My second novel, The River Brings The Sea was published in December 2025. My debut, One Scheme of Happiness was published in 2020 by Retreat West Books. In August that year it was longlisted for Not The Booker Prize. I also write poetry and short stories.
by Mark Mayes published by Urbane Publications, February 2017 Genre: Literary fiction/mystery and thrillers Sometimes only a stranger can give the gift of hope. Late one night, Thomas Ruder receives a strange package: a small blue box. Another such item is delivered to his friend Liselotte Hauptmann. These ‘gifts’ will … More The Gift Maker
by Luke Kennard, published by 4th Estate, 2017 My review: Luke Kennard is already a successful poet and academic. His debut novel is a witty, funny and tender take on the plight of the generation stuck in rental property with huge financial debts and uncertain job prospects. Feckless hero, Karl is in his thirties, has … More The Transition
by William Nicholson published by Quercus, Jan 2017 My review: Set in the genteel town of Lewes in East Sussex, the latest novel from William Nicholson, successful screenwriter, playwright and novelist, takes place against the background of the 2015 general election. His middle-class, middle-aged characters have mid-life crises in all their forms, but what makes … More Adventures in modern marriage
by Susanna Beard published by Legend Press, Feb 2017 Genre: psychological crime drama Review Lisa is recovering from a violent attack which leaves her with memory loss and PTSD; she is also grieving for her friend, Ali who died in the incident. As she tries to come to terms with what has happened, she … More Dare to remember
by Claire Fuller published by Fig Tree/Penguin, 2017 My review: The Sunday Times described a ‘singing simplicity’ in Claire Fuller’s first novel, Our Endless Numbered Days. This holds true for her second novel, Swimming lessons where it evokes the landscape of the sea that permeates this very accomplished and fine literary mystery: you smell the … More Swimming lessons
by Yaa Gyasi published by Penguin My review: So when you study history, you must always ask yourself, whose story am I missing? Whose voice was suppressed so that this voice could come forth? Once you have figured that out, you must find that story too. From there, you begin to get a clearer, yet … More Homegoing
by Kit de Waal published by Penguin books, 2017 A brother chosen. A brother left behind. And a family where you’d least expect to find one. My review: The story of one boy’s search for a family. Set in the early 1980’s, Leon looks after his baby brother, but increasingly has to care for his … More My Name is Leon
My review: Speak Gigantular is a fascinating collection of surreal, and sexually charged short stories from Irenosen Okojie. Strange and unexpected elements of nightmare and magic merge with everyday urban life and heighten the predominant themes of loneliness, alienation and mental breakdown. Set mainly in London, but with a few further afield these are narratives … More Speak Gigantular
The Evenings by Gerard Reve translated by Sam Garrett published by Pushkin Press My review: Originally written in Dutch in 1946 The Evenings will be unfamiliar to most English-speaking readers. In Dutch-speaking countries it is considered a classic, coming of age novel of (late) adolescence ranking with The Catcher in the Rye or On the … More The Evenings
by Linda Grant published by Virago, 2016 It’s four years since the end of the Second World War. Against a background of grey, post-war austerity and an embryonic NHS, the streets are ‘full of foreigners … Eyeteye boys…full of resentment and elegant curses, Maltesers with black eyes and strings of girls on the game, refugees … More The Dark Circle
Ali Thurm 