Sue Thomas

Meet the Bookstagrammer! New profile pic, so I thought I would update my pinned post! 😆 Hello, everyone, I'm Sue. I've been on bookstagram for eight years, and a book blogger for a number of these. You can find me all over social media as @brownflopsy 🐇 I adore books. My reading time is divided between physical books, ebooks, and audio books and I always have several books on the go in these different formats, often accompanied by a relaxing cup of tea and a cat.. I believe in the philosophy that you can never have too many books, just not enough bookcases - so every available space is crammed with literary treasures, including my growing clothbound collection.😁 I mostly read fiction, but love a good memoir or history read on the non-fic front too. I am a multi-genre reader, as you can probably tell from the eclectic mix of books that appear in my grid. I especially love Noir of all descriptions (particularly Nordic and Aussie), small town dynamics, sweping historical fiction, Golden Age crime, and darned good romances. My favourite authors are Jane Austen and Agatha Christie, who I reread endlessly. I have a passion for the classics too, which I really enjoy reading with like-minded readalong groups. A special mention for discovering the joy of mixing 'slow reads' amongst the tbr madness too 🥰 I've made some great friends in booksta land, particularly my @squadpod2021 lovelies, who are the most amazing supportive bunch ever! Love you, ladies! I'm always ready with a book recommendation, and love receiving them in return. I am here for all the book chat, so stop by and say hello fellow book lovers! 👋 #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #bookblogger #bookbloggers #brownflopsy #meetthebookstagrammer #booklover #readinghabits #tandemaudiobookambassador

Book 51: The Mysterious Mr Quin by @officialagathachristie @harpercollinsuk This month's #ReadChristie2026 #BiggestBestBeloved celebratory theme is all about her short stories, and I took it as an opportunity to pick up a collection I have been meaning to read for ages. The collection comprises 12 stories, which are somewhat of an oddity as they feature a partnership between the peculiar little Mr Satterthwaite (see also Three Act Tragedy and Dead Man's Mirror), and the very mysterious, not quite human, Harley Quin. Each one involves the surprise arrival of Mr Quin, where Mr Satterthwaite is called upon to solve a mystery by looking at the facts in a different way. He is rather good at this, especially given his insightful mix of male AND female observational skills (something Christie is always keen to emphasise). Despite his misgivings, Satterthwaite gradually transforms from on-looker to being very much involved in the lives of others, with Quin as the serendipitous catalyst. Overall, these stories are a melancholy bunch, despite Satterthwaite's genial temperament. They are heavily laced with dark emotions (and lots of references to suicides), but they stand out amongst Christie's crime canon because of the unusually overt supernatural nature of the strange Mr Quin. He appears and disappears without notice, makes veiled references to being an advocate for the dead, and occasonally displays his true motley colors and dark mask. It's all rather unsettling. Christie considered these an 'epicure's taste', which I find fascinating. They are also rather special as being the only short story collection she wrote a dedication for, and the only time the dedication was to a fictional character - 'To Harlequin the Invisible'. I'm in two minds about this collection, as they contain a real mash-up of themes and settings, but if you are looking for a chance to see a different side of Christie then they are worth a read. My favourite was The World's End (one of Christie's favs too, apparently), with the charismatic, penny-pinching Duchess, which made me chuckle. Hugh Fraser's narration of the audio book was perfect, as always. ❤

