Fiction

An unsettling but intriguing and consuming dystopian world, about fertility and choice.

A retired couple take a short break in Amsterdam. But the sightseeing is interrupted by troubling memories. With humour and sadness, conflict and moral dilemmas, what will you make of this book?

Blending folklore with historical fiction in the Scottish highlands, this is a beautiful and mystical story which explores religion and the supernatural, women's issues and engineering, with a profound sense of place. Wonderful!

A tale of a small coastal community in Ireland, during lockdown, it's described as kind, funny and wise with 'plenty to say about compassion, community and the power of cold water'. What will we think of it?

An intriguing, beguiling, all-engrossing tale of wealth and power, guilt and regret, fate, choice, morality, corruption, delusion...

A thought-provoking, gripping and haunting account of the end of civilisation.

Beautifully poetic descriptions of playing the game of squash in this coming-of-age novel about a young woman in Pakistan.

In the world of literary events, Sophie becomes smitten and rather obsessed with one particular author.

The American novelist and bookshop owner, Ann Patchett recommends this book with great enthusiasm. It made her 'bark like a seal' and is 'brilliantly faceted', scaring her, moving her and educating her. What will we make of it?!

When a fire rages through a West End gallery, some of the artworks are saved, but as the flames die down not only is it realised that these are the wrong paintings, but there's also a dead body in the ashes.

Students in a north London school are hearing a ticking noise in their ears. At first it seems to be tinnitus, but quickly it's evidently more serious. A teacher and a vaccinologist try to find a solution before it's too late.

Members of an investigative news team are murdered in London. What had they uncovered? Why have they been killed? Who's next?

An incredibly clever thriller - though it was being in the company of the central character, detective Julia Day that compelled me to keep reading. Felt lost when I finished the book!

A thriller about friendship which I was unable to put down, and left me feeling wrung-through!

A story of small-town secrets in 1972, looking back to events affecting Jewish immigrants and African Americans living in Pennsylvania in the 1920s and 30s. Some big names have enjoyed this book - Barack Obama, Ann Patchett, Bonnie Garmus. Will we agree with them? This is our last meeting of the year so we'll start a little earlier, enjoy some festive treats and share our favourite books of 2026 as well as discussing this month's book.

A thrilling and compelling story of being stranded on an island uncovering mysterious events, determining who can be trusted. Brilliant!

A story of a mother and daughter, and the nature of writing.

A novella providing a snapshot of the life of a judge facing challenges personally and professionally.

What happens behind closed doors of the rich and privileged, and where no one is as they seem.

A wonderfully magical Japanese tale of grief, love and friendship.

A jaded, single, childless woman starts living again when she befriends a young, successful family, only to experience a devastating betrayal.

A stunning, haunting novel set in East Anglia during England's deadliest witch hunt, in the 17th century.

A group of friends holiday on an island, but there's a murderer in their midst and we are constantly being wrongfooted as we learn their story.

A funny, raw and gripping account of divorce and life on a national newspaper. Bridget Jones 10 years on?

A compelling, atmospheric story of two couples during England's coldest winter.

Freya and her Aunt Carole - the Lockwood Antique Hunter’s Agency - are called to investigate a deadly crime on a ship full of antiques enthusiasts.

Cosy crime set in Suffolk with antiques. What could be better!?

Things seem to have taken a turn for the better for divorcee screenwriter, Ben, but is his old schoolfriend to be trusted? A gripping summer read.

A well paced thriller set in the world of 'me too', investigative journalism and reality TV. Really enjoyed it!

An astonishing metaphysical, time-slip novel about family, relationships, loss. Published in September.

When Buffy inherits a run-down B&B in Wales he launches residential divorce courses to help fill beds. An ex-wife thinks the village more desirable than living in Suffolk!

A clever and unusual tale of intrigue, desperation, hope and loyalty, with a fascinating glimpse of the effects of prison life.

An all expenses paid trip to celebrate a friend's birthday in a safari lodge in South Africa. A dream holiday turns into a nightmare.

Corinne is trying for a baby and when she finds a relic from a doll's house on her doorstep, it feels like a sign. But as more items appear it's clear that something sinister is at play. Who is responsible and what do they want? Great characters and an intense mystery. Fantastic, though ultimately rather disturbing!

One summer, in Suffolk a body is found draped over a baby's cot, but the baby is missing. In France a family holiday is interrupted by the police making an arrest for murder. How are the families connected, what secrets are they hiding, and where is the baby? Published 28 May 2020.

Living alone, estranged from her family, Missy Carmichael finds friendship through a chance meeting in her local park.

A short story to be devoured in one sitting, about how the past always catches up with you.

Powerfully moving and atmospheric, a story about nature, community and survival in the time of the pandemic.

One day in rainy Scotland. The families holidaying in adjacent cabins ponder their lives as they make judgements about their neighbours. A sense of foreboding culminates in a catastrophic conclusion.

A fabulously entertaining and engrossing tale of modern family life.

Set in 1930s America where a team of women on horseback delivered library books to isolated communities. This is the fictional account of the life of one of those women. What did we think of it? Listen to the comments from our March book club.

An uplifting account of life in the menacing and repressive regime of Afghanistan.

An empassioned discussion as members of the group related how they engaged with each of the three women presented in this compelling tale of a small Irish community in the 1990s. The challenges of societal expectations rang true, and the women's dilemmas were felt keenly. The writing was considered beautifully atmospheric.

