#A Year of Orenda

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Happy 10th Anniversary Orenda Books

Happy Anniversary Orenda Books. 10 years since the first ebook, The Last Days of Disco, was published and what a ten years it has been. @orendabooks #teamorenda #books #bookthreads #bookstagram

A very quick post to wish a very happy 10th Anniversary to Orenda Books. Ten years ago today, the very first ebook from the wonderful Orenda stable, The Last Disco by David F. Ross, was published and, thankfully for all of us readers, there has been no looking back since. I am a huge lover of the books that Karen Sullivan and the team produce every year, and I know I am not alone. Karen is also…

[pluppsauthor]

His Name Was Tinder

It was either a blessing or a curse to be named after the trees. The wellspring of orenda and life was in nature after all, the trees were its sacred conduit.

The Spirits who shaped the world made the trees as extensions of themselves, so to be named after them was borderline blasphemous. These individuals were either blessed with an innate connection to the world from which they were named, or they were cursed to suffer for daring to use the sacred name of trees. 

But being named not after the trees, but by their expendable nature, was worse. At least that was what Tinder thought. 

His mother always said it was meant to represent what he used to be, not who he is now. As if to say he was everlasting, unlike the disposable fuel that seldom lights the pyre.

But here he was, a small farm boy on the outskirts of the Elustrious Kingdom. The summer sun beat down on him more and more; a clear sign of this supposed curse, he thought. It didn’t help that he was thin and frail despite the days on days of constant work, clearly another sign of this curse.

His name was Tinder, surely that meant that he too was disposable.

His mother took care of him when he worked himself too hard, always there to help him. Her messy brown hair and brilliant amber eyes were a perfect reflection of Tinder’s own. Her hands, despite their care, were blistered and calloused from years of farmwork.

His name was Tinder, surely that meant his mother had all his strength.

His father was missing, or dead. Tinder hadn’t seen him in years, and only had the faintest of memories of him. Tinder’s mother held out hope he would come back, but never told Tinder why he left.

His name was Tinder, surely that meant his father was as disposable as him.

His home was small, quaint, and cradled in the trees at the edge of a small forest. The walls of stone built around the resilient oak trees granted them safety through the harshest of weather. Even when the winters grew cold and unforgiving, the heat of ash wood’s flames kept them warm.

But what did it matter if it all could come down with a single stray spark?

- - - - - - -

I haven't posted much writing lately, so here's a small except of the current draft of Wild & Grief's first chapter.

I might post the following section later, once I nail it down of course.

(Tag list for writing: @illarian-rambling, @casualsuitturtle, @tildeathiwillwrite, @thecomfywriter, @letterboxd-in, @leahnardo-da-veggie. Message me, or comment/reblog this saying you want to be on/off of the tag list)

[ladyoftheflowers-witch]

⚡Origins of Reiki ⚡

The history of traditional Reiki begins in the XIX Century, the sistem already had a venerable antiquity before tho. Many people with the power of channeling claim that Reiki was introduced to the planet through ancient civilizations such as Antartica and Lemuria. Others say that our civilization could have been planted on Earth by ancient extraterrestrials from the Pleiades star group and the constellations of Sirius and Orion.

It is believed that Reiki was born in pre-patriarchal India and the Hindu divinity Shiva, who was originally feminine, was responsible for bringing us Reiki and wishes to be remembered for that gift. It is said that Reiki was incorporated into the genetic code and is therefore an innate right of all humans. Reiki then reached the continent of Mu, and when representatives of this root culture left their continent to populate what are now India and Tibet, they took Reiki with them, and thus survived the disappearance of Mu. The telluric changes that first destroyed Mu and then Atlantis produced a serious cultural disorganization, the healing system was saved because it was preserved by a select minority.

Mikao Usui

In the 19th century, a Japanese man, having set out to find out how Jesus and Buddha healed, rediscovered it in the ancestral fragments of the ancient Shivaite culture, in the esoteric teachings of India. Thus, the history of traditional Reiki begins in the mid-19th century with Mikao Usui, a dean of Doshisha University in Kyoto and a Christian priest. Usui undertook a ten-year investigation on his own, allowing him to rediscover and learn this technique.

