Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall

In this insider episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld (Penguin Random House), to answer a brilliant listener question about book marketing, ARCs, and social media influence.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Why do some books dominate Instagram and BookTok?
How do publishers decide which books get major promotion?
Are ARC reviews always honest?
Do great books get overlooked?
…this episode pulls back the curtain on the real publishing ecosystem.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER
How publishers choose their “lead titles”
The truth about ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) and influencer marketing
Why you keep seeing the same books on Instagram
How word-of-mouth, bookshops, and libraries still shape success
The balance between authentic reviews and publisher relationships
Why some incredible books quietly build audiences over time
BOOKS MENTIONED
Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone – Louise O’Neill
Mars One – Charlotte Robinson
The Ending Writes Itself – Evelyn Clarke
It's Not What You Think – Claire Mackintosh
Elizabeth & Marilyn – Julie Owen Moylan
The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
Slings & Arrows – Nick McLachlan
LISTENER QUESTION OF THE WEEK
A thoughtful question from Johanne sparks an honest discussion about:
Social media book promotion
Authenticity vs visibility
Whether “hyped” books can still be trusted
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Alison Barrow is PR Director at Transworld (part of Penguin Random House UK), working with global bestselling authors and shaping major publishing campaigns.
Article mentioned in The Bookseller: https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/events-not-a-campaign-solution
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Got a question for Alison?
Email: [email protected]

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COMING NEXT
More author interviews, book reviews (no spoilers!), and insider publishing chat every week.
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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa Hall shares a mix of book recommendations, honest reviews, and practical tips for getting out of a reading slump.
Philippa also shares her experience appearing on BBC Breakfast and behind-the-scenes of recording while unwell (powered by Vonia and sheer determination!).
Featured Books Reviewed
The Drowning Place – Sarah Hilary ⭐ (highly recommended, potential book of the year)
Solitary Agents – David Goodman ⭐ (thriller/spy crossover, gripping and accessible)
Operation Bounce House – Matt Dinniman
Look What You Made Me Do – John Lanchester
Reading Slump Fix: Philippa’s Tips
If you’re struggling to read or feeling stuck in a reading slump, Philippa shares what worked for her:
Take a break from reading (it will come back!)
Try a different format (audiobooks, graphic novels, poetry)
Re-read a favourite book
Limit your choices (pick a small stack and commit)
Visit a bookshop or library for inspiration
Don’t panic — reading slumps are normal
Books That Helped Philippa Out of a Reading Slump
The Wreck – Lizzie Stewart
Slings and Arrows – Nick McLachlan
A Family Matter – Claire Lynch
These three books completely reignited her love of reading.
Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.
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J.P. Delaney joins Philippa to talk about his latest psychological thriller, The Move — a tense, unsettling story about a dream home that turns into a nightmare.
We talk about:
The inspiration behind The Move and the emotional pull of houses and “home”
Why this novel steps away from tech-driven thrillers
Writing routines, plotting, and the importance of rewriting
Obsession, truth, and the psychology behind his characters
J.P. also shares what he’s been reading:
Daisy Darker, Sometimes I Lie and Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
The Broken Afternoon by Simon Mason
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
In Her Defence by Philippa Manica — a standout courtroom thriller he highly recommends
Plus: writing in beautiful locations, why Starbucks is his worst nightmare, and the surprising snack (not biscuits) that fuels his writing.
Perfect for fans of twisty psychological thrillers and fast-paced, high-concept fiction.
Follow Quick Book Reviews for more author interviews and spoiler-free book chat.
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Bestselling thriller writer Clare Mackintosh joins Philippa to talk about her gripping new novel It’s Not What You Think— packed with jaw-dropping twists.
We cover:
How Clare creates unforgettable plot twists
Writing habits, pressure & her next very spicy thriller
Dream writing spots (and total nightmares!)
Plus, quick-fire reviews of:
My Friends by Fredrik Backman – emotional, funny, unforgettable
Mrs Spy by M J Robotham– smart, fun spy fiction
Supercrash: How to Hijack the Global Economy by Darryl Cunningham– sharp and eye-opening
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister - Out soon!
And: Kindle vs Kobo — which wins?
Love books? Hit follow and don’t miss an episode!
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Part 2 of this special two part episode.
Today I’m joined by the publicity team behind The Ending Writes Itself—Philippa Cotton and Becky Mansell from HQ—to go behind the scenes of one of the most inventive book campaigns in recent years.
We talk about:
How early publicity gets involved in acquiring a book
Building a campaign around secrecy and intrigue
Managing (and protecting) a major author reveal
The viral buzz, wild guesses, and reader engagement
What worked—and what they’d do differently
The realities of publishing behind the scenes
Plus—Bloody Scotland, proof drops, influencers, campaign chaos (including that wifi moment), and answers to the authors’ own questions.
If you enjoyed Part 1 with V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, this is the perfect companion episode.

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