Three Captivating New Novels: Mystery, Caper, and Feminist Horror
This week brings a diverse selection of new fiction, each offering distinct narratives that captivate readers with their unique characters and engaging plots. From a comic mystery set in the art world to a quirky Scottish caper and a feminist horror satire, these novels provide rich storytelling and memorable experiences.
Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Go Gentle by Maria Semple (W&N £20, 384pp) delivers a wealthy-art-world comic mystery that intrigues from the start. The story follows Adora Hazzard, an in-house philosopher to a super-rich family, who encounters the sexy stranger Digby at the opera. The plot thickens when a mysterious statue arrives at her boss’s New York mansion, accompanied by a secretive French woman.
Via a detour into Adora’s screenwriter past, the conundrum builds to an explosive conclusion in a beautifully-evoked Paris setting. Readers may wonder what Digby has to do with it all, and while not every plot twist is easily followed, the characters are undeniably great. Semple’s witty, snappy narrative bowls one happily along, enhanced by a sprinkling of Stoic wisdom for good measure.
The Driving Seat by Abigail Abbas
The Driving Seat by Abigail Abbas (Polygon £9.99, 288pp) is a sad, quirky, and funny caper that has garnered complete adoration. Desperate Emma takes her baby and flees London, escaping her horrid husband and his ghastly mother. On the run and in disguise, she works as a chauffeur to a glamorous, eccentric marchioness.
Home becomes a creepy Scottish estate cottage, which someone tries to set on fire. Is it one of the hostile locals or the husband still on her tail? The novel is stuffed with brilliant characters, from the local childminder to the taciturn estate manager, and readers root for Emma throughout. Full of warmth, sympathy, and hard-won wisdom, this is definitely a standout read of the week.
Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger
Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger (Bloomsbury £18.99, 384pp) is billed as a ‘feminist satire-cum-werewolf horror’ and features an energetic narrative. The novel stars Ellie, CEO of a tech startup, who is frustrated with her husband, worried about her daughter, furious about her work, and hitting the menopause.
The latter surely explains the thick new hairs on her body, the memory blackouts, the rage, and the nocturnal ramblings. Meanwhile, across London, pensioner Brenda is investigating some horribly visceral local cat deaths. This heavily metaphoric take on the later-life lot of women won’t be to everyone’s taste, especially cat lovers, but Ellie’s multiple burdens are something we can all relate to, making it a thought-provoking and relatable read.
