The latest edition of The Thursday Book Club was broadcast on 16th April 2026 at 2pm on Phonic FM. Joining hosts Jonathan Posner and Cathy Dodd were Keith Rossiter and Timothy Neat. 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 It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.
Our thoughts? Listen below to find out.
Available on Amazon.
The second hour featured an interview by Cathy Dodd with author Timothy Neat about his books, and particularly Gaia in Extremis. Find it on Waterstones.com.
Cathy also played some great music!
Listen to the show in full here:
The next show is at 2pm on the 21st May 2026.
We’ll be reading and reviewing Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister. Why not read along with us?
Get your copy now from Amazon.
NEWS THIS MONTH
BOOKS AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD RETAILERS
Caller Unknown — Gillian McAllister
A tense, high-concept thriller built around an impossible moral dilemma from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time. When a mother receives a call that turns her world upside down, she’s forced into a race against time that crosses borders and challenges everything she believes. Described ad ‘gripping, emotional, and designed to spark debate’. Caller Unknown came out a week ago, published by Penguin.
Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief — Benjamin Stevenson
A clever, fast-paced crime novel from the author of Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect, which was a Times Crime Book of the Month. This one is the latest Ernest Cunningham mystery, set inside a bank, where absolutely everyone is a suspect. With a playful tone and a twisty plot, this is a puzzle-box thriller that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a really fun, accessible pick for crime fans. From Penguin – and the eBook came out on 16th April.
Hide and Seek — Søren Sveistrup
From the author of The Chestnut Man, this dark Scandinavian mystery thriller delivers a chilling investigation packed with atmosphere and tension. Expect complex characters, slow-burning suspense, and a mystery that gradually tightens its grip – perfect for readers who love immersive, gritty crime fiction. This came out at the end of last month, also from Penguin.
The Ending Writes Itself — Evelyn Clarke
One of the most talked-about thrillers of the year, this is new twisty and gripping locked room mystery crime thriller. Built around a mysterious premise and big twists, it blends psychological tension with a very modern storytelling style – definitely one to watch! Here’s the hook line: It’s the perfect plot. All it needs is a killer ending: Six authors. One private island. Seventy-two hours to write the ending. Starting is often the hardest part. But getting to the end could be murder…
Evelyn Clarke is the pseudonym for Number One Sunday Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab, and screenwriter and YA author Cat Clarke.
The Midnight Train — Matt Haig
This is the life-changing new novel from Matt Haig, the multi-million bestselling author of The Midnight Library. Haig returns with another emotional, thought-provoking novel that blends everyday reality with a touch of the extraordinary – in this case the chance to relive and change your life. Exploring themes of regret, hope, and second chances, this is the kind of uplifting, accessible fiction that resonates widely and sparks plenty of conversation. It comes out on the 9th May from Canongate Books.
John of John — Douglas Stuart
From Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart, this upcoming novel is already generating major anticipation. Expect powerful storytelling, deeply drawn characters, and an emotionally rich narrative that’s likely to cross from literary acclaim into mainstream book club success when it lands. John of John tells the heartbreaking story of a young man’s return home and shows how the bonds of family life are torn by the weight of expectation. It comes out on May 21st from Picador.
Smallie — Eden McKenzie-Goddard
A highly anticipated debut with strong early buzz, Smallie explores identity, history, and belonging through a fresh, contemporary voice. With its timely themes and engaging storytelling, this is shaping up to be a breakout book that could quickly gain word-of-mouth popularity. It comes out on May 7th from Penguin. It’s described as an exhilarating and expansive tale of a family thrown into collision with the Windrush scandal. This book shows just how easily the past can spill into our lives, even when – especially when – we think we’ve closed the door on it.
LOCAL NEWS
On Sunday 26th April Cancer Lifeline South West will be holding a Family Fun Day in the grounds of Ugbrooke House. It’s going to be a packed day with a dog show; live music; craft fair; zorbing and other games; food court and licensed bar; and a prize draw with some BIG prizes. Plus, this year, they are introducing a sponsored walk around the beautiful grounds of Ugbrooke House. Tickets via www.cancer-lifeline.org.
The South Hams Author’s Network has a Local Writer’s day on Saturday 25th at the Endsleigh Garden Centre from 10:30 to 3:30pm, with a Publishing Forum and a chance to chat with fellow writers. Free entry and free parking.
Mark Blackburn has a limited edition illustrated hardback edition of his travelogue memoir, Final Approach coming out, with a launch event at Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton on Thursday 26th April. Go to ticketsource/brendonbooks for tickets.
Chudleigh Writers are holding a Meet the Authors event on 23rd April at 7pm for World Book Night. Four authors will be talking about their work across a number of popular genres. Tickets are £3 from three shops in Chudleigh; Dandelion, Chudleigh DIY and Off the Peg. The authors are: Elizabth Ducie, Madeline Dyer, Sarah Boner and Sharon Cook.
