Woman reading book in grass under tree with white blossoms

The Best Northern Books to Read in Spring 2025

by Northern Life

NORTHERN LIFE'S SPRING BOOK CLUB

From literary award-winners to pulse-pounding thrillers, northern writers have truly excelled this spring. Be warned—each of these books will hook you from the start and linger in your mind long after the final page. There is no need for a bookmark; you won’t be putting these down. So, what will it be—memoir or mystery? Fiction or fact?

WRONG TRACKS

BY SUSAN BROWNRIGG

A Wiganer who spent her summers riding the River Caves at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the author’s books often reflect the exotic locales she encountered in this classic boat ride. Wrong Tracks is inspired by the story of Edward Entwistle, a Tyldesley-born teenager who claimed to have driven Rocket, the iconic steam engine, at just 15 years old during the opening of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway in 1830. The novel celebrates working-class Northerners, weaving a gripping adventure that will keep young readers eagerly turning the pages until the end.
£7.99. Published by UCLan Publishing. Available here.

FIGHT NOT FOR GLORY

BY EMMA FELLING

Though Emma Felling hails from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, her debut novel takes readers to the rugged heart of medieval Scotland. Untold Loyalties follows Cailean, a young and reluctant highland chief, and his sharp-witted brother Alasdair, a spy. Their world is upturned when they encounter Sorcha, a mysterious noblewoman whose true identity raises dangerous questions. As desire and intrigue swirl, the brothers must also contend with Mordag, a fiery and distrustful girl whose loyalties are as murky as her past. With tensions mounting, Felling delivers a gripping tale of betrayal, loyalty, and the complexities of trust.

£14.99. Published by Troubador. Out now. Available here

THE MOUTHLESS DEAD

BY ANTHONY QUINN

An unsettling mystery from Liverpudlian author Anthony Quinn based on the actual, unsolved murder of 1930s Liverpool. In 1931, William Wallace received a phone message at his chess club from a man named Mr. Qualtrough, asking him to meet at a specific address to discuss some work. Wallace discovered the address didn’t exist. Two hours later, upon returning home, he found his wife, Julia, brutally murdered in their parlour. Once deemed an unsolvable case, new revelations are now emerging.

£20. Published by Abacus. Available from 6th March. Preorder here

GARLICK

BY JOHN ECCLESTON

When the author’s father was moved into care, the family home in the Lancashire countryside—Garlick House—was cleared. The contents were worn and unremarkable, much of it destined for charity shops or the dump. Yet John, overwhelmed by the suddenness of the change, felt compelled to save as much as he could, as if his childhood itself might slip away if he didn’t. In this memoir, written as a guide to his possessions for his teenage son (who will one day inherit them), John reflects on one hundred and one objects from his past. Piece by piece, he reconstructs a rural childhood, blending nostalgia with insight. Original and deeply reflective, this unique memoir explores how we cling to things when it’s the people and memories we wish to preserve.

£10.99. Published by Troubador. Out now. Available here

KINGFISHER  

BY ROZIE KELLY

An outstanding debut from award-winning author and Yorkshire native Rozie Kelly. With sharp, witty dialogue and richly developed characters, this book captivates from the very first page. When a creative writing academic becomes infatuated with his colleague—the poet—his feelings soon begin to jeopardise his relationship with his partner, Michael. Michael is beautiful. Michael is safe. But the poet embodies everything he isn’t; she has everything he wants—a compelling exploration of human nature with an unforgettable voice.

£10.99. Published by Saraband. Available from 3rd April. Preorder here

RAW CONTENT

BY NAOMI BOOTH

Set amidst the harsh beauty of a Yorkshire winter, Raw Content is a darkly comic and deeply poignant tale of a young woman shaped by the shadows of the Moors Murders. Growing up in the wake of tragedy, she learns a bitter truth: love and danger are never far apart. Tender yet gripping, Raw Content captures the story of a woman wrestling with a new kind of love. The novel is as unsettling as it is life-affirming, exploring the complex ties between pain, love, and survival in a world that’s as unforgiving as the moors themselves.

£18.99. Published by Corsair. Out now. Available here.

ALL THE SMALL THINGS

BY SHARON NOBLE

This dazzling debut from a Bury author explores powerful themes of identity, motherhood, mental health, and social status. The novel follows two women, Lana and Tilda, both undergoing IVF treatment. Their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, triggering a devastating chain of events with profound and far-reaching consequences. With humour, relatability, and unflinching honesty, the story captures the often-unspoken experiences many women face, making it both poignant and deeply resonant.

£2.49 on Kindle. Out now. Available here

NorthernLife March/April/May 25