Blog Tour: An Extract from The Songs That Find Us by Andrea Darby
Today I am taking part of the blog tour for The Songs that Find Us by Andrea Darby by sharing an extract from the novel! This one was just released this past Tuesday, September 22nd! **And if you are lucky enough to live in the UK, she has a fabulous giveaway going on!
Book Description:
Lizzie thinks the difficult years are behind her.
She has a happy marriage, a career she loves, and a daughter beginning to find her place in the world. But when her husband Ed receives a devastating diagnosis, long-buried secrets surface – shattering everything Lizzie believes about their life together.
Now Ed is desperate to set things right before his memories slip away.
Meanwhile, their adopted daughter Beck is searching for answers of her own that could change the family forever.
After rediscovering her love of singing, Lizzie brings together a community where friendship, kindness and music forge unexpected connections — and perhaps a way back to one another.
Buy Your Copy Here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
A note from Andrea:
This is from an early scene of the novel featuring one of the novel’s three narrators, Beck. The other two narrators are her mum Lizzie and dad Ed — so the reader gets three different perspectives as the story unfolds. Beck has recently moved away from the tensions at home to live in London with best friend Meg and decided to look for her birth mum – though she hasn’t told her adoptive parents. Here, she’s in a café with best friend Meg after a trip to a few local charity shops.
Beck
We’ve barely settled onto a comfy leather sofa with our usual espresso macchiatos in short glasses when Meg pulls the rust-coloured vase from her inside pocket, plonking it down on the wooden table.
‘What the— ? ’ I gaze around the room. ‘Stealing from a charity shop. That’s low, even for you.’
‘Call it borrowing. We’ll take it back when you’re bored with it.’
‘When you put it like that.’ I smile, but I’m uneasy. We’re not students anymore – I thought we’d moved on. Meg’s parents are loaded so she doesn’t need to steal.
A text pings in from Dad:
Will get the costings across shortly.
I read it to Meg. ‘Clearly not meant for me.’
‘Old-gen alert! My mum’s done that a few times. One was actually a sext . . . ewww, cringe.’ Meg shudders.
I laugh, but Dad’s message mess-up troubles me a bit, which must show on my face because Meg asks about him.
‘He’s having a few tests and scans. I think the doctor has pretty much put it down to stress. That’s what Dad said anyway. Of course, Mum’s hyping it up.’
‘I’m sure it’ll be fine. Stress can really wear you down.’ Meg sips her coffee. ‘Bad news about Leo’s twenty-first.’ She looks earnest. ‘Sophie’s going, apparently.’
The thought of facing her again drags in my belly, a swell of dread, and irritation. ‘Hopefully it’s the last time I’ll ever see her.’
‘Why, you gonna bump her off? Getting ideas from all those psycho thrillers you read?’
‘Don’t tempt me. Her family’s moving to France, and she might join them.’ I cross two heavily ringed fingers. ‘Au revoir, bitch.’
‘Just stay away from her jacket at the party.’ Meg splutters a laugh over her drink.
‘What a fuss she made.’ I bite at some loose skin by my fingernail. Maybe what I did was extreme, but Sophie deserved it, for all her games with Jai. ‘Anyway, it couldn’t have been me, I don’t smoke anymore.’
‘Even Sophie’s not that stupid.’
I sip my coffee. ‘Can’t believe Leo’s twenty-one. I don’t think his party will be in the same league as one we’re organising at work for a client’s fiftieth birthday. A champagne fountain and ice sculptures. He’s even hiring a bloody orchestra.’
‘Impressive.’
‘Sadly, as a low-grade admin assistant, I won’t make the guest list.’ I wince as I rest the coffee glass on my thigh, catching the bare skin. ‘God, I need more money. My wage is pathetic.’
‘What about asking your parents?’
‘Why do you think I’m heading home for a couple of days?’ I expect a lecture: ‘You chose to live in London. If you can’t afford it then . . .blah-blah.’ But I’ll probably get money, so will have to suck it up.
‘A chance to tell them about searching for your birth mother perhaps?’
