Shelf Portraits
Bitter Orange By Claire Fuller is published in hardback by Fig Tree, priced £9.99 (ebook £9.99)
Lonely singleton Frances and glamorous couple Peter and Cara are thrown together at an abandoned country estate in Hampshire, where Peter is to survey the mansion’s architectural features and, Frances, those of the gardens for its absent American owner. In the bewitching atmosphere of Lyntons, little work gets done, however, as the unlikely trio picnic among the ruins, drain a forgotten wine cellar and rifle through the house’s hidden treasures. It is clear from the outset that something terrible will happen and Claire Fuller’s third novel is full of dark foreboding, though the exact events are deftly concealed until the ending. Like her character Cara, the author is a dazzling storyteller, and the otherworldly charm of the setting is alluringly evoked, but in this tale trouble lies not far below the sheen of a golden exterior. 8/10 Review by Lucy whetman
trenton Makes By tadzio koelb is published in hardback by atlantic books, priced £12.99 (ebook £5.69)
Trenton Makes takes on the hot topic of gender through the noir-tinged lens of the American dream, questioning the idea of the self-made man. Opening with factory worker Abe Kunstler meeting drink-sodden dancer Inez, Tadzio Koelb’s debut novel chronicles the factories, bars and dance halls of tough post-war life in Trenton, New Jersey, before steadily revealing Abe’s secrets - including murder, a new identity and the grim lengths he will go to for a son. The lugubrious pace in the first section of the novel picks up in the second half, set in the Seventies and detailing Abe’s paranoid alcoholic descent as he tracks his hippy son, fearing his secret has been uncovered. Perserverance is rewarded as Rutgers University writing instructor Koelb saves his best work for last with his atmospheric and compelling depiction of Abe unravelling in the city’s blistering heat as he struggles to comprehend the changing world. 6/10 Review by Laura Paterson
a double life By Flynn Berry is published in hardback by weidenfeld & nicolson, priced £14.99 (ebook £7.99)
A Double Life is the second novel from Flynn Berry. Loosely based on the speculation and fascination of the infamous Lord Lucan case and his disappearance, A Double Life starts off as a page-turning thriller, at least for the first two-thirds. Our protagonist is Claire, whose father, of aristocratic lineage, becomes the main suspect in a brutal attack and disappears without a trace, but seemingly with the help of his wealthy, upper-class friends. The story flits between the events of Claire’s youth, both the attack and the aftermath as her family change identity in order to build a new life, and the modern day. It is in the modern day chapters where Claire’s obsession with finding her missing father come to a head, in an ending that actually lets down the thrills of the build-up. It feels like the ending misses the chance for a twist or two. Still, it is satisfying enough for a summer holiday read. 6/10 Review by Ryan ward
the Pebbles On the Beach: a spotter’s guide By Clarence ellis is published in paperback by Faber & Faber, priced £9.99 (ebook £7.19)
The perfect companion to long hot summer days by the sea, this updated edition of Clarence Ellis’ The Pebbles On The Beach comes along at just the right time. First published in 1954, it now includes a foreword by Robert Macfarlane and a beautifully illustrated guide to identifying the most common pebbles. Ellis himself was an avid pebble collector, and his enthusiasm for the subject is what makes this more than just a dry geology lesson. Along with details on the processes that shape pebbles, there are sections on where to find the best stones because “mediocrity in pebbles is insufferable” - as well as tips for the more serious collector, including how best to arrange your pebble collection. The book ends with a chapter on the benefits of pebble-hunting, although at that point you won’t need convincing that it can make a fascinating hobby for all the family. 9/10 Review by verena vogt
the girl With the dragon heart By stephanie Burgis is published in paperback by bloomsbury children’s books, priced £6.99 (ebook £5.63)
Stephanie Burgis has found a winning formula by combining fantasy, girl-power and chocolate - which earned her first instalment, The Dragon With A Chocolate Heart, lots of fans, and has proved just as endearing in her sequel, The Girl With The Dragon Heart. It tells the story of Silke, the witty best friend of dragon-turned-girl Aventurine, who is the star of the first book. After their parents disappeared years ago, Silke and her brother Dieter have been left fending for themselves. Silke’s way with words has earned her a job at a renowned chocolate shop - a skill that gets her noticed by the Crown Princess, who enlists her for a dangerous mission to spy on the mysterious royal fairy family from Elfenwald. After a strong start, the plot loses its way a little before returning with a powerful ending that will see Silke become a new favourite heroine among middle grade readers. 6/10 Review by holly williams