Book 51: Elizabeth and Marilyn by @julieowenmoylan @michaeljbooks #pr London, 1956. Two very famous women meet at a star-studded film premiere - Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and the Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. The book unfurls in the summer of 1956, with forays back in time to 1936 and 1946, covering the run up to this meeting. Elizabeth is still in the early days of her long innings as Queen, and Marilyn Monroe is in London to film The Prince and the Showgirl with Laurence Olivier. Having loved all of Julie's previous books, I was really looking forward to seeing how she would find common ground between two seemingly incongruous figures. She does this by cleverly writing about them as the real women that lie behind the legends, Lilibet and Norma Jeane, delving into their attempts to balance public and private personas. For Lilibet, this means negotiating the demands of Royal duty, family recriminations, and walking a fine line in her marriage to Philip. Meanwhile, Norma Jeanne suffers a crisis of confidence in her acting abilities, and finds her new marriage to older playwright, Arthur Miller, is not the bed of roses she was hoping for. Both women are discovering that the task of being all things to everyone is impossible, especially under the intense scrutiny of the media. I really enjoyed how Julie tackles Lilibet's character, but at times it is difficult to put aside the fact that she is living a life of privilege - fans of The Crown will love her. For me, it is Julie's portrayal of the fragile Norma Jeane that tears your heart to shreds - her desperate need to be loved, her loneliness, her battle with endometriosis, and her unhappiness at being let down once again by a man who wants his own pocket Marilyn Monroe, are laid bare for all to see. Tears were shed. This is Julie's must ambitious novel yet. I applaud how she makes you see the struggles of these women were more similar than you might imagine in love, loss and being taken seriously, despite the gulf in their backgrounds. Julie's women are always so well written in rich tones of light and shade, and her Lilibet and Norma Jeane are no exception. Compulsive reading. Out now!

Book 50: Thornby Manor by @bramwelllawes @orendabooks #pr Warwickshre, 1891. Burdened with cares following her parents' deaths, Briar Monroe leaves London hoping never to return. Planning to meet her aunt, Briar finds herself accepting the invitation of Lord Danville to stay at Thornby Manor instead. Penniless and with few choices, Briar accepts, but as soon as she reaches the menacing, mist-enshrouded Thornby Manor, she realises she has made a mistake. Lady Danville is dead, and in her stead presides the hostile former governess Marie Clara, dressed in fine silks more fitting to her late mistress. Briar soon discovers that this is a house wreathed in secrets, and complicated relationships. And the sense of danger only increases when Lord Danville's charismatic son, Gabriel, returns home to confront his estranged father about the mystery surrounding his mother's death... Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes channels her obvious passion for a historical gothic novel into this delicious debut, making it a tender love letter to the genre. With the wonderfully eerie setting; a cast of morally grey characters that evoke the very best of classic gothic fiction; and a plot dripping with secrets, lies, betrayal, and subterfuge; this story was everything I wanted, and more. Briar makes an excellent protagonist. Trapped within Thornby's dark and unsettling grip, and under the scrutiny of the horribly Mrs Danvers-esque governess Marie Clara, Briar must watch her step, but she has an inner spirit that refuses to be cowed. Armed with knowledge about the human psyche, she finds friends and enemies, especially when brooding Gabriel enters the fray. Bramwell-Lawes pitches this novel beautifully between layered gothic mystery, oozing themes of grief and madness, and feminist fire-cracker. There are thrilling nods to the historical gothic greats; a mystery that will keep you guessing; and a beautifully drawn relationship between two broken characters in Briar and Gabriel. I really enjoyed the exploration of power dynamics and the treatment of 'difficult' women too. This is a belter of a debut. I was held spellbound from the first page to the last. More please, Stephanie! 🌹 Out now!

Book 49: Beneath the Orange Blossom by @emmacowellauthor @avonbooksuk #pr Two years on from the death of her husband, dressmaker Ellen is struggling to keep secret the horrific domestic abuse he subjected her to, when everyone assumes she must be grieving for him. Thoughts of her first love, Alexandros, and the future her eighteen year old self might have had consume her - if only a shocking secret had not parted them.   When her friend Penny suggests revisiting their youthful selves by going back to Kardamyli, Greece, Ellen grabs at the chance to rediscover who she once was... before the secrets. Emma Cowell does exactly what she does best in her fifth spellbinding novel. Greece comes alive in all its evocative glory through Ellen's eyes. She revels in her return to Greece, but facing the past and taking charge of her own future is tough. Pulled into village life a way she did not to expect brings painful drama with Penny, and an emotional reunion with Alexandros. Twists and turns keep you fully invested in the love story between Ellen and Alexandros, and the course of Ellen and Penny's friendship, while Cowell cleverly explores themes of damaging secrets, hidden scars, shame (especially the misplaced shame of women), female friendship, and the relationship between mothers and sons. All praise due for a well-written older female protagonist, and the sensitive way Cowell approaches the experiences of survivors of domestic abuse. I adore the way Cowell weaves Greek mythology through her tales. Here she uses the prophetic, stitch-laden skills of The Fates to perfection, echoing their talents with the 'threads of life' in Ellen's own intuitive mastery of dressmaking. Beautifully done. Snuggling up with an Emma Cowell book is always time well spent. I expected to shed tears, and she gave me ample opportunity to work through a box of tissues on the way to ending full of hope and second chances, tinged with sadness. There is something really touching about the way her women find common ground and understanding, and the little community of Kardamyli is wonderful. Escapist gorgeousness to lose yourself in! ❤🍊🇬🇷 Out today! #publicationday