Mikao Usui entered the Zen Buddhist monastery in Japan, where he had found the texts describing the therapeutic formula. To do so, he had to learn Sanskrit to reveal part of the technique. He understood that he had to undergo a test, which consisted of three weeks of meditation, fasting, and prayer on Mount Koriyama.

After choosing the place for meditation, he piled twenty-one pebbles in front of him, one for each day, which he threw away at the end of each day so as not to lose track of the time elapsed. At the end of his ordeal, in the darkest hour of dawn, Usui saw a kind of projectile heading towards him.

A Thunderbolt fell on him, striking his third eye. He lost consciousness for a few moments. Then, the Reiki symbols appeared before his eyes. As he visualized each symbol, he received information on how to use each to activate healing energy. Thus, the first Reiki attunement was produced through the psychic rediscovery of the ancient method. Mikao Usui descended Mount Koriyama, knowing how Buddha and Jesus healed.

What is Reiki?

The act of laying hands on a human or animal body to comfort or relieve pain is as old as instinct. When faced with a painful sensation, the first thing we do is bring our hands to the painful area. Living bodies, human or animal, radiate heat and energy; this energy is the life force itself.

The Polynesians Huna called this healing force Mana, and the Iroquois Indians of North America knew it as Orenda. It was also known as Prana among the Hindus, Ruach among the Hebrews, Baraka in Islamic countries, and Ch'i among the Chinese. Some individual healers believed they had discovered an orgone energy (Wilhelm Reich), animal magnetism (Mesmer), or an archaeus (Paracelsus). The Japanese called it Ki, and it is the root that appears in the word Reiki.

Mantack Chia, a Ch'i Kung instructor, defines ch'i (equivalent to ki in Chinese) as energy, air, breath, wind, vital breath, the essential vital essence of the earth, the planets, the stars, and the heavens; all of these sources of energy influence the ki of the living body. Everything that lives contains ki and radiates it; it is the biomagnetic energy of the aura.

Reiki is not a religion, nor does it obey the postulates of any religion. This vital force or energy is the source of life itself and predates, as a reality and as a concept, any religious or philosophical system. With Reiki attunements, which lead to becoming a master of this technique, the recipient becomes a channel for this universal healing energy. By placing the person in direct contact with the source of ki, the attunement increases the person's vital energy, provides healing, and grants the person the power to heal others without depleting their own reserves. In fact, with each Reiki attunement, the positive power of their ability to channel Reiki is accentuated.

How Reiki works

Reiki is a non invasive technique to promote healing by releasing blockages from the energy centers to enable a good flow of energy in the body. It is administrated by "laying on hands" on major energy centers (chakras) of the body and is based on the idea of channeling universal energy and light through a practitioner to a patient. It also can be administrated through distance with the aid of the Reiki symbols.

Reiki benefits

A Reiki session can be programed for infinite purposes, you can set an intention and Reiki goes directly to that point, it can be used to manifest desired realities, awaken psychic habilities or heal an expecific area of the human body. Reiki it's also compatible for pets, animals in general and nature.

Images used are from Wikipedia and Pinterest, if you claim to be the owner of some of the pictures used, please contact me for giving the proper credit.

Dividers are from the genius @uzmacchiato

I promise I'm going to make my own dividers soon, meanwhile I'm gonna continue to be in love with the ones that you have made ☺️ But not without giving credits, always be nice and grateful to those who share their knowledge and skills to you.

Kep being safe, sending lots of love and light to this lovely community 💓

Yan💫

[uriahblack]

#SimsByNight | CAMARILLA DOSSIER: TREMERE #VTM

Maximillian Strauss – The Primogen (By: @losieee)

Traits: Bookworm • Proper • Genius

Bio: Strauss is a mysterious figure, but his rank as Regent indicates that he mastered the blood magic of his clan to an alarming degree. He claims having attended the Convention of Thorns.

