Love, After All by Ewald Arenz (translated by Rachel Ward)

Gosh, this hot weather - yes, even in Glasgow - is fair slowing me down! I like it warm but it's been so close,it's not easy to be productive! Although theirs a breeze getting up now, which is nice. Anyways... 

I've been reading a lot of crime fiction recently so it was lovely to read something completely different. Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Love, After All written by Ewald Arenz, and translated from German into English by Rachel Ward. Big thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me and to the publisher for my review copy.

 

The Blurb

When Clara meets Elias, she isn’t looking for love. Widowed and wary of being hurt again, she has built a careful life of work and quiet independence. Elias, an actor in his thirties, is trapped in a relationship that no longer feels real, more at ease slipping into a role than being himself. Yet from the moment they meet, something genuine sparks between them – something neither has felt in years.

They fall into step easily, sharing secrets, laughter and the sense of being seen. But there is the age difference, the miles between their worlds, and the lingering guilt that ties Clara to her past. When a new job takes her to another part of the country, she ends the relationship before he can – certain that love like theirs cannot last. And then Elias falls ill, forcing them both to confront what truly matters.

Told with warmth, gentle humour and quiet insight, Love, After All is a luminous portrait of two people finding the courage to open their hearts again – proof that love, at any age, can still take us by surprise.

My Review

This was my third Ewald Arenz book and, already, he's one of those authors for whom I know I'll read each new book as it comes out. Let me try to explain why. 

Clara is trying to sell the cottage she no longer uses - it's  full of memories of life with her late husband. Vera and Elias can't afford the cottage but are curious to take a look at it. Their visit to the house puts into motion something that none of them can stop, as Clara and Elias are drawn to one another. They are very different and yet they fall into step together - literally and figuratively - easily. 

When we meet Clara she's clearly hurting and emotionally guarded but there is an immediate warmth to her. Elias, an actor, tends to be theatrical in all that he does, but he has a real depth. But they both have an ability to see the beauty in things, and can say so much with words, or even touch. We know she is older than him but, beyond that, their actual ages are not discussed. It worries her though, the difference, much more than it worries him. 

Theirs is a relationship that many might yearn for, because it seems almost impossible - one of real depth - and some of us are lucky enough to experience something similar. Their story talks to the importance of being seen, really seen, and understood. And it's obvious to everyone that that's the case. But it can't always be rainbows and sprinkles, no relationship can, and alongside the highs there are some very real lows. What marks out any relationship, though, is how those involved respond to the bad times. And there are turbulent times here. 

I have to mention Clara's family as they also feature heavily, particularly her brother Jan, and her mother. Both are really strong characters, and as someone who has had recent, although different, experience of a parent with dementia, this part of the storyline was very poignant. 

I had read both of Ewald Arenz's previous novels, Tasting Sunlight and One Grand Summer and loved both of them, particularly the former.  They both had themes of love, friendship, family and belonging,  and it is no different here. Love, After All is a beautifully written tale - so descriptive - of a love story that is both gentle and fierce, and one which took me on a real emotional rollercoaster - I was a bit wrung out at the end but loved every second of it. 

Finally, I have such admiration for translators.  They have given me access to so many fantastic authors whose work I wouldn't have never known otherwise. Bravo, Rachel Ward, bravo. 

The Author

Ewald Arenz was born in Nuremberg in 1965, studied English, American literature and history, and now works as a teacher at a grammar school. His novels and plays
have received numerous awards. Tasting Sunlight was longlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, shortlisted for the German Booksellers Best Novel Award, and featured on the Spiegel bestseller lists in both hardback and paperback for months. In the UK, it was a BBC World Book Club pick. One Grand Summer won the German Booksellers Prize in 2021,and was a number one bestseller in Germany. Ewald lives with his family near Fürth.

Nowhere Girl by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

I've learnt my lesson from earlier in the week and have revamped to a cafe to escape the noise at home! We're on to the last book in our Ruth Dugdall blogathon, Nowhere Girl. And there's been a change of scenery. No longer in Suffolk, this book finds Cate in Luxembourg. My thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me and to the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

When Ellie goes missing on the first day of Schueberfouer, the police are dismissive, keen not to attract negative attention on one of Luxembourg's most important events.

Probation officer Cate Austin has moved to Luxembourg for a fresh start with her police detective boyfriend. But when she sees how casually he is taking the disappearance of Ellie, Cate decides to investigate matters for herself.

