Harvey, Samantha (2023) Orbital. Grove Press.
This 2024 Booker Prize winner is a slim, no plot work of fiction. It describes the experience of six astronauts in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) over sixteen orbits in one 24-hour period. There is little dialogue or interaction between the crew rather the focus is on their rigid and mundane daily schedule, while monitoring the fragile and wondrous Earth below. On this particular day there is a mission to the moon, a huge typhoon and a dead mother. Whilst not political in nature there is discussion on humanity’s impact on the planet – the politics of growing and getting, the sheer force of human want. Lyrical, immersive and amazing.
Rating: 5/5
Collins, Suzanne (2025) Sunrise on the Reaping. Scholastic.
The latest title in The Hunger Games prequel franchise is Haymitch’s story. The fiftieth annual Hunger Games is celebrated as a Quarter Quell, with twice as many tributes taken from their districts. When sixteen-year-old Haymitch from District 12 is selected he is branded “the rascal”. But he is determined to use all his cunning and return to the girl he loves. Pretty much a rehash of the first The Hunger Games novel with new horrors in the arena. It also serves as a background to Katniss’ story; introducing Haymitch’s as her future mentor. For fans of the series. Brutal.
Rating: 3/5
Sauers, Joan (2025) Whisky Valley. Allen & Unwin.
When her son’s best friend, violinist Billy Mah, goes missing with his priceless violin, later found murdered, Rose McHugh (in her second outing) uses all her investigative talent to find the killer. There are plenty of suspects, including her own son. Sauers has created a community with recurring characters in this rambling cosy mystery set in New South Wales’ southern highlands.
Rating: 3/5
Walker, Martin (2025) An Enemy in the Village. Quercus.
Country policeman Bruno finds a woman dead in her car in mysterious circumstances. Did she take her own life? Bruno’s suspicions leads to a dispute regarding her will. Meanwhile Bruno becomes the subject of a negative campaign to besmirch his good name. His popularity and reputation are at risk. This is not the usual delightful Dordogne fare we have come to expect from the Bruno Chief of Police mysteries, but still a good 18th adventure.
Rating: 3/5
McAllister, Gillian (2025) Famous Last Words. M. Joseph.
When doting husband and father, Luke, is the perpetrator in the horrific murder of two unidentified hostages, and then disappears, Camilla’s life is upended. Did she really know the man she loved? Luke left behind a cryptic message which she struggles to decipher. There must be a reason for his uncharacteristic behaviour. As the years pass Camilla is subject to constant surveillance by both the police and a criminal group, until the clues start to gather momentum. A thriller with a marriage at its heart. Addictive but dragged towards end.
Rating: 3/5
Roe, Sue (2025) Hidden Portraits: The Untold Story of Six Women Who Loved Picasso. Faber.
The lives of Picasso’s six most significant partners are shared in Roe’s series of biographical essays. These women are defined in relation to Picasso as models, mistresses, muses and gatekeepers. Although Roe attempts to portray these women as independent and remarkable they all lived in the shadow of Picasso’s genius and were ultimately betrayed by him, usually as he pursued his next conquest. Picasso’s arrogance and restlessness leaves these women, and the reader, stunned by his casual cruelty. As a feminist project about the invisible women behind a famous man this book sadly fails.
Rating: 3/5
7:30 Bookclub 