This article contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission on any sales generated from them. Settle in and enjoy this week's roundup of the best new book releases. From murder mysteries to wellness advice, there is something for every reader.
Fiction Highlights
1. A Killer In The Family by Amin Ahmad - 9/10
Do we ever truly know what happens behind closed doors? Can a life of privilege mask harsh realities? Amin Ahmad's latest novel explores these questions through the story of Ali Azeem, a naive single man from Mumbai who enters an arranged marriage with the daughter of a wealthy New York real estate tycoon. His new wife, Maryam Khan, seems perfect, but the chemistry is lacking. Enter Farhan, Maryam's older sister: confident, sexy, and mysterious. Ali is smitten, but soon Farhan reveals unsettling truths about her sister, sending Ali on a quest to uncover the cold, hard facts about his wife, her family, and their place in New York's elite society. This novel is a gripping page-turner, blending murder, mystery, and family dynamics against the glittering backdrop of New York City, keeping readers guessing until the very end. Published in hardback by Hutchinson Heinemann, priced at £16.99 (ebook £7.99). Review by Rachel Howard.
2. A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz - 7/10
Anthony Horowitz's sixth Hawthorne novel deepens the metafictional approach. Narrated by Horowitz himself, the story follows his crime-solving partnership with the stoic ex-inspector Hawthorne. This time, they are on the set of the film adaptation of their first book, The Word Is Murder. When the lead actor is brutally killed, the duo is drawn into another murder investigation. The cast includes an eco-warrior scriptwriter and a sad supporting actor scarred by professional embarrassment, alongside a story within the story revealing Hawthorne's past. New readers may want to start at the series' beginning, as it works less well as a standalone, but it offers the twisty fun expected from Horowitz. Published in hardback by Century, priced at £22 (ebook £11.99). Review by Prudence Wade.
3. I'll Take The Fire by Leïla Slimani, translated by Sam Taylor - 7/10
Leïla Slimani's novel follows three generations of a French-Moroccan family from the 1980s to the early 2000s, focusing on sisters Mia and Inés as they grow up in Morocco and later in France. Drawing from her own family history, Slimani explores the feeling of being caught between Moroccan and French identities amid political unrest and events leading up to 9/11. The characters are beautifully complex, particularly Mia, who struggles with her queerness despite a liberal upbringing, and her father Mehdi, a government minister. Mia and Mehdi share ambition, frustration with their easy lives, and a desire to write, yet cannot speak freely. The novel is meandering and sometimes slow, but the richness of its characters makes it worthwhile. Published in hardback by Faber & Faber, priced at £16.99 (ebook £12.99). Review by Jasmine Norden.
Non-Fiction
4. How To Age: Supercharge Your Health And Feel Better Than Ever by Liz Earle - 7/10
Beauty entrepreneur and wellness author Liz Earle returns with a book on ageing. Now in her early 60s, Earle feels better than ever and shares research on turning back the biological clock. Covering biohacking and longevity, she emphasizes living better, not just longer. While much advice is common sense—getting outside, reducing screen time, lifting weights—some ideas are more unconventional. The book can feel dense with scientific studies, and some suggestions may raise eyebrows, but Earle's engaging, easy-to-read style prevails. Published in hardback by Yellow Kite, priced at £22 (ebook £12.99). Review by Lily Rose.
Kid's Corner
5. Move Your Body! by Madhvi Ramani - 8/10
Move Your Body! is a delightful book that gets young readers moving. It features a wide variety of animals and their movements, from a fluttering hummingbird to a wobbling octopus, encouraging readers to act along. Beautiful illustrations follow a little girl on adventures through the jungle, ocean, space, and back to earth. It covers animal movements like an elephant stomp and rabbit hop, celebrating mindfulness in a child-friendly way. Perfect for children aged three to eight. Published in paperback by Two Hoots, priced at £7.99 (ebook £3.99). Review by Josh Sparke.
Prices correct at time of publication.
