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LJ

@coffeecurls.bsky.social

Probably talking to animals. Or reading a book πŸ’™πŸ“š Book blogger - fan of crime thrillers and psychological thrillers, the grittier the better! On 🐦 as @CoffeeCurls and @ReadandRated book reviews at www.readandrated.com

4,230 Followers  |  2,078 Following  |  777 Posts  |  Joined: 31.08.2023
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Posts by LJ (@coffeecurls.bsky.social)

Evil in the Family by Michael Wood 5 Stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I don't know how he does it but Michael Wood just gets better and better. His is a true and authentic voice in the crime thriller / police procedural / psychological genre with an instantly recognisable writing style that captures the reader from the very first page. This, the 3rd in the Dr Olivia Winter series, is the best so far, in it Wood has mastered the craft and brings each and every person to vivid life - albeit usually straight before dispatching them in an often gruesome death.

My heart belongs to Matilda but Olivia is sneaking her way under my skin: Evil in the Family by Michael Wood πŸ“šπŸ’™ #booksky πŸ’™πŸ“š #bookreview

16.02.2026 08:55 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Voices from the Dead by TonyΒ Bassett 4 Stars from me There's so much that really scratches the itch for me in this book. There's a beauty influencer - honestly this intrigues me, the rise from being either just an ordinary kid, or the popular kid, or even the quiet no one notices me kid, into an adored influencer. Just incredible and I find it fascinating. Anyway, our Candy Goodhope (awesome name) is exactly that but who kills her and why?

Who killed Candy Goodhope? Find out in Voices from the Dead by Tony Bassett @ZooloosBT #BookReview #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š

01.02.2026 09:56 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The House of Mystery by JoyΒ Ellis 4 Stars from me Goodness me I was absolutely spellbound by the 'gift of auric sight' that Ellie has. Wow what a wonderful concept, I'd love to have that. Early on in the book we find a few similar characters with psychic gifts and I knew straight away I was going to love reading this. Such a clever take on the subject that truly gave me chills at times.

I was absolutely spellbound by The House of Mystery by Joy Ellis @ZooloosBT #BookSky

28.01.2026 18:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
It’s Not What You Think by ClareΒ Mackintosh 5 Stars from me There's clever, and there's twisty, and then there's this. Clare Mackintosh has nailed it with this book - as Missy Elliott put it so well 'Is it worth it? Let me work it. I put my thang down, flip it and reverse it'Β because the minute I thought I knew what was going on, the story flipped on its head.

A fabulous story, credible characters, and a plot that will blow your mind - It's Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh #BookSky

28.01.2026 09:35 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Went to a Paint & Sip last night, and I actually didn't hate the outcome

24.01.2026 20:08 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Murder at the Water Mill by JonΒ Harris 4 Stars from me This is a ridiculously charming read - and I had to remind myself that it was book 4 in a series as I didn't at all feel like I had jumped in part way through as can sometimes be the case. PI Julia is a fearless character and she was fun to follow as she steps in where the local police fail to, and collaborates with the water mill trust to investigate what they believe to be a murder.

My turn on the blog tour for Murder at the Water Mill by Jon Harris @ZooloosBT #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š

24.01.2026 07:26 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

#BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š

Cahill Davis Publishing are looking for readers to share book love - in their own way cahill-davis-publishing.kit.com/570ea0b1fc

@cahilldavis.bsky.social

20.01.2026 09:04 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Surgeon by JohnΒ Nicholl 4 Stars from me I think this is the first John Nicholl book that I've read and I greatly enjoyed receiving the story via short chapters of differing POVs throughout this book that delivered the story in satisfying chunks. Professor Alexander Aitken was a great character. Horrible, but great. Attaching a word like 'innocent' to him is almost comedic and the author handles that arc beautifully.

The Surgeon by JohnΒ Nicholl

4 Stars from me I think this is the first John Nicholl book that I've read and I greatly enjoyed receiving the story via short chapters of differing POVs throughout this book that delivered the story in satisfying chunks. Professor Alexander Aitken was a great…

19.01.2026 09:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by RobertΒ Thorogood 4.5 Stars from me I've watched, rather than read, the previous installments of this series and so was delighted to find that the books reads exactly like the TV episodes. And having seen the actors on screen really brought the book to life for me as it was easy to picture them all, and in particular Judith's wonderful house, as I read.

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood - cosy crime at its finest #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š

18.01.2026 13:14 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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I swear this one could write murder notes at breakfast, waft around the castle wearing her cloak, and still no one would suspect her
#TheTraitorsUK #TheTraitors

15.01.2026 15:12 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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I was a reluctant engager with audible but now completely love it and always have a book playing when I drive! πŸ’™πŸ“š #BookSky share.mi-content.com/p/rp/1912802...

15.01.2026 10:23 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes she is and the air of cringe wafts with her

15.01.2026 10:20 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Here's another groovy #buyastrangerabook day offer to tell you about.

