Four fabulous new books
Four new books to help you chase away the winter blues
THE ONLY STORY
By JULIAN BARNES Jonathan Cape We all have stories about our lives that we tell ourselves, says Paul, the narrator of this novel. But ultimately there’s only one that really matters – whether it’s happy or disastrous, we all have a unique story to tell about romantic love. Paul’s is a mixture of both: at age 19 he meets 48-year-old Susan at a local tennis club and they fall in love. Despite the age gap, the fact she’s married and that their scandalous affair gets them kicked out of the tennis club, their relationship endures.
For Paul the romance is the most vital, defining event of his life. Decades later, as an old man, he’s still trying to make sense of it all and come to terms with the sad way it ended.
As with a few of Barnes’ other novels it’s as much about memory as it is about love. And as Paul delves into the past he’s forced to acknowledge how selective and faulty his recollections are.
This is an uncomfortable and difficult read but Barnes is such a clever writer you’ll be willing to stick with it to the bitter end. And you’ll be glad you did. – JANE VORSTER
DARK IN DEATH
By JD ROBB Little, Brown Book Group What happens when death imitates art in the strangest way? In the 46th In Death novel, ace lieutenant Eve Dallas, her partner, Peabody, and their team investigate a murder that happens in the middle of a screening of the classic horror film Psycho. All it takes is 45 seconds, and actress Chanel Rylan is dead.
No enemies, no history of violence and seemingly no reason why Chanel would be killed with an ice pick. So why was she?
Eve, who has limited patience with celebrities, is baffled when bestselling crime writer Blaine DeLano makes an appearance at the precinct. The writer reveals shocking information linked to the murder of the actress. Someone is recreating the murder scenes from her latest series.
There are six more novels in Blaine’s series, which means the team not only have to investigate the murders, they have their work cut out trying to stop the killer before more blood is spilled.
If you’re looking for a gripping, fast-paced story, this novel won’t disappoint. – THULANI GQIRANA
CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE
By TOMI ADEYEMI Henry Holt & Co Headstrong young Zélie would’ve become a powerful magi – but magic is dead in Orïsha. It mysteriously vanished when the kingdom’s cruel monarch waged war on the magic-wielders, fearing they’d overthrow him.
King Saran all but wiped them out, but spared the magi’s children, the diviners. With magic gone, they’d never become fullblown magi – instead they’d live like slaves in the kingdom, reviled for what they could’ve become.
That is, until Zélie has a chance encounter with Princess Amari, the oddball daughter of the despot king. The young women find themselves thrown together in a quest that could bring magic back and free Zélie’s people – but it’ll cost them both.
The novel is young adult fantasy like you’ve never experienced it before. It ticks all the traditional YA boxes – action, romance, a quest to reach one’s true potential – but the vibrant, Africaninspired setting gives the triedand-tested formula a twist.
The movie rights to Nigerian-American author Adeyemi’s book have already been snapped up, but YA fans aren’t likely to wait for the film to hit the screen – they’ll gobble this page-turner right up. – KIRSTIN BUICK
THE BROKEN GIRLS
By SIMONE ST JAMES Berkley Journalist Fiona Sheridan still has so many questions about her elder sister’s murder 20 years ago. Deb’s killer was caught after her body had been left near Idlewild Hall, the abandoned girls’ boarding school in their small town in Vermont, but not everything was explained.
Now a wealthy stranger has bought the property and is planning to reopen it as a school. Fiona thinks something sounds odd about the plan and is eager to write an article about this old building that’s loomed large over her life since her sister’s death.
The story alternates between 2014, narrated by Fiona, and 1950, narrated by Katie, CeCe, Roberta and Sonia, four students sharing a room at the gloomy and rundown boarding school who all have difficult pasts.
Adding to their misery is Mary Hand, the veiled ghost in black that haunts the school.
Fiona’s research about the school eventually brings the past and present together and although there’s a strong paranormal element the story is also about friendship, loss and resilience. It’s a compelling and creepy story that brings to mind the gothic thrillers of old with that aura of darkness. – NATALIE CAVERNELIS