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Room Four: A Cold War Thriller
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
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About the author
Suzanne Stephenson
18 books6 followersRetired from the legal world to country life surrounded by animals ."Bearswood End" is my first fictional work in print but I write away when the animals let me. "Mr Perkins takes Charge" has been influenced by humans and cats in my life but especially cats.
" Forever Waste" received a badge from the International Review of books and the reviewers comments included saying "Overall, an adorable romantic satire for those who enjoy seeing love win out for good people."
" Forever Waste" received a badge from the International Review of books and the reviewers comments included saying "Overall, an adorable romantic satire for those who enjoy seeing love win out for good people."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 15, 2026
I am a huge fan of Suzanne's children's books but this is something completely different.
It is a true testament to Suzanne's skill as a writer that this is equally compelling and just as brilliant.
Told in the first person by Mike, a young man embarking on his life at university in London to study Law. in exchange for a free room he is given a task, to report back on its occupants.
There is clearly a lot of political unrest, and the IRA are clearly active and bombings common.
The occupants of the house are very strange, and what goes on in Room 3.
I read this in one sitting. Its not a long book, but there is so much within, not just the intrigue behind the mystery house, but coming of age, embarking on relationships, family, loyalty, love and maturing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, something I wouldnt normally read. The mystery surrounding the resignation of Harold Wilsons resignation seems even more poignant with the current revelations in the news.
It is a true testament to Suzanne's skill as a writer that this is equally compelling and just as brilliant.
Told in the first person by Mike, a young man embarking on his life at university in London to study Law. in exchange for a free room he is given a task, to report back on its occupants.
There is clearly a lot of political unrest, and the IRA are clearly active and bombings common.
The occupants of the house are very strange, and what goes on in Room 3.
I read this in one sitting. Its not a long book, but there is so much within, not just the intrigue behind the mystery house, but coming of age, embarking on relationships, family, loyalty, love and maturing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, something I wouldnt normally read. The mystery surrounding the resignation of Harold Wilsons resignation seems even more poignant with the current revelations in the news.
February 7, 2026
This is not my usual kind of read, but as it was a novella, it ticked my box and gave me the chance to try something new.
I’ve read political novels in the distant past and, although they often had good stories, I usually came away not fully understanding everything because the plots were so complex.
I hadn’t expected Room 4 to be as compelling as it was. It turned out to be a truly great story, simply told through the eyes of Mike. I also found it fascinating reading about events from the mid-seventies, especially as I remembered some of them myself.
Because the story is told in the first-person point of view, I felt completely drawn in. So much so that I began to wonder whether it was based on true events. Was Mike a real person? It certainly felt that way.
However, a note from the author at the end confirmed it was definitely a work of fiction. Oh, that’s clever — Suzanne Stephenson is a super writer; she really had me there!
I’ve read political novels in the distant past and, although they often had good stories, I usually came away not fully understanding everything because the plots were so complex.
I hadn’t expected Room 4 to be as compelling as it was. It turned out to be a truly great story, simply told through the eyes of Mike. I also found it fascinating reading about events from the mid-seventies, especially as I remembered some of them myself.
Because the story is told in the first-person point of view, I felt completely drawn in. So much so that I began to wonder whether it was based on true events. Was Mike a real person? It certainly felt that way.
However, a note from the author at the end confirmed it was definitely a work of fiction. Oh, that’s clever — Suzanne Stephenson is a super writer; she really had me there!
February 23, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Room Four: A Cold War Thriller' by Suzanne Stephenson.
I have read several children's books by this incredible author and would highly recommend them all! This is Suzanne's debut thriller and I am pleased to say not only can she write incredibly children's books but also fantastic adults ones! A lady of many talents! Well done Suzanne. The World According to Patrick White, Santa Pig, The Trials of Patrick White, The Tale of Philida Thrush, Mr Perkins And the Jumpy Puppy, A Cats Judgement and A Cat's Lesson where you can meet Mr Perkins again. She has also written Mr Perkins Takes Charge and Bearswood End which are children's books and also Waste and Forever Waste which are adult books.
