Book Off!

Sarah Hilary and Sabine Durrant join Joe Haddow for a Book Off!

They chat about their new novels, choosing their settings, 'chalk n cheese' detective duos and balancing darkness and light.

Sarah's book ('The Drowning Place') has ghostly elements to it, so they discuss ghosts and whether the authors believe in them...

THE BOOK OFF

'The Mahe Circle' by George Simenon

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'Your Blue-Eyed Boy' by Helen Dunmore

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Here's a little more info on our guests' books:

'The Drowning Place' by Sarah Hilary

Every place has its ghosts.

Edenscar, a town in the Peak District, has more than most. 17 years ago, its inhabitants were hit by tragedy when a school bus veered off the road and everyone on board drowned. Everyone, that is, except Joseph Ashe. His miraculous survival has haunted him and the town ever since.

Now a Detective Sergeant in the local police, Joe is called to the scene of a brutal and apparently inexplicable crime. The whole town is spooked, but Joe’s new boss, DI Laurie Bower, more used to inner-city police work, has no time for superstition. She just wants to find the very real killer who has left no trace and apparently had no motive.

Joining forces, Joe and Laurie work to uncover the secrets of Edenscar, both past and present. But when you dig up the dead, expect to get your hands dirty…

'Dead Heat' by Sabine Durrant

Former journalist Matt Grimshaw's life is at a low ebb. He's been 'let go' by the paper where he's worked for years, and his relationship with his long-term girlfriend has come unstuck.

So when an invitation arrives from his two closest friends, Celia and Adam Murphy, to join them at their house in Greece, he jumps at it. It may be harsh and unwelcoming on the Mani Peninsula but Matt determines to stay there for the whole summer and to write his much put-off screen-play.

But then the Murphys plus children arrive, and a wealthy newcomer to the area starts throwing loud and lavish parties in his big house across the bay.

As the nights become hotter and the parties wilder, everyone's motivations darken. Envy rises, resentments grow - until a terrible accident stops the summer in its tracks.

At least, it looks like an accident…

Set over one blazing Mediterranean summer, Sabine Durrant’s new thriller is tense, claustrophobic and utterly gripping.

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Joe Haddow welcomes two bestselling authors - Claire Douglas and Jane Harper - to Book Off to go head-to-head in a war of the words!

They chat about making fictional settings seem as real as possible, how a sense of place can shape a novel, and why you should ALWAYS write down your ideas, you never know when you might need them.

Jane and Claire also talk about knowing when to give up on a novel - rather than pushing through if something's not working - and how some books come easier than others.

The two authors also give us some brilliant book recommendations - and writing advice!

THE BOOK OFF

'The 13 Storey Treehouse' by Andy Griffiths

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'Tom's Midnight Garden' by Philippa Pearce

But which one will win?

Here's a little more about our guests' new books:

'Last One Out' by Jane Harper 

Five years ago, Sam Crowley vanished on his twenty-first birthday. The only clues were his footprints in the dust of three abandoned houses.

One set in. One set out.

Now, his mother Ro returns to the dying town of Carralon Ridge. The community is a ghost of its former self, fractured by the encroaching mining operation and years of unspoken grief.

Ro is looking for answers. But in a town where everyone is leaving, the few who remain are guarding closely held secrets.

In this disappearing landscape, can Ro find the truth before the dust settles forever?

'The Family Friend' by Claire Douglas

When Imogen is told she’s inherited a country house near Bath, she thinks it must be a mistake. She last saw its owner, reclusive artist Dorothea Roe, sixteen years ago, during a tragic summer which changed her life for ever.

Now, with partner Josh in tow, it’s a chance for a fresh start.

But after discovering an old box with her name on it in Dorothea’s abandoned study, Imogen starts to believe the woman was trying to send her a secret message.

And when rumours begin to swirl that Dorothea was murdered, she starts to suspect that this gift might not be the life-line she thought it was.

Who would want to kill Dorothea?

Could it be tangled up in Imogen’s own dark family history?

