A Spy Named Orphan by Roland Philipps review – the Enigma of Donald Maclean

An effective counter to ‘He-Man’ espionage history, this humane study emphasises the Cambridge spy’s strength of political feeling

Arkady by Patrick Langley review – a bleak, oblique dystopia

This stylish debut following two brothers through a version of London in the grip of a sinister regime is a distinctly post-Brexit novel

The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson review – what it means to be a nurse

Nurses are often underappreciated. There are laughter and tears in this remarkable account that immerses the reader in their world

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery – a wizarding fantasy on your phone?

The first Harry Potter game in years is out today on Android and iPhones. Here’s what to expect

The Sing of the Shore by Lucy Wood review – a different view of Cornwall

Empty holiday homes, bored teenagers, missing people … these out-of-season short stories become heart-thumping miniature thrillers

All That Remains by Sue Black – a life investigating death

A professor of anatomy and forensic anthropology, who works in war and disaster zones, considers questions of mortality

The Handmaid’s Tale: season two review – a menacing, harrowing return

The small-screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s disturbing dystopia remains intensely frightening, fleshing out its fascist theocracy with an extraordinary Elisabeth Moss at the center

The Little Virtues by Natalia Ginzburg review – powerful personal essays

From married life to the murder of her husband … the Italian author shows a deft lightness of touch in these moving pieces written between 1944 and 1960

Dictator Literature by Daniel Kalder review – the deathly prose of dic-lit

Mein Kampf is drivel, but what about Stalin’s poetry and Mussolini’s bodice-ripper? And does an autocrat lurk within every dreadful writer?

Thrillers review: The Hunger; All the Beautiful Lies; Paper Ghosts

The bloody conclusion to a wagon train’s journey across the US, a beautifully told crime story and a dark tale of murderous obsession are the standouts this month

The Seagull review – all-star cast brings out the comedy in Chekhov

Packed with names such as Annette Bening, Elisabeth Moss and Saoirse Ronan, this adaptation of the classic play is brisk and funny

The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli review – a worthy heir to Stephen Hawking

Is time real or simply a useful measurement of change? The author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics takes us to the limits of our understanding with clarity and style

Alt-Right: From 4chan to the White House review – in search of a rightwing rabble

Mike Wendling’s history of the political group provides plenty of information, but doesn’t get to the root of its hatred

A Spy Named Orphan: The Enigma of Donald Maclean – review

Roland Philipps’s gripping retelling of the Soviet spy’s life reveals his appetite for self-destruction

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child review – thrilling Broadway transfer is magic

JK Rowling’s wildly popular stage show has been brought to life again with audacious production design and crowd-pleasing wonder