At one point, Strauss curses illegitimate Tremere childe, Eva, with an unnatural pale pallor, rendering her hair and skin almost snow-white.

He is the archetypal Tremere wizard, and like most of his lineage, is dedicated to scholarly pursuits, but also willing to sacrifice little bits of knowledge for the safety of the clan. He shows a great deal of loyalty to the Camarilla, but little loyalty to Prince Sebastian LaCroix.

Quote: “True power lies not in wealth, but in the things it affords you.” 

Aisling Sturbridge – Senior Warden/Myrmidon (By: JESHERKAHH)

Traits: Self-Assured • Hot-Headed • Outgoing Bio: Aisling was born 1890 in upstate Newcrest, embraced mysticism early due to her Catholic upbringing. Self-taught in Latin and Greek, she delved into occult texts and attended séances as a teenager. Moved to Moonlight Falls in the early 1900s, gaining prominence in the occult scene and drawing attention from figures like Aleister Crowley. Traveled extensively with Lucien de Maupassant, her sire-to-be, before her Embrace in Vienna in 1910. Served as a Tremere agent during World War II, managing chantries across Europe amidst conflict. Became Senior Warden (Deputy Regent) of the Chantry of Newcrest. Viewed with concern by some Tremere elders for her unorthodox methods and alliances outside the clan.

Deneb Osborne – Junior Warden/Myrmidon (By: JESHERKAHH)

Traits: Ambitious • Genius • Outgoing

Bio: Deneb Osborne, a tenth generation Tremere Junior Warden (Second Deputy Regent) of the Newcrest Chantry, renowned for his Thaumaturgy skills. Started as a popular magician in early 20th century, dazzling both American and European audiences. Joined Barnum Circus to blend in while satisfying his vampiric Hunger and maintaining secrecy. Recruited by John Reiss for occult knowledge, leading him to join the Newcrest Chantry after faking his death. Rose through Chantry ranks with his mastery, becoming Junior Warden in 2015 amidst the Beckoning. Devoted to Chantry's growth and training new Tremere, partnering with Lacroix for mutual benefit.

Sorina – Whip (by: @moonhze)

Traits: Outgoing • Materialistic • Insider Bio: "A socialite who treats the Pyramid like her personal boutique. Sorina collects rare occult artifacts (and lovers) with equal fervor. Her gold-plated ritual dagger? A gift from a smitten Toreador. Her real weapon? Blackmail."

Orenda Romanofski – Whip (By: @j-e-n-n-e-h)

Traits: Genius • Bookworm • Art Lover Bio: "Suzana’s sire sees blood magic as high art. Her sanctum resembles a Renaissance studio—where ‘apprentices’ pose as models for living portraits painted in vitae. The Camarilla tolerates her eccentricities because her results are flawless."

Sandor Le Torneau – Ancilla (By: @j-e-n-n-e-h)

Traits: Creative • Bookworm • Family Oriented Bio: "A rare Tremere who prioritizes his mortal descendants—teaching them just enough alchemy to be useful, but not enough to be dangerous. His ‘family dinners’ double as blood ritual practice. Cozy."

Femissac – The Ambitious Prodigy (By: ceeceebee45)

Traits: Genius • Ambitious • Insider Bio: "A prodigy who solved a 500-year-old blood curse at 19. The Pyramid "recruited" her after she nearly exposed them."

[doshmanziari]

Profaned Tree. This is a drawing, with selective use of watercolors, that I finished in early January, partly inspired by the Orenda Spring in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Larger than my usual work, it sold at this year's Outsider Art Fair in NYC.

