Probably Nothing by Lauren Bravo
Bryony has been on a few dates with nice guy Ed, and was just about to break things off when she receives a call to say that he has unexpectedly died. It turns out Ed’s family thought she was the love of his life, and being a relentless people pleaser she gets more and more involved in their lives.
Probably Nothing is told from two narratives, swapping back and forth between Bryony and Ed’s Sister in law Kelly, who works at the GP surgery Bryony frequents. The story deals with some heavier issues such as health anxiety and infertility, but the warmth and wit still make it ultimately uplifting.
Lauren Bravo has created such relatable characters, and the story is brimming with humour and definitely lots of awkwardness. – Amy
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
In an alien world a high ranking official is found murdered, the cause of death is probably the giant tree that erupted out of him. Sent in to investigate is a hugely eccentric detective and her young apprentice. The crime they unpick very quickly threatens to destroy the world they live in.
The setting is a civilization in a state of annual panic – each and every rainy season brings huge creatures from the ocean that lay waste to everything in their path. The only defence is the giant sea wall and the constant struggle of biologically-enhanced scientists, engineers and soldiers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this convincing SF/crime novel. The world-building was parcelled out perfectly, never overpowering the story, and the twisty nature of the investigation was very satisfying. Think an alien Sherlock Holmes versus mountain-size Kaiju… what could possibly tick more boxes? – Ed