And what if Imogen is now the one in danger?

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Jessie Burton and Katy Hessel join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

They discuss great women artists, mudlarking, the influence of family histories, museums and galleries, getting children interested in art and finding a writing voice.

Katy and Jessie also recommend some brilliant books - including 'The Wreck' by Lizzy Stewart (graphic novel) and 'The Artist' by Lucy Steeds (novel)

THE BOOK OFF

'What I Loved' by Siri Hustvedt

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'The Lonely City' by Olivia Laing

And here is a little more info on each of our guests books!

'Hidden Treasure' by Jessie Burton

From the bestselling author of The Miniaturist. Jessie Burton's Hidden Treasure is the phenomenal page-turning story of two children whose lives collide when they find an ancient treasure with the power to return to them the most precious thing they have ever lost

For the people who live on the banks of the Thames, the river is a living, breathing thing. It can take your treasures. It can hide your treasures. And, sometimes, it can give them back.

Bo and Billy are two children who have never met. Billy is an orphan. Bo’s dad died when she was small and now her brother is off to war. Both children are poor, but they have each found half of a priceless treasure, given up by the river. A treasure which – when the pieces are reunited – holds the power to give back to one of them the most precious thing they have ever lost.

But should the treasure be put back together again? And why has the river given it up now?

'The Story Of Art Without Men' by Katy Hessel (illustrated by Ping Zhu)

A beautiful journey through the untold stories of art, adapted from the global sensation The Story of Art Without Men, by expert art historian and bestselling author Katy Hessel.

Step into the incredible lives of the women artists who have gone uncelebrated for too long.

Journey through history, from the Renaissance to the Second World War, and across the globe, from Cornwall to Manhattan, Nigeria, Japan and more, to discover the stories of women who changed the world with their incredible art.

You'll learn about the extraordinary lives of freedom fighters, game changers and adventurers - and be astounded by the art they made, with its striking landscapes, hidden messages and calls for women's rights.

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Alex Kadis (ex Smash Hits journo and music manager) goes head to head with Tanya Sweeney (columnist and journo) in a war of the words.

They chat about their debut novels, their inspirations and their complex central characters.

Plus, there's a lot of chat about Smash Hits, music, Bros, One Direction - and - stalking!

THE BOOK OFF

'Olga Dies Dreaming' by Xochitl Gonzalez

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'High Fidelity' by Nick Hornby

Here's a little more info on each of our guest's new novels:

'Esther Is Now Following You' by Tanya Sweeney

You're the love of Esther's life. You just don't know it yet...

Esther first sees Ted walking in a park in London. They lock eyes and for a fraction of a second, she feels something she’s never felt before.

She starts by reading up about his life in Canada and his work as an actor. Then she watches every interview with him online. It isn’t long before she’s joined Ted’s fan site online where her and the ‘Tedettes’ stalk his every move.

When Ted gets a new celebrity girlfriend, Esther decides that things have gone far enough. She leaves her husband, takes all their savings, and buys a one-way ticket to Canada.

After all, Ted might not know it yet, but they are meant to be together – he just needs a little bit of persuading...

'Big Nobody' - by Alex Kadis

For Constance ‘Connie’ Costa, life is just beginning. She dreams of leaving behind her dull, dreary life in ‘70s East London, shaking off her deeply embarrassing Greek-Cypriot community of interfering Aunties and pretend ‘cousins’, and running away with her best mate Vas (fellow misfit; NHS specs; soul of a poet). She is determined to take her rightful place alongside her hero, David Bowie, onstage at Wembley Stadium.

Only one thing stands in her way: her father, The Fat Murderer. No longer content with being an absolute imbecile and general abomination of nature, he has dialled up his campaign to ruin Connie’s life ever since the untimely death of her mother.

If she ever wants to claim the destiny that is rightfully hers, Connie has only one option left: to kill him.