Book 48: Falling for the Protagonist by @bexgoos @headofzeus #pr Getting over a bad break-up is hard, especially when your ex has a new girlfriend, and your sister is marrying the man of her dreams. So when Emmy's sister persuades her to see a sex psychic, she decides to give it a go. Post weird tarot reading, Emmy settles down with a cheesy romance novel that the psychic persuaded her to buy. After reading about the hunky, male nurse protagonist Will, Emmy drifts off to sleep... only to wake up in Will's bed. Somehow, she is now a character in the rom-com she had been reading, and she is about to disrupt the entire story by displacing Will's intended love interest. Close proximity soon has the attraction between them developing into love, but how can they ever be together? In this enchanting story Emmy has to negotiate multiple meet-cutes with an array of handsome, rom-com trope hunks while trying to find a way back to the real world. Managing to convince Will the cosy, small town life he has been living in Cobalt, Massachusetts, is just the plot of a novel gives him an existential crisis. He agrees to help Emmy find her way back to the real world if he can, but the more time they spend together, the fewer reasons they have to want to be parted.  The delightful mix of rom-com tropes in Cobalt give a lovely tongue-in-cheek vibe to this story, which works so well with the developing (and super hot) romance between Emmy and Will. Along the very enjoyable way, Goos manages to explore a feast of heart-felt themes that echo between the fictional setting and Emmy's real world dilemmas - touching on family dynamics, unhealthy romantic relationships, true love, racism, and having the courage to follow your dreams. Goos' writing is very engaging, the premise is so much fun, and the story sparkles with plenty of humour and tender moments. I was so invested in Emmy and Will's love story, desperate for them to find a way to be together, even if it seemed impossible - and the ending hits the 'ahh' hot-spot perfectly. Full of Hallmark vibes, this was just the escapist gem I needed! Out 7th May. A fab @squadpod2021 #squadpodfeaturedbook for May. #squadpodbookclub

Book 47: Greta Garbo And the Rise of the Modern Woman by @reisfieldwrites #pr Born 1905 in Stockholm, Greta Gustafson went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, as Greta Garbo. She is a figure of screen legend, starring in her first big movie for MGM in 1926, and transitioning from the silent movie era to the golden age of Hollywood. The name Garbo evokes Tinsel Town glamour, but I knew little of the woman behind the image. So I was delighted to have the opportunity to find out a bit more about her, in this impressive biography, written by her great nephew. This is a sizeable, and erudite book, weighing in at 600 odd pages. It is a testament to the years of research he has undertaken into Garbo's life, but more than that, it is the personal connection to the woman herself that shines through. It contains everything you could possibly want to know about Garbo, from her childhood, to her romantic relationships, and all the way through her spectacular movie career and beyond. From busting the myth that Garbo was a reclusive character, to detailing the impact she had on the 'Rise of the Modern Woman', this book is a fascinating in-depth exploration of the life of someone was not afraid to challenge the view of women in film and the wider world - even if she did not originally intend to do so - by playing sexually independent, self-assured, powerful leading ladies. And, Reisfield includes a wealth of supporting information that really gets into the nitty gritty of the film industry of Garbo's time, including how censorship played a part in dictating what the paying public were allowed to view on-screen. I've dipped into much of this tome, and it has already left me with a very different impression of Greta Garbo than the one I had when I ventured into its many pages - and an intense desire to sit and watch all her movies. I am looking forward to discovering more about her as I make my way through the entire book. Highly recommend if you are interested in the history of film AND the life of a woman whose influence can still be felt today. Out now! #blogtour #biography

