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Welcome to my blog! Although I don't post regularly, I do try to keep it up to date with reviews, announcements, articles and news. My 2025 events are listed below, at the end of the blog.
REVIEW:
You Can Never Go Back drops readers into a Yorkshire winter where a rogue snowstorm, a countywide blackout, and one concussive boom leave behind a lingering sense that reality has been slightly… re-keyed. In the aftermath, private investigator Joe Parrott is pulled into fresh ripples from old damage: Sam Evans suspects his father’s new wife, Peggy, is siphoning inventory and steering the family toward a solicitor’s office; Hanna, still haunted by the Blackpool ordeal that cost Hero his life, turns up at Aisha Hunt’s clinic with news that detonates quietly but completely: she’s pregnant. What follows is part investigation, part moral triage, as Joe digs into Peggy’s past while Aisha tries to shepherd Hanna toward a safer horizon beyond England.
I enjoyed how lived-in this book feels. It doesn’t sprint on plot alone; it trudges, boots-first, through slush and strained domestic spaces, letting grudges and tenderness share the same room. The surveillance beats, like Joe tailing Peggy to Leeds Central Library, and watching her read about frugality and death, have that satisfyingly mundane creep-factor, the kind where the ordinary becomes ominous simply because someone is paying attention. And I liked that the story refuses the easy villain button: when Joe tells Sam, bluntly, what he discovers about Peggy, it lands like an ethical rebuke, not just to Sam, but to me as a reader who was already sharpening the pitchfork.
Hanna’s arc is written with a kind of flinty vulnerability: she’s frightened, yes, but also stubbornly purposeful, and the book allows both to be true without scolding her into a tidy lesson. When she insists she wants to disappear, not because she’s weak, but because she understands exactly how small-town judgment can become a legal instrument, the stakes sharpen from “what happened in Blackpool” to “who gets to author your future.” The Crete material, especially, surprised me with its tonal pivot: the setting is warmer, but the emotion isn’t softened into postcard sentiment. The birth scene is raw and immediate, and naming the baby as she did felt like an act of defiance against oblivion, grief made tangible, and therefore dangerous.
If you’re the sort of reader who likes mystery, crime thriller, psychological suspense, and a faint, atmospheric whisper of the paranormal (that “something has changed” feeling never fully evaporates), I think you’ll heartily enjoy this novel. It also rewards anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction where past cases remain like bruises on the protagonist. In mood and moral texture, it reminded me of Tana French, less about clever traps, more about the long shadow people cast on one another.
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You Can Never Go Back drops readers into a Yorkshire winter where a rogue snowstorm, a countywide blackout, and one concussive boom leave behind a lingering sense that reality has been slightly… re-keyed. In the aftermath, private investigator Joe Parrott is pulled into fresh ripples from old damage: Sam Evans suspects his father’s new wife, Peggy, is siphoning inventory and steering the family toward a solicitor’s office; Hanna, still haunted by the Blackpool ordeal that cost Hero his life, turns up at Aisha Hunt’s clinic with news that detonates quietly but completely: she’s pregnant. What follows is part investigation, part moral triage, as Joe digs into Peggy’s past while Aisha tries to shepherd Hanna toward a safer horizon beyond England.
I enjoyed how lived-in this book feels. It doesn’t sprint on plot alone; it trudges, boots-first, through slush and strained domestic spaces, letting grudges and tenderness share the same room. The surveillance beats, like Joe tailing Peggy to Leeds Central Library, and watching her read about frugality and death, have that satisfyingly mundane creep-factor, the kind where the ordinary becomes ominous simply because someone is paying attention. And I liked that the story refuses the easy villain button: when Joe tells Sam, bluntly, what he discovers about Peggy, it lands like an ethical rebuke, not just to Sam, but to me as a reader who was already sharpening the pitchfork.
Hanna’s arc is written with a kind of flinty vulnerability: she’s frightened, yes, but also stubbornly purposeful, and the book allows both to be true without scolding her into a tidy lesson. When she insists she wants to disappear, not because she’s weak, but because she understands exactly how small-town judgment can become a legal instrument, the stakes sharpen from “what happened in Blackpool” to “who gets to author your future.” The Crete material, especially, surprised me with its tonal pivot: the setting is warmer, but the emotion isn’t softened into postcard sentiment. The birth scene is raw and immediate, and naming the baby as she did felt like an act of defiance against oblivion, grief made tangible, and therefore dangerous.
If you’re the sort of reader who likes mystery, crime thriller, psychological suspense, and a faint, atmospheric whisper of the paranormal (that “something has changed” feeling never fully evaporates), I think you’ll heartily enjoy this novel. It also rewards anyone who enjoys character-driven fiction where past cases remain like bruises on the protagonist. In mood and moral texture, it reminded me of Tana French, less about clever traps, more about the long shadow people cast on one another.
Five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hero of Blackpool JAN 14
Posted by Literary Titan
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ FOUR STARS
Alyssa Hall’s Hero of Blackpool is a gripping detective mystery featuring the steadfast Joe Parrott and a host of characters with intertwining lives and dilemmas. The novel kicks off with a tense prologue, setting a dark tone under the moonlit pier, and gradually shifts to the bustling streets of Sheffield and the intriguing yet dangerous seaside town of Blackpool. When Sally Booth’s roommate Hanna goes missing, the story follows Sally, Joe, and an ambitious budding investigator, Stefan Nowak, as they untangle a web of secrets and navigate personal challenges.
