The First Eleven Minutes

Image showing two versions of the boo ‘The truth about Ruby Cooper’ with scrunched up tissues surrounding them.

New review on the Gram.

‘The Truth About Ruby Cooper’ by @liznugent.bsky.social

Out today from @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DVwNl_-DOz...

My review for the new Will Dean novel ‘Adrift’ is live on Instagram.

It’s a powerful and unmissable read and is undoubtedly – in my opinion – Will’s best yet.

www.instagram.com/reel/DU7lBv_...

@hodderbooks.bsky.social

The Hollow Boys Proof Giveaway

I’ve a new giveaway over on my #bookstagram where you could win a proof copy of #thehollowboys by @tariqashkanani.bsky.social – published by @viperbooks.bsky.social in May.

Full terms here:

www.instagram.com/p/DUTAi_9jCm...

Ends Tuesday 10th February at Noon. UK only.

Shadowy figure holding book surrounded by smoke and fire and a pair of yellow eyes in the darkness.

New review on the Gram

I urge you to add The Hollow Boys by @tariqashkanani.bsky.social to your Wish List immediately.

Out 14th May from @viperbooks.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DT_FUXMDHZ...

The First Eleven Minutes on Instagram: "📚 REVIEW 📚 As soon as the email from @titanbooks dropped, describing this title as ‘Cyrano de Bergerac meets Beetlejuice’ – I had a sixth sense I was going to ... thefirstelevenminutes on January 19, 2026: "📚 REVIEW 📚 As soon as the email from @titanbooks dropped, describing this title as ‘Cyrano de Bergerac meets Beetlejuice’ – I had a sixth sense I was going...

New review live over on the Gram

www.instagram.com/reel/DTtiw1m...

@titanbooks.bsky.social

Book opened at chapter 57 with snide dog bookmark and cushion that spells OH

Chapter 57

www.instagram.com/p/DTm-9_5jJi...

Happy paperback birthday @jocallaghankat.bsky.social

‘Human Remains’ is out today!!

#katandlock #humanremains #ai

Image of man holding book but distorted by a glass. Top half of image is mono, bottom half colour. Book is named “Watching You”. Yellow roundel at bottom of image containing the words “Book Review”.

NEW REVIEW on Booksta to LOOK OUT for 👀

‘Watching You’ @crimediva.bsky.social @avonbooks.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DTVRJ5uDPZ...

#watchingyou #Edinburgh

If you love books and follow me here but not on Instagram please give me a visit there and, if you like what you see, a follow 😬

Man holding kindle. The words ‘The First Eleven Minutes’ December Wrap Up’ is displayed on the screen.

My December Wrap Up is up.

Please show it some love if you can.

Thanks.

www.instagram.com/p/DTBNoKbDH0...

As I’m posting less and less on here, your best bet is to give me a follow on Instagram. Same username, just lots of book reviews, views and the occasional giveaway.

Make it your thing to do in 2026 😬

www.instagram.com/thefirstelev...

THE FIRST ELEVEN MINUTES TOP TEN READS 2025

My Top Ten Reads of 2025 is LIVE on Bookstagram.

Join me there!

www.instagram.com/reel/DS6A6sQ...

Colourful bookstagram grid

A few more updates on Instagram if any fancies following over there. LOTS of book content.

www.instagram.com/thefirstelev...

The Time Travelers Passport

New review on the Gram.

Help a book boy out and give it a read.

#thetimetravelerspassport

www.instagram.com/reel/DQvv_Uu...

Dodgy fella in a hoody with bloody bandaged hand holding book called Black Water Rising by Sean Watkin.

New review on the Gram.

‘Black Water Rising’ by @seanwatkinauthor.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DQSHBcCjNU...

Available now from @canelobooks.bsky.social

Colourful Bookstagram grid

I’ve been pretty quiet on here lately – but still shouting loudly on Bookstagram.

Feel free to pop by sometime.

www.instagram.com/thefirstelev...

A hot new review is up on my Gram Grid.

#KingSorrow by @joe-hill.bsky.social

Thank you for my review copy @headlinebooks.bsky.social

OUT TOMORROW!

www.instagram.com/reel/DQCdkS7...

Thank you!

Creative Excellent shortlist announcement.

Creative Excellence award on bookshelf

Grid of creative post thumbnails

A wee bit news.

I’m delighted to say I’m on the shortlist for this year’s Creative Excellence awards.

Full details here:

www.instagram.com/p/DPssb6HDGk...

Winners announced at @thebookparty.bsky.social on 15th November.

Book called ‘Watch Your Back’ on upside down welcome mat. Surrounded by letters. Man standing behind ribbed glass door.

New review on the Gram.

‘Watch Your Back’ by Emma Christie

Out 23rd October from @mountainleopard.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DPqHsDVDBX...

Giveaway text. Two books. A bad bad place AND The Exes. Dark faded background.

GIVEAWAY

If you were #notatbloodyscotland a few weeks ago then this is perfect for you.

Head over to the Gram to enter. UK only.

www.instagram.com/p/DPiZPimDGb...

The Flesh King Cover

New review on the Gram.

And book birthday best wishes to @richardkadrey.bsky.social

‘The Flesh King’ is out today from @titanbooks.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/p/DPhRci_DEP...

Pile of six books with autumnal orange cover as background.

Some book mail turned up over the past few weeks. Read all about it on the Gram.

www.instagram.com/p/DPeZl6KjBQ...

Book buried in dirt.

New review on the Gram.

Go go go.

www.instagram.com/p/DPb7XLKjAr...

The book Twice by Mitch Albom at various angles. Yellow book review roundel. Blue haze around edges.

New review(s) on the Gram.

#Twice @mitchalbom1.bsky.social

Out October 7th from @littlebrown.bsky.social

www.instagram.com/thefirstelev...

The First Eleven Minutes in a yellow roundel

I’m going to be posting less on here going forward – so why not jump over to Instagram, check out my grid and, if you feel like it, drop me a cheeky wee follow 😉

www.instagram.com/thefirstelev...

Diary entry 30th September with list of books. Background blurred books.

September wrap up on the Gram.

www.instagram.com/p/DPS8cG-DKP...

Be Right Back Halloween Beating Heart

New review on the Gram.

www.instagram.com/reel/DPQXp1I...

I'm delighted to share the cover reveal trailer for SOLITARY AGENTS from @headlinebooks.bsky.social! Huge thanks also to @harryillingworth.bsky.social and @dhhlitagency.bsky.social

Available to pre-order from all major retailers (and local independents), Solitary Agents is out on June 4th 2026.

Three Titan Titles with release date rounders and blurred backgrounds.

A Trio of Titans for Tuesday.

Check out my Bookstagram for three @titanbooks.bsky.social titles perfect for spooky season and beyond.

www.instagram.com/p/DO9BI5GDKo...

I’m on a podcast!

Talking about books and stuff with @susiesbookreviews.bsky.social on ‘In My Good Books’.

And pondering about the lack of male book reviewers.

open.spotify.com/episode/2wtf...

#inmygoodbooks