5 new books to read this week

If reading more is one of your 2025 resolutions, kickstart your journey with some of these new releases…

Fiction

1. The Players by Minette Walters is published in hardback by Allen & Unwin, priced £20 (ebook £7.99). Available January 2

Learning who to trust is a perilous life lesson for The Players in Minette Walters’ latest historical novel. Set in 1685 and the reign of James II, there is rebellion, unrest and betrayal in the air. The country is already scarred by civil war and the new Catholic monarch looks set to deepen the social divide with an impoverished Protestant population. Waiting in the wings to claim the throne is the Protestant Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate son of James’ popular predecessor Charles II. In Dorset, this game of kings comes crashing down and threatens a bloodbath, as the only punishment for high treason is death. The stakes could not be higher. Walters can always be relied on to spin a gripping yarn, and The Players brings a ray of light to this dark chapter in British history.

8/10

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2. A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay is published in hardback by Wildfire, priced £16.99 (ebook £7.99). Available January 14

Fun, sexy and readable novels about likeable serial killers are all the rage (see: Bella Mackie and Oyinkan Braithwaite), and while Asia Mackay might not be adding a huge amount to the genre, A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage certainly is a whole lot of fun. It follows Haze and Fox – a glamorous, gorgeous and rich couple who gallivant around Europe, killing bad men for sport. That is, until Haze got pregnant and Fox made them give up their illegal recreational activities and move to the countryside to raise their daughter Bibi in some kind of normality. But, of course, a couple like this can’t really stick to ‘normal’ for long. Flicking between Haze and Fox’s perspectives, the characters are well drawn and the plot races on at lightening speed, making you eager to turn every page.

8/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

3. Havoc by Christopher Bollen is published in hardback by The Borough Press, priced £16.99 (ebook £8.99). Available January 2

It’s somewhat unusual to read a book set during the pandemic – you get the feeling most authors would prefer to pretend it didn’t happen. So Havoc is something of an outlier, taking place in a luxurious but rundown hotel in Egypt, while the virus still grips the world. American octogenarian Maggie has made the hotel her home and is happy there, despite still dealing with the grief of losing her husband. But she has a bit of a side project – breaking up fellow guests who she thinks are in unhappy relationships. When she’s discovered by a 10-year-old boy, she falls into a bitter and destructive rivalry with him. While cleverly crafted to read like a thriller, the central premise – an 81-year-old fighting with a 10-year-old – is a bit uncomfortable, and not necessarily in a way that’s enjoyable to read. The characters are well written, but ultimately Maggie feels a bit too nasty and pathetic, which can be wearing as she’s the narrator.

6/10

(Review by Lily Rose)

Non-fiction

4. Unprocess Your Diet In 30 Days by Johannes Cullberg is published by Piatkus, priced £16.99 (ebook £9.99). Available January 16

Johannes Cullberg’s Unprocess Your Diet In 30 Days is a refreshing take on reclaiming your health from the clutches of ultra-processed food. The term ‘UPF’ has become somewhat of a buzzword as of late, fearmongering people and demonising certain food groups, causing worry about what we should actually be eating. Yet Cullberg’s non-confrontational and conversational approach takes you through a joyous 30-day journey to rediscover the delights of real, whole foods. What sets this book apart is its blend of personal anecdotes and science-based, practical advice. Cullberg doesn’t just tell you what not to eat, he explains why our brains crave certain processed foods and how the food industry exploits this. From understanding industry classifications to tackling cravings, this book isn’t about quick fixes but making sustainable life changes. It’s a great read for anyone wanting to unprocess their life in 2025.

8/10

(Review by Lara Owen)

Children’s book of the week

5. King Winter’s Birthday by Jonathan Freedland, illustrated by Emily Sutton, is published in hardback by Pushkin Children’s Books, priced £12.99 (no ebook). Available now

This enchanting story, brought to life with vibrant illustrations, is a journey through the beauty of the four seasons and the wisdom of letting go. The tale follows King Winter, who, eager for a memorable birthday, decides to invite his siblings – Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn to celebrate with him, despite the warnings of the leaves and trees. The siblings enjoy their time together, but soon the merging of all seasons creates chaos in the natural world. This beautifully illustrated book gently conveys the bittersweet message that sometimes, to protect what we love, we must learn to let go, but the memories we create can bring comfort and joy. A delightful read for children, brimming with heart and a touch of seasonal magic.

8/10

(Review by Joanne Brennan)