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Debut novelists Tobi Coventry and India-Rose Bower join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

They chat about their new novels ("He's The Devil" and "We Call Them Witches") as well as their love for the horror genre, their inspirations - and why queer horror is in a renaissance right now. Tobi and India also give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

(whilst this episode celebrates the horror genre - you don't have to be a 'horror fan' to enjoy it!)

THE BOOK OFF

'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower' by Stephen Chboskey

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'Last To Leave The Room' by Caitlin Starling

And here's more info on our guests novels:

'He's The Devil' by Tobi Coventry

Simon has always been a good boy. He’s invariably employee of the month at the seasonal small plates restaurant where he works, he neurotically tidies his home, he keeps on top of repairs on behalf of his twenty-something, permanently-abroad landlord and tries to do right by everyone. But when his best and only friend, Josh, moves out of their shared flat, Simon is lonelier than ever – until in moves a new flatmate, the strange (and strangely sexy) Massimo.

But Massimo’s brought something with him. Odd sounds emerge from Massimo’s room, smells of earth and meat drift through the corridor and Simon’s nights fill with disturbing and tantalising dreams. Massimo is awakening something in Simon, something wild and exciting and horrifying that could be the end of him – or maybe a new beginning. But whatever’s in Massimo, whatever’s in the flat, isn’t finished. It wants more.

'We Call Them Witches' by India-Rose Bower

Sara and her family must keep moving. Every few months, they’re discovered, and they have to pack up and get out quick.

For the twins it’s all they’ve ever known, for Danny, Noah and Ma, it’s a reminder of all they’ve lost.

For Sara, it’s just another day. In yet another abandoned house, one they surround with Pagan wards – the only thing that protects them – Sara and her family think they might be safe, for a while at least.

And then they find a strange girl in the garden. Parsley can’t remember where she came from or how she got here. The family sees only a threat, but Sara sees hope.

But outside they are waiting. The eldritch creatures. The ones they call Witches.The ones who already stole everything.

And now, just days after the Parsley arrives, they steal something even more valuable: Noah. It's time to stop running. It's time to leave the safety of the wards, and try to find Noah in the witches' lair. It's just that no-one has ever done that and come out alive...

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Authors Curtis Sittenfeld and Erin White join Joe Haddow for a war of the words...

Curtis and Erin are best mates - which makes for a very competitive Book Off!

Erin talks about her debut novel 'Like Family' which has themes of desire in middle age, queer domestic love and life, navigating the world as a teenager - and much more.

Curtis discusses her latest short story collection 'Show Don't Tell' which is a witty and tender collection of tales, featuring a cast of characters that feel like old friends.

They also give some writing tips and recommend us some brilliant books too!

THE BOOK OFF

'Colored Television' by Danzy Senna

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'Unless' by Carol Shields

Here's a little more on our guests' books!

'Like Family' by Erin White

What if everything you wanted is no longer enough?

Meeting for an autumnal swim in an idyllic pond, Caroline's friend Ruth tells her about a family secret that has recently been exposed. Caroline was looking forward to a celebration they'd been planning together with her sister-in-law, Tobi, but suddenly everything seems complicated.

Tensions that have long been buried are bubbling to the surface. These three couples, who have so much to enjoy in their lives - growing children, affectionate marriages, work they love - must confront the truths they've never shared. More than that, they will have to reconcile the lives they've built with the ones they desire: the old dreams both fulfilled and denied, and the new ones that appeared right when they thought they had all they'd ever hoped for.

'Show Don't Tell' by Curtis Sittenfeld

In this compulsive collection of twelve witty stories, Sittenfeld shows why she’s as beloved for her short fiction as she is for her novels, as she conjures up characters so real that they seem like old friends.

In ‘The Patron Saints of Middle Age,’ a woman visits two friends she hasn’t seen since her divorce. In ‘A for Alone,’ a married artist embarks on a project intended to disprove the so-called Mike Pence Rule, which suggests that women and men can’t spend time alone together without lusting after each other. And in ‘Lost but Not Forgotten,’ Sittenfeld gives readers of her novel Prep a new window into the world of her beloved character Lee Fiora, decades later, when Lee attends an awkward school reunion.

