It’s officially autumn and that means the new Richard and Judy Book Club bundle is here. As the nights draw in and the temperature cools, there’s nothing cosier than curling up with a book and a cuppa. I can’t wait to dive into this bundle. Read on to find out more about the six amazing books in this collection:
Richard & Judy Book Club Autumn 2021 Bundle
This seasons Richard and Judy Book Club bundle feature a spine-chilling horror story about a seemingly ordinary house, a stolen child, revenge and death, a murder investigation during the blackout in Nazi Germany, and a story of buried secrets, lies, guilt, injustice, and regrets of the past!
The following books are included in the bundle:
- A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore
- Sugar by Bernice McFaddon
- The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
- Blackout by Simon Scarrow
- The Survivors by Jane Harper
- The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Read on to find out more about each book:
A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore
(£4.49, WHSmith or £3.99, Kindle Edition)
“Minnie Gray is an ordinary young woman. She is also a spy for the British government. It all began in the summer of 1928… Minnie is supposed to find a nice man, get married and have children. The problem is it doesn’t appeal to her at all. She is working as a secretary but longs to make a difference. Then, one day, she gets her chance. She is recruited by the British government as a spy. Under strict instructions not to tell anyone, not even her family, she moves to London and begins her mission – to infiltrate the Communist movement.
She soon gains the trust of important leaders. But as she grows more and more entangled in the workings of the movement, her job becomes increasingly dangerous. Leading a double life is starting to take its toll on her relationships and, feeling more isolated than ever, she starts to wonder how this is all going to end. The Russians are notorious for ruthlessly disposing of people given the slightest suspicion. What if they find out?
Full of suspense, courage, and love, A Beautiful Spy is a stunningly written story about resisting the norm and following your dreams, even if they come with sacrifices.”
I can’t wait to read “A Beautiful Spy”. Rachel Hore’s intriguing novel was inspired by the work of the real-life spy, Olga Gray in the 1930s. It’s sure to be a fascinating read.
Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden
(£4.49, WHSmith or £4.99 Kindle Edition)
“Perfect for fans of The Vanishing Half and Where the Crawdads Sing, Sugar is a classic waiting to be rediscovered.
‘The storm walked into their small town on two legs in spiked, red patent leather heels’.
Young and confident, with a swagger in her step, Sugar arrives in the southern town of Bigelow hoping to start over. Soon Bigelow is alight with gossip and suspicion, and Sugar fears her past is catching up with her. Then she meets Pearl, a woman trying to forget her own traumas. As these next-door neighbours become unlikely friends, they wonder if their lives could finally be changing for the better. But small towns have long memories…
Readers are falling for Sugar : ‘Such an enjoyable read… beautifully written, raw and impactful’ ‘ Riveting, heart-breaking’ ‘Very powerful, poignant’ ‘Beautifully written… brutal and moving… a must-read book’ ‘ Well-written with rich characters and many twists and turns’ ‘So descriptive yet easy to read, and it made me fall in love with all the characters’
This Bitter Earth, the sequel to Sugar, will be reissued as a Vintage Classic in July 2022 and is available to pre-order now.”
I was planning to write and publish this post before reading any of the books, but I couldn’t resist opening “Sugar” and once. I’d started reading, I found I couldn’t put the book down. It’s so descriptive, it almost felt like I was watching a movie in my mind, Sugar was brought to life. Reading that this was a “Vintage Classic” I was surprised to read that it was first published in the year 2000, but that just reflects my age and how fast time is moving for me. In Sugar, Bernice has written a very important book that is still relevant today. At the end of the book, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Pearl and Sugar, so I was delighted when I saw Vintage Classics are also publishing the sequel, “This Bitter Earth” in July 2022- you can pre-order “This Bitter Earth” here.
The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
(£4.49, WHSmith or £4.99, Kindle Edition)
“500 years ago: eight martyrs burned 30 years ago: two teenagers vanished Two months ago: a vicar died mysteriously.
Welcome to Chapel Croft.
For Rev Jack Brooks and teenage daughter Flo it’s a fresh start. New job, new home. But in a close-knit community old superstitions and a mistrust of outsiders mean treading carefully. Yet right away Jack has more frightening concerns. Why did no one say the last vicar killed himself? Why is Flo plagued by visions of burning girls? And who is sending them threatening messages? Old ghosts with scores to settle can never rest. And Jack is standing in their way . . .
