BOOKS OF THE WEEK
The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet
Faber & Faber, £14.99 (ebook £9.99) Review by Jacqueline Ling
How far would you go to fit in with a class of people you don’t belong in? In The Kellerby Code, Edward finds himself striving to fit in with his friends Robert and Stanza, even if it means bending over backwards to fulfil their desires – be it running errands, serving their needs, or even contemplating unthinkable acts on their behalf. As the plot unfolds, we delve deeper into Edward’s psyche, leaving us questioning the sanity of his actions and the sincerity of his friends’. At the heart of this dark comedy is an exploration of social classes and the lengths one might go to belong. A deeply unsettling, interesting novel that will leave readers gripped to the end.
Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera
Bantam, £14.99 (ebook £5.99) Review by Prudence Wade
Listen For The Lie taps into our obsession with true crime podcasts, weaving them into a readable, modern whodunnit. At the centre is Lucy Chase, who’s thought to have murdered her best friend. She’s not formally convicted and moves away from her Texas hometown, flying under the radar until a podcaster digs up her story for his latest series. Lucy returns home and is forced to confront the ghosts of her past – her failed marriage, the strained relationship with her parents, and why she just can’t remember the night Savvy died. It’s probably not a book that will stay with you after you’ve finished, and there’s the odd murder mystery cliche throughout, but it’s a page-turner that you’ll absolutely race through.
How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin Quercus, £16.99 (ebook £9.99) Review by Lauren Gilmour
How To Solve Your Own Murder by debut adult fiction writer, Kristen Perrin, offers an intriguing premise that intertwines past and present seamlessly. Set in Dorset, 1965, the story follows Frances Adams, who spends her life preparing to solve her own murder predicted by a fortuneteller. The narrative shifts to the present day with Frances’s great-niece, Annie, determined to uncover the truth behind Frances’s death. While the plot is engaging and suspenseful, the abundance of minor characters makes them feel undeveloped and challenging to track. However, Perrin’s skilful storytelling and atmospheric setting make for a compelling read.
The Blues Brothers by Daniel De Visé White Rabbit, £25, (ebook £12.99) Review by Duncan Seaman
Last seen chronicling the life of BB King in his exhaustive biography King of the Blues, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel de Visé has now turned his attention to the 1980 musical action comedy film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd that was met with critical opprobrium at the time but has gone on to be regarded as a 20th century classic. De Visé’s elegant prose traces the pair’s unusual childhoods, their time in comedy improv theatre and the hedonistic early years of Saturday Night Live, where the characters of Jake and Elwood Blues were born in a skit, before delving in detail into the making of the film itself with John Landis. Superbly told, this book will make you want to savour The Blues Brothers all over again.