Karen Cole
UK book blogger at Hair Past A Freckle, book reviewer on Alfred FM.
Primary school ELSA/SEN TA
linktr.ee/HairPastAFreckle
- #BookReview Caller Unknown by Oliver Johnson 'With the sense of paranoia cultivated becoming almost unbearable, Caller Unknown is a complex and breathtakingly compulsive thriller.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/02/call... @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview Genesis by Chris Carter. 'an intense, exciting rollercoaster of a read and an empathetic, compassionate depiction of the destructive ripples of a tragedy.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/02/gene... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @tracyfenton.bsky.social #bookblogger #booksky 📚💙
- I wore a red knitted dress with a black belt to work today. One of the Year 4 boys saw me walking down the corridor and announced to his friends, " Here comes Mrs Claus!" 🤶🤣 #primaryschool #teachingassistant
- My book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Hope by Paul E. Hardisty thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 52:55) #bookblogger #readingrecommendation #booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview A stunning conclusion to an outstanding trilogy, The Hope by Paul E. Hardisty is an unforgettable read and one I cannot recommend highly enough. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #BookSky 📚💙
- #BookReview Into The Dark by @orjannk.bsky.social is a superb example of why I love Nordic Noir. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/into... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #bookblogger #Booksky 💙📚
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- My reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is Behind Her Smile by @cazengland.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/31X5... (from approx 54:39) #Booksky 📚💙
- #BookReview Behind Her Smile by @cazengland.bsky.social 'a gripping look at family relationships, trauma and guilt' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/behi... #Booksky 💙📚
- Thrilled to receive my copy of #ForbiddenWaters today. I loved The Troubled Deep and can't wait to catch up with Cam Killick again! Happy publication day, @robparkerauthor.bsky.social! 🎉 #PublicationDay #Booksky 💙📚
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- Every weekend, I have the privilege of recommending a book to Alfred FM's listeners. This week, I've chosen Deadline by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 56:32) @panmacmillan.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- My first book recommendation of 2026 for Alfred FM radio and podcast is The Girl in Cell A by @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 53:40) @hodderfiction.bsky.social
- #BookReview Still catching up with reviews, this is another corker I read earlier in 2025. #Deadline by @stephmcgovern.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/dead... #Booksky 💙📚
- My long overdue #BookReview of The Girl in Cell A by @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social. I read this months ago and so it's a sign of what a great book it is by how well I remember it! hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-... @hodderfiction.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
- #BookReview The Christmas Tree Killer by Chris Frost @cmacwritescrime.bsky.social ,'a thrillingly dark read' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... @harpernorth.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview #MurderAtChristmas by @garethrubin.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/murd... This choose your own adventure style murder mystery would be a fantastic gift – or treat yourself, you deserve it! @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
- #BookReview The Stonemason's Song by Tony J. Forder 'a thrilling, compulsive read full of tension, shocks, laughter and heart, with a conclusion that left me with tears running down my face. Very highly recommended.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... #Booksky 💙📚
- It's been a busy week and so I've not had a chance to share my most recent reading recommendation for Alfred FM until now. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch @effiemerryl.bsky.social (from approx 53:02) #Booksky 📚💙
- #BookReview The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by #RWRMcDonald hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview Scars of Silence by Johana Gustawsson (tr. by David Warriner) 'Scandi Noir at its absolute best; this is a shatteringly exceptional read and one I cannot recommend highly enough.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/scar... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social 💙📚
- A bit late but my reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:20) @orendabooks.bsky.social
- #BookReview #WhiteRaven by Maggie Richie 'White Raven is an evocative, entertaining read from start to finish.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/whit... @scotstreetpress.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview The Whisper of Stars by @cristinbwilliams.bsky.social 'Cristin Williams melds historical fiction with fantasy and the result is a lyrical, immersive read that captivated me throughout.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-... @gollancz.bsky.social @tracyfenton.bsky.social 📚💙
- #BookReview #BeforeHerEyes by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social 'strikes a fine balance between being a poignant, perceptive character study and a nerve-shredding suspense thriller, with some twists that made me gasp out loud.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/befo... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social
- My reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this weekend is Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/6RfB... (from approx 53:34) #Booksky 📚💙