I stay silent, watching a family pile into the café, two children hidden under green umbrellas with huge frog eyes. ‘I’m following this great blog by someone looking for her biological family.’ I tap on my mobile. ‘Here, have a read.’ I hand it over.
‘Hang on, this isn’t it . . .’ Meg looks puzzled ‘. . . FreeToAGoodHome . . . sounds like furniture recycling or something.’
‘That’s what she calls the blog.’ I’ll have to spell it out for Meg, as usual. ‘She’s referring to herself, as a baby, when she was put up for adoption.’
‘Aww, that’s so sad,’ Meg says, pouting a bit.
Yes, it is sad.
Really sad.
About the Author:
Andrea Darby writes commercial women’s fiction with book club appeal, exploring emotionally engaging stories about family, relationships, resilience – and hope. Her stories are for readers who enjoy thought-provoking, uplifting novels with plenty to discuss. Andrea is a prize-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ experience as a writer and sub-editor on newspapers and magazines. Her articles have been published in regional and national titles, including Prima, Best, Take a Break, Prima Baby, Woman and Dogs Today. She plays several brass instruments, sings in a choir and teaches piano from her home in Gloucestershire – where she’s lucky to have very understanding neighbours. Ideas for writing often come while listening to music or walking Betty the cockapoo through muddy fields.
Contact Andrea:
Website
Twitter @ADarbyAuthor
Instagram @andreadarbyauthor
**UK GIVEAWAY**
Win signed copy of The Songs That Find Us, luxury tea, luxury chocolate and William Morris pen
Enter to win here!
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the link above. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
See the entire blog tour here:
ARC Review: The First Scarlet Door by J.D. Barker
The First Scarlet Door
Series: 4MK Thrillers #4
Author: J.D. Barker
Narrators:
Michael Crouch
Piper Goodeve
To Be Published: TOMORROW, September 22, 2026
Paperback: 400 pages
Audiobook: 10 hours 41 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read/ Listened To: September 6- 16, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
In the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker’s wildly popular 4MK series…
Before he was known as the Four Monkey Killer, he was just a boy trying to survive.
Charleston, 1999. Fifteen-year-old Anson Bishop didn’t mean to kill—not the first time, anyway. Raised by parents who taught him that murder was simply survival, Anson thought he’d escaped his dark past when his home burned and his mother vanished with stolen mob money.
He was wrong.
Someone is hunting Charleston’s forgotten children—the runaways, the addicts, the ones no one will miss. When the few people Anson has come to care about vanish into the night, he discovers a truth more horrifying than anything his parents taught him: there are monsters in the world far worse than the one he sees in the mirror.
Behind a door the color of spilled blood waits a killer who has perfected his craft over two decades. To save his friends, Anson must walk through that scarlet door and face a monster. But in doing so, he may become something more dangerous than what awaits him on the other side.
Some doors, once opened, can never be closed.
Discover where it all began in the first of three prequels to New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker’s wildly popular 4MK series.
Jessica’s Review:
J.D. Barker, where do you come up with the ideas for your books?!?!? I am a fan and I always look to see what your books are about when they are announced. I was excited to hear earlier this year that the first in a prequel series was coming out in 2026, and that it looks like we are getting closer to a 4MK television series! Being I complete audiobooks much quicker that physical or e-books I bought all of the original trilogy on audio and planned to listen to them before the prequel was released. And then I was fortunate to receive both an arc and alc of The First Scarlet Door!
If you ever wanted to see the evolution of a child to eventual serial killer, you must read these books! First, read the original trilogy, and then move on to The First Scarlet Door! In the original trilogy we do get some of Anson’s childhood through diary entries, but The First Scarlet Door is Anson’s story as a fifteen-year-old boy in 1999. With everything that Anson has gone through, its no surprise that he eventually becomes 4MK! He never stood a chance to be ‘normal’.
This is a dark, chilling, and horrific novel with what happens to these young children and teenagers. No one should go through everything that they endure, let alone these kids at their age! What is going to ultimately happen with these kids? This series is not for everyone with the graphic nature content involved. If you have even read one of the previous books then you know what you are getting yourself in for.