[fictionfromafar]

Son by Johana Gustawsson & Thomas Enger

Orenda Books

Publication Date: 13 March 2025

Son is the first novel in an exciting collaboration between Swedish based French author Johana Gustawsson & Norwegian crime writer Thomas Enger. Expectations would be high as I’ve read and enjoyed books by both novelists before, including those that Enger wrote with Jørn Lier Horst. Of course, with a combined creation, you can never know who wrote what, but certainly the creation of central character Kari Voss gives the book a distinctive feature. Rather than being a police detective or a private investigator, Voss is a memory and body language specialist. Her skills have been recognised by her local police force in Oslo. She is often brought into interviews; particularly when the officers want to gage if someone is lying. While we see those skills in operation in the police station, we also learn of Voss’ impressions when she encounters people in her everyday life.

Voss, who was widowed when her husband perished in a house fire, is still lamenting the disappearance of her 9-year-old son, 7 years earlier. When she is contacted by her main contact in the force Chief Constable Ramona Norum, she is shocked to find the brutal murder of two teenagers - these victims were once classmates, indeed friends of her missing son. There is a lot pressing on the result of the investigation, as the victims were the daughters of famous people while their beautiful faces appear on the cover of very newspaper.

Enough about the case not only ensures that Kari Voss assists the police in her usual way, but also having knowledge of the families, she is also determined to carry out some investigations of her own. Yet that lying radar she has appears to suggest that nobody is telling the truth. You would never know that this book has been written by two different authors, in two different languages (sadly the translators are not credited on my promo copy) Gustawsson & Enger weave a tight narrative which leaves plenty of surprises for both the reader and our principal narrator.

Son is a very promising start to a new series and certainly offers plenty of potential for sequels or indeed prequels. It will be fascinating to see where Kari Voss will take them!

The blurb:

Expert on body language and memory, and consultant to the Oslo Police, psychologist Kari Voss sleepwalks through her days, and, by night, continues the devastating search for her young son, who disappeared on his birthday, seven years earlier.

Still grieving for her dead husband and trying to pull together the pieces of her life, she is thrust into a shocking local investigation, when two teenage girls are violently murdered in a family summer home in the nearby village of Son.

When a friend of the victims is charged with the barbaric killings, it seems the case is closed, but Kari is not convinced. Using her skills and working on instinct, she conducts her own enquiries, leading her to multiple suspects, including people who knew the dead girls well…

With the help of Chief Constable Ramona Norum, she discovers that no one – including the victims – are what they seem. And that there is a dark secret at the heart of Son village that could have implications not just for her own son’s disappearance, but Kari's own life, too…

ABOUT JOHANA GUSTAWSSON & THOMAS ENGER

Known as the Queen of French Noir, Johana Gustawsson is one of France's most highly regarded, award-winning crime writers, recipient of the prestigious Cultura Ligue de l`Imaginaire Award for her gothic mystery Yule Island. Number-one bestselling books include Block 46, Keeper, Blood Song and her historical thriller, The Bleeding. Johana lives in Sweden with her family.

A former journalist, Thomas Enger is the number-one bestselling author of the Henning Juul series and, with co-author Jørn Lier Horst, the international bestselling Blix & Ramm series, and one of the biggest proponents of the Nordic Noir genre. He lives in Oslo. Rights to Johana and Thomas’ books have been sold to a combined fifty countries and, for the first time, two crime writers, from two different countries, writing in two different languages, have joined forces to create an original series together.

[lucalearnstowrite]

Today I saw her again. I think she's ready now. She has grown to be a beautiful woman, just like you. I know I never admitted it before but what best friend I would have been if I didn't call you ugly. She's even more effervescent than you. I'll keep a check on her and be with her when it's her time, just like you wanted.

My new recipe didn't work. It's tough being a researcher. Well, you bailed out before you even had to start it. I loathe the government and yet gonna recieve an award from them. It's kind of amusing.

You should know I'm getting old. The elixir is still at the same place u left it. I won't be taking it as well. I want to meet you soon, to beat you with my broomstick. Don't worry I ain't suicidal. I have plenty time. I'll make June a good witch before that. You know she got good nose just like her father. She smells off my potions the moment I enter the room. Her orenda is amazing and actually better than mines. She grew Henbane seeds that I gave her just in two days. Ah did I forgot to mention that last time? Must have forgotten. So much work these days for an old lady.

