Poison in the royal court

A NET FOR SMALL FISHES Lucy Jago

Bloomsbury, priced £16.99 (ebook £11.89). Available now

In her first work of fiction, biographer Lucy Jago gives a fresh take on a poisoning that threw the court of King James I into disarray. Instead of focusing on the scandal itself, Jago follows the lives of the supposed villains: the Countess of Essex Frances Howard, and her friend Anne Turner. The

XXauXtXhXorX’sXfocus on the relationship between the two women – with no holds barred – does not quite promote sympathy for the pair, but still lays bare the crippling patriarchal society of the early 1600s. While not entirely foreseeable, with hindsight, the twists do seem a little inevitable. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for those looking for a gripping historical fiction title.

SOPHIE HOGAN

THINK AGAIN: THE POWER OF KNOWING WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW Adam Grant

WH Allen, priced £20 (ebook £9.99). Organisational psychologist Adam Grant wants us to maintain an open mind and think like scientists. With examples of how we might effectively challenge our own or others’ ill-founded beliefs, the emphasis of Think Again is on cases where confidence outweighs competence. However, it feels like something of an afterthought when he does mention the reverse scenario, such as studies showing that women typically underestimate their leadership skills while men are more likely to overestimate them. Given that those of us who most overrate our abilities are least likely to be aware of it, and those with the least privilege are arguably more likely to question their own perspective, some readers might be left wondering whether the need to rethink applies to them or not.