_________ ‘Tudor operates on the border between credulity and disbelief, creating an atmosphere of menace’ Sunday Times ‘A gothic, spine-tingling roller-coaster of a story . . . CJ Tudor is a master of horror’ C.J. COOKE, author of The Nesting ‘The best book yet from C. J. Tudor’ Best Praise for C. J. Tudor: ‘C. J. Tudor is terrific. I can’t wait to see what she does next’ Harlan Coben ‘Britain’s female Stephen King’ Daily Mail ‘A mesmerizingly chilling and atmospheric page-turner’ J.P. Delaney ‘Her books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can’t be found. Compelling and haunting’ Sunday Express ‘Some writers have it, and some don’t. C. J. Tudor has it big time’ Lee Child ‘A dark star is born’ A. J. Finn”
One of the reasons why I enjoy being a part of the Richard and Judy Book Club is it introduces me to books that I may not have chosen myself but I know once I read, I know I will love. “The Burning Girl” is such a book. The title and cover do not tempt me, but now I’ve read the blurb and the additional content by Richard and Judy, I’m intrigued and excited- can’t wait to read. A perfect read during the spooky autumn months. “The Burning Girls” is also going to be adapted into a new TV series.
Blackout by Simon Scarrow
(£4.49, WHSmith, or £4.99, Kindle Edition)
‘December 1939 As Germany goes to war, the Nazis tighten their terrifying grip. Paranoia in the capital is intensified by a rigidly enforced blackout that plunges the city into oppressive darkness every night, as the bleak winter sun sets.
When a young woman is murdered, Criminal Inspector Horst Schenke is under pressure to solve the case, swiftly. Distrusted by his superiors for his failure to join the Nazi Party, Schenke walks a perilous line – for disloyalty is a death sentence. The discovery of a second victim confirms Schenke’s worst fears. He must uncover the truth before evil strikes again. As the investigation takes him closer to the sinister heart of the regime, Schenke realises there is danger everywhere – and the warring factions of the Reich can be as deadly as a killer stalking the streets . . .‘
In all honestly, my first impressions were that this book wasn’t for me. However, Richard writes, “At first I wondered if the early wartime setting was a bit of a gimmick. It isn’t. Simon Scarrow paints a fascinating picture of what civilian life was like in Hitler’s Berlin once hostilities had been declared but before the actual fighting – stunningly successful at first for the Nazis – had begun.” He also warns us, readers, that we will be handcuffed to the plot by the end of chapter one – so make sure your evenings are fairly free for the next few days! Judy writes that: “This is an old-fashioned murder mystery with a fantastic twist.” They have once again convinced me.
The Survivors by Jane Harper
(£4.49, WHSmith or £4.99 Kindle Edition)
Kieran Elliott’s life changed forever on a single day when a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences. The guilt that haunts him still resurfaces during a visit with his young family to the small coastal town he once called home.
Kieran’s parents are struggling in a community which is bound, for better or worse, to the sea that is both a lifeline and a threat. Between them,all is his absent brother Finn. When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge in the murder investigation that follows. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away…
Louise Candlish writes: “You won’t put this novel down until you’ve uncovered every last skeleton in the closet!” and I think that’s going to be true. It looks a great read.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
(£4.49, WHSmith or £2.84, Kindle Version)
This is the story of a murderer. A stolen child. Revenge. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his young daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. All these things are true. And yet some of them are lies. An unspeakable secret binds the family together, and when a new neighbour moves in next door, the truth may destroy them all. Because there’s something buried in the dark forest at the end of Needless Street. But it’s not what you think…
From the multiple award-winning author of Little Eve and Rawblood, this extraordinary tale will thrill and move readers. A work of incredible imagination and heartbreaking beauty.
I love to read a gothic horror at this time of year. The Last House on Needless Street sounds dark, gripping, and terrifyingly good. Look out for the movie version in the future.
The Richard & Judy Book Club Autumn Bundle
I love Richard and Judy’s autumn selection, I’m sure you agree all the books look like amazing reads. I’ve already enjoyed Sugar, so I have to choose which book I will read next. I’m very tempted by “A Beautiful Spy”, which would you choose to read first?
Win a Copy of a Paperback from Richard & Judy Book Club Autumn Bundle
Win a copy of a book of your choice from the Richard and Judy Book Club autumn bundle. You can choose between: A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore, Sugar by Bernice McFaddon, The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor, Blackout by Simon Scarrow, The Survivors by Jane Harper, or The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward.