Ahh alright, I'm sorry. I know it's early for her but look she passed. I can see that in her, she's strong. Also aunts gotta be little mischievous, I can't be all responsible you know. That's your thing not mine. But sike, you are supernal now.

It's been 17 years Tabitha and I miss you. We decided to grow old together but you left me. You left us. I still wish you took that elixir that day but you are too righteous I can't blame you. I hope you are not lurking around in the town since then and found peace. Cupcakes were tasty right? June and I made them. Here, done with sowing your daisies. *Herbivicus* and Boom they bloom, beautiful!!

Alright I gotta go now, the mayor wants to see me to discuss my winning speech. And he wants me to mention him in the speech. That guy will never change.

Bye Tab

Happy birthday

[legendsofmyriad]

Lore of Myriad - The Founding of the Clan of the Phoenix

The Clan of the Phoenix is among five vampyre clans in Lucarian. These vampyres hold a considerable amount of power, able to consume both energy and blood, unlike their counterparts who solely rely on the latter. Upon the establishment of the clan, they were referred to as high vampyres. 

The clan was founded by Orenda Callarook, the youngest of the five founders and only part vampyre. Born under the blessing of a dying phoenix, she developed magnificent fiery wings and gained renown as a formidable warrior. As she got older, she embraced her power and committed herself to using it for the improvement of Lucarian. She travelled extensively in the realm of the undead, aiding the disadvantaged, holding the influential accountable, and mediating between villages to prevent war. 

When a leader in the north-west grew unruly and cruel, she listened to the cries of the people and emerged victorious in a one-on-one battle when he dared to challenge her. Due to her reputation as a bold yet kind-hearted soul and as a token of gratitude, she was appointed as their new ruler. As a gesture of acceptance, she gave them her strength and long-lasting life, elevating them to the status of high vampyres. They learned from her example and she charged them with protecting the vulnerable and maintaining a code of honour. 

In order to prevent any individual from having absolute authority, she established a system of three seats, which other clan leaders also adopted after witnessing her success. The first seat she took for herself. She gave the second one to a wise general who valued diplomacy over violence, and the third to an adept alchemist who had dedicated her life to alleviating the suffering of others. 

During the harshest winter of her lifetime, she commanded a group of high vampyres to visit a human village within her realm. Their mission was to deliver a fragment of her fire for warmth and sustenance to aid the crops that had withered in the freezing temperatures. Although the initial flame was destroyed years later in a strange incident, a remnant of the blaze was salvaged. This was planted inside a cave in Whitepond Peak where it burns to this day. They named it The Pitch Flame and maintained it in tribute to their founder. This fire is used to light funeral pyres, as it is believed to carry the bodies of the departed to Orenda’s Hall. 

With each passing generation, they remained true to their founder’s belief in the importance of honourable actions, and their culture adapted to incorporate those values. Like her, they possess exceptional skills in combat, but they put top priority on exhausting all alternatives before engaging in war. 

The clan is currently led by Lord Alaric Volkar, Lord Bertram Demaret, and Lady Muriel Austra. 

-- -- -- -- --

If you enjoyed this post, please consider reblogging. Reblogging helps to get work out there and seen.

[fantasyroyalfamily]

Sims 4 Fantasy Royal Family Memorial Of Sims That Has passed Away

Servant Ocana Elm

Ocana was a servant of Duchess Zami Ulla. She died while giving birth to her twins, Ulodon and Ana. Ocana had lain with the Phoenix King, King Vu. Legend states that if a human mates with a phoenix, they will burn while giving birth to their children. As a result, humans and other magical beings are prohibited from marrying to prevent such deaths. However, King Vu has married multiple humans, and they have all passed away during childbirth while bearing children for the king.

Others who have died giving birth to King Vu Raye:

Note: The following woman passed away while giving birth to children for King Vu as part of her effort to protect their people. The women of the kingdom were attacked by a powerful enemy, prompting the queens and their subjects to seek refuge in the Phoenix Dragone. In exchange for safety, they agreed to become concubines to the king, giving birth to his children. It is important to note that this is my own revision of the story, influenced by the Brothers Grimm and my own fantasy elements, so it may not align with the Disney version.

