The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes - January 2026
At our January meeting we discussed The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes. The novel begins when a young American academic Talissa Adam answers an advert to act as a surrogate mother for a billionaire's IVF project. When Talissa acts as a surrogate for Mary and Alaric, Lukas Parn, a billionaire, uses his London institute to secretly combine Neanderthal DNA with a modern human egg, to create a hybrid child, Seth.
As Seth grows up he is markedly different from a typical human with unique, non-sapiens cognitive functions and heightened intuition. The novel then describes what happens when the truth about the experiment gradually becomes known and Seth attracts unwanted attention and persecution from the outside world.
Whilst we agreed that Sebastian Faulkes writes well, as frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. Some people enjoyed the book but most of us didn’t like it and we all agreed that he has previously written some much better novels.
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell - February 2026.
At our February meeting we discussed The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’ Farrell. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell is a 16th-century historical fiction novel which reimagines the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici, who marries the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso, at age fifteen. The novel is inspired by the historical mystery surrounding her sudden death at age sixteen. The story follows a dual timeline, beginning in 1561 at a remote hunting lodge where 16-year-old Lucrezia realizes her husband, Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, intends to kill her. The narrative then flashes back to her childhood in Florence to explain how she reached this point.
As frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. With comments ranging from “I found the book rather tedious, the over description of clothes and decor was distracting and frankly boring. It made the book over long and difficult to finish”. To “The descriptions of surroundings and period features, as well as the status of women was vivid and memorable. The twist at the end of the maid being killed in bed instead of Lucrezia was a masterful touch”.
Brighton Rock by Graham Greene - March 2026
At our March meeting we discussed Brighton Rock by Graham Greene.. Brighton Rock, published in 1938, is a noir thriller set in 1930s Brighton, featuring Pinkie Brown, a 17-year-old sociopathic gangster whose gang murders Fred Hale to avenge the death of their former leader. In order to cover his tracks and to silence her, he manipulates and marries a naive waitress, Rose. He is pursued by the tenacious, justice-seeking Ida Arnold who briefly met Hale and suspects foul play when his death is ruled a heart attack. Ida acts as an amateur detective, investigating Pinkie.
The novel contrasts absolute evil with naive innocence, exploring themes of damnation and Catholicism.
As frequently happens the group was divided in their opinion about the book. With comments ranging from:
“My critique of Brighton Rock is fairly short. I found the plot totally unconvincing and the characters, Pinkie, Ida, Dallow etc. implausible. That a seventeen-year-old had such control over a gang of mature, although petty criminals, beggars belief, nor does Ida’s quest to bring Pinkie to justice convince.”.
To
“I loved the book and Greene’s writing, ready to read another. I felt the plot rolled along at an enjoyable pace, the characters were superbly well drawn, the background scenarios of Brighton were really effective in supporting the scene”.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - April 2026
Our April book was Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, the book was chosen because it is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. The novel was the first one that she published and follows the Dashwood sisters, prudent Elinor and romantic, emotional Marianne, who following their father’s death have to move with their mother and younger sister from a wealthy lifestyle in a large mansion to a humble cottage in Devonshire. The novel follows the sisters as they endure heartbreak before learning to balance emotion and reason, with Elinor marrying Edward Ferrars and Marianne marrying Colonel Brandon.
We all agreed that whilst we eventually became involved in the story and enjoyed the novel it was not as easy to read and well written as her later novels.
Three days in June by Anne Tyler - May 26
Our May book was Three days in June by Anne Tyler. The2025 novel follows Gail Baines, a socially awkward teacher and mother, during a highly stressful weekend surrounding her daughter Debbie's wedding. In just three days, Gail grapples with losing her job, navigating the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband Max with an elderly cat needing a new home, and dealing with a revelation about the groom’s possible infidelity.
We all enjoyed the book with the exception of one member who said “I felt that nothing much happened, and it was like a snapshot of everyday life…….. Overall, not my cup of tea.” The rest of us agreed with the sentiments of The Times review printed on the back cover “Quietly magical...Tyler turns the stuff of everyday life work, marriage family into something truly special,” and we agreed that we would like to read more of her novels.
