At the centre of The Rule of Four are four Princeton University roommates approaching graduation and an ancient text called the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. It’s an extremely rare 15th-century book written in several languages, full of secrets, puzzles, and clues that are supposed to lead to a treasure buried in a vault in Rome.
Described as “The Da Vinci Code for people with brains”, it was pretty slow to begin with and far less exciting. However, it picked up pace as it went along and is a thinking person’s thriller of the highest order.
Verdict: If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code you could do worse for the beach
Price: £6.99
Will They Ever Trust Us Again?
Letters From The War Zone
By Michael Moore
The first thing that has to be said about this book is Michael Moore did not write it, so those die-hard Republicans who find Moore’s methods and presentation less than objective have no excuse for ignoring this one.
Second, the book is an absorbing collection of letters from US troops stationed in Iraq and the rest of the world, as well as veterans and families back home: a US intelligence officer lists the failures of reconstruction, a teacher puts a face on death, medical staff reveal truths, teenage soldiers ask why.
Verdict: If you want to hear from the horse’s mouth what’s going on in Iraq, this is the book to read
Price: £10.99
Trace
By Patricia Cornwell
Five years after being sacked as Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Kay Scarpetta is back. She discovers trace evidence that shows a girl’s death was murder. She also reveals that the killer is after those nearest and dearest to her. As with all Scarpetta novels, Trace is a bit grim, with scenes and plot lines reminiscent of previous books in the series. It also lacks the punch of earlier titles, but races to a somewhat abrupt climax.
Verdict: Only for serious Scarpetta fans who will be glad to know that Scarpetta makes another return in October with the release of Predator
Price: £6.99
Handbags and Gladrags
By Maggie Alderson
Emily Pointer seems to have the perfect life (and indeed does) – rich husband, challenging and enjoyable job – until she sleeps with an Australian photographer, at which point her life unravels (through no fault of the photographer) until it reaches a thrilling climax in Tunisia. Handbags and Gladrags is an easy read by a woman was formerly a fashion editor on a glossy mag, lots of insights into which we are offered throughout the book. Not terribly PC remarks about Cyprus and me, me, me attitude of the main character aside, this is quite a likeable book.
Verdict: Switch off the mind and let the beach and the book take over
Price: £6.99
The Hornbeam Tree
By Susan Lewis
This book has it all! An explosive combination of gripping political thriller, offering an insight into the high-powered world of investigative journalism, lots of raunchy sex, and an exploration of the tempestuous relationship between a mother and her rebellious teenage daughter unwilling to face the stark truth about her mother’s illness. By turn thrilling, funny, moving and erotic this book is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your sunbed.
Verdict: a perfect summer read!
Price: £6.99
Secrets of the Code
Edited by Dan Burstein
Once in a while a book comes along that necessitates that one drag the old cliches from the cupboard and air them liberally in front of sceptical friends: rip-roaring, page-turner, couldn’t put it down were all phrases I used to describe Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.
In Secrets Of The Code, Dan Burstein has distilled the wisdom of the experts and produced the most comprehensive dissection of Brown’s magnum opus to date. Fact, fiction and speculation are all sifted and weighed in this admirable tome.
Verdicy: A little heavy going in places, but overall a worthy beach read for those trying to get Brown.
Price: £6.99
Tears of the Giraffe
By Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith tells quiet tales imbued with all the power and majesty of the African continent. Tears of the Giraffe follows the life of Madam Precious Ramotswe, the “traditionally built” founder of Botswana’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. In the second book in this delightfully refreshing series, Smith charts Mma Ramotsewe’s latest case: the disappearance of a young American on the edge of the Kalahari. Packed with Mma Ramotswe’s particular brand of common sense, in which the good get to heaven and the bad “are sent to some terrible place – perhaps a bit like Nigeria”.
Verdict: this is the best book you will read all year
Price: £6.99
