France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain review – a fallen hero in the dock
Julian Jackson’s meticulous, engaging history of the collaborator general and his downfall is a gripping study of dishonour and denial
The Shadow Docket review: how the US supreme court keeps sunlight out
Steve Vladeck offers a closely argued, detailed case against the justices’ use of procedure to advance a rightwing agenda
The Sister by Sung-Yoon Lee review – North Korea’s propaganda queen
A biography of Kim Yo-jong goes beyond personalities to examine the Kim dynasty’s roots and its possible future
Undaunted review: from Gellhorn to Abramson, the women who changed US journalism
Brooke Kroeger’s terrific book focuses on the sexism of the mainstream media, a barrier and disparity that remains
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – reviews roundup
Perilous Times by Thomas D Lee; The Grief Nurse by Angie Spoto; Airside by Christopher Priest; Hokey Pokey by Kate Mascarenhas; The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson
Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Seán O’Hagan review – heartfelt conversations
The Australian singer-songwriter is candid and charismatic in these in-depth discussions about art, music, life and loss
The East Indian by Brinda Charry review – from the margins of history
This sweeping story about an Indian boy sold into servitude in 1630s Virginia is packed with fascinating insights into dislocation and colonialism
Where I Slept by Libby Angel review – Melbourne’s 1990s bohemia comes to gritty life
A descendant of Helen Garner’s Monkey Grip, this biographical second novel is set among the share houses and squats of a young artistic life
Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess review – assured mixed-race, mixed-politics romance
In her debut novel the San Franciscan explores whether it’s possible for a Black liberal and a white conservative to be happily in love
Being Human by Lewis Dartnell review – how our biology shaped history
From ‘proactive aggression’ to our ‘predilection’ for polygamy, an engaging study of the traits that have influenced civilisation
Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck review – a monumental breakup
The contours of a relationship are echoed by the collapse of East Germany in this invigorating novel of lost love
The Great Crashes by Linda Yueh review – preparing for the next crisis
A survey of the last 100 years of financial disasters shows that they’re a fact of life – but there are lessons to be learned
Mrs S by K Patrick review – secret desires at boarding school
A teacher falls for the headmaster’s wife in a daring, atmospheric debut
Nick Drake by Richard Morton Jack review – genius remembered
Access to family papers sheds new light on the troubled singer-songwriter
The Speculations of Country People by Majella Kelly review – crimes and punishment
Grief, injustice and cruelty dominate the Irish poet’s essential debut, a collection shot through with wisdom and a hint of magic