Mark Haddon, Alison Weir and Katherine Webb all have new books out in May 2019

The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

London, 1850. The greatest spectacle the city has ever seen is being built in Hyde Park, and among the crowds two people meet. For Iris, an aspiring artist, it is the encounter of a moment – forgotten seconds later. But for Silas, a collector entranced by the strange and beautiful, that meeting marks a new beginning. When Iris is asked to model for pre-Raphaelite artist Louis Frost, she agrees on the condition that he will also teach her to paint. Suddenly her world begins to expand. But Silas has thought only of one thing since their meeting, and his obsession is darkening.

This debut novel is one of the most anticipated books of 2019 and promises to explore themes of love, art and obsession with a feminist twist.

Release date: 2nd May

The Furies by Katie Lowe

After an accident involving her dad and sister, Violet joins Elm Hollow Academy, a private girls’ school in a quiet coastal town, which has an unpleasant history as the site of famous 17th century witch trials. Violet quickly finds herself invited to become the fourth member of an advanced study group, alongside Robin, Grace and Alex – led by their charismatic art teacher, Annabel. While Annabel claims her classes aren’t related to ancient rituals, the girls start to believe that magic is real, and that they can harness it. But when a former member of the society is found dead on campus, Violet begins to wonder who she can trust.

This is another highly anticipated debut for 2019, and continues the trend for stories focused on twisted female friendship.

Release date: 2nd May

The Farm by Joanne Ramos

Golden Oaks Farm is poised to become the next big thing in the fertility economy. There, the progeny of the uber-wealthy start their lives in utero with the best of everything: balanced diets of organic food, curated playlists, and healthy wombs in which to gestate. Their Hosts, as the surrogates are called, offer nine-month leases on their bodies in exchange for money. Jane, a young Filipina immigrant, takes a job as a Host in the wake of a failed marriage. She is assigned to room with Reagan, a privileged college graduate looking for meaning in her life. Though they have enlisted with good intentions, the nine months of pregnancy can be a long, fraught time.

Another highly anticipated release, Marie Claire has said The Farm is ‘The Handmaid’s Tale of 2019’ while author Madeline Miller has called it ‘a firecracker of a novel’.

Release date: 7th May

The Anarchists’ Club by Alex Reeve

It’s been a year since Leo Stanhope lost the woman he loved, and came close to losing his own life. Now, more than ever, he is determined to keep his head down. But Leo’s hopes for peace are shattered when the police unexpectedly arrive at his lodgings: a woman has been found murdered at a club for anarchists, and Leo’s address is in her purse. When Leo is taken to the club by the police, he is shocked to discover there a man from his past, a man who knows Leo’s true identity. And if Leo does not provide him with an alibi for the night of the murder, he is going to share this information with the authorities.

The second book in a historical crime series, Alex Reeve’s new book follows on from The House on Half Moon Street, one of my favourite books of 2018, and promises more gripping adventure in Victorian London.

Release date: 2nd May

The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames

Everybody in the Fortuna family knows the story of how Stella, once the most beautiful girl in the Italian village of Ievoli, has escaped death time and time again. From her childhood in Italy, to her adulthood in America, death has seemed to pursue Stella. She has been burned, eviscerated and bludgeoned; she has choked, nearly fallen out of a window, and on one occasion her life was only saved by a typo. No woman survives seven or eight deaths without a reason. So, how did she? In a tale which spans nine decades, two continents, and one family’s deepest-buried truths, the answer awaits.

This sweeping story examines family, immigration and love. Author Mick Herron has said it ‘sits the reader down at a well-laden table, and offers a hugely satisfying feast’.

Release date: 7th May

Waisted by Randy Susan Meyers

Located in a remote Vermont mansion, Waisted promises fast, dramatic weight loss, and hard-working mothers Alice and Daphne, and five other women, are desperate enough to leave behind their families for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The catch? They must agree to always be on camera; afterwards, the world will see Waisted: The Documentary. The women soon discover that the filmmakers have trapped them in a cruel experiment. With each pound lost, they edge deeper into obsession and instability – until they decide to take matters into their own hands.

This story of a group of women discovering self-love and sisterhood as they enact revenge against exploitative filmmakers sounds incredibly entertaining and empowering.

Release date: 21st May

The Disappearance by Katherine Webb

When Frances’ best friend Bronwyn disappeared over 20 years ago, her body was never found. The mystery over what happened has cast a shadow over Frances’ life ever since. Now, it’s 1942 and bombs are raining down on Bath. In the chaos a little boy – Davy Noyle – goes missing. Frances was meant to be looking after him and she is tortured by guilt at his disappearance. As quiet falls and the dust settles, a body is disturbed from its hiding place.

Katherine Webb writes fantastic historical fiction novels with intricate plots and vivid settings, so my hopes are high for her latest book.

Release date: 16th May

The Porpoise by Mark Haddon

A newborn baby is the sole survivor of a plane crash. She is raised in wealthy isolation by an overprotective father. She knows nothing of the rumours about a beautiful young woman, hidden from the world. When a suitor visits, he understands far more than he should. Forced to run for his life, he escapes aboard The Porpoise, with an assassin on his tail.

This unusual new novel from the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is an adventure story that leaps from the modern era to ancient times, and features pirates, princesses and ghosts.

Release date: 9th May

Anna of Kleve by Alison Weir

The King is in love with Anna’s portrait, but she has none of the accomplishments he seeks in a new bride. She prays she will please Henry, for the balance of power in Europe rests on this marriage alliance. But Anna’s past is never far from her thoughts, and the rumours rife at court could be her downfall. Everyone knows the King won’t stand for a problem queen.

Alison Weir’s Six Tudor Queens series continues with the story of Henry VIII’s much-maligned fourth wife.

Release date: 2nd May

Not Bad People by Brandy Scott

It’s New Year’s Eve. Three thirty-something women – Aimee, Melinda and Lou – best friends for decades, let off sky lanterns filled with resolutions: for meaning, for freedom, for money. As the glowing paper bags float away, there’s a bright flare in the distance. It could be a sign of luck – or the start of a nightmare that will upend their friendships, families and careers. The day after their ceremony, the newspaper report a plane crash – two victims pulled from the wreckage. Were they responsible? Aimee thinks they are, Melinda won’t accept it, and Lou has problems of her own.

Brandy Scott’s debut novel examines what happens when a tragedy forces a close group of friends to confront buried resentments and dark secrets.

Release date: 14th May