The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Widely regarded as the precursor of the modern mystery and suspense novels, The Moonstone tells of the events surrounding the disappearance of a mysterious (and cursed) yellow diamond. T. S. Eliot called it ‘the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels’. It contains a number of ideas which became common tropes of the genre, including a crime being investigated by talented amateurs who happen to be present when it is committed, and two police officers who exemplify respectively the ‘Scotland Yard bungler’ and the skilled, professional detective. 

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Substance addiction
  • Suicide
  • Recreational drug use
  • Murder
  • Colonialism
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The Cove by Alice Clark-Platts

The Cove by Alice Clark-Platts

Welcome to Turtle Cove. A luxury resort surrounded by pristine sea and the dense beauty of the jungle, it is the perfect escape from the stresses of life and work. For couples Lou and Adam, Eliza and Noah, a few days spent relaxing on the beach, while their kids are happily distracted, is exactly what they need. But appearances can be deceiving. There’s a strange tension brewing at the resort, with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence. This is nothing though compared to the strained atmosphere between the two families. They haven’t been friends for long and they are starting to realise they… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Parental abandonment mentioned
  • Child neglect recounted
  • Spousal and parental infidelity mentioned
  • Suicide, on-page
  • Alcohol consumption & abuse, on-page
  • Recreational drug use
  • Minor physical injury including mentions of burns
  • COVID-19 pandemic mentioned (epilogue)
  • Graphic dead bodies
  • Death of a husband
  • Death of a father recounted
  • Death of a mother from suicide by hanging recounted
  • Murder
  • Disappearance of a spouse & child
  • Explosion
  • Gun violence mentioned
  • Fire
  • Animal death mentioned (wild pig, fish)
  • Mentions of cruel animal hunting practices
  • Discussions of loss of business/livelihoods and traditional ways of life due to climate change
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The Proposal by Mary Balogh

The Proposal by Mary Balogh

Gwendoline, Lady Muir, has seen her share of tragedy, especially since a freak accident took her husband much too soon. Content in a quiet life with friends and family, the young widow has no desire to marry again. But when Hugo, Lord Trentham, scoops her up in his arms after a fall, she feels a sensation that both shocks and emboldens her. Hugo never intends to kiss Lady Muir, and frankly, he judges her to be a spoiled, frivolous–if beautiful–aristocrat. He is a gentleman in name only: a soldier whose bravery earned him a title; a merchant’s son who inherited his wealth. He is happiest when working the land, but duty and title… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Sexual assault
  • Panic attacks
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Suicide
  • Infertility
  • Miscarriage
  • Death of a husband recounted
  • Military service in the Napoleonic Wars recounted
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Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh

Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh

All of London is abuzz over the imminent arrival of Wulfric Bedwyn, the reclusive, cold-as-ice Duke of Bewcastle, at the most glittering social event of the season. Some whisper of a tragic love affair. Others say he is so aloof and passionless that not even the greatest beauty could capture his attention. But on this dazzling afternoon, one woman did catch the duke’s eye—and she was the only female in the room who wasn’t even trying. Christine Derrick is intrigued by the handsome duke, all the more so when he invites her to become his mistress. What a red-blooded woman… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Ableism
  • Child abuse mentioned
  • Suicide
  • Forced institutionalisation
  • Pregnancy from rape recounted
  • Blackmail
  • War themes
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Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh

Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh

Meet the Bedwyns…six brothers and sisters—men and women of passion and privilege, daring and sensuality. Enter their dazzling world of high society and breathtaking seduction…where each will seek love, fight temptation, and court scandal…and where Freyja Bedwyn, the wild-hearted daughter, meets her match in a man as passionate, reckless, and scandalous as she. Growing up with four unruly brothers has made Freyja Bedwyn far bolder than most society ladies. From feisty manner to long, tumbling hair, Lady Freyja is pure fire, a woman who seeks both adventure and freedom. Growing up with four unruly brothers has made Freyja Bedwyn far bolder than most society lady… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Ableism
  • Child abuse mentioned
  • Suicide
  • Forced institutionalisation
  • Pregnancy from rape recounted
  • Blackmail
  • War themes
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Red Island House by Andrea Lee

Red Island House by Andrea Lee

Shay is surprised when her husband Senna declares his intention to build her a spectacular dream house on an idyllic beach in the tropical island nation of Madagascar. Shay is surprised when her husband Senna declares his intention to build her a spectacular dream house on an idyllic beach in the tropical island nation of Madagascar. At first, she’s content to be an observer of the passionate affairs and fierce ambitions and rivalries around her. But as she and her husband raise children and establish their own rituals on the island, Shay finds herself drawn ever deeper into an extra… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Ableism
  • Racism & racial slurs
  • Misogyny
  • Child neglect
  • Suicide mentioned
  • Drug abuse
  • Miscarriage
  • Lynching
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Saint by Sierra Simone

Saint by Sierra Simone

I can’t have Elijah Iverson. I can’t have him because he’s my older brother’s best friend. I can’t have him because I broke his heart five years ago; because he’s now engaged to someone else-someone kind and dependable who deserves his whiskey eyes, his soft mouth, his fierce intellect. I can’t have Elijah because I’ve chosen God instead. The Bell brothers, though . . . well, we don’t exactly have the greatest track record with vows. But I’m determined to do this monk thing right-to pledge myself to a cloistered life and spend the rest of my years in chastity and prayer… Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Homomisia
  • Child sexual abuse by a priest mentioned
  • Infidelity
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation recounted
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Death of a sister from suicide
  • Death of a mother from cancer recounted
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Sinner by Sierra Simone

Sinner by Sierra Simone

I’m not a good man, and I’ve never pretended to be. I don’t believe in goodness or God or any happy ending that isn’t paid for in advance. What do I believe in? Money. Sex. Macallan 18. They have words for men like me—playboy. Womanizer. Skirt chaser. My brother used to be a priest, and he only has one word for me. Sinner.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Child sexual abuse by a priest recounted
  • Suicide recounted
  • Grief & loss depiction
  • Death of a parent from cancer
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Priest by Sierra Simone

Priest by Sierra Simone

There are many rules a priest can’t break. A priest cannot marry. A priest cannot abandon his flock. A priest cannot forsake his God. I’ve always been good at following rules. Until she came. Then I learned new rules. My name is Tyler Anselm Bell. I’m twenty-nine years old. Six months ago, I broke my vow of celibacy on the altar of my own church, and God help me, I would do it again. I am a priest and this is my confession.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Slut-shaming
  • Sexual assault mentioned
  • Revenge porn
  • Emotionally abusive relationship recounted
  • Suicide discussed
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Stalking

Mutually Beneficial by Ava Guerre

Mutually Beneficial by Ava Guerre

Annalise Teague is dead broke. Her life has become a highwire act, trying to balance too many obligations to too many people. When she can’t scrape together the money for rent, she has no choice but to beg her landlord for mercy. But Jason Andreas isn’t known for his bleeding heart. Instead of mercy, he offers her a deal. She won’t owe him a penny if she gives him… herself. She knows it’s wrong to accept but, is it even worse if she likes it? … Read more.

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Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Anxiety & panic attacks
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Substance addiction
  • Attempted suicide
  • Chronic injury
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