The Fool’s Tale by Nicole Galland

An historical fiction book, loosely based on Welsh history, which tells a story of politics, love and the ties that bind

Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon

There are exploits; I’m not sure how glorious they are but this book doesn’t need glory to make it a triumph

The Woman who Walked into the Sea by Mark Douglas-Home

A tense tale set in coastal Scotland where enquiries about the mystery of a baby’s abandonment and her mother’s suicide stir up trouble

Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls by R.S. Downie

Ruso’s life as a doctor is busy. Add rescued slave, disappearing girls, family, pedants and dogs and it gets interesting – and troubling

Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang

A book very much of our time where questions of authorship and cultural appropriation are rife – an interesting read

Persephone’s Beat by Echo Arnold

Imogen is surprised when she is approached by Lila, daughter of a famous MP, at a gig: it’s exciting and unexpected but is it a good thing?

The Villa of Mysteries by David Hewson

Police thriller set in Rome with engaging characters, sharp dialogue and lots of action-a modern thriller but filled with echoes of the past

The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart

Friends perform a ritual, entering their treasured items into a box buried in the woods. It must remain undisturbed or… So who opened it?

The Age of Treachery by Gavin Scott

A well-paced book which crosses genres into post-war thriller, murder mystery and amateur detective fiction with the odd historical cameo