Raya of Kumnara (Kumandra- The last Dragon)

She gave birth to twins, P. Channary & Dara Raye.

Queen Merida of Gonboch (Dunbroch)

She gave birth to a daughter, Meria Raye.

Chief Moana of Mona (Motunui)

She gave birth to Prince Moro Raye.

Queen Elena of Avalan (Avalor)

She gave birth to Prince Avalon Raye.

Princess Amber of Chania (Enchancia)

She gives to birth to Princess Ember Raye.

....

Princess Amber's twin brother, King James, married Chief Naamari, and they had a daughter named Roxana. Both King James and Chief Naamari died on the battlefield when Roxana was just five years old. During the chaos, Roxana fled with her aunt, Princess Amber, and Princess Sofia. However, they became separated in the crowd and were never able to find each other again.

Princess Sofia the first of Chania

She died giving birth to her daughter, Somara. Sofia became the concubine of Prince Maro II, who was heartbroken by her death. Prince Maro II is the son of Queen Tiana of Wolf Bay, and she is unaware of this affair.

.......

Duke John Nuserise, Rapunzal's husband.

He died from illness after she gave birth to her 4 children.

Rapunzal sadden by the loss of her husband decided to wear black to represent him as it was his favorite color.

Orenda Moono of the Moon tribe and also of Keana's mother and Selene step mother.

She died from the attack that happened many years ago that caused the release of the first werewolf.

Nakoma Moono, Selene's Step sister, and Keana biological sister passed away as well.

Marivutu

Arabella Marti Kalechi

She passed away from a illness.

Sultana Jasmine's pet tiger, Rajah, passed away from old age.

Council Woman Subira Kasmut, wife of Councilmen Khaa Kasmut

Passed away from illness.

Lady Halima (Aladdin's mother) and also part of the councilman, died from heart break. She lost her son from her second marriage and wasn't able to bear it.

Prince Hassan Leonard of Maeria, and Amir's father.

He passed away from a illness.

Komomajo

Princess Luna Wu passed away from illness.

Prince Julius Leonard, King Xavion's son passed away in war. He left two daughters, Princess Muna and Lumi.

Lord Xian Wula, Mulan's husband died in war protecting Komomajo.

Engkanto Karri

Princess Ulisa family passed away in war in attempts to take over Enkanto Karri only leaving a grandson, Roan. The following are those that passed away in the war:

Ulisa husband, Florian Pence.

Ulisa's Son, Uorian.

Ulisa duaghter in law, Erin Straud.

Mernali

Lord Devon Tamesis, husband of Lady Urusla, he left behind twin boy and girl. He passed away from a illness.

Maeria Kingodom

Delanto Tivonte passed away from a illness. Leaving his wife, daughter and son behind. He was the adviser of King Xavion.

.....

Beauty Sisters:

Martina Breen, leaving her husband and son, Martin.

Andrea Dashkov.

Both sister passed away during the War of Enkanto Karri.

Beauty Father:

Lord Judd Hecking.

Beauty's father also died in the war.

[justforbooks]

Best crime and thrillers of 2023

Given this year’s headlines, it’s unsurprising that our appetite for cosy crime continues unabated, with the latest title in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, The Last Devil to Die (Viking), topping the bestseller lists. Janice Hallett’s novels The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, which also features a group of amateur crime-solvers, and The Christmas Appeal (both Viper) have proved phenomenally popular, too.

Hallett’s books, which are constructed as dossiers – transcripts, emails, WhatsApp messages and the like – are part of a growing trend of experimentation with form, ranging from Cara Hunter’s intricate Murder in the Family (HarperCollins), which is structured around the making of a cold case documentary, to Gareth Rubin’s tête-bêche The Turnglass (Simon & Schuster). Books that hark back to the golden age of crime, such as Tom Mead’s splendidly tricksy locked-room mystery Death and the Conjuror (Head of Zeus), are also on the rise. The late Christopher Fowler, author of the wonderful Bryant & May detective series, who often lamented the sacrifice of inventiveness and fun on the altar of realism, would surely have approved. Word Monkey (Doubleday), published posthumously, is his funny and moving memoir of a life spent writing popular fiction.

