New releases coming in May.
FICTION
Based on a True Story, by Delphine de Vigan: What would you do if your closest friend tried to steal your life? A chilling, award-winning thriller and international bestseller (Bloomsbury, RRP $28).
The Cows, by Dawn O’Porter: A powerful novel about three women. In all the noise of modern life, each needs to find their own voice (HarperCollins, RRP $45).
Beren and Luthien, by J R R Tolkein: This epic tale reunites fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, Dwarves and Orcs and the rich landscape and creatures unique to Tolkien’s Middle-earth (HarperCollins, RRP $35).
A Dark so Deadly, by Stuart MacBride: A standalone thriller from Macbride about a mummified body that may be the work of a serial killer (HarperCollins, RRP $35).
Girl In Between, by Anna Daniels: When you’re the girl in between relationships, careers and cities, you sometimes have to face some uncomfortable truths . . . like your Mum’s obsession with Cher, your father’s unsolicited advice and the fact there’s more cash on the floor of your parents’ car than in your bank account (Allen & Unwin, RRP $33).
The Devil and Webster, by Jean Hanff Korelitz: Webster College President Naomi Roth isn’t alarmed when Webster students begin to protest a popular professor’s denial of tenure, but when a charismatic Palestinian student with a devastating personal history, emerges as the group’s leader, shocking acts begin to destabilize the campus (Faber, RRP $33).
The Cutaway, by Christina Kovac: A woman disappears after leaving a restaurant and TV producer Virginia Knightley becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. But her pursuit of the truth draws her deep into the power struggles and lies of Washington DC’s elite (Serpent’s Tail, RRP $33).
The Contract, by JM Gulvin: The latest thriller featuring Texas Ranger John Q (Faber RRP $33).
Forensic Records Society, by Magnus Mills: Two men with a passion for vinyl found a society for the appreciation of records. A hilariously disingenuous exploration of power, fanaticism and really, really good records (Bloomsbury, RRP $33).
The Lake, by Lotte Hammer and Søren Hammer: An unidentified murder victim is the key to a sinister world of human trafficking, prostitution and violence (Bloomsbury, RRP $33).
NON-FICTION
Island Nurses, by Leonie Howie and Adele Robertson: Stories of birth, life and death on remote Great Barrier Island (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37).
Cartel Wives, by Mia and Olivia Flores: How an extraordinary family brought down El Chapo and the Sinaloa drug cartel (Allen & Unwin, RRP $33).
River Cottage Easy, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: Looking back over nearly two decades of professional cookery, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has worked out the winning combinations (Bloomsbury, RRP $48).
And Then You’re Dead, by Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty: The world’s most interesting ways to die (Allen & Unwin, RRP $33).
The Durrells of Corfu, by Michael Haag: The recent TV award-winning adaption The Durrells left its millions of fans with questions: What happened to the family— and what took them to Corfu in the first place? The Durrells of Corfu covers the background to the Durrell family’s years in Corfu (Profile Books, RRP $25).
The Enlightened Mr Parkinson, by Cherry Lewis: Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and yet few know anything about the man the disease is named after. This is the story of James Parkinson (Icon, RRP $45).
The Moth; All these Wonders, by Catherine Burns, introduction by Neil Gaiman and The Moth: From storytelling phenomenon The Moth, a collection about risk, courage and facing the unknown, drawn from the best stories ever told on their stages. All These Wonders features voices both familiar and new to celebrate The Moth’s 20th anniversary year. The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. They run story slams across the US, Britain, Ireland and Australia (Serpent’s Tail, RRP $33).
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2017, by Lawrence Booth: The 154th edition of the most famous sports book in the world (Wisden, RRP $110).
YOUNGER READERS
Moo and Moo and the Little Calf Too, by Jane Milton and Deborah Hinde: NZ’s quake cows to star in new picture book (Allen & Unwin, RRP $20).
A Court of Wings and Ruin, by Sarah J. Maas: Looming war threatens all Feyre holds dear in the third volume of the bestselling series for ages 14-plus (Bloomsbury, RRP $20).
Avenged: Ruined 2, by Amy Tintera: The outstanding YA high fantasy sequel to Ruined, perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas. For ages 12-16 (Allen & Unwin, RRP $19).
Into the White, by Joanna Grochowicz: The harrowing true story of Robert Falcom Scott and his ill-fated expedition to Antarctica is pure adventure with all the elements of a great epic (Allen & Unwin, RRP $19).
Spellslinger, by Sebastien de Castell: How do you survive a mage’s duel without magic? A brand new YA fantasy series set in a world of sand, danger and magic. Perfect for fans of Star Wars, Rebel of the Sands and Firefly. For ages 12-plus (Hotkey, RRP $25).
Spot the Mistake: Lands of Long Ago, by AJ Wood & Mike Jolley, illustrated by Frances Castle: Would an Inca warrior have ridden a camel? Would a Viking have listened to his radio? Test your knowledge of history and spot 20 mistakes in every scene from ancient civilisations. For ages 7-10 (QED, RRP $28).
The Bad Guys Episode 5: Intergalactic Gas, by Aaron Blabey: The bad news? The world is ending. The good news? The Bad Guys are back to save it! (Scholastic, RRP $15).
My New Zealand Story: Bastion Point, 507 Days on Takaparawha, by Tania Roxborogh: The story of eviction of the Bastion Point occupiers — all seen through the eyes of a Maori girl previously unaware of race and land issues (Scholastic NZ, RRP $18).