Preston & Child – Fever Dream (Orion £7.99) *****

Special Agent Pendergast has finally decided to clear his dead wife’s possessions, but in doing so, he discovers that her death was murder, not an accident. Aided by Lieutenant D’Agosta, he sets off to uncover the mystery of her death, but the truth lies hidden far in the past and Pendergast realises he did not know his wife at all. Set in modern-day Louisiana, this book has a feel of 19th-century gentility, the Deep South background adding to the atmosphere. Pendergast is a swashbuckling charmer you would not want to cross. Fabulous read – watch out for the parrots!

Hazel Wright, retired Wibsey

John Harding – Florence And Giles (Blue Door, £7.99) *****

Florence and Giles are two orphan children supported by an absent uncle and cared for by servants. Florence loves her young brother and hates the intrusion of the governesses employed to educate only him. Florence teaches herself to read and learns four other languages – the girl is a genius. There is shocking accident and the governess drowns, but Florence is suspicious that her replacement will kidnap her brother. She has no-one to turn to for help and starts her own investigations. This an unusual tale and a real cliff-hanger.

Betty Williams, 81, retired, Bradford