Twelve stories of the everyday lives of women and girls in Muslim communities in southern India, praised for their dry and gentle humour.

Described as 'wise, hilarious and profound' this book is 'a warm, tender and funny story about unlikely friendships, second chances, and the magic of soul music' from a writer who surprises with every book. What will we make of this?

An unlikely friendship between a 16-year-old miner's son and an eccentric elderly woman, set on the Yorkshire coast one summer after the second world war, this book has been described as 'full of warmth and kindness'. What will we think of it?

A peak into the life of the journalist and novelist, and the generations who have preceded her in her London Victorian terrace.

In an Italian Catholic family in Chicago, two sisters fall in love with the same man, causing the family to split apart for 25 years. Described as 'beautiful, perceptive, wistful' and 'brilliantly crafted'.

Uplifting and life-affirming, and completely compelling, this is an extraordinary book. The sole survivor from a plane crash, this 13-year-old boy has to learn to live again after the traumatic event.

A magical, uplifting tale of the power of books.

A shocking account of how one moment's madness and malice can so easily spiral out of control.

Another fabulously funny and beautifully observed tale of ordinary life by the author of 'Sandwich'.

A brilliantly funny and poignant account of a woman coping with approaching middle age.

A wonderfully funny and touching story of two strangers who become friends while walking from one side of the country to the other.

A funny and moving account of a family holiday, where the narrator, Douglas Petersen is trying to save a marriage and win the respect of his son. Published in September.

The dream house turns into a nightmare for a young family who've moved from the city to rural Suffolk.

A compelling, tragic tale. Extraordinary.

A striking cover for a gripping read with some unsettling storylines.

A story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog.

Set in the treacherous political world of the Italian Renaissance, this is 'a reimagining of the life of a young woman whose proximity to power places her in mortal danger'. We all have high expectations of this author, will this deliver?

A powerful, compelling and moving tale of three generations.

A fun, enjoyable read about a young woman and her grandmother doing a life swap! All about friendship and community, and second chances.

Leon and Tiffy share a flat and a bed, but they've never met. Is this the perfect solution to the cost of living in London?!

A death causes a community to reflect on the past.

A part-time librarian confronts the polarised world in what is described as a 'brilliant, funny and terrifying novel'. What will we think of it?

Continuing the adventures of the Thursday Murder Club, this is the fourth mystery for the crime-solving retirees.

The third instalment of the Thursday Murder Club, this time investigating a missing TV reporter.

Four friends in a retirement village meet to solve a murder. It's funny and there's lots of talk of cake. Looking forward to the next instalment already!

A beautiful, engrossing and unforgettable read, it's topped the bestseller charts and is due to be made into a film. We loved it!

A magical poem about Christmas

A beautiful feel-good story of loss, and the joy of finding the right book at the right time.

A gentle but powerful tale of friendship, community and determination.

Seeing life through the customers of a London stationery shop! A warm, charming and entertaining read.

A love story told from the perspective of the friends, family and strangers on the periphery! Brilliant.

Salvage diver Cam Killick was looking for missing fishing equipment, but discovered a murder weapon and so begins a sinister investigation.

The first in a brilliant new series set on the Norfolk Broads with Cam Killick, a former Marine and SBS diver investigating cold cases.

An unsettling and compelling thriller about friendship, revenge and jealousy.

A beautiful, sensitive and accomplished sequel to 'Pride and Prejudice' by the founder of Austentatious.

Daphne is reunited with her stepfather Eddie and comes to understand the event which changed their lives.

A story of mothers and daughters, fame and ambition, destiny and choice.

A story of family through the perspective of the house they've shared. It's about choices, mistakes and hope, viewed through time.

Despite struggling with the title, and the cover, of this debut novel, winner of the Merky Books New Writers Prize 2024, everyone enjoyed this account of grief, identity and relationship. Accomplished writing and good characterisation, it was agreed, but the alternating narratives grated with some. The car proved the star for a number of our readers!

A disturbing but gripping psychological thriller about a child's disappearance, and her return 10 years later, still a little girl.

Continuing the story of the challenges facing the team of the Women's Friend magazine in wartime London.

An extraordinary book...!

Dangerous ideas presented by a visiting academic cause disruption, then murder, and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache must put aside his own feelings in order to solve the crime.

A story of love and astronomy told through two unlikely best friends over twenty years. Wonderfully atmospheric and mystical.

A wry and emotive, gripping and insightful political thriller from the respected and enigmatic journalist and presenter. Loved it!

The extraordinary, powerful and haunting account of the woman who enjoyed a brief but strong friendship with Anne Frank.

You're never entirely sure what to expect with Jodi Picoult, and this doesn't disappoint!

This felt like two books in one and as such they were both readable, but I don't think really confronted the main issue.

A year in the life of a woman caring for her four chickens as she comes to terms with not having children. Brilliant!

What would happen if you got to know the people in your train carriage? A brilliant, wonderful read with characters I didn't want to leave.

The lives of six strangers collide when they pick up a notebook and confront the truth about their lives. A lose-yourself, uplifting read with a serious theme to ponder.

Another incredible read from Richard Powers, this time celebrating the wonders of the ocean in an expansive novel where four lives coincide.

A story of father and son, grief and loss, mental health and climate change, and astrophysics! Brilliant.

Based on real events in a surreal Soviet city, this is described as 'a sweeping historical adventure'. What will we think of it?

A young boy is obsessed by the strange wooden figures all around the manor house he is now expected to call home.