Hot Stew Fiona Mozley, by Hachette

Galloping, streaming storytelling from maverick Fiona Mozley, as she immerses us in the world of London’s Soho brothels and the super-rich. Precious, 42, is a “vintage” tart, wary of online, taking calls only on her landline. Tabitha, an exworking girl, is her maid. She runs her bath and cooks her meals. The brothel’s building is to be closed by billionaire owner Agatha, planning to convert it into luxury flats. It’s regular punter Robert’s birthday. Old Scarlet on the door asks who and what he wants: Precious and the full works. He’s Precious’ last client. Exhausted Precious bathes and Tabitha chats. Did Precious know that Elizabethan prostitutes were known as “stews”? A triumph.