Sizzling summer reads Lose yourself this summer within the pages of these thrilling fictional offerings.
No Such Thing As Perfect by Emma Hughes Finding herself in a bit of a rut, Laura Morrison seizes the chance to trial Cupid, a high-tech new dating service which will draw on everything she’s ever done online to find her perfect match. Along comes the handsome and charming Adam, but as things start to fall apart Laura may have to accept that the path to true love never runs smoothly. Published by Century on August 5 Triflers Need Not Apply by Camilla Bruce Based on the true story of Belle Gunness, whose murderous rampage began in Chicago in 1900, Triflers Need Not Apply is a novelistic tour de force exploring one woman’s determination to pay men back for all they have taken. Deliciously dark and enthralling, Norwegian novelist Camilla Bruce perfectly captures not only the atmosphere and mystique of early 20th century Chicago, but also the ruthlessness and fury of her female protagonist. Published by Michael Joseph on August 5 Underbelly by Anna Whitehouse Journalist and co-founder of Motherpukka (a website for people who happen to be parents) Anna Whitehouse makes her first foray into fiction with Underbelly, a book that refuses to shy away from the problems and preconceptions that modern mothers face. From middle-class privilege, perfectly polished Instagram posts and armchair activism, this is a fictional ode to the modern era. Published by Orion on August 5 28
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins Paula Hawkins is back with her third thriller – after The Girl on the Train and Into the Water. A Slow Fire Burning is about three women: Laura, who is seen as a troubled loner; Miriam, who knows that just because Laura is seen leaving the scene of a horrific murder it doesn’t mean she’s a killer; and Carla, who is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. Potent from the first page, this bristles with all the twisty thrills and dark surprises we have come to expect from Hawkins. Published by Penguin on August 31 Billy Summers by Stephen King A killer for hire, Billy is a criminal with a conscience who will only take a contract if he deems his target a truly bad person – and with one more hit before he can retire, Billy’s morals are about to be pushed to the limit. This spectacular is part war story, part love letter to small town America and the people who live there, with a complex hero looking for one last shot at redemption. King at his finest. Published by Hodder & Stoughton on August 3