She discovers Luxembourg has a dark heart. With its geographical position, could it be the centre of a child trafficking ring? As Cate comes closer to discovering Ellie's whereabouts she uncovers a hidden world, placing herself in danger, not just from traffickers, but from a source much closer to home.

My Review

Cate has left the probation service and her and daughter Amelia are making a new life in Luxembourg with Cate's boyfriend Olivier. But when the older sister of one of Amelia's new friends goes missing and the police almost write it off as a teenage strop, Cate has a feeling it's more than that and investigates herself...

There is a very different feel to this book from the previous ones in the series. Cate is in a new country, a new relationship and doesn't have a job. She's adjusting to this new life and enjoying the positive things it brings, whilst still getting to know her partner and worrying about her mum and sister back home. Whilst she is initially reluctant to get involved with finding the missing girl, she soon gets the bit between her teeth and has to consider how far to go and what's at risk...  

I think this might be my favourite of the four I've read. They've all had slightly different approaches but this is a completely fresh setting and I really enjoyed that. Also whilst it talks about trafficking, there is interesting stuff about families who choose 'harraga' - travelling undocumented - and why. 

The storyline made for uncomfortable reading at some points due to its nature but definitely worth it, and there are some really interesting, well drawn characters - Amina was a stand out for me. I really enjoyed Nowhere Girl and suggest you give it, and others in the series a go. 

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Stop Dead by Katrín Júlíusdóttir (translated by Larissa Kyzer)

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Stop Dead, the second book from Icelandic author Katrín Jùlíusdóttir, translated into English by Larissa Kyzer. Huge thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me and to the publisher for my review copy. I am so sorry this has gone up a day late - The constant noise of the workmen (worst day so far by far) in the house next door to mine - I live in a terrace - yesterday sent me to bed with a bad head!

The Blurb

Icelandic detective-in-training Sigurdís is studying criminal psychology in the US, but her plans are thrown into disarray when she discovers that her boss and mentor, Garðar, has been put on leave from Reykjavík CID over his investigation into Sigurdís’s father’s death.

Returning to Iceland to deal with the fallout, Sigurdís finds herself pulled into a disturbing case: controversial TV personality Olga Einarsdóttir has been stabbed to death during the Reykjavík Marathon. Struggling to locate a runner wearing bib number 1407, who was seen near the murdered woman during the race, the police soon discover that several masked runners were wearing the same number.

As the mystery deepens, Sigurdís and her fellow detective Unnar soon learn exactly how unpopular Olga was – not just with the interviewees she humiliated on live TV, but with her own son, her business partner, a widower who insists that she had a hand in his wife’s death, and her ex-husband, who died in suspicious circumstances thirty years ago…

As her exploration into Olga’s past becomes ever darker and more harrowing, Sigurdís must also face the truth about her own father, while searching for an attacker who will go to any lengths to cover up their crimes…

My Review

I very much enjoyed Dead Sweet, which introduced us to Sigurdís, when it came out. Since the events of that book, Sigurdís has been studying in the States until a phone call from Unnar, her colleague in the Icelandic police, changes things and she is soon on a plane back home. She can't be involved in any fresh investigation about her father's death, of course, but she joins the team looking into the murder of a TV personality.

This is a very character driven story. It's not full of 'kick down the door and shoot' type action, although there is plenty going on, and it's the characters that are at the heart of it. Sigurdís, of course, but there isn't a weak character here - all come across as fully formed people. Too many to mention them all, but I particularly loved Emilia and Ana, who are new characters, and hope we'll see more of them in future books. But coming back to Sigurdís, I love how she's intuitive, determined, and mentally strong, unbowed by her experiences. 

The investigation itself shows just how much the actions of one person, the victim in this case, can affect other people. The list of people who could possibly want her dead is not small. A wee reminder that in real life we don't know how our actions might affect others, so we should make them kind ones. Sorry, I digress! Unnar, Sigurdís and the rest of the team leave no stone unturned to get to the truth, all while Sigurdís has the stuff about her dad going on, and feels like she's being watched. 

Stop Dead was a thoroughly enjoyable read with a big emphasis on readable, relatable characters, and a protagonist you'll be rooting for - give it a go! 

