many of the biggest legal stores of recent years. In Fake Law, the Secret Barrister debunks the lies and builds a defence again the abuse of our law, our rights and our democracy that is as entertaining as it is vital.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The Secret Barrister is an anonymous junior barrister specialising in criminal law in England and Wales and best selling author. Their second book is a scorching polemic taking on some of the most high profile English cases of the last 20 years to look at how poor media reporting coupled with political interests misrepresent the law and how this works to the detriment of everyone by undermining the people’s faith in the rule of law.

1. The Unexpected Inheritance Of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan.

2. Rag And Bone by Lisa Woollett.

3. Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall.

4. Be An Eco Hero! At Home by Florence Urquhart and Lisa Koesterke.

5. Saturday Night Live And Philosophy edited by Jason Southworth and Ruth Tallman.

6. Dark And Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain.

7. Mickey7 by Edward Ashton.

8. 25 Myths About Bullying And Cyberbullying by Elizabeth K. Englander.

9. Tiger Warrior: Rise Of The Lion Beast by M. Chan.

10. Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide To LGBTQ+ Love, Life And Mental Health by Alexis Caught.

11. Urban Shaman by C. E. Murphy.

12. If I Ran The Country by Rich Knight.

13. The Blue Death by Joan Brady.

14. Sex Ed: An Inclusive Teenage Guide To Sex And Relationships by The School of Sexuality Education.

15. Kissing Emma by Shappi Khorsandi.

16. Stand Out: 5 Key Skills to Advance Your Career by Debra Stevens.

17. Roxy by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman.

18. Hello Dubai by Joe Bennett.

19. Anansi And The Golden Pot by Taiye Selasi.

20. Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson.

21. The Return Of The Russian Leviathan by Sergei Medvedev.

22. That Time Of The Month: A Girl’s Guide To Starting Your Period by Rosie Kessous and Arianna Vettraino.

23. The Outfit: The Absolutely True Story Of The Time Joseph Stalin Robbed A Bank by David Tallerman.

24. Gretel The Wonder Mammoth by Kim Hillyard.

25. Isadora Moon Gets The Magic Pox by Harriet Muncaster.

26. Kitty And The Woodland Wildcat by Paula Harrison and Jenny Løvlie.

27. As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson.

28. Our World by Helen Mortimer and Cristina Trapanese.

29. Marv And The Mega Robot by Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles.

30. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.

31. Marv And The Dino Attack by Alex Falase-Koya and Paula Bowles.

32. Ballet Bunnies – Trixie Is Missing by Swapna Reddy and Bimmy Talib.

33. Possessed: Why We Want More Than We Need by Bruce Hood.

34. Do One Thing: The Breakthrough You Need For The Progress You Want by Dr Geraint Evans.

35. Ambrose Follows His Nose by Dick King-Smith and Josie Rogers.

36. Rainbow Magic: Frenchie The Bulldog Fairy by Daisy Meadows.

37. Mirabelle In Double Trouble by Harriet Muncaster.

38. Mr Men and Little Miss Happy Eid by Roger Hargreaves.

39. The Bone People by Keri Hulme.

40. The Worst Day Ever! by James Bishop.

41. Bad Actors by Mick Herron.

42. Big Sister: Ruby And The New Baby by Fiona Munro.

43. Doing Philosophy: From Common Curiosity To Logical Reasoning by Timothy Williamson.

44. Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin.

