A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

A nod to Highsmith's Ripley

“You don't know what it's like to have wanted something your entire life and never be good enough”

A bold and psychological literary thriller. Boyne's brilliantly dark creation, Maurice Swift, unashamedly climbs the social ladder.

With a nod to Patricia Highsmith's Ripley, Swift deceives, steals and lies in the name of literary ambition and 'The Prize' 5

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne published by Doubleday, 368 pages

Red Snow by Will Dean

Chills you to the bone

The town of Gavrik is centre stage again but is it the dangerous blanket of snow or the family secrets in the liquorice factory that chills you to the bone?

Tuva Moddyson is back on the case with her unique sixth sense for the truth

Red Snow by Will Dean published by Point Blank Books

Take Nothing With You by Patrick Gale

Tender, authentic and moving

Gale's latest protagonist is bookish clarinet student Eustace whose coming of age story is expertly told in flashback from his sick bed.

The isolation of radio-therapy provides space for the music, the memories and the loves of the past to resurface.

Tender, authentic and moving 4

Take Nothing With You by Patrick Gale published by Tinder Press, 352 pages

In Our Mad and Furious City by Guy Gunaratne

A gritty yet tender debut

“full of absent people stuck between bus stops and bookies”

Gunaratne vividly brings to life the relationship between a group of immigrant men in North London estate. Authentic voices add layers of truth to the back drop of anxiety, unrest and misguided loyalty.

A gritty yet tender debut 4

In Our Mad and Furious City by Guy Gunaratne published by Tinder Press, 304 pages