We are left with a cliffhanger ending and I just wonder how long we will have to wait on the next two novels in the series. And then of course, just what will happen next!?!?
I was excited to receive a package from J.D. Barker and his publisher Hampton Creek Press which consisted of the original trilogy in paperback, and an arc of The First Scarlet Door, some additional information and swag! Then as I started to read Scarlet Door, I saw the audiobook was narrated by Michael Crouch and Piper Goodeve. I was excited when I saw Crouch’s name attached and was overjoyed to be granted an advanced listening copy of the audiobook from RD Media/Recorded Books. Because of this I was able to go between reading and listening to the book! Both Crouch and Goodeve did a fabulous job.
As with the original trilogy, Scarlet Door is composed of short chapters that make putting this continuing story hard to put down! Again, how long do we have to wait for the next two novels?
J.D. Barker, what terrifying world will you take this reader/ listener of yours down next?!?!?!
Thank you again to J.D. Barker and his publishers for all the 4MK goodies I have received!
Pre-Order Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
If you have read just one of the books in this series, then you know what may be in this box! Be afraid, be very afraid…
Blog Tour: Guest Post: Bob and Shirley’s Guide to Murder by Suzy K Quinn
Today I am sharing a guest post as a part of the blog tour for Bob and Shirley’s Guide to Murder by Suzy K Quinn. She is sharing with us about Bob and Shirley and her thoughts on ‘strong couples’ making the relationship work. Bob and Shirley’s Guide to Murder was released on July 8th. What’s even better is that Suzy is having an international giveaway!
Book Description:
Bob and Shirley run a lovely country pub. They also solve murders …
A warmly funny, gloriously British cozy crime and murder mystery series that can be read as standalones or part of a series. Set in a village where the pub is the heart of country life and served with warmth, wit and a very good Sunday roast.
“Murder? In our quiet, little English village?
Great Oakley is a place of hanging baskets, tearooms and riverside walks. We’ve won ‘Britain’s safest village’ 10 years running. I keep three pound coins, a box of toffees and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol on my dashboard at all times, and I’ve never needed to lock my car.
Certainly, Bevvy Hogg was disliked. She ran the local Waist Watchers group, yet came to our pub for fish and chips, treacle tart and a bottle of Chardonnay every Friday. But I don’t think she was murdered …”
When Bevvy Hogg is found dead in the Goose and Gander pub garden, with an empty treacle tart plate beside her and several dress sizes slimmer than anyone remembers, Great Oakley’s winning streak as Britain’s safest village comes to an abrupt end.
Buy Your Copy Here:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Meet Bob and Shirley – a couple who argue every day, run a pub and solve murders
I have a theory about relationships. A strong couple are opposites. They complete each other because they are different. Which also means that a healthy couple argue. And yes, I am speaking from personal experience.
When I wrote the Bob and Shirley’s Guide to Murder is my new murder mystery / cozy mystery series. I leaned heavily into personal experiences of my daily marital bickering to write about a totally new type of detective – the arguing married couple.
My husband and I love each other to the moon and back. Honestly, we do! But if you were to record a conversation in our household, you might think otherwise.
Our usual daily chat goes something like this:
Me: ‘Why are you keeping this? It’s a used train ticket. It has no purpose. We need to throw it away.
Demi: ‘It’s the train ticket I used to see the Arsenal play … [insert some meaningless football chat I’m not interested in] and they won the match and it has sentimental value and it’s also lucky.
Me: ‘No, it isn’t. It’s litter.’
Demi: ‘You have no heart.’
Me: ‘Possibly, true. Throw it away or I will.’
We also argue about the dishwasher. He believes a plate should go in the moment it leaves the table. I believe a plate should sit on the side, gathering its thoughts, until there are enough plates to make loading the dishwasher a proper job worth doing. He calls this letting it build up. I call it efficiency.
Bob and Shirley are similarly argumentative. They run a historic, country pub together in the chocolate box village of Great Oakley, argue constantly … and solve murders and other mysteries.
