Reissues

Of this month’s paperbacks, the one with the biggest profile is undoubtedly Clive Barker’s THE SCARLET GOSPELS ( , 28 July, Pan), which sees the return of nail-nutted horror icon Pinhead. Initially the book is centred on mystical detective Harry D’Amour, but gradually the Cenobite becomes the focus – and there’s a definitive ending for the character. We said: “Exciting, vivid and brutal... the grandest Hellraiser movie never made.” Meanwhile, if you loved Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell you’ll probably also enjoy Zen Cho’s debut, SORCERER TO THE CROWN ( , 28 July, Pan). The first in a trilogy set in a Regency England in which magic is real, it centres on a girl trapped in a boarding school that teaches its pupils to suppress their magical ability. We said: “Utterly delightful… A smart, gleefully fun tale that fizzes with energy and engages the brain.” We also recommend another debut: Natasha Pulley’s THE WATCHMAKER OF FILIGREE STREET ( , out now, Bloomsbury). This whimsical fantasy set in Victorian London is centred on a Japanese watchmaker who appears to be able to predict the future… We said: “A delightful read, that benefits from colourful characters and a lyrical prose style full of esoteric detail.” Also worth a look are a couple of classics: Ursula Le Guin’s Always Coming Home (1985, out now) and Marge Piercy’s Woman On The Edge Of Time (1976, 11 August).