Book 46: All Cats Are Grey by Susan Barratt #pr January, 1942. London is in ruins in the wake of the Blitz, and a perilous place to navigate in the Blackout. It is even more dangerous now there is a serial killer stalking the streets - dubbed The Beast of the Blackout. In South London, four unlikely allies come together to deal with the threat the murderer poses... Thrumming with atmospheric wartime vibes, this novel sits decidely on the dark, visceral edge of the noir genre. The plot, inspired by the crimes of real-life murderer Gordon Cummins, follows a small cast of London residents, set against a bombed-out landscape. They have little in common, except for the fact that they each carry a secret that makes them fitted for taking on The Beast of the Blackout.  As the story flows between grim night-time scenes in the present, and harrowing forays into the past, Barrett weaves a picture of people who have been forced to address serious trauma in their lives. Their experiences are gut-wrenching, tragic and psychologically damaging, but they have also been transformative.  Barrett keeps her cards close to her chest about what really connects these characters until well into the story. It is only after a seriously clever coming together of past and present that it becomes clear they have all taken revenge on their abusers and got away with murder. The mystery is handled so well that I did not connect all the dots until the glorious climax of the story, when The Beast of the Blackout gets his comeuppance.  The darkness in this tale makes for gritty reading, especially the parts about childhood abuse and trauma, but the writing is impressive. The well-handled suspense, and the magnificent ending, make all the disturbing moments worthwhile - and Barrett shows acute insight into loneliness too. Perhaps 'enjoyable' is the wrong word to describe this, in the same way authors like Will Carver manage to put you through the mill before pulling off a blinder of an ending (if Carver-noir does it for you then this is a book that would be a perfect addition to your tbr). It certainly takes you on an unforgettable journey to the dark side of the psyche! Out now!

I certainly travelled far and wide with my reading journey in April! I have had my heart torn to shreds by complicated relationships; solved mysteries and murders around the globe; witnessed shocking injustices; had a mind-blowing glimpse of the future; chuckled along with a gang of glorious women; and baked a few biscuits!  You can find my reviews of this eclectic mix of books in my grid! ⛓ First of December by Karen Jennings @hollandhouse3525 🍪 The National Trust Book of Biscuits by Linda Collister @collins_ref 🎓 Maurice by E.M. Forster @sceptrebooks 🔎 A Caribbean Mystery by @officialagathachristie @harpercollinsuk ⏳The Traveler by Joseph Eckert @torbooks 🎉 The Lottery Winner Widows Club by Elly Vine @lucyvineauthor @wildfiredoesbooks 👣 Last One Out by @janeharperauthor @panmacmillan 🏠 Strange Buildings by Uketsu (Tns Jim Rion) @pushkin_press 💍 Kiss Marry Kill by @wordsbyyemi @faberbooks 🦋 Curiosity Spares the Butterfly by @antheasyrokou 🎿 Hidden in Memories by Viveca Sten (Tns Marlaine Delargy) @amazonpublishing #april2026readingwrapup #april2026readingroundup #ReadingAdventures

Book 45: Hidden in Memories by Viveca Sten (Tns by Marlaine Delargy) Amazon Crossing Charlotte Wretlind is in Åre to announce her controversial scheme to develop the abandoned ski lodge in Storlien, bringing it back to its former glory days - but she never makes it to the press conference. Instead, she is brutally murdered in her plush hotel suite at Copperhill Mountain Lodge by an aggressive assailant. Detective Inspectors Hanna Ahlander and Daniel Lindskog, hampered by Easter holiday crowds, get stuck into the case. They are almost certain a member of staff at Copperhill must be responsible, but Charlotte made a lot enemies in her business dealings (including resorting to a bit of bribery and corruption). The plot thickens when there is another murder, and Charlotte's son goes missing... Book 3 of this gripping Scandi noir series unfurls in familiar Sten style, via a number of povs. Hanna, Daniel, and their colleague Anton carry the police procedural side, with snippets about the continuing dramas of their personal lives; and there are contributions from a business associate of Charlotte's, her son, and Copperhill employees. Mixing things up, there are two additional threads - one from a woman who suspects her husband of wrongdoing; and another that goes back to 1973 and the glamorous heyday of the Storlien mountain lodge, through the eyes of a young waitress whose romantic notions end in tragedy.  The short, punchy chapters weave between the interconnecting threads, until they collide in a tense hostage situation at the creepy lodge in Storlien (lovely Overlook Hotel vibes), where Hanna puts her life on the line.  Sten gets everything right in pacing, character, and buried secrets. The balance of murder investigation and personal lives of Hanna, Daniel and Anton is well-judged in this third book too. I really enjoyed the up-turn in Hanna and Anton's love lives, and there is a bomb-shell moment for Daniel which promises interesting developments (nice to see his partner Eda finally with some depth, and less annoying!). This is definitely my favourite Åre Murders mystery yet! Out now. Looking forward to book 4, Hidden in Lies, which is out 5th May!

