Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by global bestselling author Lisa Jewell to discuss her paperback hit Don’t Let Him In and her brand new summer release It Could Have Been Her.
Lisa talks candidly about writing morally complex characters, creating psychological tension without crossing credibility lines, and why her epilogues often carry the darkest revelations. She shares her unusual writing process — drafting without a plan, discovering twists late, and working at her kitchen table while the world carries on around her.
The conversation also explores:
The psychology of manipulation and trust in Don’t Let Him In
Why ordinary domestic settings can feel so sinister
The dark premise behind It Could Have Been Her
Whether modern thriller readers are harder to surprise
The difference between a twist and a reveal
The realities of building a long-term writing career
Publishing pressure, branding, and reader expectations
Audiobooks, reading slumps, and life as a bestselling novelist
Lisa also reflects on how her career has evolved, what she would (and wouldn’t) change, and the biscuit that powered the writing of her latest novels.
Alongside the interview, Philippa reviews:
Intelligence by Robert Newman
Strange Buildings by Uketsu
A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson
A wide-ranging and honest conversation with one of the most successful voices in contemporary psychological suspense.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by bestselling author Tim Weaver to talk about his gripping new novel The Lost Women, the fifteenth book in the much-loved David Raker series.
Tim reflects on reaching a major milestone as a writer and explains how he balances writing for long-time fans while ensuring every book can be read as a standalone. He also shares the chilling real-world inspirations behind The Lost Women, including a vanished documentary crew and an almost unimaginable hospital disappearance.
During the conversation, Tim discusses:
Writing the 15th David Raker novel and how the series has evolved
Why empathy, not angst, defines his central character
Creating twists that genuinely surprise readers
Writing thrillers that balance darkness with emotional heart
Why he avoids chasing trends and market expectations
How the publishing landscape has changed over the last 15 years
The rise of audiobooks and how listening has transformed his own reading life
The challenges of social media for authors
Why characters matter more than ever in crime fiction
Tim also reveals his ideal (and nightmare) writing environments, reflects on reader pressure around plot twists, and shares the biscuits that powered the writing and editing of The Lost Women.
A conversation with one of crime fiction’s most consistent and compelling voices.
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In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa explores a bold claim making waves across the book world: are wearable e-readers really the future of reading?
After researching the much-talked-about SOL wearable e-reader glasses, Philippa shares her scepticism, the surprising reactions from early adopters, and asks listeners whether immersive tech could change how we read forever.
Before that, returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld, answers another listener question and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at publishing today, including:
The standout debut novels to watch right now
Why audiobooks are booming and reshaping the industry
Spring publishing trends, from romantic fantasy to horror
How bestseller charts fail to reflect modern reading habits
Honest advice for anyone starting a career in publishing
The importance of positivity, curiosity, and commercial awareness
Alison also champions under-the-radar books she believes deserve far more attention and discusses why some extraordinary novels slip through the cracks.
A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about books, trends, careers, and the future of how we read.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by bestselling author Will Dean to discuss his haunting psychological thriller Adrift — a novel that explores control, isolation, and the quiet terror of living with someone who manipulates from the shadows.
Will talks candidly about his off-grid life in the Swedish woods, why he writes his first drafts in intense six-week bursts, and how emotional stories like Adrift can take years to fully realise.
Together, they discuss:
Writing while living off grid and why isolation fuels creativity
Why Will avoids the publishing “noise” and trends
How Adrift took five years to complete, despite a fast first draft
Writing claustrophobic tension without exhausting the reader
The psychology of control, gaslighting, and quiet manipulation
Writing from a child’s point of view and the emotional toll it takes
Why Will leaves much of the violence off the page
The fear and excitement of starting a new novel
How rereading favourite books shapes his writing
The current reading crisis and why encouraging children to read matters more than ever
Will also shares what he’s currently reading, why he rereads authors like Shirley Jackson and Sarah Waters, and answers the most important question of all: what powered the writing of Adrift (spoiler: frozen dates, not biscuits).
A thoughtful, intense, and revealing conversation about storytelling, fear, and the importance of noticing unheard people in unseen places.
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n this powerful and deeply honest episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by award-winning author Catriona Ward to discuss her haunting new novel Nowhere Burning.
This conversation goes far beyond the book. Catriona opens up about writing through profound personal grief, why she cries while writing, and how love — especially between siblings — can become both a source of salvation and destruction. Together, they explore childhood trauma, abandoned places, hostile landscapes, and the unsettling idea that some environments remember what happened there.
They also dive into:
The origins of Nowhere Burning and its unsettling setting
Why Catriona prefers the word reveal over plot twist
Horror, literary fiction, and why genre labels often miss the point
The worst writing advice Catriona has ever received
Creative writing courses, resilience, and finding your voice
Why “dark” fiction makes people uncomfortable — and why that matters
Books Catriona is reading and recommending right now
Biscuits, dunking rules, and the surprising truth about stroopwafels
Alongside the interview, Philippa also reviews:
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Body of Lies by Jo Callaghan — the gripping finale to the AI crime series

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.
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