In Glass Houses by Edel Coffey

We begin with In Glass Houses by Edel Coffey, a hotly antipated title from the author of 'Breaking Point' and 'In Her Place.'

This is a sharp, contemporary drama that peers behind the polished doors of suburban success.  We are invited to meet Ali , who is successful, composed, seemingly in control of her enviable life. However, when her marriage begins to fracture and a betrayal cuts closer , the perfect image starts to splinter. This is a razor-sharp domestic drama about ambition, desire and the dangerous cost of wanting more. This book rewards those who love morally messy characters. We find ourselves asking “What would I have done?” This is the power of creating a universally recognisable character who could be any of one us. A gripping, character-driven story about ambition, betrayal, and the fragile facades we build to protect ourselves. You will find yourself asking “How well do we ever really know the people closest to us?”

The Lies Between Us by Jen Bray

And if In Glass Houses explores the cracks in perfect lives, then The Lies Between Us by Jennifer Bray dives headfirst into what happens when those cracks widen into fault lines. This is a tense, emotionally layered story of friendship, deception, and the long shadows cast by the past.  Set in Dunmore East, the narrative explores the links between a group of old friends. We see truths unravel, loyalties tested and the cost of keeping secrets becomes painfully clear. A close-knit group of friends gather in our beloved picturesque seaside village,. However beneath the salty air and stunning views, those old secrets are resurfacing. This is a very clever book with a well-drafted plot and strong characters.  Importantly, there is a strong sense of place with the development of the characters central to the narrative. This is a proper page-turner, gripping, slow-burning and will keep you guessing until the end. Navigating a murder in Dunmore East will have you checking every street, corner, and neighbour looking for the familiar.

Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney

From hidden lies to very public exposure, we move to Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney . This is a smart, darkly funny, and unsettlingly relevant novel for the social media age. When online life and real life begin to blur, admiration tips into obsession, and the consequences spiral in unexpected ways. Esther is our main character and when her personal life begins to fall apart due to personal turmoil, rather than dealing with it, she looks for connections online. What she finds is an avenue for obsession, a belief that her future is intrinsically linked with that of a celebrity. What makes this a really unsettling read is how easy it is for an intelligent woman to truly believe she knows a celebrity. She infiltrates his life, his family, and his social circle. Arguably, most unsettling of all is how easily social media has made people accessible and easy to tear down. This is a sharp look at identity, validation, and the curated versions of ourselves we present to the world. This novel is guaranteed to get people talking about privacy, boundaries, and the digital footprints we all leave behind.

A Hymn To Life- Shame Has to Change Sides by Gisele Pelicot

For this month's autobiography, we close with something deeply powerful and profoundly important: A Hymn to Life- Shame Has to Change Sides by Gisèle Pelicot. This woman needs no introduction so heavily has her name dominated the headlines since 2024. However, a newly published autobiography has catapulted the French woman into the headlines for her powerful decision to tell her story. This is a courageous and necessary piece of work that challenges how society understands shame, accountability, and justice. With honesty and strength, Pelicot reframes the narrative around survivors and responsibility, making this an essential read for our times. It’s aimed at readers who are ready for a serious, thought-provoking discussion, willing to engage with difficult but vital conversations about culture, power, and change.

Four very different books from domestic drama to psychological suspense, from modern satire to real-life testimony, they are all united by one central theme: what happens when truth refuses to stay hidden.

And to lighten the mood and end on a buzzy note, we look to our young reader book of the month...

'Nell on Earth' by Dave Rudden

(Note: This book will not be published until March 5th)

Last month, we chose 'Conn of the Dead' from Rudden's Tales of the Darkisle series. This month, we are following that up with his eagerly awaited follow-up book 'Nell on Earth.' Twelve-year-old Nell Cafferty didn’t ask to be the eldest of four children. Acting as babysitter, bodyguard and bouncer all week long while her parents work has left no room for her ambitions of being a wrestling star. But when her siblings are taken hostage by enormous were-otters, it’s on Nell to save them, and she’ll do anything to get them back. Even if that means challenging their monstrous king who has terrible ambitions of his own … Arguably every young reader book needs to have enormous were-otters and a brace protagonist like Nell. Dave Rudden has given us a superb world in which to escape, filled with bravery, wit, fantasy, and a reminder that at any age, we can save our little pocket of the world.

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