Patricia Cornwell's autobiography 'True Crime' leads the May releases, offering a candid look at her early life and career. The crime writer recounts her time at The Charlotte Observer, where she admits to mixing up NFL teams, printing a typo 'Daffy F***' for Daffy Duck, and writing an obituary for the wrong person. Born in Florida on 9 June 1956, Cornwell describes her childhood as 'a string of failures', with dysfunctional parents and struggles with spelling, ballet, sewing, arithmetic and cheerleading.
In 'Master of Lies: How Anthony Blunt's Treachery Shaped Our World', Piers Blofeld draws on fresh research and newly released documents to analyse the Cambridge spy's impact. The book examines the horrifying consequences of Blunt's espionage for the Soviets and critiques the moral failings and cover-ups of the British establishment.
Douglas Stuart, author of the Booker-winning 'Shuggie Bain', returns with 'John of John', set on the Hebrides. The novel tells an unflinching yet tender story of the corrosive relationship between a father and his returning son. Séamas O'Reilly's 'Prestige Drama' is a rollicking tale about a famous actor who disappears while filming a Troubles drama in Derry, described as caustic, withering and genuinely funny.
Other notable May releases include Dr Kate Lister's 'Flick: A History of Female Pleasure', which explores how women's pleasure has been controlled throughout history. Nandini Das's 'This Little World: A New History of Tudor and Stuart England' tells Britain's story through migrants, merchants, pilgrims and exiles. Emma Southon's 'Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire' discusses how Roman elites normalised brutality against enslaved people.
Deborah Lutz's 'This Dark Night: The Life of Emily Brontë' is the first biography of the author in two decades. David Scott's 'Caroline Aherne: Rebel in Disguise' pays tribute to the comedian and actor, including her famous put-down of Bernard Manning as Mrs Merton.
