I read eight books in May, continuing the trend of my reading slightly fewer books than usual. (I blame the lure/demands of my garden!) Below are my five favourites. Links from each title will take you to my review. You can find a list of all the books I’ve read so far in 2023 here. If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.
My thanks to Lightning Books, Canongate, Michael Joseph and Verve for providing me with review copies including via NetGalley.
The Warlow Experiment by Alix Nathan (Serpent’s Tail) – A dark, dramatic and compelling historical novel based on a real life case.
Tiny Pieces of Enid by Tim Ewins (Lightning Books) – A tender, emotional and touching story. As Frances Quinn says on the back cover of the book, ‘If it doesn’t make you cry more than once, I don’t know what’s wrong with you’.
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (Canongate) – An intimate and nuanced portrait of the complications and consequences of relationships that must remain clandestine set in 1920s Penang.
The Scarlet Papers by Matthew Richardson (Michael Joseph) – A brilliantly compelling espionage thriller for fans of the novels of John le Carré.
Sister of Mine by Laurie Petrou (Verve) – A book with an element of mystery and some skilful misdirections but also a deft, perceptive and completely compelling exploration of sibling relationships.
What were your favourite books last month? Have you read any of my picks?
What Cathy Read Next... 
I read 18 books in May. My favourites were Identity by Nora Roberts, The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear, Ghostly Game by Christine Feehan and Atlas by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker which was a fabulous finalè to the series.
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Wow, 18 is going some! I have The White Lady on my wishlist as I love the author’s Maisie Dobbs series.
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House of Doors and Sister of Mine are on my TBR list.
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I loved House of Doors. Tipping it to be on the longlist for a literary prize at some point
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