Goodlord by Ella Frears review – this email to a landlord is dark and dazzling
The poet’s stream-of-consciousness complaint to an estate agent is a witty and compelling reflection on the state of the housing market and young womanhood
In brief: CS Lewis’s Oxford; True Love; Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story – review
A fascinating study of CS Lewis’s years in his adopted city; an excellent gritty romance by Paddy Crewe; and James Blunt enters the music memoir hall of fame
The Umbrella Murder by Ulrik Skotte review – the tireless pursuit of Agent Piccadilly
This masterly investigation, spanning 30 years, into the assassination of a cold war dissident, Georgi Markov, in London in 1978 exposes an assassin worthy of James Bond
Great Britain? by Torsten Bell – why Labour must move fast and fix things
The influential policy wonk and new MP for Swansea West sets out how the government can show it means business
The Lasting Harm by Lucia Osborne-Crowley review – legacy of abuse
A personal perspective on Ghislaine Maxwell offers an empathetic telling of a horrific story
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi review – a wild weekend in New Lagos
Dirty secrets abound in a feverish novel exposing the seedy underbelly of a Nigerian city
Shy by Max Porter audiobook review – tale of a ne’er do well, done well
Joe Gaminara’s narration pumps up the lyricism of Porter’s scuzzy odyssey of drugs, drink, youth violence and doomed romance
The best recent poetry – review roundup
Fierce Elegy by Peter Gizzi; Adam by Gboyega Odubanjo; Bark, Archive, Splinter by Jay Gao; Polkadot Wounds by Anthony Vahni Capildeo; Goodlord by Ella Frears; Skeletons by Deborah Landau
True Love by Paddy Crewe review – from the heart
Melancholy is deftly evoked in this sentimental portrait of young love and precarity, from the author of My Name Is Yip
Travelling by Ann Powers review – a dazzling life of Joni Mitchell
A sweeping study of Mitchell’s life and work that swerves familiar touchstones to create a vibrant, multi-faceted portrait
Shadows of Winter Robins by Louise Wolhuter review – a masterful mystery that keeps you guessing
This writer’s tantalising second novel is packed with marvellous characters, whose unfurling stories examine generational secrets
Inheritance by Harvey Whitehouse review – the power of unity
A thought provoking look at social forces, and the ways ordinary people can change the world
Rosarita by Anita Desai review – a transcendent late gift
This profound and riddling novel follows a young Indian woman’s quest through Mexico to find out more about her mother
The Imaginary review – charming anime about made-up best friends from former Ghibli protege
Spirited Away animator Yoshiyuki Momose takes the reins in this dreamy and dark family fable, adapted from AF Harrold’s novel of the same name
I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson review – a unique take on sibling torment
A woman is haunted by her abusive relationship with her brother in this experimental novel of family trauma and memory