Unforgettable and impossible to resist: The best Thrillers out now: A Murder in Paris by Matthew Blake, Love, Mom by Iliana Xander, Deadline by Steph McGovern
London based, half-French psychotherapist Dr Olivia Finn, an expert in helping patients reclaim painful memories in an effort to recover, is summoned to Paris to help her grandmother – acclaimed artist Josephine Benoit – who is insisting she is someone else. Could this be the effects of dementia?
Josephine is also claiming to have committed murder in Paris at the end of the war. Surely there is a mistake? But then she is herself murdered and secrets from the past – including many from Olivia's own – surface.
This delicate story, which travels seamlessly between post-war Paris and the present day, is exquisitely told by the author of last year's bestselling debut Anna O, and is just as unforgettable.
Love, Mom by Iliana Xander (Penguin £9.99, 400pp)
Mackenzie Casper is the only child of a mega-selling author – who writes under the name of E. V. Renge – whose fame has cast a dark shadow over her daughter's childhood.
But then she dies in what appears to be a tragic accident and Mackenzie starts to receive letters from her dead mother, delivered by an unseen hand.
So begins this supremely twisty tale of deceit and deception that sees Mackenzie try to unravel what went on in her mother's life, and what her father Ben may have had to do with it.
Helped by computer nerd friend EJ, she starts to piece together what happened. Supremely gifted story-telling, with twist upon twist, it is impossible to resist.
Deadline by Steph McGovern (Macmillan £20, 384pp)
TV presenter McGovern's engaging story takes us behind the scenes of live television, drawing on her eight years' experience on BBC Breakfast, but then she adds a killer twist.
Her heroine, reporter Rose, is interviewing the Chancellor of the Exchequer live, when a voice in her earpiece announces that her wife Kate and their son Rory have been kidnapped and she must do exactly what the voice says. It is an exciting set up, but only the start.
McGovern also explores hate speech, deprived children, the stalking of female reporters and the impact of the media in a fast-paced story that often brings a tear to the eye – while the question remains: can Rose rescue the two people she loves?
An encouraging debut from the broadcaster. Let's have another.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 minutes ago
- The Sun
Rio Ferdinand hits out at BBC over coverage of England Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph with Man Utd icon left stunned
RIO FERDINAND was stunned by the absence of one ex-Lioness on BBC Sport's coverage of the Euro 2025 final. The former England international was watching the Lionesses beat World Cup winners Spain on penalties and be crowned back-to-back European champions on Sunday. 3 3 3 While the country were getting settled to witness the Lionesses claim silverware once again, Ferdinand took to social media to question the BBC's coverage choices. With three shocked-face emojis, he wrote on X: "How's @fara_williams47 not on the @BBCSport coverage." The ex-Manchester United defender is of course referring to former Lioness Fara Williams. Williams, who made 172 appearances for her country between 2001 and 2019, has become one of the most prominent pundits in the women's game since she hung up her boots. She had featured regularly on the BBC's coverage of the tournament over the summer. Williams' Instagram posts from Sunday show she was covering the final as part of the tournament's sponsors Just Eat's promo. She was on a panel for their pre-match show alongside ex-Lionesses and BBC pundits Alex Scott and Jill Scott. She also posted clips of herself in the stands, celebrating wildly when her former team became European champions for the second tournament in a row. Instead of Williams, the BBC had other Lionesses on their panel in Switzerland. Gabby Logan was put in to present, while former England captain Steph Houghton and Euro 2022 winner Ellen White also got the call up. Women's Super League commentator Seb Hutchinson was also selected. Plenty of fans switched from BBC to ITV's coverage on Sunday, with Arsenal legend and ex-England international Ian Wright being part of the latter's panel. The former Gunner went wild as England saw off Spain from the spot, with England's stars following suit and partying until the early hours afterwards. The Lionesses beat La Roja 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
The Sun
3 minutes ago
- The Sun
Jaw-dropping vid shows crowds join unbelievably huge queue to grab viral Labubu dolls as craze sweeps across the world
JAW-DROPPING footage shows crowds join a ginormous queue to get their hands on the viral Labubu dolls from a new Pop Mart store in Berlin. The bizarre furry figurines - made popular by the Chinese toy company - have caused shoppers to go into a frenzy in recent months. 7 7 7 7 With their bunny ears and creepy smiles, Labubu dolls have surged in popularity since being spotted on the bags of celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Olivia Attwood and Gemma Collins - and even David Beckham. The doll hype has since reached a global scale, with footage showing an hours-long, snaking queue in Berlin. One video captures crowds desperate to get their hands on the viral furry figurines waiting in what initially looks to be a never-ending line. The queue extends all the way around a block, and just when you think it's over, it snakes down another street before stretching around another building. Some people are even seen sitting down or lounging up against the metal barriers, presumably because they had been waiting for a long period of time to get their hands on the dolls. The caption on the video jokes: "This ain't a concert... It's Labubu in Berlin." A brand new Pop Mart has just opened in the German city, attracting Labubu fans to the store. The Chinese toy company's popularity has soared, with the retailer even surpassing Russian energy giant Gazprom in market value. The fluffy Labubu figurines have large, toothy smiles and claw-like feet. