Three new novels have hit the shelves, offering readers a diverse range of stories from sharp-witted family dramas to eco-thrillers and heartwarming tales of self-discovery.
The Lowe Job by Grace Alexander
The Lowe Job by Grace Alexander (Orion £16.99, 432pp) introduces a contemporary Mrs Bennet from Jane Austen's world, but with four beautiful daughters and absolutely no scruples. Lydia Lowe, a former PR professional turned brilliantly monstrous character, uses her professional savvy and natural cunning to advance her daughters' careers, achieving wild initial success. Lili goes global after a sex scandal staged by her mother, while sister Stevie becomes a TV star as a result. However, youngest daughter Katie struggles with the attention, and when hippy sister Iris interferes in Stevie's love life, real trouble erupts. Though explicit at times, this debut novel is snappy, witty, and sharply observed, earning high praise.
Kill Billionaire by Anders Lustgarten
Kill Billionaire by Anders Lustgarten (Chatto & Windus £16.99, 272pp) follows teen genius Kayla, whose beloved woods burn, prompting her to seek revenge on billionaires whose businesses are destroying the planet. Alongside Mr P, an oversized ex-soldier, and tiny elderly Nancy, she plots covert assassinations worldwide. A California tech bro freezes in his own cryogenic chamber, while another falls victim to his robot servants. As the plutocrat deaths mount, Kayla becomes a global icon. However, in a Catch Me If You Can style, the FBI and Scotland Yard pursue her. The story is scarily believable, with Kayla as a compelling narrator and her murders horribly entertaining.
Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Sutanto
Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Sutanto (Corvus £9.99, 304pp) features trophy wife Mebel, appalled when her husband runs off with their private chef. Determined to win him back, she jets from Jakarta to a posh French cooking school in the Oxford suburbs. Mebel's princessy ways make it hard initially; her fellow students are a third of her age, and her room is smaller than her walk-in wardrobe at home. But she perseveres, makes friends with the youth, and even falls in love with a sexy restaurant owner. However, is Alain all he seems, and what does this mean for Mebel's marriage? This funny, warm-hearted read explores a woman's late-life self-discovery.
