Seven Bodies

by V J Randle

312 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 2025

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a boutique hotel in a remote part of Scotland, five guests arrive and this is Jules last hope of making money from one of the investors, since the break up of her marriage. She has 2 employees - Marta, the chef and Calan - the groundskeeper. The guests are Tim and his wife Gracie, who are the investors, Zach a photographer, and Lucas and his partner Sandeep who are there on a romantic weekend. There is plenty of whiskey flowing to keep the guests happy - can Jules keep the hotel running, whilst suspense lingers in the shadows?

This is my first book of 2026, and what a book to start the year with, WOW! This is a well written thriller, that I devoured in one sitting after promising myself, 'just one more chapter'. Each character had interesting personalities and strange behaviours. As the title shows, there are several deaths in the story, and I thought a few times I had guessed who the killer was, yet how wrong was I?

The story has plot twists after plot twists, and each chapter concentrates on each character so you see a different perspective as the story plays out. The story is cleverly put together.

Overall, one of the best books that I have read in a long time, a real page turner that kept me gripped from start to end. Would love to see this story turned into a script.

[Susan Blissett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules is the owner of a hotel in a remote location in Scotland. She works with Calan, who helps her around the hotel and takes the guests on tours. There is also Marta, the cook, who is often creeping around and observing others. Then we have the guests, Lucas and Sandeep, a couple, one is which doesn’t seem to want to be with the other; Tim and Gracie who seem like a strange couple too and Zach who has come alone. All of them had interesting personalities, but I wouldn’t say there was one I particularly liked, as they are all quite strange in their behaviours. They all seem to have secrets and mysteries surrounding them. Bit by bit, the author allows you to learn more about all the characters and how they link together, which was a cleverly plotted story. It look me a little while to get into the story and I wondered when someone might get murdered; however, it was cleverly built up. I loved the ending of the book and how everything came together. I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.

I received an ARC from Bloodhound Books for an honest review, thank you, and all thoughts are my own.

[Jacqueline Moxon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this certainly kept the reader guessing, in the style of Agatha Christie. However, it didn’t keep me enthralled. The characters were neither sympathetic nor, to my mind, credible. At the same time, the plot seemed far fetched and complicated. I read in hope; hoping I would find some redeeming qualities in this odd group of people. I didn’t, and, for me, where there is no empathy, there is no real engagement.

[Carole Gourlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to say, this book did not keep me entertained with its mismatch of characters and events. In fact it’s the worst book I’ve read all year. I don’t usually review books I don’t like but to think I’ve got so many to read, my time was wasted in this one.

[Jane Welchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page turner! Had me guessing up to the end. I've not read this author before but looking forward to see what she comes up with in her next book.

[Zoe E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one.
You learn a bit about each character, and slowly everything links together.
I did guess the killer fairly early on, but I had fun gyssing and the red herrings were good.
I thought the plot was very clever. At first I thought it all seemed big far fetched but as the story progresses it makes more sense.
This is my second book by this author and I enjoy her work.