Asking For It by Louise O'Neill, published in hardback by Quercus
BEAUTIFUL and popular Emma O'Donovan possesses that typical teenage mix of vanity and insecurity, meaning she isn't initially the most likeable narrator. When she is discovered unconscious on her doorstep the night after a party with no recollection of how she got there, everything changes.
The follow-up to Cork writer O'Neill's multi award-winning Only Ever Yours – a haunting Hunger Games meets America's Next Top Model tale – is equally arresting. But whereas her debut read like science fiction, Asking For It is all too realistic.
The riveting narrative draws from real life rape cases and the aftermath that is increasingly played out online. And while the inclusion of iPhones, Twitter and Snapchat in literature is often a dead give away for an adult trying desperately to grasp youth culture, that's never the case for O'Neill. Her refreshingly empathetic voice shines through despite the abuse her protagonist receives. A timely, gripping and vital novel.
Katie Wright
My Everything by Katie Marsh, published by Hodder Paperbacks
KATIE Marsh's debut novel examines the moral dilemma of a woman trapped in an increasingly unhappy relationship. Her husband suffers a stroke just as she's on the brink of leaving him. It's a fascinating Gordian knot and one that adds extra depth and humanity to the archetypal narrative of illness.
The book weaves between Hannah and Tom's present and past. Marsh paints a moving portrait not only of illness, but also of a relationship's demise, as she charts the journey from the hopefulness of the couple's early years together to the dark days of their marriage. Tom's stroke is a life-changing moment for them both, but rather than descending into over-sentimentality, what follows is a compelling tale of second chances and fresh starts.
With a career in healthcare, Marsh writes with real-world experience and knowledge, but also with the assurance and finesse of a long-time author. This book is a remarkable debut about remembering what's important in life and heralds the arrival of a great new talent.
Jade Craddock
The Shepherd's Crown by Terry Pratchett, published in hardback by Doubleday
TERRY Pratchett's final Discworld novel, published five months after his death, can best be described as a farewell gift to his fans. It is the fifth Tiffany Aching book; a sub-series aimed at young adults charting a young girl's determination to become a witch.
Tiffany finds the natural cycle of life and death has weakened barriers between the worlds. There are shocks to overcome, but malevolent elves are preparing to invade and she must face them down to protect everything she holds dear.
Newcomers will be baffled by unexplained references to canonical events and characters given the barest introduction – and there are a lot of these cameos by fan favourites. Pratchett's last adult novel Raising Steam was criticised for lacking his typical biting wit, but this does not seem as obvious here. Yes, some punchlines are predictable, but nostalgia can forgive many imperfections.
Natalie Bowen
The Blue Guitar by John Banville, published in hardback by Viking
OLIVER Orme is a painter and a thief – well, was a painter until he lost his muse and stole his best friend's wife. As the affair unravels, he takes refuge in his childhood home, from which he narrates the story of his life and reflects on why he can no longer paint.
Booker Prize winner John Banville's 16th novel is set in a mystical Ireland that's both contemporary and timeless. He once again employs an unreliable narrator whose thoughts tumble out onto the page in a stream of consciousness, which at first jars with the reader and then endears them to him.
Through his musings, Orme touches on all of life – fatherhood, love and death – and Banville paints his world in such strikingly beautiful detail, he's a true poet. This is a book to savour.
Kate Whiting
Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham, published by Sphere
PSYCHOLOGIST Joe O'Loughlin must find a killer before they strike again. But with few clues and public pressure mounting, there is little going right for him and the police officers he is trying to help. All leads are dead ends and the killer appears to be on the point of getting away with murder.
As O'Loughlin battles to solve the mystery and calm the local community in rural Avon, various layers of the story unfold and it soon becomes apparent the killer might be hiding in plain sight. But solving the crime comes at a high price for the eminent profiler who struggles to shield those closest to him from the horrors of his vocation.
Michael Robotham is a journalist and biographer who has ghost-written autobiographies of politicians and showbiz stars. Close Your Eyes is his tenth novel and in Joe O'Loughlin, Robotham has come up with the sort of analytical mind which is made for adaptation to the small screen. A gripping read for all lovers of crime thrillers, from a writer whose work has been lauded by the likes of Lee Child and Stephen King.
Roddy Brooks
The Unexpected Inheritance Of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan, published in hardback by Mulholland Books
MUMBAI-based Inspector Chopra is forced into early retirement due to a minor problem with his heart. On his last day of work, two unexpected things show up. The first is the mysterious drowning of a boy in a sewer, while the second is the arrival of a gift from a long-lost uncle. As this is a quirky murder mystery in the vein of Alexander McCall Smith, it is the gift - a baby elephant named Ganesh – who really steals the show.
This is a light-hearted read full of colourful characters and insightful details about human motivation. Chopra's attempts to investigate the death give the author a rich opportunity to explore the stark contrasts between the worlds of slum dwellers and glitterati that characterise the city.
But ultimately it is his protagonist's good heart that wins us over. Further episodes from the lovable Inspector will surely follow.
Anita Chaudhuri
