LATEST TITLES

STONE MOTHERS

by Erin Kelly, Hodder & Stoughton, £12.99, ebook £12.99

★★★★ ★

THIS Gothic mystery is a dark tale formed out of cleverly slotted together pieces.

It’s a layered read with a twisting plot that gains momentum from the splintered perspectives. There are secrets within secrets, and most of them lead back to the Nazareth Mental Hospital and the part it played in its Suffolk community. Teenage lovers who parted but never really left each other lead the way through the mind maze built by Erin Kelly.

Love, death and blackmail abound, while Stone Mothers also offers a sobering account of what passed for mental health care for one accidentally pregnant woman in the 1950s.

THE STRAWBERRY THIEF

by Joanna Harris, Orion, £20, ebook £10

★★★★ ★

THE Strawberry Thief is the fourth serving in Joanne Harris’ Chocolat series.

The wind has brought Vianne Rocher back to Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, and eldest daughter Anouk has moved to Paris with her boyfriend. When local florist Narcisse dies he leaves 15-year-old Rosette the woodland opposite his home. Secrets bristle with electric sparks as Narcisse’s daughter fights for the land.

Harris has both brought the magical tale of Vianne full circle, and started a whole new path for the sweet Rosette.

THE ROSIE RESULT

by Graeme Simsion, Michael Joseph, £14.99, ebook £7.99

★★★ ★★

THIS novel sees the return of the inimitable Don and his partner Rosie as they navigate parenthood, marriage and careers.

Don’s “life-contentment graph” is nosediving after an oyster-shucking injury, an unfortunate video that leaves his career on the rocks and his son, Hudson, is showing signs of suspected autism.

The book offers a touching and intelligent insight into autism.