@writelikeashark.bsky.social is offering to buy one lucky person the book of their choice, up to Β£15!

So, if there's a particular book that you're after, just get in touch.

UK only

14.01.2026 13:04 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I get the absolute flashback horrors from it, lord knows how she feels. I'd be like 'please have all my worldly possessions in return for deleting that'

14.01.2026 12:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Every now and then I remember this moment and die slightly inside. And it wasn't even me who said it 😳 #TheTraitors

14.01.2026 11:47 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you, I've had a quick look at your bio and think unfortunately I'd struggle with the subject matter.

11.01.2026 09:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Oh look at them, how beautiful 😍

11.01.2026 09:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy #Caturday Bluebelle's 1st diet update of 2026. It's not going well lads. She is now 8.23kg and the vet is going to 'have a think'

10.01.2026 09:13 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Absolute girl crush on this one, I 😍 her #TheTraitors

09.01.2026 21:39 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image 09.01.2026 10:55 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, I'll have that stuck in my head now 🀣

06.01.2026 21:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Hear me out though. This guy as the #SecretTraitor πŸ’™ #TheTraitorsUK

05.01.2026 18:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Top Reads ofΒ 2025 They get 5 stars from me! Β  Apparently I have reviewed around 78 books this year! I'll have read slightly more than that and endeavour to review as many as possible but some do slip through the net. I have loved reading my whole life, it is certainly a form of escapism for me and I thank every single author out there for the time, creativity, lonely hours, self-doubt and perseverance that it takes to not only write a book but then run the gauntlet of getting it published.

My top reads of 2025. I look forward to reading many more wonderful books in 2026 – share the book love πŸ’™πŸ“š #BookSky

02.01.2026 16:17 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Drowning Place by SarahΒ Hilary 5 Stars from me Goodness me I loved this unusual thriller! Sarah Hilary has absolutely nailed this, which given the storyline is no mean feat. DS Joseph Ashe conveys heavy sadness, and reading scenes with him I felt accompanied by a coldness and could almost hearing the dripping. Superb. Joe is a deeply troubled young man who does all he can to appear 'normal' to his bosses, and in particular new boss DI Laurie Bower who seemingly has zero tolerance for pretty much everything and especially him.

The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary - goodness me I loved this unusual thriller! #BookSky

29.12.2025 16:32 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Witch Trial by HarrietΒ Tyce 4 Stars from me This is such a hard book to review - it held me captive right up until the end. I guess the end is going to be a bit marmite... If it had ended just before the end, that would have worked better for me. So, I've dropped a star for that but honestly feel a bit mean as the book really did hold me in the palm of its hand.

Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce held me captive #WitchTrial #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š

27.12.2025 11:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Make You Mine by ClaireΒ Kendal 4.5 Stars from me Jason Thorne is a dangerous man, a serial killer who truly believes that he is doing good things, sometimes for love, sometimes for protection. The author presents a side to the killer that I found absolutely fascinating, his depth of belief in his love for whoever he is fixated on at the time. Unfortunately for Esmeralda, it's her.

Make You Mine by Claire Kendal is a superb thriller! #BookSky

21.12.2025 12:36 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Adrift by WillΒ Dean 5 Stars from me I mean, it's a Will Dean book so it's going to be good right? Right. And awful. But awful as in it is brilliant and it will grip you with an iron fist and it will squeeze your sense of fairness, right and wrong. Much like other Will Dean books, this one has it's fair share of climatic building, sprinkled with sudden jolts that deliver a cold drop to the pit of your stomach.

Adrift by WillΒ Dean

5 Stars from me I mean, it's a Will Dean book so it's going to be good right? Right. And awful. But awful as in it is brilliant and it will grip you with an iron fist and it will squeeze your sense of fairness, right and wrong. Much like other Will Dean books, this one has it's…

20.12.2025 10:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Daughter by Alesha Dykema – CoverΒ Reveal The Daughter by Alesha Dykema Blurb: I won’t let my four-year-old daughter Skylar go through what I had to. I won’t let my father do to her what he did to me and my sister.I know how to play the good daughter. The perfect mother. The wife who smiles on cue.But you don’t grow up in a house like mine without learning how to surviveβ€”how to keep secrets buried so deep they almost stop hurting.

COVER REVEAL for The Daughter by Alesha Dykema #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š @joffebooks.bsky.social @zooloosbt.bsky.social

15.12.2025 14:08 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Blue Sisters by CocoΒ Mellors 4.5 Stars from me There were four Blue sisters, but now there are three. This loss, the guilt, the grief, and everything that remains unspoken fills every corner of the lives of the three remaining sisters. Drives them to seek oblivion, each in different yet equally as self destructive ways. There are many plaudits for this book and it has been likened to a modern day 'Little Women'.

The plaudits for this book are huge - likened to a modern day 'Little Women'. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors #BookSky πŸ’™πŸ“š #BlueSisters #BookReview

08.12.2025 10:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0