Bob is an ex-fireman who grows his own vegetables, bakes his own wholemeal bread and makes elderflower cordial with no sugar in it. He cuts his own hair with nail scissors. And when God was handing out charm, Bob was at the back of the line correcting someone’s grammar.
Shirley is a landlady who thinks a little of what you fancy does you good, and then has rather a lot of it. She has never met a prosecco she didn’t like. She thinks Bob’s homemade cordial tastes of hedge.
They bicker constantly. About tea (she puts the milk in last, he puts it in first and has never told her). About whether the pub quiz brings the community together or drives it apart. About whether you can run a non-alcoholic bar at a village fitness event without causing a riot.
And they have a very happy marriage.
Because Bob notices things. He is the one with the gardening clipboard, making notes for the paramedics, spotting the odd yellow mark on the flagstones that nobody else saw. He is thorough and clever and completely hopeless with people.
Shirley is the one people actually talk to. She can walk into a room full of suspects and come out twenty minutes later knowing everything, because she has a landlady’s ear and no shame whatsoever about using it.
Separately, they would never solve a thing. Bob would be thrown out of every interview he attempted (and in book one, he is). Shirley would collect all the gossip in Suffolk and never work out what any of it meant.
Together, they are rather good at solving mysteries.
I don’t think opposites attract by accident. I think we choose people who are strong where we are weak, and then we spend the rest of our lives being mildly irritated by the exact thing that makes them useful.
My husband’s sentimentality drives me up the wall. It is also the reason our house is full of things that mean something.
My ruthlessness with the bin bags drives him mad. It is also the reason we can find anything.
So if you and your other half argue every day about something completely ridiculous, I would say you are doing rather well.
Just don’t ask me to load the dishwasher after every finished cup of tea.
Bob and Shirley’s Guide to Murder is a new murder mystery / cozy mystery series. All these books are available on Kindle Unlimited.
About the Author:
Suzy K Quinn (hello – it’s me!) is writing this bio in the third person. Which feels duplicitous and also a little egotistical. But here goes …
Suzy K Quinn writes book club books and murder mystery series, and has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. She’s a bestselling author in the US, UK and Germany and will soon, very possibly, have written more books than she’s read.
Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author. When Suzy isn’t writing in cafes, she is walking around woods dictating like a lunatic.
Contact Suzy:
Website
Facebook Group
Tiktok @suzykquinn
Instagram @suzykquinn
Twitter @suzykquinn
Threads @suzykquinn
Giveaway:
Win an e-copy of Bob and Shirley’s Killer Cuppa Puzzle: Open Internationally!
One of Great Oakley’s five open gardens served poisoned tea. Can you work out which one before Bob does?
‘Like Murdle and a cozy mystery rolled into one.’
Murder mystery logic puzzle stories for fans of The Killer Isn’t Alice, Murdle and Can You Solve the Murder?
These are ‘Puzzlories’. Read them like stories, solve them like puzzles. Each one takes about an hour to read and solve.
It’s Open Gardens weekend in Great Oakley. Five gardeners have opened their gardens to the public, and each is offering a unique drink, cake, flower and interesting garden feature to their fellow villagers.
Unfortunately, one garden owner poured poisoned tea. Probably not on purpose. But you never know. There are more murders in Britain’s safest village than you might imagine.
Village pub landlady Shirley Duffy visited all five open gardens before returning to the Goose and Gander for a much-needed beer and a sit down. One of those five gardens was the scene of the crime.
The trouble is, Shirley’s memory is known to be … selective. She can remember every cake she’s eaten since 1987, but not necessarily when and where she ate it. And she can’t remember which garden served tea on Saturday afternoon.
Shirley’s husband, Bob, is frustrated that Shirley can’t remember one garden from another. But he finds many things about his wife frustrating, and loves her anyway.
As Bob presses Shirley for details, the clues pile up. Your job is to note them down and work out who served the tea before Bob does.
Twenty clues, one in every short chapter. Fill in your detective’s grid, cross off your suspects and name the poisoner.
Grab your notebook, put the kettle on (carefully) and see if you can beat Bob to the answer.
ENTER TO WIN HERE.
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box above. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
See the entire blog tour:
