BOOKS OF THE WEEK
Here In The Dark by Alexis Soloski Raven Books, £16.99 (ebook £11.89) Review by Alan Jones
Who better than a prize-winning New York theatre critic to write about a sharp-witted New York theatre critic drawn into a web of mystery and suspense? Alexis Soloski steps out of the dark in her debut novel, following the life of Manhattan critic Vivian Parry, who agrees to be interviewed by graduate student David Adler, believing it will boost her profile and chances of promotion. The student disappears, the police refuse to investigate, and his fiancée begs Vivian to find him, so she begins a journey laced with lies, deception – and danger. She plays the role of an amateur detective, encountering a dodgy private eye – oh, and discovers a dead body. The author keeps readers enthralled from first to last.
Hot Springs Drive by Lindsay Hunter Renegade Books, £22 (ebook £4.99) Review by Lauren Gilmour
The unconventional multi-narrator structure adds complexity to a tale centred on the lives of best friends Jackie and Theresa, but this at times is confusing. Set against the backdrop of their close-knit community on Hot Springs Drive, the story delves into the intricacies of their deepening friendship. However, the plot takes a sinister turn when it’s discovered that Jackie has had an affair with Theresa’s husband, Adam – then Theresa’s body is found in her garage. While not conventionally suspenseful, it explores betrayal and the intricate dynamics of human relationships and asks the question: what happens after a tragedy? Hunter skilfully crafts a haunting story that lingers.
One Love by Matt Cain Headline Review, £20 (ebook £7.99) Review by Beverley Rouse
Matt Cain’s sixth novel follows Danny and Guy who have been friends since university, flitting between their first meeting, a weekend away two decades later, and all the years in between. Danny has been besotted with Guy since day one and hopes they may finally become more than just friends when they go back to Manchester for Pride. What follows is not what readers might expect, but is instead a thought-provoking look at the complexities of human feelings, behaviour and motivations. An enjoyable read, but it can take a while to get used to the time jumps – and it would have been nice to read more about the other characters.
The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World by Bettany Hughes W&N, £25 (ebook £14.99) Review by Amanda De Beer
Bettany Hughes brings to life astonishing feats of engineering and creativity in mostly longdestroyed wonders, encouraging the reader to question why humanity creates, why we remember some wonders over others, and what it is about the stories entwined with them that fire our curiosity. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, the Colossus at Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria have made staggering imprints on our planet. This book emphasises not only the majesty of each of the seven wonders, but the human story behind them.