Notable debuts include Callum McSorley’s Glaswegian gangland thriller Squeaky Clean (Pushkin Vertigo); Jo Callaghan’s In the Blink of an Eye (Simon & Schuster), a police procedural with an AI detective; Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy (Pushkin Vertigo), featuring queer punk nun investigator Sister Holiday; and the caustically funny Thirty Days of Darkness (Orenda) by Jenny Lund Madsen (translated from the Danish by Megan E Turney).

There have been welcome additions to series, including a third book, Case Sensitive (Zaffre), for AK Turner’s forensic investigator Cassie Raven, and a second, The Wheel of Doll (Pushkin Vertigo), for Jonathan Ames’s LA private eye Happy Doll, who is shaping up to be the perfect hardboiled 21st-century hero.

Other must-reads for fans of American crime fiction include Ozark Dogs (Headline) by Eli Cranor, a powerful story of feuding Arkansas families; SA Cosby’s Virginia-set police procedural All the Sinners Bleed (Headline); Megan Abbott’s nightmarish Beware the Woman (Virago); and Rebecca Makkai’s foray into very dark academia, I Have Some Questions for You (Fleet). There are shades of James Ellroy in Jordan Harper’s Hollywood-set tour de force Everybody Knows (Faber), while Raymond Chandler’s hero Philip Marlowe gets a timely do-over from Scottish crime doyenne Denise Mina in The Second Murderer (Harvill Secker).

As Mick Herron observed in his Slow Horses origin novel, The Secret Hours (Baskerville), there’s a long list of spy novelists who have been pegged as the heir to John le Carré. Herron must be in pole position for principal legatee, but it’s been a good year for espionage generally: standout novels include Matthew Richardson’s The Scarlet Papers (Michael Joseph), John Lawton’s Moscow Exile (Grove Press) and Harriet Crawley’s The Translator (Bitter Lemon).

Historical crime has also been well served. Highlights include Emma Flint’s excellent Other Women (Picador), based on a real 1924 murder case; Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s story of a fortune teller’s quest for identity in Georgian high society, The Square of Sevens (Mantle); and SG MacLean’s tale of Restoration revenge and retribution, The Winter List (Quercus). There are echoes of Chester Himes in Viper’s Dream (No Exit) by Jake Lamar, which begins in 1930s Harlem, while Palace of Shadows (Mantle) by Ray Celestin, set in the late 19th century, takes the true story of American weapons heiress Sarah Winchester’s San Jose mansion and transports it to Yorkshire, with chillingly gothic results.

The latest novel in Vaseem Khan’s postcolonial India series, Death of a Lesser God (Hodder), is also well worth the read, as are Deepti Kapoor’s present-day organised crime saga Age of Vice (Fleet) and Parini Shroff’s darkly antic feminist revenge drama The Bandit Queens (Atlantic).

While psychological thrillers are thinner on the ground than in previous years, the quality remains high, with Liz Nugent’s complex and heartbreaking tale of abuse, Strange Sally Diamond (Penguin Sandycove), and Sarah Hilary’s disturbing portrait of a family in freefall, Black Thorn (Macmillan), being two of the best.

