Three Unmissable New Novels for Your Reading List
This season's literary scene offers a rich tapestry of stories, from sharp-witted satire and domestic drama to haunting psychological mystery. We delve into three standout new releases that promise to captivate, entertain, and unsettle readers in equal measure.
All God’s Creatures: A Posh and Amiable Satire
In Anthony Gardner's "All God's Creatures", published by Eye Books for £14.99, readers are treated to an amiable and clever satire. The narrative centres on Ben, a mild-mannered editor of a religious magazine, whose world is turned upside down when his publication is taken over by a cult with an extreme ideology: they believe animals are more important than people.
Forced to seek new employment, Ben finds work as a nightclub pianist. This career shift plunges him into a vibrant and dubious new milieu filled with bold women, fake priests, and the trade in forged paintings. While some have labelled the book a 'war on woke,' its true spirit is more akin to the works of Evelyn Waugh, possessing a posh old-fashioned vibe and being beautifully written.
Though the plot weaves a complex web involving scheming oligarchs and the witness protection programme, Gardner excels at crafting the atmosphere of his settings, from the underworld of Islington gangsters to the sophisticated St Ives art scene. The result is a novel that is described as great fun.
The Woman From Book Club: A Suburban Battle of Wits
Carrie Hughes delivers a brilliant and funny drama with "The Woman From Book Club," a 384-page book available from Hera at £9.99. The story kicks off when Lydia, a minx on the make, strategically infiltrates a posh book club in Surrey. Her goal is mercenary: to seduce and bag one of the rich members' husbands.
Her target is Elliot, a dishy top-lawyer married to the mousy Emma. The tale unfolds through the alternate perspectives of the conniving seductress, Lydia, and the dutiful wife and mother, Emma. Lydia's boldness is breathtaking, but the central question becomes whether she has taken on more than she realises.
Thick with literary allusions and mouthwatering upmarket lifestyle details, the novel is bolstered by a great supporting cast. This includes a couple of bolshy teens, a loyal and bookish sister, and the messy dog that started it all. A word of warning from a satisfied reader: don't read this on the train, or you might be so engrossed you miss your stop.
Bluff: A Chilling Timeslip Mystery
For those who prefer their stories with a darker edge, Francine Toon's "Bluff" is a compelling timeslip narrative. Published by Doubleday for £16.99, this 352-page novel is set in a location reminiscent of St Andrews. The protagonist, Cameron, returns home from his work in London, a homecoming that stirs up dark memories from a decade prior, specifically concerning a dramatic end-of-school party on the beach.
The central mystery revolves around the fate of the cool and enigmatic Joanie, who hasn't been seen since that fateful night. As Cameron begins to investigate, the mystery thickens when he receives messages warning him off the trail. The narrative skilfully switches between present-day Cameron and Joanie's perspective from ten years ago, revealing how she was drawn into the orbit of a mysterious academic, his personable American girlfriend, and their charismatic friend.
The novel boasts an unsettling Wicker Man vibe, but its most potent quality is the awkward coming-home-for-Christmas atmosphere. Like the best horror, "Bluff" is a profound exploration of guilt and unreliable memory, leaving readers to question what is real and what is imagined.