As long as stock is available the prize will be a WHSmith paperback of your chosen book. Otherwise, I’ll ask for your second choice.
To win a copy of a book of your choice, please enter the Rafflecopter below (remember to read the terms and conditions first). Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveawayTo find out more about the Richard and Judy Book Club click here: https://www.richardandjudy.co.uk/
I’m in no way affiliated with the book club, I just enjoy taking part and listening to the author podcasts.
Pin This Post for Later:
Many thanks to the following Competition Promoters:
– Find the best UK Competitions brought together all in one spot. It’s free and updated daily!
Diary of the Evans-Crittens: Feeling Lucky? Blog Giveaway Linky
Jan Harper the survivors – first class read – love all the choices
The Survivors – thrillers are my favourite genre and this sounds great
All the books in this bundle look appealing but The Survivors by Jane Harper would be my first choice as it sounds really intriguing. My second choice would be The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor.
The last house on Needless Street as it is intriguing
A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore as I think my mum would enjoy that book and I would love to pick it for her if I win.
A beautiful spy by Rachel Hore as have always enjoyed her books. This looks a fabulous bundle, have discovered some wonderful authors through the Richard and Judy selections.
Author
Yes, I love their selections! Just finished A Beautiful Spy- it’s so good xxx
I would love to read A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore, it sounds right up my street!
Author
I’ve just finished it- so good xxx
I would like to win Blackout by Simon Scarrow as it is always interesting to read about the second world war and stories based around that time.
I would love to read The Burning Girls by C J Tudor. I have read The Other People by this author and I am sure I would enjoy this new book
The Last House on Needless Street because I love a good mystery
I would choose The Burning Girls. I like thrillers anyway but this one sounds very intriguing
Always enjoy stories about the war so it would be Blackout by Simon Scarrow
It would be Blackout by Simon Scarrow for me. I love to learn about history and recent, historical fiction is fascinating and relatable.
im ready to up my reading game this autumn
Author
Yes, a lovely time of year to cosy up and read xxx
I’d love to read The Survivors by Jane Harper as I’ve read her other books and loved them!
Blackout – Like a murder/mystery and anything set in wartime so my perfect genre x
I like the sound of The Survivors by Jane Harper.
The Last House On Needless Street, as I’ve heard very good things about it!
Love the sound of a Beautiful Spy it sounds like a really good read
The burning girls my friend read it and said it was really good
Author
Oh, that’s good. I love recommendations from friends xxx
The Survivors by Jane Harper, sounds good.
The last house on Needless Street looks interesting
The Last House on Needless Street because I love getting stuck into a gripping mystery.
They all sound great but I would pick up first Blackout because I love the author:)
The Last House On Needless Street. I love a good mystery and this book looks like a great read.
The Survivors as I’ve read a previous book by same author
I think The Survivors by Jane Harper, it sounds an easy and entertaining read.
I love the book club bundles, last one I got I hated one of the books and it was the worst book I’d ever read but then another was wonderful!!
I like historical books, and A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore looks very interesting, definitely one I’d love to read! xx
The Last House on Needless Street. It sound exactly like my type of book. I love a good mystery book
The Burning Girls looks right up my street
I would love to read The Last House on Needless Street
A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore. It looks like a great read. My partner would love it to.
It would have to be The Burning Girls by CJ Tudor because I devoured The Other People and I’d love to read another by this author!
A difficult choice, I would enjoy most of them, but I think The Survivors by Jane Harper sounds like the one I would enjoy most.
I’d love to read sugar, it sounds like my kind of book.
The survivors sounds like the book id enjoy the most
i’d love to read “A beautiful Spy” – i love books that are inspired by true stories so I was intrigued when I saw that!
Author
Yes, this is a very good book. I kept reading about the real-life spy once I’d finished the book. Hope you’re well xxx
The Survivors sounds really gripping, I would love to read it
The Survivors by Jane Harper as it looks interesting
I would love to read The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward because it sounds so interesting and enthralling too.
The Burning Girls, it’s been recommended a few times!
The Last House on Needless street looks really interesting for me!
A Beautiful Sky sounds great, I am intrigued by their work, and especially because it’s inspired by a real life spy!
The Burning Girls by C J Tudor because her previous book The Other People still haunts me!
The Burning Girls as it’s on my Christmas wishlist!
Blackout sounds like a great read