The Best New Books
Fiction Ed Susan shares her favourite new releases
BRILLIANT CRIME SEQUEL
THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE by
Richard Osman
Viking, HB, £18.99, out September 16. The Thursday Murder Club was the fastest selling crime debut of all time and now there’s a second book! The Man Who Died Twice returns to Coopers Chase retirement village and the intrepid septuagenarian sleuths, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, who together make up the members of the Thursday Murder Club.
This time, Elizabeth receives a letter from an old colleague who needs her help. When bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists the help of her friends. Together, they take on the New York mafia and set about unravelling a mystery which has £20 million worth of stolen diamonds at the heart of it. Can they find the ruthless killer before the killer finds them?
This glorious second instalment in the series (I do hope there are more!), is full of Osman’s trademark sense of humour. However, this isn’t simply some light comic caper – Richard has created an intelligent and engaging murder mystery, packed full of charm, warmth and a wonderful cast of characters at the heart of the story.
DETECTIVE CRIME
THE HERON’S CRY by Ann Cleeves
Pan Macmillan, HB, £18.99. Out now.
Ann Cleeves returns with the second instalment in her Two Rivers series, The Heron’sCry, set in North Devon and featuring Detective Matthew Venn.
Everyone’s enjoying a hot Devonshire summer but the local community are shocked when Dr Yeo is found murdered, having been stabbed by a shard of glass from a vase made by his glassblower daughter, Eve.
The murder of Dr Yeo is puzzling to say the least – highly regarded by the local community, he was a faithful public servant and enjoyed a happy relationship with his daughter. With no clear motive, Matthew sets about investigating, only for another similar murder to happen. Soon the lines between his personal and professional life begin to blur as he discovers how close to home the case really is.
This well paced murder mystery cleverly builds the tension to an unexpected climax that you’ll never see coming!
EDITOR’S PICK…
THE LONG JOURNEY HOME by Cecily Blench Bonnier Zaffre. PB. £8.99. Out now.
This moving tale follows Kate and Edwin as they journey through war-torn Burma to India. A sweeping historical fiction masterpiece.
GLAMOROUS THRILLER
THE CHATEAU by Catherine Cooper
HarperCollins, PBO EB AUDIO, £7.99, out now.
Following on from TheChalet, Catherine Cooper brings us another superb twisty thriller that takes us everywhere from a dilapidated chateau in the South of France to the ski slopes of the French Alps. Murder, family secrets and revenge all culminate in a shocking finale to this fast-paced murder mystery.
TIME SLIP FICTION
THE STORYTELLER OF CASABLANCA
Lake Union, PBO, £8.99, out September 21.
This story blends historical and contemporary fiction as we explore 1940s Morocco through the eyes of Josie – a French refugee seeking safe haven – and Zoe, a new arrival to the city 70 years later, who finds Josie’s diary under the floorboards. A moving tale with captivating descriptions of Morocco.
STUNNING DEBUT
THE LAST LIBRARY by Freya Sampson
Zaffre, HB EB AUDIO, £14.99, out now.
When a library is threatened with closure, June, the shy librarian, must open her heart and take risks as she tries to save the place she loves. A love letter to libraries, this uplifting tale of community, friendship and taking chances will appeal to readers who enjoy books by Libby Page and Clare Pooley.
HILARIOUS SPY DRAMA TINKER, TAILOR, SCHOOLMUM, SPY by Faye Brann
HarperCollins, PBO EB AUDIO, £8.99
She looks like a regular school mum, but Vicky Turnbull has a secret – she’s a former spy! When MI5 come calling she grabs the opportunity to put her skills to work again. This fantastic debut is full of superb characters and the brilliant plot will keep you entertained throughout!
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