Adult Highlights - Peters
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Reviews

Four films

Four films

Harauld Hughes
Faber & Faber

Richard Ayoade has truly dedicated to the silliness of his latest project. Because Harauld Hughes doesn't exist, he's a figment of Ayoade's imagination, a mid-century playwright and uncanny lookalike of Ayoade whose life he details in The unfinished Harauld Hughes. Four Films is one of three books of 'rediscovered' works, 'reissued' to coincide with the biography, and of course also authored by Ayoade. 

Through the screenplays of the titular four films, all ludicrous in concept and content, the comedian and actor parodies everything entertainment.  An hilarious but demanding read, best for fans of the (actual) author.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th November 2024
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Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Coco Mellors
4th Estate

Young Brit Cleo meets older American Frank absconding from a New Year's party in New York in 2006. Well-written and propulsive, a gritty yet romantic tale ensues following them and their friends as they navigate relationships, careers, love and loss. Coco Mellors is currently shortlisted for Waterstone's Book of the Year with her follow-up Blue Sisters. 

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 30th October 2024
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Entitlement

Entitlement

Rumaan Alam
Bloomsbury Circus

After the huge popularity of his last book Leave the World Behind, readers are likely to flood to Rumaan Alam's latest. Entitlement is much slower in pace and action, however, examining themes of power and privilege through the slow unravelling of main character Brooke when a new job working for a billionaire changes her perceptions of money, friends, family and self.

Destined for '21st Century English literature' syllabuses, recommend to book groups looking for moral and societal issues to chew over.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 23rd September 2024
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MILF

MILF

Paloma Faith
Ebury Spotlight

Award-winning singer Paloma Faith reckons with motherhood, relationships and societal expectations in this candid memoir. Not a dish-the-dirt on other celebs, this conversational chronicle is more about musing on what it means to be a working woman in the pop industry right now, and a reflection on the experiences that got her there. Bravely frank, and sometimes hilarious - recommend to fans of confessional feminism.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 2nd September 2024
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Ultimate unprocessed recipes

Ultimate unprocessed recipes


BBC

As the nation tries to move away from ultra-processed food, BBC Good Food has jumped on the bandwagon with this timely collection. The opening makes seemingly impossible UPF staples appear easy, with simple, time-friendly recipes for various stocks and breads. A varied, colourful selection of mouth-watering dishes is then arranged by meal: dinners are split into quick midweek or weekend feasts, and dropping UPFs doesn't mean excluding puddings. Clear instructions with full nutritional information and easy to source ingredients make this another winner from BBC Good Food, likely to introduce new favourites for any type of household.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 26th July 2024
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Hard by a great forest

Hard by a great forest

Leo Vardiashvili
Bloomsbury

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.

 missing Reviewed by Peters team on 8th July 2024
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The long water

The long water

Stef Penney
Quercus

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.

Diane Gill Reviewed by Diane Gill on 24th June 2024
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I will greet the sun again

I will greet the sun again

Khashayar J. Khabushani
Viking

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.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th June 2024
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Black shield maiden

Black shield maiden

Willow Smith
Random House

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.

Diane Gill Reviewed by Diane Gill on 4th June 2024
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Honey

Honey

Isabel Banta
Zaffre Publishing

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

Laura Hayward Reviewed by Laura Hayward on 20th May 2024
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I'm a fan

I'm a fan

Sheena Patel
Granta

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.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 9th May 2024
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Hey, Zoey

Hey, Zoey

Sarah Crossan
Bloomsbury Circus

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

Katie Merrick Reviewed by Katie Merrick on 30th April 2024
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The resort

The resort

Sara Ochs
Penguin

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.

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 22nd April 2024
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The sleeping car porter

The sleeping car porter

Suzette Mayr
Dialogue

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. 

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 12th April 2024
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The second murderer

The second murderer

Denise Mina
Vintage

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.

 

Helen Rosser Reviewed by Helen Rosser on 5th April 2024
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