The Author

Katrín Júlíusdóttir has a political background and was a member of the Icelandic parliament from 2003 until 2016. Before she was elected to parliament, Katrín was an advisor and project manager at a tech company and a senior buyer and CEO in the retail sector. She worked from a young age in the fishing industry, was a store clerk and also worked the night shift at a pizza restaurant. She studied anthropology and has an MBA from Reykjavík University. Katrín’s debut novel Dead Sweet received the Blackbird Award and was an Icelandic bestseller upon publication, with rights sold in 15 countries. She is married to critically acclaimed author Bjarni M. Bjarnason, who encouraged her to start writing. They have four boys and live in Garðabær.

Boy B by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

It's a late post for me today as I wasn't organised in advance and was at the launch of Bloody Scotland 2026 this afternoon, so huge apologies for that. Today is my blogathon post for Book 3 of the Cate Austin Case Files by Ruth Dugdall, Boy B. This was my most emotional read yet. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for the invitation and to the publisher for my review copy. I'll see you next week for Book 4. 

The Blurb

He was ten years old when the world decided he was evil.

A child is killed falling from the Humber Bridge. Despite fleeing the scene, two young brothers are found guilty and sent to prison. Upon their release they are granted one privilege only – their anonymity.

Probation officer Cate Austin is responsible for Boy B's reintegration into society, but her loyalty is challenged when she begins to discover the truth of the crime.

Is a child capable of premeditated murder? Or is there a greater evil at play?

My Review

Well, the story of Boy B really pulled on my heartstrings. Eight years after being found guilty of the death of a boy his own age, a friend, Ben is released into a new life in Ipswich, a town he doesn't know. And having gone to prison at the tender age of ten, he doesn't know how the world works - he's never had a mobile phone, for instance, or bought clothes, or cooked. His case has landed on Cate's desk because, as her colleague suggests, she 'always gets the strange ones'. It's her job to help Ben to adjust to life outside prison, and keep him on the straight and narrow. 

We see things from both Ben and Cate's points of view, with flashbacks to the day of the incident. We're with Ben as he struggles to adapt to the outside world, we're there when he experiences kindness for the first time in a long time, and it's lovely. The flashbacks give us an idea of the home Ben, and his brother Adam, grew up in. I found myself rooting for Ben, wanting things to work out for him, now that he's served the time for what he'd done. And I really felt for Cate, often a lone voice in support of Ben in the meetings about his case. But nothing is simple. Things are complicated by unexpected visitors and a Facebook page set up by the dead boy's mother. At least Cate had a new distraction away from this case and work.

As the book progresses we learn more about the day of the crime, and my allegiances were tested! And the denouement was truly shocking - I had guessed some parts but not all of it, and I wasn't ready for how things actually ended. 

Boy B is the third Ruth Dugdall book I've read, and the most emotional, so far, for me.  And probably the hardest to read. Ben pulled on my heartstrings and the denouement shocked me. Well worth a look.  

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Under the Blazing Sun by Jenny Lund Madsen (translated by Paul Russell Garrett)

I loved Jenny's previous book, Thirty Days of Darkness, and was excited for this new book, Under the Blazing Sun. Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this new one, translated by Paul Russell Garrett, which again features author Hannah. Big thanks to Anne Cater for the invitation and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

Hannah is miserable. Her love life is in ruins, her contract demands a sequel to her bestselling crime debut – and she’s out of ideas. After a mortifying TV interview, her agent ships her off to a sun-drenched Sicilian villa with a simple order: finish the book. No distractions. No excuses.

But inspiration doesn’t strike – murder does.

When a night out ends in murder, Hannah finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation … again. The police want her out of the way, and the only person who seems to believe her is a young but charming Italian police officer. That is, until she doesn’t. Soon Hannah is chasing suspects, fleeing crime scenes, and doing whatever it takes to avoid becoming the next victim. She came to write a crime novel. Now she's trapped inside one.

My Review

When we first met Hannah in Thirty Days of Darkness she was really quite unlikable. She's much the same here, although she's better at pretending to be nice. She needs to write a book. She wants to write another literary one. The trouble is, the last one didn't sell. What did sell was her crime novel, and her publisher is pressing for a new one. But Hannah thinks crime writing is beneath her. But after storming out of a prime time tv interview, her publisher packs her off to a loaned (a mystery benefactor) villa in Sicily to finish the crime novel she hasn't actually started yet. Her first few days are pretty idyllic as she pretends to be on holiday, until she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time....

