Adult book highlights

Saba has to contend with corrupt police, escaped zoo animals and the voices in his head, as he travels to his childhood home of Tblisi to track down his missing father and brother. This is an engaging tale of returning to a lost homeland and facing buried memories, that will appeal to fans of last year's Black Butterflies.  Currently shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize.

Reviewed by  on 8th July 2024

MORE INFO

This is a character-led slow burner with a sense of a setting so strong it's almost a protagonist in itself. A gradual build-up of tension around the main missing person and the historical links across the other leads really draws you in. A focus on family relationships, friendships, and the importance of community is central. If readers want Hollywood-style action then this is not for them: if they seek Nordic atmosphere and a book to challenge the emotions, then recommend this. Will grip and keep you guessing til the end.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 24th June 2024

MORE INFO

Three Iranian-American brothers' Los Angeles adolescence is interrupted when their father takes them unexpectedly to Iran. They struggle both to adapt to life there and to revert upon their return. Not an easy read, this coming of age tale focuses on the youngest sibling and takes on issues of abuse, identity, sexuality and belonging. Poetically written and set over more than a decade in America's recent past, fans of literary fiction will enjoy.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th June 2024

MORE INFO

Willow Smith’s media profile as singer and daughter of Will Smith will get this book on peoples’ radar, and the combination of Black slavery and Viking culture is sure to intrigue. It takes a while for the action to kick in; the Vikings feel tame in places though there is also plenty of suitable brutality; the historical setting convinces in places but feels like fantasy in others. But a number of poignant issues are tackled in a thought-provoking way and the characters provoke genuine emotion throughout. Sure to promote a reader response.

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 4th June 2024

MORE INFO

Debut following the fortunes of Amber Young, a fame-hungry teen pop star in the late 90s/noughties. Her rise to fame sees her pitted against fellow teen idols Gwen and Savannah, who seem to gain longed-for success much more easily. Amber experiences the highs and lows of stardom, gets mixed up in a messy romance with a boyband member and eventually tries to leave the spotlight to pursue songwriting.

What is great fun is all the characters have echoes of the 'real' pop stars from of that era. It's a bit trashy but pretty readable - anyone nostalgic for this era of pop music will find plenty to enjoy here!

Due for publication 25 June

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 20th May 2024

MORE INFO

Fans of TV's Baby Reindeer might enjoy this tale of stalkerish obsession. 

Our unreliable narrator scours the internet, piecing together the lives of her lover's other women from their social media presences. She sways between hatred of them, and supporting them as equally mistreated by the man that connects them. Sometimes disturbing, sometimes hilarious, she takes aim at the social and gender injustices which separate and bind her with the objects of her fixation. Good for fans of literary fiction.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 9th May 2024

MORE INFO

When Dolores finds an animatronic sex doll in her garage, everything she knows about her marriage and relationships is turned on its head. Initially she sees it as a symbol of her strained marriage but as she starts to talk to the doll, Zoey, other secrets emerge. A rather unlikeable character, Dolores nevertheless makes for a compelling protagonist as we learn more about her family, history and relationships. Despite the grim subject matter, this is an easy read thanks to the beautiful writing; I genuinely couldn't put it down. Recommended for fans of the author. 

Publication due 23rd May

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 30th April 2024

MORE INFO

Fast-paced crime thriller told from the perspectives of two young women. Dive instructor Cass and travel blogger Brooke are living in an expat community on idyllic Thai island Koh Sang, when a series of murders lead to questions about the pasts from which they have escaped. Reminiscent of The Beach but updated for the 21st Century, this is a page-turner great for anyone after a summer holiday read. 

Paperback due 4th July. Previously published in hardback as The Dive.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 22nd April 2024

MORE INFO

Baxter is working as a sleeping car porter on a train crossing Canada. He's nearly saved enough money for dentistry school, and wants to keep his head down and avoid 'demerits' which put his position in danger. When the journey is delayed for 2 days, can he dodge the infractions so easily imagined by the passengers and senior staff? 

This touching tale of a gay, black man making his way in 1920s Canada has great sense of place and a vivid cast of characters. Convincing and engaging; recommend to historical fiction fans. 

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th April 2024

MORE INFO

Denise Mina takes on Raymond Chandler's classic detective character Philip Marlow, in this homage to the hardboiled crime friction drama that will delight fans. 

When the heiress to the wealthy Montgomery family goes missing, Marlowe takes the case. His search leads him through the underbelly of 1940s LA in a sweltering summer, taking in a vivid cast of characters and plenty of booze. The dialogue is pitch-perfect, and the mystery keeps you glued to the page. Very enjoyable.

Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 5th April 2024

MORE INFO

Fantasy readers will find many familiar themes, character traits and plot developments in this teen/adult crossover. Lengthy context setting, convincing world-building and engaging writing accompany suitably dastardly political intrigues and betrayals. The hero epitomises the lost-beaten-down-but-determined-and-rising-to-the-task-royal. The female support is strong and brings welcome initiative. The dragons are not as prominent as expected but are nonetheless essential to plot progression - Winter is both adorable and exactly what you'd want from a bonded companion!

Totally immersive - I look forward to the sequel!

Reviewed by Diane Gill on 22nd March 2024

MORE INFO

Patric realises young that she doesn’t share the 'normal' emotions of those around her: in fact she feels nothing. She quickly learns that behaving 'badly' can halt the constant pressure in her brain, granting temporary relief. She makes it her mission to discover more about sociopathy, pursuing studies to find a true definition and chronicling her own personal struggles. 

This erudite, engaging account is her journey to understand herself and find a useful role in society. She is acutely self-aware and insightful, the style is very readable and fiction-like in its flow.

Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 15th March 2024

MORE INFO

Comedian Shabaz Ali is on a mission: to expose rich social media influencers as fakes and help people see their ordinary lives are, in fact, extraordinary. From the arresting title to sharp, laugh-out-loud commentary on life as seen through social media, this is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Ali's humorous yet brutal skewering of influencers’ ridiculous lives also incorporates measured commentary on inequalities that blight our society, ending with a powerful call for a kinder, more just society. Great for anyone assessing their relationship with social media (which should be all of us!) 

Due out 26th March

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 6th March 2024

MORE INFO

This debut novel fictionalising the story of Thomas Gainsborough's daughters is current pick for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club. 

It’s a slow burner woven around a multitude of secrets hidden by and within the Gainsborough family. It captures the anxiety and complexity of all the characters pretending to be something they are not.  Written from the viewpoint of Peggy, the younger daughter, interspersed with fragments from the life of her grandmother Meg, the novel leads the reader on a precarious tightrope of keeping up appearances. A fascinating read.

Reviewed by Emma McElwee on 26th February 2024

MORE INFO

Full of simple, easy-to-follow recipes suitable for all ages, this is an ideal family cookbook for budget-conscious parents. Well-presented with the high standard of photography you would expect from DK, the meals look inviting and aren't full of pages of ingredients! Utilising air fryers and slow cookers, and containing sections aimed at fussy eaters and vegetarians, there really is something for every family here. A great addition to your shelves. 

Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 19th February 2024

MORE INFO