What to read next
Indecisive? Overwhelmed by choice? Herewith 8 recent reads to tempt you.
Before we begin, some Very Exciting News.
I’m taking part in the Winchester Books Festival. On Saturday 20th April, I’ll be interviewing Daisy Goodwin (yes, THE Daisy Goodwin) about her wonderful new book, Diva - which delves into the life of Maria Callas and her passionate love affair with Aristotle Onassis. Arias will be sung (not by me) and Bombay Sapphire are the sponsor, so there may even be gin. Come! You can buy tickets here. I’ll also be taking part in a panel discussion about publishing, socal media and book promotion. You can view the Winchester Books Festival programme here. (My son has already informed me, apologetically, that he’ll be skipping my talk as it clashes with Maz Evans. Fair enough.)
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And so to the book recs. We all know the feeling of being faced with so little time, so many books. What’s a bookworm to do when their mind is boggled by the array on offer? What the bejiggins do you read next? To help you solve this very dilemma, herewith find a round up of eight recent excellent reads.
The Fox Wife - Yangsze Choo
Well, this is gorgeous. Reading it like is being wrapped in softly falling snow: it has a very particular beauty. And for a story about vengeance, the story unfurls at a very gentle pace. It made me think a lot of the books we read now hurtle along, checking off plot points as they go. How lovely it is to read something which is not afraid of stillness.
Winter, 1908 in Manchuria. Snow, enigmatic and charismatic, is on a mission to find and destroy Bektu, a photographer who killed her daughter. She is also a Huxian, in Chinese folkoric tradition, a shapeshifter who can transform from fox to human form, wherein they beguile others with their charm and beauty. In her pursuit of Bektu, Snow becomes Ah San, favoured servant to a remarkably astute matron, who is hiding secrets of her own.
One step behind Snow is Bao, a detective investigating the death of a courtesan, and a man with a lifelong fascination for fox spirits and an otherworldly ability to discern when people are lying. The narrative shifts between these two very distinct voices as we follow them to the mountains of Japan and their lives become inextricably entwined. This enchanting novel is elegance incarnate, so give yourself over to its fox-like allure, knowing you are in the hands of a master storyteller.
Find it on Amazon or Bookshop.org
The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder - C.L. Miller
If the juxtaposition of the name ‘Miller’ with the word ‘antique’ rings a bell, then take a bow, Poirot. Cara Miller is the daughter of Judith Miller of Sunday teatime favourite, Antiques Roadshow, and Miller’s Antiques Price Guide. Her detective novel is liberally sprinkled with fascinating titbits, features a treasure hunt, and truly fabulous aunt. (Everyone should have one). What’s not to like?
Freya is a former antique hunter, but the adventures and expertise of her youth were subsumed by a tragedy whilst on the trail of a treasure in Cairo, and her subsequent marriage to a controlling husband. The latter is now coming to an end (good riddance) and the antiques are once again calling. Her former mentor, Arthur has been found dead and her aunt Carole has summoned her home. Not only did Arthur not die from natural causes, he wrote to them before his death, asking her to investigate his murder and follow a series of clues to retrieve an item of “immense value”.
Carole, a flamboyant ex-actress, takes to the detective life like a sexy Miss Marple. Freya is reluctant, but the deeper she is drawn into the puzzle, the more she rediscovers of herself. A very welcome addition to the cosy crime canon.
Find it on Amazon or Bookshop.org
Frank and Red - Matt Coyne
If you have a heart, then prepare for its strings to be thoroughly wrung. And if you are soft of heart (me), do not even contemplate venturing into this book without arming yourself with a handkerchief. Not that this is doom and gloom. Au contraire, it is that glorious thing: a book that wraps you in a great, warm embrace and makes you feel better about the world.