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the vinyl figures are sold in £17.50 "blind boxes". And this appears to be part of the appeal, as fans have no idea which version they are getting - therefore making them a collectable. I found Labubus at my local Centra and now I have a huge collection CELEB APPEAL Former England footy captain David Beckham revealed that his daughter Harper, 13, had bought him one, showing off a snap of a rare 'secret' edition character. Kim Kardashian posted a shot of her collection, while former Love Island star Olivia went further by having a Labubu-themed birthday party. Rihanna was also pictured sporting one on a Louis Vuitton handbag in LA. The brand made its debut in 2015, but skyrocketed in global popularity after hitting Pop Mart shelves in 2019. The first three months of 2025 were wildly successful for the brand, with Brits searching high and low to nab one of the quirky figurines. Since opening stores in London and Manchester over the last 12 months, Labubu dolls have become cult collectibles among grown British women. What are Labubu dolls and why have they gone viral? LABUBU is a brand of plushies designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and loved by celebrities like Olivia Attwood, Dua Lipa and Rihanna. The brand made its debut in 2015, but skyrocketed in global popularity after hitting Pop Mart shelves in 2019. Pop Mart is a Chinese toy retailer, known for its collectible designer models that are often sold in a blind box format, meaning you don't know what you've got until you've opened it. After mammoth success overseas, the Labubu craze has now made its way to the UK. The first three months of 2025 were wildly successful for the brand, with Brits searching high and low to nab one of the quirky figurines. Since opening stores in London and Manchester over the last 12 months, Labubu dolls have become cult collectibles among grown British women. Labubus come in an array of vibrant colours, unique shapes and various sizes, spanning from plush toys to striking vinyl figures. They come as little toys you can hook on your handbag, as well as mega-sized figures and quirky home decorations. 7 7
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lioness fans spot hilarious thing 'legend' Chloe Kelly shouts after collecting medal from Prince William
Football fans have dubbed Lioness Chloe Kelly a 'legend' for the hilarious thing she shouted into the camera after collecting her medal. Celebrating their triumph over Spain in the Euros, the England team lined up to shake hands with Prince William and have their medals place round their necks. But Kelly, who scored the winning penalty which secured their victory, couldn't contain her excitement. The Arsenal winger, who also scored the winner in England's 2022 Euros final win over Germany, kissed her medal before turning to the camera as she walked away and said: 'F***ing come on!'. Viewers at home were quick to point out her uncensored celebration on social media. One wrote: 'Chloe Kelly "F***ing come on" Hah. Legend.' Another posted: 'Chloe Kelly shaking hands with Prince William then turning to the camera... kissing her winners medal and saying "F***ING COME ON" was the standout moment of the Women's Euros for me #Legend' She was also seen swaggering around the pitch with her team when she shouted: 'The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice!'. It comes after Spanish media hit out at Kelly for her 'unnecessary' and 'cocky' celebration in front of La Roja stopper Cata Coll after scoring the winning penalty for England. It came immediately after she had confidently stepped up and dispatched the decisive spot-kick, which secured victory for the Lionesses in the final of the women's European Championship on Sunday night. Kelly, who scored the winner in England's 2022 Euros final win over Germany, 'unnecessarily' diverted her path after smashing the ball past Coll before making a gesture in front of the keeper, according to Spanish outlet Diario AS. In the comment that accompanied a short clip of the climatic moment, published on their website, Kelly's decision to make a b-line for the England supporters in the corner was deemed 'cocky' and uncalled-for. 'This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly's cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty,' they wrote. 'The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten.' Kelly's introduction part-way through the first half changed the momentum of a game that Spain dominated and looked set to win. The 27-year-old, who - like her Gunners team-mates - adds Euros glory to Champions League success, assisted Alessia Russo's 57th-minute equaliser after Mariona Caldentey's 25th-minute opener. The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of action, leading to the dreaded penalty shootout. England were thankful for the contributions of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who produced two saves and saw another go wide of the post in the 3-1 shoot-out win. In Diaro AS' full match report they insisted that England, who were defeated by Spain in the final of the women's World Cup two years ago, 'robbed' their Iberian opponents. 'The dream ends in a nightmare,' they added. 'Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated. 'History is made by victories, and also by defeats. Spain fell in the Euro Cup final but left its name sealed in gold. England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn't close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney. 'They couldn't have been crueler in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air.'
