Letters From The Dead - Ryan's Story - Mark Tilbury

 

 It’s been a few years since Mark Tilbury released a new book, so when he messaged to say that book fourteen was on the way, I was absolutely thrilled. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy — and believe me when I say I wasn’t disappointed.

Letters From The Dead is another unforgettable, gut punch of a read from a very tried-and-tested, go-to author for me. You know the type: you don’t need the synopsis; you just need the book.

Dawn Osbourne’s son, Ryan, went missing a year ago, and desperate for any kind of help, she turns to Claire, a local psychic. Claire has always avoided missing persons cases, but despite her reluctance, nineteen year old Ryan has other ideas. He reaches out through automatic writing, slowly revealing his story piece by piece.

Ryan’s account is disturbing, horrifying, and tragic — and worse still, he’s not the only one to suffer at the hands of this unhinged killer. The more he reveals, the deeper Claire is pulled in, and she feels she has no option but to uncover the truth, whatever the cost.

I devoured this book with the kind of feral intensity that made me look up at one point and wonder if the author was laughing while writing it — because you have to be twisted to craft a story this brutal and this brilliant. Following a young man as he’s hunted and tormented by an unhinged, homophobic killer is horrifying, but the narrative sinks its claws in with such precision that you can’t stop reading.

The pain feels intentional, the hope feels defiant, and the whole thing crackles with that wild, unfiltered energy only a writer with a beautifully warped imagination can pull off. I finished it feeling shaken, exhilarated, and a bit feral myself — because somehow, in all that darkness, the story still roared with ferocity.

If you enjoy a dark, warped story that isn’t afraid to go to some very unsettling places, I’d definitely recommend this book. It’s gripping, intense, and absolutely worth your time.

 

 

With kind thanks to author Mark Tilbury for my advanced copy.

Clusterf*ck - Brian O'Sullivan

 

It was the title that caught my eye — loud, unbothered, and practically yelling across the shelf, “You. Yes, you. Take me home.” And of course I did, because how do you walk past a title that bold without immediately needing to know what kind of narrative mayhem lives inside it?

This is a book that doesn’t just go off the rails — it steals the train, drives it into a swamp, and then asks you to hold its drink!

Clusterf*ck is exactly what it promises: a glorious, spiralling tangle of bad decisions, questionable alliances, and narrative chaos so committed it has you muttering “oh absolutely not” while turning the page anyway. It’s messy in the way real life is messy — except funnier, sharper, and with better dialogue.
There’s a strange, magnetic beauty in watching fictional humans implode with this level of dedication and beneath the chaos runs a pulse of honesty that hits harder than expected, like the emotional equivalent of stepping on a Lego.

This was my first book by author Brian O’Sullivan and he clearly has a knack for capturing that specific flavour of human disaster where you’re never quite sure whether to root for the characters or stage an intervention. One moment you’re laughing; the next, you’re clutching the book like a stress ball -it’s most definitely a ride.

Clusterf*ck is a deliciously chaotic read that feels like watching a slow motion car crash narrated by someone you’d absolutely get drinks with. It's a very clever take on Strangers On A Train -perfect for readers who enjoy stories that embrace the delightful, unhinged tangle of human feelings. I didn’t so much read this book as experience it — like a fever dream and I abso-f*cking-lutely loved it! I'm already knee-deep in another book from Mr O'Sullivan as I feel I need more mayhem in my life! 

How to Reignite Your Love for Reading (When Reviewing Burned You Out)

 

You used to read for joy, now you read for deadlines.You used to get lost in stories, now you get lost in guilt.

If reading feels like a chore, you’re not broken. . . . .  You're burned out!

 

 

You deserve to come home to books again and here's some things that might help.

 Read Without Reviewing

Give yourself permission to read just for you.
No notes.
No star ratings.
No blog drafts.
Let the story be yours alone.
Like a secret crush.
Like a quiet joy.

Try this:
•    Pick a book and promise yourself: “No review. No pressure.”
•    Read in pajamas, with snacks, and zero expectations
•    Let yourself DNF without guilt if it doesn’t spark joy

Revisit Your Comfort Reads
Go back to the books that feel like home.
The ones that made you fall in love with reading in the first place.
The ones that still smell like nostalgia.

Try this:
•    Reread a favorite chapter instead of a whole book
•    Annotate with doodles, stickers, or emotional reactions
•    Create a “Comfort Shelf” on your blog or Goodreads

Shift the Narrative: From Obligation to Curiosity
Instead of “I have to read this,” try “I wonder what this story holds.” - curiosity is softer than pressure.
It invites you in, instead of weighing you down.

Try this:
•    Choose books based on mood, not schedule
•    Explore genres you’ve never reviewed before
•    Read novellas, graphic novels, or poetry—something bite-sized and fresh

Start a Joy Journal
Not a reading tracker - not a review planner - a joy journal, a place to record:
•    Lines that made you smile
•    Characters you’d be friends with
•    Feelings you had while reading—without needing to explain them

Try this:
•    Use colorful pens, washi tape, or chaotic scribbles
•    Make it messy, emotional, and yours
•    Title it “Proof That I Still Love Books”

Take a Break (Yes, Really!)

Sometimes the best way to reignite love…is to step away. Let yourself miss reading. Let the silence remind you why stories matter.

Try this:

• Declare a “reading sabbatical” on your blog
• Fill your creative cup with movies, music, or writing instead
• Return when you’re ready—not when you feel obligated 

 Final Whisper
Your love for reading isn’t gone, it’s just buried under expectations.
And you?
You’re allowed to reclaim it. So read slowly, read selfishly, read like no one’s watching.
Because the best stories aren’t just reviewed  - they’re felt.

 

Have you ever lost your reading mojo and if so did you use any of the above to help get it back? Maybe you have other tips you'd like to share that helped you through your reading slump. If you have any I'd love to hear them!