Love London Love Culture’s Editor Emma Clarendon selects some of the books she can’t wait to be published soon.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes: having immensely enjoyed her previous books A Thousand Ships and Pandora’s Jar, I can’t wait to see what Stone Blind has to offer. Of course, judging by the title it would be fair to assume that this latest book is referring to the story of Medusa but giving it a distinctive new perspective that will be intriguing to read. Having loved Greek mythology as a child this new book will be too good to resist! (published the 15th September)
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell: although initially I found her previous novel Hamnet difficult to get into, I was really swept away by the way in which Maggie O’Farrell uses immensely poetic language to bring to life settings and characters. Set to be published on the 30th August, this latest novel is set in Renaissance Italy and will follow the story of Lucrezia, third daughter of Cosimo de’ Medici who is forced to fight for her survival, while trying to find out more about her mysterious husband Alfonso d’Este….
The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith: part of me is looking forward to reading this to see how the author explores Robin and Strike’s relationship further but also to see exactly what twists and turns the duo have to face in their professional life and how that impacts on their personal relationship in turn. It is set to be published on the 30th August.
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman: aside from the Robert Galbraith novels, I have never much troubled myself with crime fiction. But since The Thursday Murder Club I have really changed my mind about the whole genre and finding myself reading a lot more. With its blend of humour, twists and turns and loveably unique characters – I can’t wait to see how this bunch of detectives solve the case!
The Empire by Michael Ball: when we say Michael Ball – yes that Michael Ball – him of musical theatre fame and so how appropriate that his first novel is set in a theatre and filled with mystery and scandal. Set to be published in October, this is set to be a novel that will have a lot of musical theatre fans drawn in!