Two astonishing works of art have elevated themselves above their form: Adolescence, the groundbreaking TV show on Netflix, and the novel Transit by Rachel Cusk.

They were both so moving, thought provoking and so skilfully produced that it has made me realise I need to spend more time being creative myself. Therefore, this will be the last episode aside from some possible one off specials with a guest or two.

Thanks so much to those of you have who listened, shared, and commented - it has been very much appreciated!

thebiscuitreviews.co.uk

Music in the episode by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

This episode I get drawn into a murky mystery that started with a fisherman’s discovery in 1996 in Devon and then snaked out across Europe and over the Atlantic. The podcast series Sea of Lies by CBC will have you gripped.

In Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton, the title gives a clue to the tragedy within as people’s ambitions set them on a path to their own downfall. Its story set around activism, social justice and the selfish super rich might be depressingly familiar, yet the author conjures something poetic and hopeful.

Go thebiscuitreviews.co.uk for previous episodes and written reviews.

Click to go to Sea of Lies podcast.

Music in the episode by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Today’s episode takes a swing at redefining reality. First, with the novel Girls of Little Hope by Sam Beckbessinger and Dale Halvorsen. This mystery horror is set in 1996 about a trio of teenage girls who embark on a quest into their town’s past that leaves them doubting what they see, and then doubting themselves.

After that, we’re back in our divided present with the Altered Reality mini series podcast by Embedded. In this 3 parter, a journalist has a year long bet with his radicalised Dad that could make or break their family.

Find written reviews and short video reviews of all previous episodes at thebiscuitreviews.co.uk

Click to go to Altered Reality podcast.

https://www.sambeckbessinger.com/

https://www.dalehalvorsen.com/

Music in the episode by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Additional music by Lidérc at Pixabay

It felt a little like spring might be on its way this week so in the spirit of being brighter and more optimistic, I have two feel good reviews this episode, both bringing a sense of the familiar.

First up is You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlane. Despite the potential for that title to preface a dark stalker based thriller, it is the sequel to her rom-com smash Who’s That Girl?

And then we’re off to the fictional Scottish island of Ronansay as Michelle Collins seeks a new life for her and her two kids in a charming tale with beautiful scenery in BBC drama from the start of the century: Two Thousand Acres of Sky.

All episodes have written reviews available on the website: thebiscuitreviews.co.uk

All music in the episode is by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Two books this episode with stories that gently gnaw at you with themes of eroded and hidden identity and whether we can truly know another person.

I picked up Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng to start reading over morning coffee and maybe read a couple of chapters. By lunch time I had finished and needed a bit of time to process the incredible story of the Lee family and the disappearance of teenage daughter Lydia.

Assumption by Percival Everett is a slim volume that is actually a triptych of stories about Ogden Walker, a Deputy Sheriff in a small New Mexico town who is confronted with 3 perplexing crimes. I desperately need someone else to read this so we can discuss the ending…

Go to thebiscuitreviews.co.uk for full written review and previous episodes

All music in the episode is by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

This episode is not for the faint hearted with a macabre double bill of the podcast Noble, and the novel Sign Here, by Claudia Lux.

Noble is a true crime series that definitely warrants its content warning as it digs up the bones of a 20 year old case from the town of Noble in Georgia. Amidst the despair and disgust, the outstanding reporting reveals a fascinating portrait of a town and a community.

From a metaphorical real hell, to a fictional literal hell in Sign Here by Claudia Lux. Here we meetrecruiter of souls Peyote Trip and his fiendish plan to trick his way out of eternal damnation.

Go to thebiscuitreviews.co.uk

Noble: httops://www.campsidemedia.com/stories/noble Claudia Lux: https://claudialux.com/

All music in the episode is by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

This episode feels frighteningly prescient as I take a gander at two books that open a can of technological worms - worms that can probably spy on us and read our thoughts. Chuck Wendig’s Wanderers constructs an end of days horror thriller around a virus that divides society, whilst The Ferryman by Justin Cronin produces a vision of a future that actually reminded me a little of the old TV show The Prisoner…step inside and join me…it’s not scary at all…well, no scarier than the news right now I guess…

Full written reviews and more info at thebiscuitviews.co.uk

Vanessa Armstrong review of The Ferryman.

All music in the episode is by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

It is just about 10 years since I first did a couple of podcasts series with my friend James Diamond, and since we both recently massively enjoyed the work of one British screenwriter we thought we would get together for a bit of a 10 year anniversary catch up.

In the spirit of those original shows which we recorded in the pub, we went to a new favourite aunt in Leicester to discuss the work of Joe Barton, who - among other films and TV show - has written Giri/Haji, The Half Bastard Son and The Devil Himself, The Lazarus Project, and most recently, Black Doves.

After a bit of reminiscing about those early recordings and getting a bit nostalgic for nights in the pub with the microphones, we got down to discussing Joe Barton’s distinctive filmography. And yes, as this is genuinely recorded in the pub, you get the bonus of hearing whatever tunes the bar staff have queued up to play.

Written reviews and previous episodes are available at thebiscuitreviews.co.uk

All music in the episode is by Ketsa. freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/ (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/) (Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)