Books

Overspill
by Charlotte Paradise

This powerful debut from Charlotte follows Sara, a young woman navigating the impact of past trauma on her relationship with her own body and her ability to connect with others.

This incredibly honest portrayal of vulnerability and healing explores love, trauma, intimacy and the difficult journey towards self-acceptance.

We follow Sara’s relationship with Miles – not a simple romance – but something complicated, entwined with boundaries, patience, desire and the challenges of loving someone while they are still learning to understand themselves. The writing is raw and intimate, and not always an easy – but always a compelling – read.

Brave, thoughtful and beautifully written, this is a book that stays with you long after the final page.

Berkhamsted-based Charlotte Paradise is a disabled author and screenwriter with an MA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her short films have been selected, nominated and won awards at film festivals, including internationally. Overspill is her first novel.

Tales of the Unexpected
by Jay Myers

This is an intriguing and engaging read that explores the appeal of surprise, mystery and the unknown. The strength of the book lies in its ability to keep readers curious, creating a sense of anticipation as events unfold and encouraging you to question what might happen next.

Drawn from two companion volumes, The Oxymoron Murders and A Novel Plot, the 15 stories draw attention to the unexpected turns of life, blending suspenseful moments with thoughtful observations about people and their choices.

The writing creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, where ordinary situations can quickly become something far more interesting.

With its focus on surprise and human nature, Tales of the Unexpected offers an enjoyable journey for readers who appreciate stories that challenge expectations and keep them guessing until the end.

Wigginton author Jay was born in Canada. He has worked in the publishing industry for more than 25 years, and is a publications manager for an international organisation. When he’s not writing, he enjoys playing trumpet and flugelhorn. His next novel, a psychological thriller, should be out soon.

In Flames
by Dave Sivers

Dave brings another DI Nathan Quarrel thriller to the table with this latest publication. When an old rock star and his former model partner receive a delivery of a charred corpse, the police must use the services of technology experts to discover the truth. Another cracking read from Dave, with plenty of twists and turns, all set within the towns and villages around Tring and Berkhamsted.

Bucks author Dave Sivers has been writing all his life, including columns and articles in The Bucks Herald, The Leighton Buzzard Observer, and regional magazines. His books include the popular crime fiction series featuring Aylesbury Vale detectives, DI Lizzie Archer and DS Dan Baines, with DI Nathan Quarrel introduced in 2020. He is a founder of the annual BeaconLit festival of books and writing.

The Good Suburb
by Angela Gould

Andrea Mitchell leaves her job as an MI5 analyst in London and moves to what she thinks is a quiet American suburb. But not all is as it seems, as a dead body turns up at her twins’ new school. This fast-moving thriller is full of wonderful characters, including Andrea’s rambunctious teenage daughters who are obsessed with spy gadgets. The action moves apace, as Andrea finds herself embroiled with spies, drug trafficking, child kidnapping and more. Although it sounds quite dark, the author injects plenty of humour, which makes this a fun and easy read.

Angela Gould is retired, but previously worked in nursing and clinical trials. She spends most of her time writing novels, plays and poetry, and dealing in antiques. A regular at Tring Auctions, Angela lives in Boxmoor but says ‘Berkhamsted is one of my favourite hangouts’.

Dreams of Elotvine, The Tale of the Farr Patrol, Part 1
by Pete Williams

This immersive and action-packed fantasy is set in a world filled with an engrossing cast of characters.

Players of role-playing games (RPGs) will recognise how the author has drawn on his 40 years of RPG experience to create a detailed setting filled with magic, danger and political intrigue.

The story follows an elite group of soldiers tasked with protecting remote villages beyond the reach of traditional law. Their recruitment of foreigners creates a diverse and dynamic team, allowing the characters to grow from strangers into a loyal, battle-tested family.

With thrilling encounters, awakening gods, monsters and powerful magic, the novel captures the excitement of classic epic fantasy while the squad’s camaraderie and humour make the journey especially engaging.

Pete lives in Aylesbury. He has three adult children, and is Pops to his four-year-old grandson. This is his first novel.