Penguin Modern Classics has revived its crime series, complete with iconic green livery, with works by Georges Simenon, Dorothy B Hughes and Ross MacDonald. There have been reissues by other publishers, too – forgotten gems including Celia Fremlin’s 1959 holiday‑from-hell novel, Uncle Paul (Faber), and Richard Wright’s The Man Who Lived Underground (Vintage). Finished in 1942 but only now published in its entirety, the latter is an account of an innocent man who takes refuge from racist police officers in the sewers of Chicago – part allegorical, part brutally realistic and, unfortunately, wholly topical.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[lilywily143]

So basically this au takes place in the fictional world i've spent around two years crafting, the characters are all kitties with a penchant for creepy eldritch magic, blood, and capitalism

these are the character designs

The disassembly drones are vampires (probably pretty easy to figure out)

The worker drones are kitties who used to be well... slaves... that were owned by one of the major three cities (Orenda City) and built a village in the (monster infested death guaranteeing) Tenebrous Forest to mine copper and glistrall, glistrall is a rare yet potent magical metal and Orenda city needed it for their unholy experiments with magic. However, nobles, mostly ones who had some influence in the business, lived in the city too.

Everything was going fine until one night all of the nobles were killed by an unknown force *cough cough nudge nudge*, yet, all of the slaves were spared, leaving them free to govern themselves.

Then Uzi was born and you can probably guess what happens after that.

Also the au is called Blood and Magic, yes I'm unoriginal

Oh that sounds so cool!!!

[rabidcowboys]

Howdy! My name is Coyotl, but you can call me Kai. I’m cohost of the Pack (System). Our system consists of 14 members, most of them canines. The body is 18 years old and gender-fluid.

Allow me to introduce you to the gang.

🦴 Coyotl | he/him | coyote | cohost

🌙 Aeryn | she/he/they | yukon wolf | cohost

💢 Saul | he/him | belgian malinois | rage holder

⛓️ Jaws | he/him | beauceron | gatekeeper

☀️ Kiran | she/they | african lioness | gatekeeper

🥩 Desperado | he/him | melanistic three-eyed coyote | persecutor

🌸 Laika | she/her | mackenzie valley wolf | pup/little

🪶 Orenda | she/her | rocky mountain wolf | matriarch

❄️ Bullet | he/him | siberian husky | packmate

🌲 Jasper | he/him | algonquin wolf | packmate

🌊 Pacifico | she/her | vancouver sea wolf | packmate

🪚 Denji/“Dennis” | he/him | chainsaw devil/human | introject

⚔️ Eren Jäger | he/him | human/titan shifter | introject

🏜️ John Marston | he/him | human | introject

🔪 Karma Cheyenne | he/him | were-coywolf | introject

‼️ DNI LIST ‼️

p3dos/z00s, ableists, racists, therian haters, endos, etc.

We hope to make friends here !

[rosemariecawkwell]

Review: The Cure, by Eve Smith

PUBLICATION DATE: 10th APRIL 2025PAPERBACK ORIGINAL | £ 9. 99 | ORENDA BOOKS LIVING FOREVER CAN BE LETHAL…Ruth is a law-abiding elder, working out her national service, but she has secrets. Her tireless research into the disease that killed her young daughter had an unexpected outcome: the discovery of a vaccine againstold age. Just one jab a year reverses your biological clock, guaranteeinga…

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Happy 10th (paperback) Anniversary Orenda Books & Paul E. Hardisty. 10 years of brilliant books and entertainment. So proud to be part of the Team Orenda cheer squad. #bookthreads #books #bookstagram #booksky #teamorenda #tenthanniversary @orendabooks @paulhardisty @orendabooks.bsky.social

[marypicken]

Disappearance and Intrigue in Northern Norway: Into Thin Air (Arctic Mysteries #1) by Ørjan Karlsson translated by Ian Giles @OrendaBooks @RandomThingsTours @orjankarlsson @ioagiles

Into Thin Air is immersive, exciting and intelligent.

Source: Review copyPublication: 16 January 2025 from Orenda BooksPP: 300ISBN-13: 978-1916788503 My thanks to Orenda Books and Random Things Tours for an advance copy for review In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried… When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend.…

[calturnerreviews]

#BlogTour - #BookReview of #IntoThinAir by Orjan Karlsson @orjankarlsson @OrendaBooks @RandomTTours #Norway

I’m pleased to welcome you today to my stop on the blog tour for Into Thin Air by Orjan Karlsson. Thank you as always to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book. About the book: In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried… When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø,…