What stood out to me first was Hall’s atmospheric descriptions. Early in the story, the tension under the pier immediately drew me in, as did Sally’s frazzled journey through Sheffield’s noisy, chaotic streets. The detailed settings made me feel like I was walking alongside her. Hall captures a strong sense of place and mood, particularly in scenes like Stefan’s ill-prepared trip to the zoo, which was a humorous yet poignant moment showing his naivety as a private investigator.
The writing balances suspense and human emotion well, only occasionally dipping into melodrama. I found Stefan’s character a delightful addition. His eagerness to impress Joe and his half-cooked plans to solve Hanna’s disappearance lend a layer of endearing vulnerability to the plot. At the same time, Sally’s frantic yet brave persistence in finding her friend adds urgency. One standout scene for me was when Stefan discovers Hanna’s photos with the mysterious Ian and another shadowy figure. It was chilling, and Hall’s subtle hints here made my heart race.
Hero of Blackpool is an engaging blend of mystery and personal drama. I enjoyed Hall’s ability to weave the complexities of relationships, whether Joe’s mentor-like bond with Stefan or the fraught ties between Sally and her roommate, into the suspenseful narrative. It made the stakes feel real and relatable.
I’d recommend this book to fans of private investigator stories with a personal touch. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries with richly drawn characters and a sense of place, especially those who appreciate a mix of action, heartfelt moments, and the occasional touch of humor. The charm of the characters and the layered mystery make it a worthwhile read.
Hero of Blackpool JAN 14
Posted by Literary Titan
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ FOUR STARS
Alyssa Hall’s Hero of Blackpool is a gripping detective mystery featuring the steadfast Joe Parrott and a host of characters with intertwining lives and dilemmas. The novel kicks off with a tense prologue, setting a dark tone under the moonlit pier, and gradually shifts to the bustling streets of Sheffield and the intriguing yet dangerous seaside town of Blackpool. When Sally Booth’s roommate Hanna goes missing, the story follows Sally, Joe, and an ambitious budding investigator, Stefan Nowak, as they untangle a web of secrets and navigate personal challenges.
What stood out to me first was Hall’s atmospheric descriptions. Early in the story, the tension under the pier immediately drew me in, as did Sally’s frazzled journey through Sheffield’s noisy, chaotic streets. The detailed settings made me feel like I was walking alongside her. Hall captures a strong sense of place and mood, particularly in scenes like Stefan’s ill-prepared trip to the zoo, which was a humorous yet poignant moment showing his naivety as a private investigator.
The writing balances suspense and human emotion well, only occasionally dipping into melodrama. I found Stefan’s character a delightful addition. His eagerness to impress Joe and his half-cooked plans to solve Hanna’s disappearance lend a layer of endearing vulnerability to the plot. At the same time, Sally’s frantic yet brave persistence in finding her friend adds urgency. One standout scene for me was when Stefan discovers Hanna’s photos with the mysterious Ian and another shadowy figure. It was chilling, and Hall’s subtle hints here made my heart race.
Hero of Blackpool is an engaging blend of mystery and personal drama. I enjoyed Hall’s ability to weave the complexities of relationships, whether Joe’s mentor-like bond with Stefan or the fraught ties between Sally and her roommate, into the suspenseful narrative. It made the stakes feel real and relatable.
I’d recommend this book to fans of private investigator stories with a personal touch. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys mysteries with richly drawn characters and a sense of place, especially those who appreciate a mix of action, heartfelt moments, and the occasional touch of humor. The charm of the characters and the layered mystery make it a worthwhile read.
MY WRITING JOURNEY
With no formal background in writing, I nonetheless felt driven to try. I was surprised at how easily the words flowed ... and I managed to write my first novel, Trusting Claire, in three months. This was followed by Wanting Aidan, which was published four months later. Then I somewhat slowed down with Romero Pools, my third novel - the three of which were written within a year and a half - my first year as a published author. Romero Pools was released Christmas 2021. Now my fourth is on the way. I have, up to now, written maybe half of Hero of Blackpool. But I have slowed down considerably. I have developed patience and discipline, and feel I have grown in my art. Thank you for following my journey.
I am so proud of Romero Pools, and very excited about Hero of Blackpool, which will be released in the fall of 2022. In the story I bring back PI Joe Parrott, from Wanting Aidan. Please enjoy my books, and keep reading!
With no formal background in writing, I nonetheless felt driven to try. I was surprised at how easily the words flowed ... and I managed to write my first novel, Trusting Claire, in three months. This was followed by Wanting Aidan, which was published four months later. Then I somewhat slowed down with Romero Pools, my third novel - the three of which were written within a year and a half - my first year as a published author. Romero Pools was released Christmas 2021. Now my fourth is on the way. I have, up to now, written maybe half of Hero of Blackpool. But I have slowed down considerably. I have developed patience and discipline, and feel I have grown in my art. Thank you for following my journey.
I am so proud of Romero Pools, and very excited about Hero of Blackpool, which will be released in the fall of 2022. In the story I bring back PI Joe Parrott, from Wanting Aidan. Please enjoy my books, and keep reading!
Now also available in select Chapters/Indigo locations.
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