I will start by admitting that this book is not my usual choice of book being historical and political based so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline but I have loved all of Suzanne's other books so was intrigued and just had to give it a try!! Needless to say I am so pleased that I gave this book a go as I thoroughly enjoyed it!! I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Suzanne has written this book. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read. Suzanne truly is a lady of many talents going from sweet children's books to a gripping cold war thriller and doing both absolutely brilliantly!! At just 173 pages in paperback and 124 pages on kindle this is a nice, quick novella but Suzanne packs so much into the pages!!! As it is a novella I will not go into the storyline as it will be too much of a risk that I may give something away. The storyline itself is packed with romance, secrets, family, studying, politics, friendship, mystery, espionage, history, true life events and so much more! Suzanne's fantastic descriptions and use of first person protagonist perspective ensures the reader feels they are transported back to the 1970's, into London and next to Michael throughout the pages. i was intrigued by several of the historical aspects and thoroughly enjoyed following Michael around his university life, family life and life in room four keeping an eye on the strange occupants. Suzanne mentions several factual events throughout the story such as the Cold War era, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the IRA, the Iron Curtain and more and I really enjoyed learning more about them all. I always enjoy it when I learn things from books, especially when it is unexpected such as it is when it comes to fictional books and Suzanne packs a lot in to this novella! I devoured it in a few short hours as once I started it I couldn't put it down. On the rare occasions when I looked up it took me a while to realise I was in Wales in 2026 and not in London in the 1970's! I was completely invested in our main protagonist Michael as well as many of the other characters we meet along the way from his parents to his friends and their family. The characters were all strong, realistic and very well developed. They all had such unique personalities and I felt different about each of them, liking them or not for different reasons. Suzanne brings each of the characters to life with her fantastic writing skills and between the characters and the plot it truly feels like you are standing with Michael throughout!! Regardless of whether you love or hated the characters they all worked perfectly well to make this an unputdownable success!
Congratulations Suzanne on yet another brilliant read and a very different one!!! I really cannot wait to get stuck in to your previous and future book. This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a couple of hours!!!
Overall an absolutely intriguing espionage thriller that will keep you hooked!
#RoomFour #SuzanneStephenson #MiradorPublishing #DonnaMorfett #DLMTours
@SuzanneStephenson @MiradorPublishing @DLMTours
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Review for 'Room Four: A Cold War Thriller' by Suzanne Stephenson.
I have read several children's books by this incredible author and would highly recommend them all! This is Suzanne's debut thriller and I am pleased to say not only can she write incredibly children's books but also fantastic adults ones! A lady of many talents! Well done Suzanne. The World According to Patrick White, Santa Pig, The Trials of Patrick White, The Tale of Philida Thrush, Mr Perkins And the Jumpy Puppy, A Cats Judgement and A Cat's Lesson where you can meet Mr Perkins again. She has also written Mr Perkins Takes Charge and Bearswood End which are children's books and also Waste and Forever Waste which are adult books.
