The new series of Between the Covers has started over on BBC2, and this year sees a more pared back programme. Guests still bring their own BYOB (Bring your own books), there is one new release discussed. And the celebrities reveal their book quirks.

Read my review of Dracula

One guest has revealed he only stops reading when he gets to a page ending in a 0 e.g. 50, 60 and so on, regardless if it ends in the middle of a chapter or an exciting bit. Lots of guests are book sniffers, burying their head between the covers and inhaling, a few highlight passages of beautiful writing that spoke to them and horror or horrors, some bend pages.

The previous owner of the book I am reviewing today needs their own slot on this programme. We have the most beautiful notes written on the pages in delicate pencil. Normally this would put me off, but it was fascinating seeing where they bought the book (Waterstone's Hampstead whilst having a coffee with Sam) and what they were listening to (Taylor Swift's Folklore album). Throughout the book they have highlighted the most romantic of passages and enjoyed listening to Harry Styles' songs. It provides the new reader with a snapshot into someone's life. A story contained within a physical book that is not the intended tale.

This book was also, delightfully, one of my Year of Books Books that my friends kindly bought for me, one book a month beautifully wrapped up. It's also slightly gothic in nature, so I am claiming this as my horror read for the year.

Read all about my Halloween Books

The cover is beautiful and provides a glimpse into what we can expect, a seated girl, her dress fanning out around her, when you pull back you can see it is the shape of a heart.

Set in Edinburgh in 1817, Hazel Sinnett is a lady fascinated with all things anatomical. Being a lady however, she is not allowed to attend the medical lectures the city is famous for, and is destined to be married to her cousin. Jack Currer is a resurrection man, someone who provides cadavers for well paying medical students. Around them, the city is under threat of the Roman Fever, and people are disappearing.

I will confess, I probably would not have picked this up in a bookstore, which is the beauty of books as gifts, because then I would have missed out on a very enjoyable read. Hazel is great, headstrong, juggling the demands of her family, being a lady and her passion to learn. Here is a young woman who does not take no for an answer.

I loved Jack, a cheeky chap, who survives on his wits, and yet has a gentleness even when embarking on such a terrible profession. The writing about the city of Edinburgh is vibrant. One can almost hear the voices calling, smell the fruity aromas going on around them and sense everything.

The story is part gothic horror, part crime, part romance. All fit neatly together beautifully and provide a very enjoyable read. The end is left on a cliffhanger, but there is a sequel - Immortality A Love Story.

This book is a fantastic read for anyone aged 12 and upwards, adult and teen alike. A lovely surprise.