45. Mr Men And Little Miss: The Royal Party by Roger Hargreaves and Adam Hargreaves.

46. Ten Minutes To Bed Little Fairy by Rhiannon Fielding and Chris Chatterton.

47. Buzz! Inside The Minds Of Thrill-Seekers, Daredevils, And Adrenaline Junkies by Kenneth Carter.

48. Sustainable Planet: How Respecting The Earth Is Protecting Our Future by Anna Claybourne.

49. Forgotten Bastards Of The Eastern Front by Serhii Plokhy.

50. I Don’t Have Enough by Pat Thomas and Claire Keay.

51. Listen, Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied.

52. Civil Rights Stories – Racial Equality by Anita Ganeri and Toby Newsome.

53. Artifictional Intelligence: Against Humanity’s Surrender To Computers by Harry Collins.

54. Tame Your Emotions – Feeling Angry by Susie Williams.

55. My Friends by Sarah Ridley and Ryan Wheatcroft .

56. You’re The One That I Want by Simon James Green.

57. Shy And Mighty: Your Shyness Is A Superpower by Nadia Finer.

58. Rise Above by John Jupp.

59. Did Vikings Have Horns On Their Helmets? by Tim Cooke.

60. Why Did Ancient Greeks Ride Elephants Into Battle? by Tim Cooke.

61. The Great Wall Through Time: A 2,700 Journey Along The World’s Greatest Wall illustrated by Du Fei.

62. Auntie Poldi And The Fruits Of The Lord by Mario Giordano.

63. JoJo & Gran Gran Go To The Hairdresser by Pat-A-Cake Books.

64. Pandemic Planet – How Diseases Impact Our World by Anna Claybourne.

65. Lego Star Wars: Awesome Vehicles.

66. The Knave Of Secrets by Alex Livingston.

67. Only On The Weekends by Dean Atta.

68. Marie Curie by Nell Walker.

69. ABC Pride by Dr Elly Barnes and Louie Stowell.

70. Me And My World: Life Online by Sarah Ridley, Anne Rooney and Ryan Wheatcroft.

71. Pick A Story: A Pirate + Alien + Jungle Adventure by Sarah Coyle and Adam Walker-Parker.

72. Mr Men Little Miss – Go To School by Roger Hargreaves.

73. Mr Men Little Miss – Be Kind by Roger Hargreaves.

74. Mr Men Little Miss – All Different by Roger Hargreaves.

75. Lost In The City by Alice Courtley.

76. Silk Fire by Zabé Ellor.

77. The Uncounted by Alex Cobham.

78. Space Blasters: Suzie Saves The Universe by Katie & Kevin Tsang.

79. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu.

80. Be Climate Clever by Amy and Ella Meek.

81. Find Out About Worries by Mandy Archer.

82. Mr Men Little Miss – Try Again by Roger Hargreaves.

83. Enemies And Neighbours: Arabs And Jews In Palestine And Israel, 1917 – 2017 by Ian Black.

84. The Carnival Of Ash by Tom Beckerlegge.

85. Lost Kingdom: A History Of Russian Nationalism From Ivan The Great To Vladimir Putin by Serhii Plokhy.

86. A Hero Born by Jin Yong.

87. Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy Of White Male Power by Ijeoma Oluo.

88. Mr Men Little Miss – Worries by Roger Hargreaves.

89. This Book Is Not Rubbish by Isabel Thomas.

90. My Perfect Cabin by Emmanuelle Mardesson & Sarah Loulendo.

91. Our Tower by Joseph Coelho and Richard Johnson.

92. Anti-Racism by Arike Oke.

93. Dealing With Divorce by Tim Collins.

94. The Wicked Cometh by Laura Carlin.

95. The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman.

96. What You Did Not Tell: A Russian Past And The Journey Home by Mark Mazower.

97. Artists: Inspiring Stories Of Their Lives And Works by Susie Hodge.

98. Legacies: Black British Pioneers by Lania Narjee.

99. My Little Dragon by Rochelle Humes.

100. Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles.

101. Six Wicked Reasons by Jo Spain.

102. The Immortality Thief by Taran Hunt.

103. Beano Dennis & Gnasher: Super Slime Spectacular by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling.

104. Adventures With Finn and Skip: Bird by Brendan Kearney.

105. You Need To Chill by Juno Dawson.

106. Critical Thinking: The Essential Guide by Tom Chatfield.

107. Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri.

108. The Lost Man by Jane Harper.

109. The Future Of Capitalism by Paul Collier.

110. Xtinct! Tiger Hunt by Ash Stone.

111. The Very Merry Murder Club edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens.

112. Well Documented: The Essential Documentaries That Prove The Truth Is More Fascinating Than Fiction by Ian Haydn Smith.

113. Five Survive by Holly Jackson.

114. Star Wars: I Am Your Father by Amy Richau and Dan Zehr.

115. Beano Dennis & Gnasher: The Bogeyman Of Bunkerton Castle by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling.

117. Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon.

118. Raise Your Voice curated by Nadia Jae.

If you fancy buying any of these books based on my reviews, then you can do so through Amazon UK, Waterstone's, or Bookshop.org UK. Please note that I earn commission on any purchases made via these links.

The Blurb On The Back:

Be empowered to tell your story!

Are you wondering how you can cut through the noise and make your unique self known?

Raise Your Voice offers essential advice on how to boost your confidence and put your best self forward. Led by BBC Radio 1Xtra host Nadia Jae, read personal stories and advice from prominent figures in sport, broadcasting, and entertainment and discover how you too can speak up and stand out.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Nadia Jae is a DJ on Radio 1Xtra and a TV presenter. This YA self-help book consists of 19 uplifting interviews with a mix of radio and TV presenters, actors, journalists and backstage people from a wide variety of backgrounds about how they developed their confidence and dealt with issues that may have otherwise held them back. If you have a teen interested in getting into TV or radio, then this would be a good read for them to check out.

RAISE YOUR VOICE: MAKE YOURSELF HEARD IN A NOISY WORLD was released in the United Kingdom on 21st July 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

It’s just before Christmas and no one is prepared for this whiteout … But sometimes the most magical moments are a total surprise!

