The latest edition of The Thursday Book Club was broadcast on 15th January 2026 at 2pm on Phonic FM. Joining hosts Jonathan Posner and Cathy Dodd were Jason Mann and Su Bristow. Click the names to find out more about them, and use the audio bar below to listen to the full show.
Our book review was Midnight in Vienna by Jane Thynne, billed as a tense and atmospheric thriller told against a backdrop of uncertainty and fear as World War Two threatens.
Did we agree? Listen below to find out.
Available on Amazon.
The second hour featured an interview by Cathy Dodd with author Geoff A. Wilson who lives in a small village on the south coast of Devon, UK. Geoff retired in 2019 to become a full-time fiction writer. He specialises in psychological thrillers, children’s fantasy books, short stories and dystopian novels.
Cathy also played some great music!
Listen to the show in full here:
The next show is at 2pm on the 19th February 2026.
We’ll be reading and reviewing The Sweetshop of Second Chances, by Hannah Lynn. Why not read along with us?
Get your copy now from Amazon.
NEWS THIS MONTH
Exeter Writers are hosting A celebration of words on 24th January at the Exeter Customs House on the Quay. This is a day-long event for local writers in partnership with Literature Works. There’s going to be sessions for writers, such as a panel on plotting your novel, one on how to get happily published, and a great session on forensics for crime writers. The keynote speech will be given by Michael Jecks, intriguingly titled ‘Editors, Agents and other Reptiles’. Tickets are limited so booking is essential. You can get tickets from the Literature Works website.
Denise Smith released her third murder mystery novel on Christmas Eve. Her novels are set in Lincolnshire, where she used to live, and feature a private detective called Beatrice Styles. This book is called Never Really Knew You, and features Beatrice’s latest client being tormented by anonymous letters accusing her dying husband of infidelity. When he dies suddenly, and not for the reasons expected, there are whispers of foul play. As the police turn their attention to his death, Beatrice suspects the letter writer may have crossed a dangerous line. Where will they stop? A determined Beatrice follows the evidence into a world of grudges and buried secrets. But someone is watching, and they’ve already decided she knows too much. Beatrice must decide how much she is willing to risk to expose the truth, but revealing secrets can have unintended, dangerous consequences. Who will pay the ultimate price?
All Denise’s books are available on Amazon.
Local author Graham Reynolds has brought the rich and often surprising history of Brixham vividly to life with his acclaimed books Brixham Unseen and Brixham Uncovered, launched in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
The two books offer a fresh, contemporary, and informal exploration of Brixham’s past and recent history, revealing the town’s lesser-known stories, unusual characters, and intriguing heritage. Blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling, the books present factual, captivating, and remarkable true stories that appeal to both residents and visitors alike. The books are available on Etsy and eBay, or locally from Another Chapter on The Quay, Brixham, and from Reception at the Berry Head Hotel.
Word Kitchen is creating an anthology of new writing about the East Devon Landscape. They are accepting short prose pieces (fiction, memoir, nature writing) up to 800 words or up to 80 lines of poetry. Pippa Marriott is running two free online workshops. The first was on Monday – so that’s already happened – but the second is on 20th January. The email address for more information is wordkitchencomms@gmail.com.
Alison Huntingford’s new book Beyond the Dark Oceans is nearly finished and will be published this spring. It’s a historical fiction based on family history from 1904 to 1923, set in England, Canada and France. It’s a tale of family, emigration, love and warmth. Alison other books are available on Amazon, including Dance a Fearful Jig.
The Plymouth Literary Festival takes place on the weekend of the 14th and 15th February. There are lots of great events happening, but we thought we would highlight this one:
From Pen to Publication – this is a panel discussion that features several of our previous guests and featured authors. The panel will be Terri Nixon, Cathie Hartigan, Elizabeth Ducie, William Telford and David Sharp, and it is chaired by Louise Sharland. The discussion will ask the question: What does it take to turn a first draft into a published book? The panel will share their experiences of writing, publishing, and everything in between. Expect practical tips, honest insights, and inspiration for writers at every stage. It’s on Sunday 15th February, from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Portland Square Building in Plymouth. Book your tickets here.
Rebecca Southgate Williams’s new book The Lies That Find Us came out on 15th December. It’s a contemporary family saga of love, loyalty, betrayal and loss set in Cornwall. Here’s the blurb: Chi An Mor has been in Lowenna’s family for generations, its stories and secrets etched into its salt-swept, weathered walls. Overlooking a bustling cove on the North Cornwall coast, the old cottage has become her cherished holiday retreat – a place for her own family to unwind, recharge, celebrate, and forge memories of their own. Now, as the Petersen clan gathers for a week-long celebration of Lowenna and Ed’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary, she starts to question whether inviting all three of her children and their families was a wise decision. As old wounds fester, tempers flare, and family secrets seethe beneath the surface, the ties that bind them together also threaten to tear them apart. The Lies That Find Us is a saga of love, loss, loyalty, and the dangerous weight of untold stories. Is it possible for them all to survive the week unscathed?
Available on Amazon.
Helena Dixon tells us that she will be giving a talk at the Churston library on Thursday Feb 26th. It’s from 4pm to 5.30pm. Tickets can be had from the library. Helena says she believes there will be cake!
Jill McRae-Spencer is working on the sequel to her first novel, What Kathleen Did and features Kathleen’s daughter, who has much to discover about her parents. The new book is provisionally called Living in the Dark and is set in south Devon. Jill says she is about half way through.
What Kathlen Did is available on Amazon.
