BookTalk
Book Talk with Smiffs book & card store , Nerja
The Whistleblower ( p ): the explosive thriller from Britain ' s top political journalist Robert Peston . A desperate government clings to power ; a hungry opposition will do anything to win . And journalist Gil Peck watches from the sidelines , a respected commentator on the sport of power politics . He thinks he knows how things work . He thinks he knows the rules . But when Gil ’ s estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run , he believes it was no accident . Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government . One of them might have got her killed . As election day approaches , Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics , finance and the media . And the deeper he goes , the more he realises how wrong he has been .
The Whistleblower leads off this month ’ s Soltalk Hotlist of titles , some entirely new , others moving into small paperback format for the first time or being reissued , sometimes after years out of print . All are due for publication on dates in July , with availability in print this month or in early August . The Hotlist helps readers to budget for and plan book ordering .
Orphans Of The Storm ( p ) by Celia Imrie . Nice , France , 1911 : After three years of marriage , young seamstress Marcela Caretto has finally had enough . Her husband , Michael , an ambitious tailor , has become cruel and controlling and she determines to get a divorce . But while awaiting the judges ’ decision on the custody of their two small boys , Michael receives news that changes everything . Meanwhile fun-loving New York socialite Margaret Hays is touring Europe with some friends . Restless , she resolves to head home aboard the most celebrated steamer in the world - RMS Titanic . As the ship sets sail for America , carrying two infants bearing false names , the paths of Marcela , Michael and Margaret cross ...
Second Place ( p ) by Rachel Cusk . Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2021 . A woman invites a famed artist to the remote coastal landscape where she lives . Drawn to his paintings , she believes his vision may penetrate the mystery at the centre of her life . But as a long ,
dry summer sets in , his provocative presence soon twists the patterns of her secluded household .
Separation for Beginners ( h ) by Joe Portman . There are millions of people who would be grateful - even thrilled - to start over . Pete Smith isn ’ t one of them ... Pete ’ s swearing is getting worse . What with the divorce , the debt , and the dying travel business , no one seems to need him anymore . Well , except for his 23-year-old daughter , who - jobless and unable to afford London rents - is moving back home . Pete ’ s delighted - he ’ ll even put up with his daughter Susie ’ s bothersome boyfriend , Niall . But when Susie lands a job in Stockholm and flies the nest for good , Pete finds himself stuck with a flatmate he never signed up for ...
The Water Garden ( p ) by Louise Soraya Black . What happens when illicit desire conflicts with family loyalty ? Sarah has given up her career and moved to the countryside to bring up her two young children , while her husband works long hours in London . Alone , she explores the fields and the woods near her home and discovers a lake , a memorial bench for a boy who drowned in mysterious circumstances , and Finn , a beautiful troubled teenager who plays truant from school . As Sarah pieces the mystery together , an uncomfortable attraction between her and Finn builds ... Virginia Prize winner ’ s second novel offers family secrets , guilt and redemption .
The Party Crasher ( p ) by Sophie Kinsella . After splitting up a year ago Effie ’ s parents are now selling the beloved family home and holding a house-cooling party , but Effie hasn ’ t been invited . Then she remembers her precious Russian dolls , safely tucked away up a chimney , and has no choice but to go back for them . She ’ ll just creep in , grab the dolls and leave . But Effie can ’ t find the dolls . And as she secretly clambers around dusty attics , hides under tables and tries ( and fails ) to avoid bumping into her ex-boyfriend , she discovers unexpected truths about her family - and even about herself ...
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