Fiction

The Runaways, by Fatima Butto

Three young people from very different backgrounds are on the verge of making a decision that will change them and their lives forever. Anita lives in Karachi’s slums and despairs of ever escaping and making something of her life. Monty is rich, spoiled and privileged. His life is easy and carefree until he meets a girl who will change everything. Sunny is a second-generation immigrant living in the UK. He does not fit in anywhere and feels suffocated by his father’s expectations. Read More »

The Kingdom of Copper, by S. A. Chakraborty

Five years have passed since the dramatic climax of the first book. We return to Daevabad and some familiar characters. Nahri is married to the crown prince, struggling against the political tension within the palace and the city, whilst continuing her training as a healer. Ali has been banished by his father and assassins sent after him. However, he discovers new abilities which enable him to make a life for himself in the dry and arid North. As the city of Daevabad gears up for an impressive celebration, tensions between the different tribes is at an all-time high and an ominous threat hangs in the air. Read More »

The Lost Lights of St Kilda, by Elisabeth Gifford

Frew Lawson journeys to St Kilda with his university friend Archie, son of the Laird who owns the island, to conduct some research for their theses. The young men spend the summer on the island, living among the local community, the last people to ever live there. Only three years later, the remaining islanders are evacuated as they can no longer survive there. Whilst on the island, Fred encounters Chrissie, a local St Kildan with whom he has nothing in common. In spite of their differences, they strike up a friendship which will change both of their lives. Years later, whilst trying to escape from German-occupied France, Fred dreams only of Chrissie and returning to her. Read More »

The Keeper of Lost Things, by Ruth Hogan

The Keeper of Lost Things is Anthony Peardew, an elderly gentleman who has collected and catalogued lost things for the past forty years. It all started when he lost a keepsake given to him by his fiancée, who passed away shortly after. In the hopes of someday being able to return something lost to someone who misses the item as much as he does, he constantly picks up even the most commonplace of objects and keeps diligent records. Read More »

Sheer Abandon, by Penny Vincenzi

Three young women meet at the airport, at the start of a backpacking trip around the world. They become fast friends, agree to spend various parts of their travels together and to meet up at the end of the year to share stories, memories and photos. A year later, a baby is abandoned at Heathrow airport. The women, Jocasta, Clio and Martha, have returned from their travels and embarked on impressive careers, but they never did meet up and have not seen each other since. But why? And who abandoned a baby at the airport!? Read More »