Although Hannah is rude, objectionable and impatient, I can't help but like her. There's just something about her, and that, I suspect, is down to the writing. But, goodness me, she can rub people up the wrong way with her confrontational attitude. I felt, though, that there was a bit of a softening in her personality - she makes friends, or acquaintances, at least, and asks for help when she needs it. But it is because of one of these new friendships that she finds herself in the middle of a murder inquiry. A suspect, even. Her own investigation to find the real perpetrator is clumsy, and often foolish, but I couldn't help admiring her gumption. There's an air of desperation, and frustration at the police, about it and I really liked that. There's an added complication in the shape of her married lover and Hannah struggles to keep her head as her investigation gets closer to the truth and she is more at risk. And there is still a book to write... 

Much as the Icelandic weather and scenery played a part in the last book, the same is true for Sicily in this book, although it's much warmer. I've never been there but now I want to go. We don't meet many Sicilian natives but I loved the gentle, caring husband and wife team who looked after the house and garden. 

Like the author's previous book, Under the Blazing Sun is a crime novel about writing a crime novel whilst investigating a crime. It's clever and funny and again plays with the idea that crime fiction is somehow 'less' than other genres. It's well written with a great, if somewhat annoying, protagonist. And the crime itself reaches a very satisfying conclusion. All in all, a great read, and I look forward to the next instalment from Jenny Lund Madsen. 

Just before I go though, a big shout out for an excellent translation, provided here by Paul Russell Garrett. Translators really are unsung heroes - my reading has widened and been so enriched by including translated work from abroad - a big thank you to translators everywhere! 

The Author

Jenny Lund Madsen is one of Denmark’s most acclaimed scriptwriters (including the international hits Rita and Follow the Money) and is known as an advocate for better
representation for sexual and ethnic minorities in Danish TV and film. She made her debut as a playwright with the critically acclaimed Audition (Aarhus Teater) and her debut literary thriller, Thirty Days of Darkness, first in an addictive new series, won the Harald Mogensen Prize for Best Danish Crime Novel of the year, was shortlisted for the coveted Glass Key Award, longlisted for the CWA Crime in Translation Dagger, and won the Crime Fiction Lover Award for Best Crime Book in Translation. She lives in Denmark with her wife and young family.

Book Blanket 2026

It's not a great picture but I love the colours of this square. If you haven't already seen, I'm crocheting a granny square for every book I read, based on the colours on the front cover (or as close a match as I can get). At the end of the year, they'll be joined together into a unique (and quite large, I think!) keepsake blanket.

The Sacrificial Man by Ruth Dugdall #Blogathon

Today I'm sharing my review of The Sacrificial Man by Ruth Dugdall, the second Cate Austin casefile. This was a really interesting read. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me to take part and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

A deadly choice in the name of love.

Probation officer Cate Austin faces the highest‑profile case of her career: Alice Mariani, a celebrated university lecturer, has been charged with assisting in the death of her lover. But at what point does a private pact become a public crime?

Every interview with Alice peels back another layer of secrecy. As media and campaigners swarm the courtroom, Cate is forced into a legal blind spot — and a brutal dilemma.

Will a lover's last request become a deadly price to pay?

The Sacrificial Man was reissued on 21st May by HQ Digital.

My Review

Well, this was a story! Date Austin has to finished her stint working with prisoners and is back in the office with a full caseload. But due to her success with her previous big news case, Alice Mariani's file lands on her desk. Alice is an intelligent, articulate woman who has been accused of helping her lover die. Cate's job is to recommend a sentence to the judge.

Through Cate and Alice's meetings we discover more about Alice and her story. She is certainly an unusual woman, who answered an unusual personal ad, which led her to where she is now. She firmly believes she has done nothing wrong and as the book goes on we learn more about her life and why she believes what she does. We also learn about her lover, which was an interesting read. 

There's one part of the storyline that perhaps won't be for everyone, and a couple of 'ew' moments resulting from a very curious turn of events but a fascinating story. 

The Sacrificial Man is well written and certainly threw up a few surprises. I didn't expect either the denouement, or the conclusion of the story so that was great. The book was interesting, and the storyline was unusual, making for an enjoyable read. 

The Author

Ruth studied English at university and then took an MA is Social Work. Following this she worked in the Criminal Justice System as a social worker then as a probation officer. Part of this time was spent seconded to a prison housing serious offenders. She continues to work within the Criminal Justice System, most recently in Luxembourg.

Ruth's novels are informed by her experience and are "authentic and credible".

Ruth's first novel, The James Version, is a historical fiction based on the actual murder of Maria Marten at the Red Barn in Suffolk. The story is re-told with a fresh light on who really killed Maria.