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker - June 26
Our June book was We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker. It is mostly set in the fictional small town of Cape Haven, California and also for a while in Montana. It starts with the release from prison of Vincent King after thirty years, and his return to his childhood home.
The group were unanimous in their praise. Comments included wonderful, compelling, loved it, brilliant , enthralling. Also we loved the character of Duchess (the Outlaw), who is a tough thirteen-year-old, grown up too soon caring for her dysfunctional mum and protecting her younger brother, Robin. Some of the lesser characters were also admired, and pivotal in the story.
We all commented on the complex plot, ambiguous clues. The author’s ability to lead you along one path, then redirect the reader. Two members had read it before and noticed details they had missed the first time around.
The Predicament by William Boyd - July 26.
Our July book was The Predicament by William Boyd. Set in 1963, the novel follows travel writer and reluctant spy Gabriel Dax. Sent to Guatemala by his MI6 handler and former lover, Faith Green, he witnesses the assassination of a leftist presidential candidate. Later sent to West Berlin, Dax uncovers a chilling plot to assassinate U.S. President John F. Kennedy when he visits West Berlin.
The group were, as frequently happens, divided in their opinion of the book. Views varied from “This book is a perfect example to me of the value of belonging to the Book Group - I enjoyed it no end and would gladly read more by William Boyd - but left to my own devices, I wouldn’t have looked at it.” To “Thanks for the opportunity to read a spy novel which I don’t usually do. My decision to neglect this sector is confirmed”
Another interesting and good natured meeting.
The Fire Court by Andrew Taylor - August 26.
Our August book was The Fire Court by Andrew Taylor. It is a historical mystery novel set in 1667 London, just after the Great Fire. It is the second book in the James Marwood and Cat Lovett series, following The Ashes of London which we read in January 2025.
The story begins with James Marwood's elderly and confused father, Nathaniel, claiming he followed a woman into Clifford's Inn, where the Fire Court sits to resolve property disputes after the Great Fire, and found a dead woman. The next day, Nathaniel is run down and killed in the street. Desperate for answers, Marwood suspects his father's death was no accident. Marwood teams up with Cat Lovett, the daughter of a regicide, to investigate the truth behind these deaths.
The majority of the group really enjoyed the novel and said that they would like to read the next in the series. However options as usual were divided…
One member said “another gem this month. It was fun to reconnect with Cat, one of my favourite heroines, Cat was a little mellower this time, but still a little feisty. The story was very interesting, lots of unexpected twists, high paced, and utterly gripping. Add to that a thrilling finale, and what more could you ask for.“
However another members said “I must admit I started it with some trepidation as I remember not enjoying the prequel but I did give it a go. However, after the first 7 chapters I had not been hooked on a story line, not particularly embraced any of the characters and was unenamoured by the style of writing - seeming to switch between old English and modern - so decided to give this one a miss. Not my cup of tea unfortunately.” Another interesting and good natured meeting.
The Guardian of Lies by Kate Furnivall - September 2026
At our September meeting we discussed The Guardian of Lies by Kate Furnivall. The novel is a Cold War espionage thriller set in the South of France in 1953. The heroine, Eloïse Caussade, is a young woman who grew up on a farm in the Camargue, a marshy region of southern France, where her father raises bulls and horses. She has always hero-worshipped her older brother André, a spy for the CIA, and she has gone to Paris to follow in his footsteps. The CIA had turned her down and following that disappointment, she finds work at a detective agency, working for a female detective.
The novel opens with a thrilling car chase through the streets of Paris, with Eloïse driving André away from his pursuing enemies. Her car crashes, and her face is scarred as a result. André is even more severely injured. His legs are damaged, requiring him to walk on crutches. Soon André is rescued from his hospital bed and taken home to the family's farm in the Camargue, where Eloïse joins him.
The majority of the group really enjoyed the novel and said that they would like to read another novel by Kate Furniva;. However options as usual were divided…
One member said “This book was spoilt for me by what I perceived as the author’s carelessness or perhaps ineptitude in too many areas of her narrative…… when I read glaring inconsistencies as outlined, then, for me, the story loses any conviction and therefore loses my interest.”.“
However another members said “I really enjoyed the book full of pace, intrigue and character. I particularly was fascinated by the brother/sister relationship: trusting but curious, guilt and duty.”
Another interesting and good natured meeting.