Fear. There's a lot of it about currently. That's the currency of thriller and suspense authors of course, and our guest this week, British journalist and author Jo Furniss is brilliant at mining reader's inherent fears. Her most recent novel, Guilt Trip, poses a scenario all parents will dread: a minibus carrying the school swimming team never arrives back from a gala. The police don't know where it's gone and the school's 'no phones' policy means none of the kids has a device. They have vanished. Jo takes us through her craft, from original idea to finished novel, and shares the secrets of a great psychological suspense thriller.

Also this week, a Cambridge University survey suggests that over half of authors believe AI will replace them in future, and we discuss a new scheme to ensure the book you buy is written by a human, rather than a bot.

Jo Furniss

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guilt-Trip-unputdownable-thriller-Belinda-ebook/dp/B0DTRQHG6D

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The Hobcast Book Show brings you an unmissable one-hour interview with U.S. author and former CIA officer I.S. Berry. Ilana's multi award-winning debut novel The Peacock and the Sparrow has been hailed as a modern spy classic, blending real-world intrigue with gripping fiction. Ilana's inspiration came from her intelligence work during the Arab Spring, and we explore her journey from intelligence to literature, uncovering the secrets behind her storytelling. If you love thrillers, espionage, and insider perspectives, this episode is your passport to the shadow world.

Also this week, Adrian and Rebecca share insights from the Indie Press Network's marketing day in London, and reveal Amazon's plans to offer authors AI translations for their books.

I.S. Berry

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peacock-Sparrow-Winner-Edgar-Award-ebook/dp/B0CTB1BC38

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We're back! Our summer hiatus was a little longer than we planned, but we're delighted to bring you The Hobcast Book Show again. Our guest this week is Rhoda Baxter, queen of witty, heartfelt romcoms. She also writes as Jeevani Charika, exploring multicultural women’s fiction with depth and warmth. We talk about smart heroines, nice‑guy heroes, and the craft of writing under two names. A former microbiologist turned intellectual property specialist, Rhoda brings a unique perspective to her writing life—balancing science, creativity, and a love of cake. It's a truly inspiring interview.

Also this week, we hear how leading UK independent publishers have warned that they're facing an existential threat, and can you really publish a book that smells of mayonnaise?

Jeevani Charika and Rhoda Baxter – Comfort reads with a dash of fun

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