Book Reviews
Most of the reviews on this website are written by members of our Oundle Crime book group, and if you enjoy reading crime fiction and thrillers and want to know more about Oundle Crime, click here. Having said that, we love posting reviews of other literary genres, so if you’d like to write something about a book you’ve enjoyed, please send your review to us at join@friendsofoundlelibrary.org.uk
Our book reviews are rated from 1 to 5 Stars, where 5 Stars is outstanding. To find out more about our scoring system, scroll down to the bottom of this page. Below are our latest reviews, and if you click through to one you’ll find our 6-month archive. Finally, if you decide to buy a book linked to our website, we may earn commission from Bookshop.org – an online retailer that supports independent bookshops.
19 April 2026
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Cleverly plotted and a story that twists this way, and that. There’s a likeable anti-heroine and a villain who is almost a caricature of evil. Great stuff! 4 Stars.
17 April 2026
Kiss, Marry, Kill by Laura Marshall
An intriguing thriller, set in the world of online dating. Highly satisfying to read. 4+ Stars.
11 April 2026
Verdict of Twelve by Raymond Postgate
A Golden Age Classic Crime novel, and although the style and story do feel a bit dated, the way it is constructed creates something that is both intriguing and thought-provoking. It’s well worth reading.
3 April 2026
Oundle Crime recommends
Classic Crime (Golden Age or modern) was the book group’s reading theme for March, so the recommendations include everything from Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie to new novels by Michael Connelly, Alan Judd and L.J. Ross.
29 March 2026
The Lake by Jørn Lier Horst
The William Wisting cold case mysteries may not be fast-paced but they are still gripping. This latest novel has two long-ago cases being reinvestigated at the same time.
22 March 2026
The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse
The final novel in the Joubert Family Chronicles – an extraordinary historical saga that traces the fate of a Protestant Huguenot family over 300 years. Not just a good story; it’s thought-provoking as well.
12 March 2026
Small Bomb at Dimperley by Lissa Evans
If you’re looking for a bit of escapism, this undemanding but lively book is something you might enjoy. It’s the kind of thing we all sometimes feel the need to read. 4 Stars.
6 March 2026
Oundle Crime recommends (Part 2)
Here is the second part of Oundle Crime’s report for February, which covers authors from H-S …
28 February 2026
Oundle Crime recommends (Part 1)
February’s list was so long that we’ve split Oundle Crime’s report into two. Here’s the first part, which covers authors A-G …
23 February 2026
The Black Wolf by Louise Penny
The latest mystery in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. It’s chilling and well-plotted, and the tension builds slowly to an action-packed conclusion.
What’s in a Star?
Deciding why you like an author or have enjoyed a book is, of course, entirely subjective, and everyone who comes along to meetings of Oundle Crime has different tastes. So how do we try to get some consistency in our Star ratings? Well, after some discussion, we’ve come up with the following:
- 5 Stars: Outstanding and unforgettable. A book you can’t wait to tell others about.
- 4 Stars: A good book with an interesting, layered story. Will still remember after a month.
- 3 Stars: Not good or bad, just an average story and characters. You enjoyed reading it, but might not remember it after a month.
- 2 Stars: Poorly written, superficial and probably a bit of a yawn. Forgettable.
- 1 Star: Rubbish through and through. A book you wish you hadn’t read and don’t want to remember!
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