Her second novel, The Woman Before Me, won the Debut Dagger when it was originally published in 2005. It is the first in a series featuring probation officer Cate Austin.

"Probation officers have more face-to-face contact with criminals than any other profession," says Ruth, "they are the unsung heroes of the Criminal Justice System."

Bloody Scotland Debut Prize 2026 Shortlist

I don't go to many book festivals but Bloody Scotland, held in Stirling, is always on my diary. The festival has always championed and encouraged new writers and today the shortlist for the Bloody Scotland 2026 Debut Prize has been announced. Like a Denise Mina below, I am delighted to see a shortlist made up of women writers. I've only read one of the books so far so I'd better get to reading the rest! 

SHORTLIST FOR THE BLOODY SCOTLAND DEBUT PRIZE 2026

The Prize is sponsored by The Glencairn Glass and the winner will be presented on the opening evening of the festival, Friday 18th September 2026.

Bloody Scotland prides itself on supporting new talent and The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize which began in 2019 has launched the careers of numerous Scottish crime writers including Natalie Jayne Clark, Tariq Ashkanani, Allan Gaw, Claire Askew, Kate Foster and Callum McSorley.

For the first time ever, the shortlist for The Bloody Scotland Prize is entirely made up of women, which feels extremely appropriate given that Denise Mina – a vocal champion of women’s rights – is guest programmer for the festival in 2026. She said:

“As a previous judge of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, I am absolutely delighted to see that the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut shortlist is entirely made up of women. For decades, short lists only had occasional women or none at all. A debut is always a howl into an indifferent abyss. Sometimes the abyss is listening and it thinks you’re fucking brilliant. Congratulations!”

The full shortlist for the 2026 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize is revealed to be:

Frances Crawford with A Bad, Bad Place (Transworld) An alumni of the University of Glasgow creative writing course, she was tutored by bestselling crime writer, Louise Welsh. Described as The List of Suspicious Things meets Shuggie Bain it was acquired by Transworld in a ten publisher auction. It has also just been shortlisted for the Theakston’s McDermid Debut Prize. She lives in Glasgow.

Frances Crawford

Linda Duncan McLaughlin with Original Sins (Into Books). The manuscript for this novel was nominated for the CWA’s Debut Dagger. In the book a troubled young woman discovers that her birth father is a convicted serial killer and confronts the possibility that she has inherited his darkness. Linda is a playwright and a screenwriter for River City on BBC Scotland.

Linda Duncan McLaughlin

Kirsty Lockwood with We Know What You Did (Orion) which will be published on 4 June. Described as Strange Sally Diamond meets Listen for the Lie, it is a character-driven suspense novel from an award-winning Scottish journalist. Kirsty lives in Glasgow.

Kirsty Lockwood

Zoe Rankin with The Vanishing Place (Viper). She grew up in Scotland but now lives in New Zealand where her love of hiking in remote locations inspired the idea for her novel about a young girl who has witnessed a double murder deep in the bush. 

Zoe Rankin

May Rinaldi with Liar Thief (Black Spring). She has previously been selected for Pitch Perfect and won the 2023 Black Spring Press Crime Novel which led to their publishing it in 2025. It’s a psychological thriller about two childhood friends, one a self-confessed serial killer, one a cop. She lives in Dumfries & Galloway. 

May Rinaldi

The judges for 2026 are broadcaster, Bryan Burnett and crime writer, Vaseem Khan chaired by Bloody Scotland founder, Alex Gray who said:

“Lin Anderson and I decided from the start of Bloody Scotland that we wanted to bring on the crime writers of tomorrow as well as showcasing the best of Scotland and elsewhere. Now, as the chair of the judging panel for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, I’m thrilled to read the shortlist and help select the winner each year.”

Alex Gray, chair of judging panel

Kirsty Nicholson, Marketing Director at Glencairn – sponsors of The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize with The Glencairn Glass, the official glass for whisky, said:

“We’re always excited to see the shortlist for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and this year it’s particularly encouraging to see so many talented women represented. We’re also delighted to see Frances Crawford included following her success in winning our 2023 Glencairn Glass Crime Short Story Competition – it’s wonderful to see her career continuing to flourish. We congratulate all of the shortlisted authors and wish them the very best of luck.”

All but one of the shortlisted authors will be at the Bloody Scotland programme launch in Stirling at noon on 4 June 2026. The winner will be revealed on the opening night of the festival at the Church of the Holy Rude on 18 September.