Popular fiction that packs a bunch: ALL GOD’S CREATURES by Anthony Gardner, THE WOMAN
All God’s Creatures is available now
ALL GOD’S CREATURES by Anthony Gardner (Eye Books £14.99, 256pp)
An amiable satire in which a religious magazine editor, scheming oligarchs and the witness protection programme combine in unlikely fashion.
This novel has been described as a war on woke, but it’s actually more of a Waugh, with a posh old-fashioned vibe and beautifully written.
Mild-mannered Ben’s publication is taken over by a cult who think animals more important than people. Taking up work as a nightclub pianist, he enters a world of bold women, fake priests and forged paintings.
The plot’s quite complex but Gardner is wonderful at milieu, from Islington gangsters to the St Ives art scene. Great fun.
The Woman from Book Club is available now
THE WOMAN FROM BOOK CLUB by Carrie Hughes (Hera £9.99, 384pp)
When minx-on-the-make Lydia infiltrates a posh Surrey book club, she’s planning to bag one of the rich women’s husbands.
Her target is Elliot, dishy top-lawyer spouse of mousy Emma. Lydia and Emma tell the story alternately; the conniving seductress versus the dutiful wife and mother. Lydia’s boldness is breathtaking, but has she taken on more than she knows?
This brilliant, funny drama is thick with literary allusions and lots of mouthwatering upmarket lifestyle detail.
A great supporting cast features a couple of bolshy teens, a loyal, bookish sister and the messy dog that started it all. Don’t read this on the train as I did – you’ll miss your stop.
BLUFF by Francine Toon (Doubleday £16.99, 352pp)
A timeslip story set in a place a bit like St Andrews. Present-day Cameron’s back from work in London and it’s brought back memories of ten years before, of the dramatic end-of-school party on the beach. What happened to cool Joanie? No one’s seen her since.
The mystery thickens as Cameron receives messages warning him off the trail. In and among we switch to the Joanie of ten years ago who relates being drawn into the orbit of a mysterious academic, his personable American girlfriend and their charismatic pal.
I enjoyed the Wicker Man vibes, but most of all the awkward coming-home-for-Christmas atmosphere. Like so much good horror, this is about guilt and unreliable memory.