The Quiet by Barnaby Martin: 

Hannah is a college lecturer in the mid-21st century, she’s a mum to Isaac, a hearing-impaired child.  She lives in a pre-apocalyptic world, with UV levels so toxic, going out without protective clothing invites skin cancer. Plus, there’s a maddening, ever present hum called The Soundfield.  And then Hannah becomes involved in a conspiracy against the government.  

There is the potential here for a cracking dystopian sci-fi novel. Sadly, potential is what it is.  The novel has a well-realised world, but a lot of the plot devices (censorship, neo-fascism, an underground resistence) have been done before, better.  The odd cracking idea (society lives at night to avoid UV levels, The Last Jedi is a classic movie) seems lost in it.  

The truly revolutionary bits of the novel (a theocratic government and Issac’s connection to The Soundfield) are ignored or not explained clearly.  The flash back, flash forward structure of the novel makes it difficult to follow, plus it’s not exactly clear how to novel ends.  

It might be enough for some people,  it I found it messy, disappointing and unsatisfying.  It’s published by Pan Macmillan on May 15th, 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy.  #thequiet

 May You Have Delicious Meals by Junko Takase:

 A Japanese novel, this features on the office romance between Ashikawa and Nitami. She is sweet, wife material and an avid baker.  He is looking for sex, rather than love and is powered by instant noodles.  

It’s an interesting concept - the idea that we are defined by what we eat, rather than whom we love.  But the flavour of it doesn’t really cut through.  Too much energy and prose is devoted to this existential, almost Buddhist concept.  The sex itself is flatly written and it is hard to discern where the actual narrative arc pans out.  

I think that may come down to the translation, but as my Kanji isn’t what it was there seems no flair or weight in the prose.  It’s also a very short book (144 pages).  And yes, I know Japanese fiction is short for a number of reasons, but Japanophiles may gobble this up.  The rest of us may require something more substantial. 

It’s punished by Random House on 20th February 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy.  #mayyouhavedeliciousmeals. 

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey: 

You may know the author from her journalism, her work on Schitt’s Creek, you may have even heard on This Way Up.  

Leave all that aside.  This is that sweet spot between funny and heartbreaking. Maggie’s marriage ends after just under two years and she navigates single life, sexuality and picking up the pieces.  

This alternates between deadpan humour and the pure emotional carnage of a break up. It’s heartfelt, filthy and warm at the same time. 

 Friends Of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig: 

This is Toksvig’s sixth novel.  It’s an amiable read, but offers little in plot development.  Stevie (a policeman) and Amber (a paramedic) but their first home in a quiet part of London.  The only trouble is, the previous resident, an old woman called Dorothy is still there.  As Stevie and Amber cope with a new home, deciding to have children and demanding, often dangerous jobs Dorothy becomes a constant presence in their lives.  

Fan’s of her warm, yet cheeky humour will lap this up.  Dorothy (who likes pop music and Minecraft) is a fabulous creation.  And it is nice to see such a queer friendly, acceptant novel.  The real problems lie structurally.  There is no real sort of plot, it sort of ambles from situation to situation.  That episodic nature will work on TV.  And although the novel ends on a sweet note, a shocking situation in the final third is resolved far too easily.  

Some may enjoy this, but I found its lack of focus problematic.  It’s published by Little Brown on September 26th and I thank them for a preview copy.  #friendsofdorothy.

 The Secret Public by John Savage: 

This is a high concept book, discussing LGBTQ in culture.  It’s as enriching as any of his previous books, even with such a high concept as Sylvester being the last gay pop star and Little Richard as the first.  

You can’t argue with near 700 pages of book, with another 100 of notes.  We move from Richard, through the sixties with Joe Meek and Epstein.  The 70’s see Bowie declare his gayness, and backtrack whilst Jobriath crashes and burns. 

It’s a book that admits it’s own failings (the lack of lesbians, those who chose not to come out). Plus vinyl nerds will debate whether ‘Soul Makossa’ was the first disco record. 

But as music journalism becomes more what Zappa said, Savage is the exception that proves the rule.  It’s published by Faber And Faber.  

 Fox and Haze are the proverbial couple goals.  He’s an investment banker, she’s an artist.  They have an adorable baby daughter.  But the relationship has become stale, lately.  Since they agreed to stop serial killing domestic abusers, paedophiles and gropers.  Who’s gonna crack first?

As you’ll have noticed, this is a darkly comic, hands over the eyes, read.  But look a little deeply and you’ll see this a metaphor for several things: relationships, raising children, family, intimacy, creative block…

And the main characters are so well-written, you’ll find yourself cheering each kill. Yes, you will.  The humour is some of the most deadpan I’ve read recently. Such as, Fox meeting Haze in Paris. When she’s having trouble finishing off a murder.  Mackay is always in control of the narrative and keeps it both funny and thrilling with two great twists midway through the book.  

Judging by the praise from actors; I think it’s a matter of time before you see this on a screen.  Plus, the book ends on an open note.  We may not have seen the last of Haze and Fox’s bloody/hilarious adventures.  It’s published by Headline on January 14th, 2025 and I thank them for a preview copy.  #aserialkillersguidetomarriage.