Book 44: Curiosity Spares the Butterfly by @antheasyrokou #pr Australia, 1977. Foteni is thrilled to finally be visiting Greece, and the friends and family her parents have spoken about. But the visit is filled with confusing events that bring their holiday to an abrupt end, after a man is arrested in front of her in Thessaloniki. Years later, Foteni returns to Thessaloniki to open her own cake shop. The city has been newly recognised as a centre for culture, and is buzzing. She meets a young man called Lazaros, and finds herself falling for him. But Foteni cannot shake an unsettling sensation. When Lazaros vanishes, she is heartboroken and begins to search for answers about the present... and the past. This novel spans three decades and two countries, and combines elements of family drama, coming-of-age tale, tender love story, and mystery yarn that delve into the impact of childhood events on the course of Foteni's life. The pace is gentle, with a sudden profusion of revelations on a number of enlightening fronts in the final part of the story. You do have to pay close attention from here onwards, but the eventual destination makes it worthwhile. It took me a while to get into the style of this one, with its sprawling cast of characters, but Foteni captured my interest from the beginning. It was enchanting looking at the world through her eyes as she grows, navigates love and loss, and solves a mystery steeped in complicated relationship dynamics, political intrigue, and secrets. Syrokou does a good job packing in scenes that stir the emotions. I have not read a novel set in Thessaloniki before, and enjoyed the way she immerses you in the city, particularly when it comes to blending atmosphere and the changing tides in the plot (the sea is used especially well). She weaves lovely popular culture references into the story too. If sweeping, escapist novels set in Greece are your thing, with lyrical prose and a protagonist you can take firmly into your affections, then you will find plenty here to please. I liked how Syrokou uses the recurring motif of butterflies, and the heart-warming themes of family, love, and truth are truly compelling. Out now!

Book 43: Kiss Marry Kill by @wordsbyyemi @faberbooks #pr Ife is excited when she has finally bagged her man, Ade. However, her dream wedding turns into a nightmare when her new husband is arrested for murder. The body of Ade's missing ex, Cynthia, has been found on the Dorset coast, near the picture-perfect cottage when she and Ade will begin their married life. Ife is forced to travel to their new home on her own - a cottage that is still filled with traces of Cynthia.  As she sits waiting for Ade to join her, she begins to wonder whether he really is guilty. Is he keeping secrets that reveal he did kiss, marry - and kill? But then she has secrets of her own too... This propulsive thriller unfurls through the perspectives of Ife and Cynthia, moving back and forth in time between before and after Cynthia went missing. The cast of characters is small, intimate, and intensely dysfunctional, especially when it comes to Ade's relationship with his controlling mother (and his two love interests Cynthia and Ife), and Dipeolu soon has you tied up in deliciously dark-themed knots as it becomes clear not everyone here is above-board about their motives and actions. Dipeolu excels in weaving themes of obsession, unhealthy relationships, and trauma throughout this story of the most unreliable of narrators. The drama pulls you in as the messy lives of the characters fall apart, revealing their closely guarded secrets, and there is a full quota of human frailty on display which makes it addictive reading. The mix of Nigerian and Jamaican cultural attitudes in Dipeolu's characters is insightfully explored too. I really did not know where this story was going to take me, and I am so impressed with the way Dipeolu keeps the momentum going all the way to her jaw-dropping conclusion! What a debut! Yemi Diepolu is a new voice in fiction that is set to go far! A fab @squadpod2021 #SquadPodBookClub pick for April #SquadPodFeaturedBook