Books

Joanna Lumley plays a wealthy, powerful, and formidable mother (Image: Netflix)Netflix has released many mystery-thriller series over the years, and some of them have built huge fan bases. Viewers often look for tense plots, big twists and stories that keep them guessing right until the end. One recent series appears to have ticked every box, with some fans calling it one of the best the platform has produced.Many viewers say they struggled to stop watching it once they started. Others describe it as gripping, fast-paced and filled with constant surprises. The show also has a strong connection to one of Harlan Coben’s most popular novels, which has helped attract even more attention from book fans. READ MORE: 'Highly recommended' Netflix thriller with 'massive shootouts' is a must-see ...

As a huge fan of TV show The Traitors, I have been super impressed with series four player Harriet and her intuition into the intricate gameplay. When I saw that she was also an author, I thought I needed to scope out one of her books.But browsing, I noticed I had already read one, and it scandalised my book club a few years ago. When I was in a reading slump, I picked up a copy of Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce in a bargain bin. Now a Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller, this novel is about “a lesson in cruelty” and there is no way you will guess the ending.Telling the story of Alison, a lawyer defending a major murder case, with a doting husband at home and an adorable daughter - yet beneath the surface, she is barely holding herself together.Drinking to excess, carrying on an illicit...

It’s been a long time since George RR Martin last gave an update on The Winds of Winter.Not only that, but 15 years have passed since A Dance with Dragons, his latest A Song of Ice and Fire novel, was published, and seven years since Game of Thrones concluded on TV.In a new interview, the 77-year-old gave his most extensive progress report for a long time and it’s far from encouraging for his increasingly impatient fans.The author has confirmed he has 1100 pages finished, which is longer than A Dance with Dragons and a figure he’s given before.Asked how much he has left to go, he replied: “If I wound up doing everything in my head, this could be the longest book in the series.”Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin was asked if he would ever just consider stopping, but he replied:...

Enthusiasts of gangster dramas, from the gritty world of Peaky Blinders to HBO's acclaimed Boardwalk Empire and Martin Scorsese's legendary Casino, simply cannot miss this critically lauded series. The show has garnered exceptional feedback from viewers and boasts an impressive 7.9/10 rating on IMDb, reports the Manchester Evening News.One devoted fan awarded it 9/10, declaring: "Amazing acting, amazing characters, addictive plot! Rome as you've never seen it before."They added: "A must watch for every mafia-related movie fan!" Meanwhile, an 8/10 review described the programme as "just about perfect", celebrating the "great actors" and "wonderful" scenery. They concluded: "I think Netflix is on to something good here."Another glowing 10/10 review heaped further acclaim on the production...

The fourth season of Bridgerton is nearly upon us, with Netflix hosting a glamorous premiere ceremony and episode one livestream for viewers last night (January 14). Despite a few hiccups during the livestream, fans were treated to an exciting announcement that signals a fresh chapter in the Shondaland period drama sensation, reports the Mirror.Bridgerton's executive producer and director, Tom Verica, hinted at the arrival of another spin-off soon. In a chat with Deadline, Verica shared: "With Queen Charlotte, we thoroughly enjoyed that experience. It was a smaller look at a particular love story that's spanned over those episodes and I think we caught something that people really responded to."He continued: "So, we are in talks of some other projects, hopefully, something, some news wi...

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials teased in trailer This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Agatha Christie's Seven Dials has recently made its debut on Netflix. The three-part series, based on the Queen of Crime's 1929 novel, weaves a complex murder mystery, reports the Manchester Evening News.The plot follows the determined Lady Eileen 'Bundle' Brent (portrayed by Mia McKenna-Bruce) as she doggedly seeks the truth following a murder in her own bedroom. With stunning filming locations and an exceptional cast, here's a glimpse into where the drama was shot and its settings.Where was Agatha Christie's Seven Dials filmed?Set in the 1920s England, Agatha Christie's Seven Dials captures a nation still grieving from the af...

A period drama that many people missed when it first came out is being talked about again, with viewers calling it one of the best classic films ever made. It looks like a straightforward story at first, but those who have watched it recently say it is far more detailed than they remembered.The film deals with strict social rules and many people say it has become more meaningful with time. It has also introduced new viewers to the novel it is based on, which has been praised for more than a century. Reviews describe it as thoughtful, sharp and beautifully acted. Some viewers even call it a “masterpiece”.The film, and the book behind it, is The Age of Innocence. Viewers have praised the film for over two decades, with many calling it one of Martin Scorsese’s most impressive works.One per...

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will debut in the USA on HBO on Sunday, January 18 and on Sky and streaming platform NOW on January 19.Like Game of Thrones, The Last of Us and other major HBO shows, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is expected to be simulcast on both sides of the Atlantic, so there's no need to wait to watch the show.The new drama is shorter than its predecessors, with only six episodes, which will air weekly. So, those who prefer to binge-watch boxsets will have to exercise some patience.HBO has confirmed that it's already given the green light for season two of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with filming commencing in Belfast in December 2025. Season two is anticipated to be released sometime in 2027.A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms boasts an impressive cast and, given th...

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes, Hardback, £18.99Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes approaches his 80th birthday this month secure in his position as one of our finest writers. And Departure(s) can only polish his reputation. As ever, Barnes’ themes are simultaneously big and small, playful and poignant – love, loss, memory and mortality – gently building to a thought-provoking crescendo. Also as ever, the lines between fiction and reality are subtle. Narrator Julian is an elderly author living with a rare blood disorder. In a story within the story, he recalls friends Stephen and Jean who fall in love twice – once when they are young and again when they are old. Only Barnes knows what’s truly real. The rest of us can just enjoy the ride. 9/10A Killer in Paradise by Tom Hindle, Hardback, £...

Netflix has announced it's transforming a beloved series of novels into a period drama for modern audiences. This follows anticipation for another period drama touted as superior to Bridgerton, whilst viewers have also devoured a gangster drama praised as among the finest TV shows, and enjoyed a gripping BBC thriller, reports the Manchester Evening News.The upcoming period drama from Netflix will draw from a collection of bestselling novels that have captivated readers for years and garnered exceptional reviews on Amazon Books.One reader penned an enthusiastic five-star review of the first instalment: "This was a amazing little book to read I really enjoyed this book it was interesting to think about and got my daughter thinking too! [sic]."Another reader shared in their top-rated revie...