I will start by admitting that this book is not my usual choice of book being historical and political based so I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the storyline but I have loved all of Suzanne's other books so was intrigued and just had to give it a try!! Needless to say I am so pleased that I gave this book a go as I thoroughly enjoyed it!! I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Suzanne has written this book. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read. Suzanne truly is a lady of many talents going from sweet children's books to a gripping cold war thriller and doing both absolutely brilliantly!! At just 173 pages in paperback and 124 pages on kindle this is a nice, quick novella but Suzanne packs so much into the pages!!! As it is a novella I will not go into the storyline as it will be too much of a risk that I may give something away. The storyline itself is packed with romance, secrets, family, studying, politics, friendship, mystery, espionage, history, true life events and so much more! Suzanne's fantastic descriptions and use of first person protagonist perspective ensures the reader feels they are transported back to the 1970's, into London and next to Michael throughout the pages. i was intrigued by several of the historical aspects and thoroughly enjoyed following Michael around his university life, family life and life in room four keeping an eye on the strange occupants. Suzanne mentions several factual events throughout the story such as the Cold War era, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, the IRA, the Iron Curtain and more and I really enjoyed learning more about them all. I always enjoy it when I learn things from books, especially when it is unexpected such as it is when it comes to fictional books and Suzanne packs a lot in to this novella! I devoured it in a few short hours as once I started it I couldn't put it down. On the rare occasions when I looked up it took me a while to realise I was in Wales in 2026 and not in London in the 1970's! I was completely invested in our main protagonist Michael as well as many of the other characters we meet along the way from his parents to his friends and their family. The characters were all strong, realistic and very well developed. They all had such unique personalities and I felt different about each of them, liking them or not for different reasons. Suzanne brings each of the characters to life with her fantastic writing skills and between the characters and the plot it truly feels like you are standing with Michael throughout!! Regardless of whether you love or hated the characters they all worked perfectly well to make this an unputdownable success!
Congratulations Suzanne on yet another brilliant read and a very different one!!! I really cannot wait to get stuck in to your previous and future book. This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up this morning and had completely devoured it in a couple of hours!!!
Overall an absolutely intriguing espionage thriller that will keep you hooked!
#RoomFour #SuzanneStephenson #MiradorPublishing #DonnaMorfett #DLMTours
@SuzanneStephenson @MiradorPublishing @DLMTours
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.facebook.com/GoldenOldies...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
February 21, 2026
In 1975, amidst a turbulent time of IRA bombings, Cod Wars and rumours of spies from Eastern bloc countries, Michael Johnson passes his A levels and gains a place to study law at Marylebone Polytechnic in London. Having done some work experience at a local solicitors, his mentor there suggests passing his details to a friend who may offer him some work in return for paid accommodation. So this is how Mike finds himself at Whitehall, signing the Official Secrets Act and reporting back to the “Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food” on the comings and goings at the house in Willesden where he has digs in Room Four. Amongst the various mysterious occupants, mainly Polish and Hungarian, he also meets the “grey fellow” Marion with his ham radio equipment and wonders why the occupants of Room Three arrive with little luggage and don’t stay for long. In 2016, with all this long in the past and a successful career in the judiciary, a stranger requests a meeting with him to discuss past investments in the fish-farm and a chapter from his old life opens up again.
This is a relatively short novel and extremely easy to become engrossed in. The events of the era are well portrayed, the bombings and the still unexplained resignation of the then Prime Minister Wilson adding confusion into the mix of this intriguing spy story, and there are plenty of suspicious characters to wonder about. I thoroughly enjoyed it, however the ending was a little short for my liking and the reader is left to draw a lot of their own conclusions about the involvement of some of the people and exactly what went on in that strange house in the suburbs. I guess the author will never confirm and never deny! 4.5*
This is a relatively short novel and extremely easy to become engrossed in. The events of the era are well portrayed, the bombings and the still unexplained resignation of the then Prime Minister Wilson adding confusion into the mix of this intriguing spy story, and there are plenty of suspicious characters to wonder about. I thoroughly enjoyed it, however the ending was a little short for my liking and the reader is left to draw a lot of their own conclusions about the involvement of some of the people and exactly what went on in that strange house in the suburbs. I guess the author will never confirm and never deny! 4.5*
March 1, 2026
Room four by Suzanne Stephenson.
This was a really good read. This is the 5th book I've read by this author. It was different to her usual books. I liked the writing style and the story. I got into this book straight away. I did like the ending.
This was a really good read. This is the 5th book I've read by this author. It was different to her usual books. I liked the writing style and the story. I got into this book straight away. I did like the ending.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews