Paperbacks

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Del Rey, £9.99)

The author of The Martian returns with the story of Ryland Grace, who wakes as sole survivor of a mission to save mankind. Flashbacks reveal that an algae-like creature is depleting the sun’s energy, putting Earth’s food supply at risk. Grace has been sent to study the one unaffected star and report back to Earth. But it’s a lonely suicide mission, though he can’t remember why, with only enough fuel for a one-way trip.

Then Grace crosses paths with Rocky, an alien life form on the same mission. In classic buddy comedy style, they work together to save their planets in this smart, joyful space romp.

Lija Kresowaty

The Winter Guest by WC Ryan (Zaffre, £8.99)

Set in Ireland in 1921, this superb mystery begins with the death of Anglo-irish aristocrat Maud Prendeville, apparently murdered by the

IRA – but why, when she was a prominent supporter of Irish independence?

With somebody trying to pin blame on the IRA, they dispatch Tom Harkin – intelligence officer and Maud’s former fiancé

– to Maud’s family seat to probe the mystery. This is an engrossing, clever whodunnit with a whiff of the supernatural.

Jake Kerridge

Sundial by Catriona Ward (Viper, £8.99)

This sinister yet mesmerising thriller explores a toxic relationship between mother Rob and daughter Callie. Rob senses a darkness in the 12-year-old girl that reminds her of the dysfunctional family she left behind long ago. Fearing for the safety of her other daughter Annie, nine, she takes Callie to her childhood home deep in the Mojave Desert where together they confront the secrets of the past, and try to lay the darkness inside her to rest.

Jon Coates