Kill lists and romance gone wrong and vampyr colonies and one fabulous romp in the English upper-crust countryside … new releases for your July book club.
The Finish Line by local author Gail Schimmel
Friends from schooldays, through being the fastest girls in the athletics team and then marriage and parenthood … until one becomes a threat to the other’s family. Resentment, darkness and envy take centre stage in this domestic drama, set in the rich suburbs of Joburg. Macmillan
Wives Like Us by Plum Sykes
Blend a grand English country house, one heartbroken American divorcée, three rich wives, two tycoons and a bereaved butler. Add a pig farmer moonlighting as a personal assistant, a male model moonlighting as a stablehand, a missing suite of diamonds and a collection of vintage Gucci loafers and you’ve got a marvellous and hilarious read. Bloomsbury
The Honeymoon Affair by Sheila O’Flanagan
A Caribbean honeymoon-that-isn’t (her fiancé broke her heart). A successful and hunky writer holidaying alone. Sparks fly. Add in an ex-girlfriend who thinks she may want to pick up where she left off and you’ve a roller coaster of a love triangle. Warm, witty, so enjoyable.
The Kill List by Nadine Matheson
25 years ago a man was convicted of five murders – his kill list was found in his home. Now the convictions are overturned – with evidence implying the original investigation was corrupt. Add to that killings starting up again, and a new kill list and you’ve a cracker of a thriller. HQ
Deep ruby with exuberant mulberry, plum, pepper and modest oak spice, Franschhoek Cellar Baker Station Shiraz 2021 is a full bodied, generous wine .. a great match to spicy sausages, smoked meats, roast venison, duck confit, and mature cheddar or blue veined cheese. Around R110.
The Stranger at the Wedding by AE Gauntlett
A whirlwind romance, a gorgeous bride and handsome groom and a wedding. But not everyone gathered has come to toast the new couple. Full of twists and turns, this is a dark and thrilling story of control and obsession. Bloomsbury
Act of Defiance by Tom Clancy
The Russian Navy appears to be pouring money into a secret project. The youngest – particularly bright – daughter of the president is certain the Russians are about to launch a super missile submarine … one that poses a threat to the US. Another thrilling Jack Ryan read. Sphere
The In Crowd by Charlotte Vassell
A lovely afternoon garden party, all gossip and Pimm’s. But just a stone’s throw away the police are pulling a body out of the Thames. A pleasant evening at the theatre … until a man is found dead in his seat. Mystery and murder abound! Faber
The Gathering by CJ Tudor
A boy found with his throat ripped out, the blood drained from his body. A brutal murder, and one that echoes one from 25 years ago. A vampyr colony. Lies and secrets. And then another missing boy … and body parts are found. Scary stuff! Michael Joseph
Ten Seconds by Robert Gold
To solve the mystery of his vanished boss, a journalist has to go back to the infamous murder case that made her career more than a decade earlier. Twisted and thrilling. Sphere