- #BookReview Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social 'Packed with twists and turns, Little Secrets is an intelligent, suspense-filled murder mystery – this compulsive thriller kept me guessing until the dramatic conclusion.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/litt... #Booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen 'a thriller which revels in its dark humour and ludicrous characters but ultimately proves to be a surprisingly heartwarming tale that's perfect for the festive season.' @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
- 'With its compulsive plot and first-rate characterisation, Gallery of the Dead is a thought-provoking, exciting thriller from start to finish' #BookReview Gallery of the Dead by Chris Carter hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/11/gall... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social 💙📚
- Every Saturday, I have the pleasure of recommending a book I've enjoyed to listeners of Alfred radio and podcast. This week I've chosen Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0S34... (from approx 53:53) @hodderfiction.bsky.social
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- Something a little different on my blog today, with my #BookReview of Criminal Poetry: Crhyme Time by F.E. Birch @effiemerryl.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/crim... #Booksky 📚💙
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- I'm thrilled to be sharing my #BookReview of TWO #AriThor stories today with the fabulous 10th Anniversary Edition of #Snowblind AND a prequel, #Fadeout hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/snow... Thank you #RagnarJonasson @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Bluesky 💙📚
- #BookReview #BlackAsDeath by @liljawriter.bsky.social hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/blac... @orendabooks.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview #NoSafePlaceToHide by @murraybailey.bsky.social 'No Safe Place to Hide is Murray Bailey at his best and this is a dynamic, compulsive thriller from start to finish. Highly recommended.' #Booksky 📚💙 hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/no-s...
- I'm delighted to be sharing my #BookReview of My Girl by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social for the Compulsive Readers blogathon today. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/my-g... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social
- #BookReview Looking for a spooky read? My weekend book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is The Howling by @mjmalone.bsky.social thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:34) @orendabooks.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
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- #BookReview Never Tear Us Apart by @rowancoleman.bsky.social 'a richly imaginative, compelling tale exploring love, family and belonging; I thought it was wonderful and highly recommend it.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/neve... @annerandomthings.bsky.social @hodderfiction.bsky.social 💙📚
- #Booksky 💙📚Had a great time last night celebrating the @goldsborobooks.bsky.social Glass Bell Award 2025. Huge congratulations to the winner, A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike! 🍾
- #BookReview The Waterfall by Gareth Rubin 'one of the most engaging, memorable books I've read this year.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @annerandomthings.bsky.social #Booksky 📚💙
- My book recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week is Deadman's by Kate Rhodes. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:00) @orendabooks.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- #CoverReveal Deception by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social will be published by @simonschusteruk.bsky.social on 4th June 2026. See the cover, blurb and links to pre-order here; hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/09/dece... @tracyfenton.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- I'm thrilled to be taking part in the #CoverReveal for Little Secrets by @victoriagoldman.bsky.social today. This locked-room mystery set in a former prison that's been converted into a luxury hotel sounds fabulous, I can't wait to read it! hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/09/litt... 💙📚
- I'm sharing my #BookReview of Anything For Her by @jackjordanbooks.bsky.social for the Compulsive Readers #blogathon today. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/09/anyt... @tracyfenton.bsky.social @simonschusteruk.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- I've chosen The Final Vow by @mwcraven.bsky.social as my reading recommendation for Alfred FM radio and podcast this week. Listen from approx 54:34, if you'd like to hear why I loved it. open.spotify.com/episode/0Zwm... #Booksky 💙📚
- #BookReview.#Blogathon I Am Death by Chris Carter. ' a graphic, nightmare-fuelled thriller from start to finish.' hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/09/i-am... @simonschusteruk.bsky.social @tracyfenton.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
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- Every Saturday, I recommend a book on Alfred, Shaftesbury's local FM radio and podcast station. This week, I've chosen A Wash of Black by @cmacwritescrime.bsky.social. thisisalfred.com/podcast/the-... (from approx 55:40) #Booksky 💙📚
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- With apologies for confusing the dates and thinking today was 4th 😳, it's my pleasure to be sharing my blog tour #BookReview of Murder by Firelight by @merrynwrites.bsky.social today. hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.com/2025/09/murd... @bookouture.bsky.social #Booksky 💙📚
- My reading recommendation for Alfred FM and podcast this weekend is The Troubled Deep by @robparkerauthor.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/2iFB... (from approx 55:34) @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social #readingrecommendation #booksky 💙📚