Witty, confronting and full of tenderness, Sittenfeld peels back layer after layer of our inner lives, keeping us riveted to the page with her utterly distinctive voice.

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Alexandra Potter and Madeleine Gray join Joe Haddow for a war of the words!

They chat about their new novels, conmen, queer love, writing women without making them victims - and give us some great book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte

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'How To Be Both' by Ali Smith

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LIbby Page and Ellie Levenson join Joe Haddow for a natter about their new novels - and - go head to head in a War Of The Words!

Libby's new novel - 'This Book Made Me Think Of You' - is a heartwarming, uplifting story about grief and love (and a love letter to books, reading and bookshops!)

Ellie's new novel - 'Room 706' - is a tense page-turner about a woman trapped in a hotel room with her lover

Both authors share their inspirations for their new books, give us some good book recommendations - and of course - take part in The Book Off!

THE BOOK OFF

'Conversations On Love' by Natasha Lunn

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'The Wild Robot' by Peter Brown

And here's a little more on our featured authors' books:

This Book Made Me Think Of You - Libby Page

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly, because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly, because Joe died five months ago…

The gift is simple – twelve carefully chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

And so begins a reading-inspired journey that takes Tilly around the world; from bustling sidewalks in New York and the tree-lined avenues of Paris to the tranquil Tuscan countryside and the white sands of Bali. With the help of the bookshop owner, Alfie, Tilly starts to discover who she is now, after Joe.

But can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?

Room 706 - Ellie Levenson

Kate stretches her legs and turns on the TV while James washes away the traces of their morning. She watches in horror at the unfolding news: the hotel they are staying in has been taken under siege.

She should be making her way home, working on appearing normal, getting ready to re-enter family life with her loving husband Vic and their two adored children. Instead, she is trapped somewhere she shouldn't be, with a man she definitely doesn't love.

How will she begin to tell Vic what she is doing here? If her body is found, will it give up the secret of what she's been up to? She's been so careful hiding the evidence of her affair: write nothing down, leave no trace. Will he begin to understand why?

For now, Kate can only hide, take a deep breath, and reflect on the series of choices she's made that have brought her to this moment.

What will her marriage and her life look like, if she makes it out?

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Bestselling authors Peter James and Sophie Hannah join Joe Haddow for a right royal Book Off!

They discuss Poirot, Christie, Greene and many other writers they love - and give us some great book recommendations too.

Peter and Sophie also chat about their new novels. Queen Camilla is a huge fan of Peter James' Roy Grace books - so much so that she is the star of the latest novel 'The Hawk Is Dead'. And Sophie's latest 'No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done' is based on something that happened in real-life, which led her to ask "what would I do in that situation?" (the answer is in the book)

THE BOOK OFF

'Brighton Rock' by Graham Greene

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'The Rose And The Yew Tree' by Mary Westmacott (aka Agatha Christie)

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Charlatans lead singer, Tim Burgess, and music photographer, Tom Sheehan, join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

Tim and Tom have worked together on and off for over 30 years - and during that time, Tom has captured some of the most iconic images of Tim's band. They chat about their new collaboration 'How High: A Portrait Of The Charlatans' as well as some of their favourite music biographies, artists they've worked with - and the new Charlatans album too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Amusing Ourselves To Death' by Neil Postman

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'Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky' by Patrick Hamilton

Here's a little more info on their gorgeous photography book 'How High'

This is the inside story of The Charlatans, told through the lens of legendary photographer Tom Sheehan and the words of the band's frontman Tim Burgess.

More than 250 of Sheehan's photographs - blending iconic shots with those seen here for the first time - are accompanied by moving and insightful text from Burgess, sharing his memories of a band at the very height of their powers.

Covering a decade of the band's story, the book captures recording sessions, live performances, cover shoots, tours and intimate moments snatched backstage and around the world.

Beautifully presented in a cloth-bound hardback, this book is a stunning visual history of The Charlatans, one of the defining bands of a generation.

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