Debut fiction round-up

A teenage firestarter joins the Shakers, a wartime bride faces heartbreak in Berlin and a New York widow turns landlady, writes Hephzibah Anderson

Ripper by Isabel Allende – review

Isabel Allende's San Francisco serial-killer story displays her customary gift for strong characterisation and fine narrative detail, writes Sophia Martelli

Guy Lodge’s DVDs and downloads

Superb performances from Tom Hanks in Captain Phillps and the late James Gandolfini in Enough Said are among this week's DVD highlights, writes Guy Lodge

Decoded by Mai Jia – review

Despite Mai Jia's meandering narrative style, his debut spy novel will leave you wanting more, writes Alexander Larman