A Death in the Parish by Reverend Richard Coles

Out in June and still in hardback, this page-turning sequel to the bestselling Murder Before Evensong, like its predecessor, is slap-bang in Midsomer Murders territory, a good old fashioned who dunnit set in rural England. There’s a village dispute, there’s a murder, followed by a couple more, there’s nosy old ladies and there’s sausage dogs. A perfect read for those wanting to kill time before the next Richard Osman comes out (his next sure-to-be bestseller, The Last Devil to Die, is published 14 Sept).

Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

Ready for something slightly grittier? Fresh off the printing presses, this new thriller dropped in June and no doubt ushers in the dawn of a new name in murdercore. Seven women; one man’s severed head; each has a reason to kill him, yet each swears she did not. A twisty and at times dark story of love, manipulation and secrets bubbling up from the past. 

High Time by Hannah Rothschild

A light and escapist tale new release with all the right ingredients. Ayesha, an impossibly beautiful young woman lives with her unscrupulous and hugely wealthy husband in a castle in the depths of Cornwall. Her eccentric family plus two elderly gay interior designers and the sycophantic aides surrounding the financier make up the cast of characters. Can Ayesha turn the tables on her husband, tackle the mafia, and not lose her beloved daughter in doing so? A fun easy read, ideal for the lounger.

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

A much-anticipated new release from this legend in literature. In an intricate story spanning decades, two children, eighty years apart, flee danger and facing the loss of parents and living in a foreign land. Samuel is put onto the Kindertransport bound for England from Nazi- occupied Austria at the age of five. His parents subsequently disappear. Anita, a semi-blind girl from El Salvador flees with her mother to escape the advances of a cruel, sadistic man. She arrives in America, to be taken forcibly from her mother under Trump’s family separation policy. The two plots entwine with the help of an American lawyer and a young social worker. This compelling book reflects on the impact of war and immigration and the sacrifice families make for their children. Allende weaves the threads of the story beautifully – compelling reading.  

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

Soon to become your must-watch series after a bidding war saw HBO win the rights to produce it (with non other than Jodie Comer in the title role!), this dark and comic tale is unputdownable (not unlike Comer’s previous big hit). The protagonist, Greta, takes a job anonymously transcribing sex therapy sessions and becomes obsessed with one of the clients (Comer/Big Swiss) without even meeting her. But when fate brings them together, does she reveal what she knows or embark on a somewhat opaque relationship that will change both of their lives?

The Villa by Ruth Kelly

Possibly the perfectly titled holiday read? Out in paperback last month, this grippers is the story of the ultimate reality show, with ten contestants vying for prize money which increases as the show goes on.  All the contestants have secrets they would like to keep hidden but as the atmosphere in the villa intensifies, how far will the ten go to gain audience votes, and ultimately will someone kill to win?  A fast-paced novel with unexpected twists and turns, ideal for tuning out, but don’t get any ideas about your own villa buddies, ok?

The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner

Another June release, so still in hardback, this page turner about the sordid undercurrent of seemingly perfect lives will have you hiding away to indulge it in peace. Freelance journalist Tash reckons she’s found the right story to launch her career – looking into the death of a young nanny. But when she enrols her young son in a local playgroup, and there meets a group of four sophisticated wealthy mothers, she doesn’t expect them to be linked to the investigation. She’s flattered to be accepted into their group, but as she gets to know them, she finds that in some way they are all involved in the death of the nanny.  Through many twists and turns this book keeps you guessing up to the very end. A riveting read.

Whether Violent or Natural by Natasha Calder  

Set in a dystopian world where complete antibiotic resistance has caused the loss of most human life, Kit and Crevan live together on a remote island in a ruined castle with an underground bunker stocked with emergency supplies. Told from the perspective of Kit, they have a complex relationship, she a young adult, at times childlike, at others sinister. Crevan is older, their relationship is platonic but twisty. They are safe until an unknown woman, barely alive, washes ashore.  Her arrival shatters their world with fatal consequences.  The relationship between the two is disturbed and secrets are unearthed. This is a dark, haunting novel with overtones of menace and not an easy read but not everyone wants a classic airport novel.

No One Prayed Over Their Graves by Khaled Khalifa, translated by Leri Price 

This Arabian language novel was widely anticipated for both its elegant descriptions and thoughtful prose. Two men return to their Syrian village after an evening out in Aleppo to find it devastated by floods and most of their homes destroyed and families lost. Tracing their lives back to before the floods, this is a meditation on rural vs urban life and on multicultural societies, as well as a fascinating insight into Syria at the start of the 20th Century. 

The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse

As historical fiction royalty, the latest Kate Mosse tome is sure to feature in many a cabin bag this summer, despite its size. The third of the Joubert Family Chronicles, this 17th Century tale of piracy, love and revenge on the Barbary Coast finds an abandoned ship, it’s crew of mercenaries missing. Swashbuckling but with grit and colourfully built characters. A safe bet for the sun lounger (or foredeck!). 

Lioness by Emily Perkins

This is a rich and deeply layered story of Therese, a 50-year-old second wife living a luxe life with a business magnate husband. Her life starts to unravel when scandal upends his business and Therese is forced to consider what sort of person she is, and what she wants from life, at an age when she feels her opinion is no longer valuable or interesting. She develops a relationship with neighbour Claire, whose life of freedom and balance becomes very attractive. A thought-provoking read about identity and meaning in life.

After the Funeral by Tessa Hadley

Described by both Marian Keyes and Kate Atkinson as their favourite writer, surely this short story collection is worth a go? Extracting beguiling and engaging tales from the ordinary and domestic is Hadley’s craft, and this book explores the sliding doors impact of small events and decisions.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Whilst picking cherries on their fruit farm, three daughters question their mother, Lara, about the time in which she was an actress and dated a movie star as part of the theatre company of the book’s title. What she tells her daughters and what she chooses to leave out makes Lara consider the choices she made and reflect on her life and loves. Like so many of Patchett’s novels, this story is a reflection on youthful and married love and on family relationships. This book with its wealth of descriptive detail and emotional insight is a real joy to read.

Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson (published 24 Aug)

From the bestselling author of Life After Life and Shrines of Gaiety, these short stories are perfect for those of for whom hours of uninterrupted holiday reading time is a whimsy. A set of beguiling and varied short stories that have you darting from one world to a less ordinary and fanciful one next, there’s wit, wisdom and poignancy in these engaging tales.