As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teenagers band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. Will they be able to make it happen in spite of the storm?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon’s YA romance follow-up to BLACKOUT has another all Black cast and good lesbian and gender-non-conforming representation but one of the chapters veers towards bi-erasure and I just couldn’t take to Stevie or empathise with her (despite her neurodiversity). Ultimately it’s okay, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as BLACKOUT.

WHITEOUT was released in the United Kingdom on 10th November 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

What compels someone to become a barrister?

How does it feel to successfully defend a person who is freed and then kills?

How might prosecuting society’s most dangerous criminals change a person’s beliefs about justice?

This tell-all memoir is the third book from the Secret Barrister. In hilarious and tragic stories from the criminal courts, it lifts the lid on what it’s really like to pursue a career at the Bar, and reveals the uncomfortable and surprising truth about life in our opaque criminal justice system.

Nothing But The Truthcharts an outsider’s progress down the winding path towards practising at the Bar. It takes in the sometimes absurd traditions of the Inns of Court, where every meal mandates a glass of port and a toast to the Queen, and the Hunger Games-type contest for pupillage, through to the endlessly frustrating experience of being a junior criminal barrister - as a creaking, ailing justice system begins to convince the that something has to change …

Full of hilarious, shocking and surprising stories from the Secret Barrister’s working life, Nothing But The Truth asks questions about what we understand by justice, and what it takes to change our minds. It reveals the darker side of working in criminal law and how the things our justice system gets wrong are not the things most people expect. And it tracks the Secret Barrister’s transformation from hang-‘em-and-flog-‘em, austerity-supporting twenty-something to campaigning, bestselling, reforming author, whose progressive writing in defence of the law is celebrated around the globe.

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The Secret Barrister is an anonymous junior barrister specialising in criminal law in England and Wales and best selling author. Their third book is a searing memoir recounting their journey to the bar and later as a blogger and, more importantly, how working as a criminal lawyer changed their own views of criminal law and those who run up against it. It’s honest, funny, horrifying and is a great way of learning how the legal system works.

The Blurb On The Back:

Is it a comic? Is it a book!? No, it’s a Beano boom!

Are you afraid of the Bogeyman?!

After Lord Snooty flees Bunkerton Castle, Dennis, Gnasher and friends are invited to attend the ultimate spooky sleepover. Will they last until morning?

We dare you to find out!

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The 5th in Craig Graham and Mike Stirling’s “Boomic” Beano spin-off series for readers aged 8+ is a spooky affair filled with more snot than you can shake a Kleenex at. Nigel Parkinson’s illustrations work well with the text and although some of the characters look different to when I read the comics *cough cough* years ago but that’s no bad thing. This is a great, silly series that would work well with reluctant readers.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

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January 2026

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Page Summary

I Am Enough by Sheridan Stewart
The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Fairy by Bella Swift
Sea Keepers: The Missing Manatee by Coral Ripley
Beast Quest – Styx The Lurking Terror by Adam Blade
Beast Quest - Ossiron The Fleshless Killer by Adam Blade
Rainbow Magic: Kat The Jungle Fairy by Daisy Meadows
Cash Is Queen by Davinia Tomlinson
Scrublands by Chris Hammer
Be Confident Be You by Becky Goddard-Hill
Secrets So Deep by Ginny Myers Sain
Be More Harry by Satu Hämeenaho-Fox
Ella And The Waves by Britta Teckentrup
Speak Out, Leonard! By Jessie James and Tamara Angeón
Winterland by Alan Glynn
Fake Law: The Truth About Justice In An Age Of Lies by The Secret Barrister
Master List Of Books 2022
Raise Your Voice curated by Nadia Jae
Whiteout Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicole Yoon
Nothing But The Truth by The Secret Barrister
Beano Dennis & Gnasher: The Bogeyman Of Bunkerton Castle by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling

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I Read, Therefore I Blog

A Book Review Blog Belonging to Caroline Hooton

Recent Entries

I Am Enough by Sheridan Stewart

The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Fairy by Bella Swift

Sea Keepers: The Missing Manatee by Coral Ripley

Beast Quest – Styx The Lurking Terror by Adam Blade

Beast Quest - Ossiron The Fleshless Killer by Adam Blade

Rainbow Magic: Kat The Jungle Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Cash Is Queen by Davinia Tomlinson

Scrublands by Chris Hammer

Be Confident Be You by Becky Goddard-Hill

Secrets So Deep by Ginny Myers Sain

Be More Harry by Satu Hämeenaho-Fox

Ella And The Waves by Britta Teckentrup

Speak Out, Leonard! By Jessie James and Tamara Angeón

Winterland by Alan Glynn

Fake Law: The Truth About Justice In An Age Of Lies by The Secret Barrister

Master List Of Books 2022

Raise Your Voice curated by Nadia Jae

Whiteout Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicole Yoon

Nothing But The Truth by The Secret Barrister

Beano Dennis & Gnasher: The Bogeyman Of Bunkerton Castle by Craig Graham and Mike Stirling