Kate Atkinson’s latest work is reminiscent of classic crime novels in the style of Agatha Christie…

fiction

1. Death At The Sign Of The Rook by Kate Atkinson is published in hardback by Doubleday and costs £22 (e-book £10.99). Available from 22 August

Jackson Brodie is back for his sixth appearance in Kate Atkinson’s latest, Death At The Sign Of The Rook. Brodie is hired to investigate the theft of a painting and becomes entangled in an intricate web that (in true Atkinson fashion) comes together in the end to bring about a satisfying conclusion. Set in and around a stately home, the action is a delight, a homage to traditional Agatha Christie-style crime fiction – with a cast that includes a major, a vicar and an elderly matriarch, as well as the return of Brodie’s former companion, DC Reggie Chase. Long-time fans of the former detective will not be disappointed – the characters are well drawn, their stories unfolding alongside each other until the threads gradually come together, leaving the reader guessing as to how they will ultimately converge. Those new to the Brodie novels will find enough here to enjoy the story without knowing much about Brodie’s past. A great read.
9/10
(Review by Alison Kershaw)

2. Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa is published in hardback by Harvill Secker and costs £18.99 (e-book £9.99). Available from 15 August

After the spare but gripping brutality of The Memory Police, which shortlisted Japanese author Yoko Ogawa for the 2020 International Booker Prize, Mina’s Matchbox is a marked change of pace. It follows 12-year-old Tomoko, who is sent to live with her rich uncle’s family across the country for a year in the 1970s. The book follows her year there – her friendship with the sickly Mina, who spins elaborate stories, the family’s pygmy hippo, the uncle’s long, unexplained absences, and more. The characters are beautifully drawn, but there’s not much to drive the plot forward. While it’s an enjoyable read, nothing really happens and there’s little danger – making it unclear what the overall point is.
7/10
(Review by Prudence Wade)

3. The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable is published in hardback by Bloomsbury and costs £16.99 (e-book £11.89). Available from 15 August

Based on the true story of an orphaned violinist in 18th-century Venice, Harriet Constable’s latest book will delight fans of historical fiction. Abandoned in an orphanage as a baby, Anna Maria della Pieta grew up listening to music – she fell in love with the violin. She is taught by none other than Antonio Vivaldi and aims to become a female ‘maestro’. It’s the kind of book that you could easily imagine being made into a film or mini-series, and will no doubt intrigue readers who want a glimpse of 18th-century Venice. It’s a fast-paced read, but some might find the characters a little cliched, and the descriptive language – particularly when it comes to music – can often seem over the top.
6/10
(Review by Prudence Wade)

Non-fiction

4. Home Is Where We Start by Susanna Crossman is published in hardback by Fig Tree and costs £18.99 (e-book £9.99). Available from 15 August

If you’ve ever dreamed of living on a commune, you’ll probably change your mind after reading this gripping autobiography. Crossman was six when she moved with her mother and siblings into a dilapidated mansion, along with other adults and children. She stayed there for 15 years—and while this social experiment may have been beneficial for some of the adults, the lack of guidance and boundaries was anything but for the children. In the book, Crossman describes it as being like spending all day and night on the playground and never coming home. But this isn’t an autobiography of misery. Crossman explores philosophical and sociological perspectives on the meaning of home, offering insight into why utopias are unattainable and why we shouldn’t even try to achieve them.
8/10
(Review by Jackie Kingsley)

Children’s book of the week

5. Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George, is published in paperback by Faber & Faber and costs £7.99 (not an e-book). Available now

Author and activist Lucy Catchpole – known as one half of social media personalities The Catchpoles along with her husband James – presents her latest picture book for preschool readers, Mama Car. The Mama Car has big wheels and can take you on exciting expeditions, but can also be a safe place like home if you’re feeling unsafe. But its best feature – it transports Mum! Mama Car is a simple but powerful tribute to the wheelchair that feels inclusive and gentle for very young readers, with simple illustrations by Karen George that are reminiscent of traditional picture books from years gone by.
7/10
(Review by Holly Cowell)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK END 10 AUGUST

HARDCOVER EDITION (BELLEKTION)
1. There are rivers in heaven by Elif Shafak
2. Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
3. The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
4. When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
5. Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
6. Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
7. The Book Of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville
8. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
9. Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
10. You Are Here by David Nicholls
(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)
1. Pinch Of Nom Air Fryer by Kay & Kate Allinson
2. Let’s be honest by Jess Phillips
3. Victor and Barry’s Kelvinside Compendium by Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson
4. Catherine, Princess of Wales: The Biography by Robert Jobson
5. Autocracy, Inc by Anne Applebaum
6. Dinner by Meera Sodha
7. Lucky Girl by Lottie Tomlinson
8. Paris ’44 by Patrick Bishop
9. So Good by Emily English
10. Don’t Ask: The Kennedys and the Women Who Destroyed Them by Maureen Callahan
(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)
1. Message deleted by KL Slater
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
3. None of this is true by Lisa Jewell
4. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
5. A Game Of Thrones by George RR Martin
6. Fire and Blood by George RR Martin
7. Unruly by David Mitchell
8. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
9. It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover
10. The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
(Compiled by Audible)