“The Cut Up” by Louise Welsh (Canongate, £20)
The latest adventure of Rilke, the gay auctioneer from Glasgow, begins with a shocking discovery: a body. The victim, an unpleasant jewelry dealer named Rodney Manderson, meets a gruesome end outside the Bowery auction rooms, impaled through the eye with a Victorian hatpin. The same hatpin was recently featured by his employer, Rose Bowery, on the television show Bargain Hunt, where she humorously described its potential as a lethal weapon. Before alerting the authorities, the ever-loyal Rilke removes the pin, grateful for having missed lunch as he avoids thinking about the grisly sight. Although the police quickly pin the murder on an obvious suspect, Rilke suspects there’s more to the story, possibly linked to a notorious reform school. In this third installment, Rilke feels like a returning friend, with the narrative being as sharp, humane, and well-crafted as its predecessors.
“The Persian” by David McCloskey (Swift, £20)
In his fourth novel, former CIA analyst McCloskey introduces us to Kam Esfahani, a Jewish Iranian dentist dissatisfied with his life in Sweden, where his family sought refuge after being expelled from Iran. Eager to move to California, he accepts a risky proposal from the head of Mossad’s Caesarea Division. Back in Tehran, he fronts a bogus dental clinic to aid in a covert operation aimed at destabilizing Iran. His plans complicate when he involves Roya Shabani, a widow of an Iranian scientist previously targeted by Israel. As Kam becomes imprisoned and forced to confess by his captors, the narrative unfolds through his confessions interspersed with flashbacks, revealing layers of deception. The novel’s dark humor and stark portrayal of cyclical violence make it a compelling and tragically relevant read.
“The 10:12” by Anna Maloney (Raven, £16.99)
Screenwriter Anna Maloney’s debut novel follows Claire Fitzroy, an art lecturer in her fifties, who faces a personal crisis while traveling from Manchester on the 10:12 train to Euston. Her journey takes a terrifying turn when a group of volatile individuals, fueled by online extremism, hijack the train. Claire, along with other courageous passengers, attempts to thwart the hijackers, leading to severe consequences and public scrutiny. Later portrayed as a controversial figure rather than a hero, Claire seeks to clear her name and uncover the full truth, navigating the complexities of public perception. This intense novel explores themes of bravery, societal judgment, and the consequences of misunderstood actions, making it a thrilling and thought-provoking tale.
“Very Slowly All at Once” by Lauren Schott (HQ, £16.99)
In this suspenseful debut, the Evans family struggles to sustain their upscale lifestyle in an affluent Cleveland suburb. Hailey and Mack, along with their two daughters, face financial difficulties exacerbated by Mack’s work suspension and unexpected expenses. When mysterious checks from “Sunshine Enterprises” begin to arrive, Mack sees them as a lifeline, unaware that accepting this money will lead them into illegal activities. As their situation spirals out of control, the family confronts escalating paranoia and desperation. Author Lauren Schott masterfully maintains a realistic edge as she delves into the psychological impacts of living beyond one’s means and the lengths to which people will go to preserve their status.
“Vivian Dies Again” by CE Hulse (Viper, £16.99)
Comic writer Caroline Hulse makes her crime novel debut with a unique and engaging narrative about Vivian Slade, a 36-year-old woman whose life is marked by chaos and avoidance of sobriety. After being fatally pushed off a balcony during a family event, Vivian finds herself trapped in a repeating loop of her murder. The only person on her side is a weary waiter who first tended to her after the fall. Together, they navigate through Vivian’s tumultuous life via flashbacks, trying to identify her killer and the motives. Hulse skillfully manipulates the narrative, blending humor with mystery in this inventive take on crime and self-discovery.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
