5 new books to read this week

Lisa Jewell returns with a new book launching the new Marvel Crime series…

Fiction

1. The Long Water by Stef Penney is published in hardback by Quercus, priced £20 (ebook £9.99). Available July 4

The Long Water focuses on a tight-knit community situated in a remote valley in the north of Norway, where the lives of the residents are deeply interwoven. The town suddenly finds itself at the centre of swirling rumours and a media frenzy when popular teenager, Daniel, goes missing one night during school-leavers’ celebrations. There is no one in the town who is not impacted by his disappearance, from teenagers Elin and Benny, who face the modern-day struggles around gender identity and sexual orientation, to Elin’s grandmother Svea, an elderly woman whose long life revolves around the area. Stef Penney’s latest novel takes a multitude of twists and turns, written with a touch of humour that will leave you chuckling. The Long Water is tough to put down with brilliant pace, fantastic depth and an ending that will leave you wanting more.

9/10

The hidden benefits of the part of a banana people throw away

‘I can polish off a jar of pickles in one sitting’ - Miss Northern Ireland, Hannah Johns

(Review by Hannah Cottrell)

2. Breaking The Dark by Lisa Jewell is published in hardback by Century, priced £20 (ebook £7.99). Available July 4

Breaking The Dark marks Lisa Jewell’s debut into the Marvel universe, blending crime fiction with superhero drama. Set in New York, the story follows Jessica Jones, a former superhero-turned-private investigator grappling with her own demons. Jessica is approached by Amber Randall, a mother whose twin teenagers, Fox and Lark, returned from a trip to the UK drastically changed. This case launches Jessica into a dark and intricate investigation that spans continents and delves into mysterious and supernatural phenomena. The novel seamlessly integrates superhero lore with the gritty realism of a crime thriller. Jewell’s portrayal of Jessica Jones is faithful to the character’s Marvel roots and refreshingly innovative, offering a deeper exploration of her flawed psyche and struggle for redemption. Jewell’s storytelling and character development of Jessica Jones are compelling – you’ll find yourself truly engaged with her flawed persona, cheering her on as her character develops.

9/10

(Review by Amanda De Beer)

3. Love Of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood is published in paperback by Penguin, priced £8.99 (ebook £2.99). Available now

After death by microwave burger, 27-year-old Delphie Bookham finds herself in the waiting room of the afterlife where she meets ‘the one’, in a twist that gives her a second chance at life with just 10 days to find him back on earth. The book uses a fast-paced narrative to keep the story compelling, exploring Delphie’s shift in attitude to discover her love for life and the joys of letting people in. In a heartwarming ‘enemies to lovers’ arc, the book is a perfect summer read – it’s light, funny, with enough emotional depth to allow you to become truly invested in the characters, including the side characters who are refreshing, and equally as intriguing as the main cast.

8/10

(Review by Carla Feric)

Non-fiction

4. The Architecture of Modern Empire by Arundhati Roy is published in paperback by Penguin, priced £10.99 (ebook £7.99). Available now

In June this year, author Arundhati Roy won the prestigious PEN Pinter literary prize, where she was hailed as being “a luminous voice of freedom and justice whose words have come with fierce clarity and determination for almost 30 years now.” It couldn’t be a more apt description for the author, 62, who won the Booker Prize for her debut novel The God Of Small Things in 1997, and really captures everything between the pages of recently released title The Architecture of Modern Empire by Arundhati Roy. A collection of 12 interviews conducted with Roy, by writer and broadcaster David Barsamian, span out over two decades, from 2001 to the present. The duo explore war, technology, nationalism, truth, justice, freedom and more. And Roy’s insights into her home country, India, are poignant. There is also humour and wit from Roy. You find yourself hanging on her every word, conjuring up imagery through her descriptions, and hoping another book like this is in the works.

8/10

(Review by Kerri-Ann Roper)

Children’s book of the week

5. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, illustrated by Thomas Gilbert is published in paperback by Ian Fleming Publications, priced £7.99 (no ebook). Available now

The new paperback edition of Ian Fleming’s much-loved children’s classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is filled with beautiful illustrations from artist Thomas Gilbert. The striking front cover – reminiscent of a vintage travel poster – will lure youngsters in to read this classic tale as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. The story starts with Commander Caractacus Pott, who does not have much money, but his family thrives on being together and a spirit of adventure. When he manages to buy an old wreck of car and turn it into something new, little does the Commander know the vehicle’s magic powers will whisk his family away to new heights. However, disaster is on the horizon when the group fall upon a secret arsenal of weapons hidden in a vault – realising they are stockpiled for a criminal purpose. Can the family stop a gang in its tracks? And, what’s more, can Chitty help save the day?

8/10

(Review by Jane Kirby)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 29

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. When The Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

2. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

3. Long Island by Colm Tóibín

4. You Are Here by David Nicholls

5. The Ministry Of Time by Kaliane Bradley

6. Murder At The Monastery by Reverend Richard Coles

7. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

8. The Suspect by Rob Rinder

9. The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent

10. The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to The Wastelands by Sarah Brooks

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Pinch Of Nom Air Fryer by Kate & Kay Allinson

2. The House Of Beckham by Tom Bower

3. Operation Biting by Max Hastings

4. MILF by Paloma Faith

5. The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht by Susan Dalgety & Lucy Hunter Blackburn

6. Challenger by Adam Higginbotham

7. Wimbledon: A personal history by Sue Barker

8. Bored of Lunch Healthy Air Fryer: 30 Minute Meals by Nathan Anthony

9. Guide to Medieval England by History Hit

10. Greekish: Everyday recipes with Greek roots by Georgina Hayden

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Suspect by Rob Rinder

2. Fairy Tale by Stephen King

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

4. A Murder Of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett

5. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

6. The Maiden by Kate Foster

7. The Trial by Rob Rinder

8. Unruly by David Mitchell

9. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

10. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

(Compiled by Audible)