Books

Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey (Image: Nick Wall / ITV)The outpouring of affection for Dame Maggie Smith following her passing at the age of 89 last year surprised absolutely no one. Claims of national treasurehood from the likes of King Charles and the Prime Minister, however, might have caused the Grand Dame herself to arch one of those famous eyebrows, according to her son.“She was incredible but she never really coveted fame,” explains actor Toby Stephens thoughtfully. “I don’t think she saw herself in that light at all. She certainly never took it for granted or sought it out – really it was just her work.”A star of stage and screen for an extraordinary seven decades, Dame Maggie’s death robbed us of one of our most singular talents. Having made her name in th...

December is here, meaning there’s just a matter of weeks to go before Christmas arrives. The run-up to the big day is an exciting time for book lovers, with festive reads lining the shelves across bookshops all month.Whether you’re looking for something to help get you into the festive spirit, or something that reads just like your favourite romcom, there’s a festive book for everyone. Here are just some of the best new books for Christmas 2025. For more book news and recommendations, subscribe to The Bookish Drop, our free weekly newsletter on Substack.Chef’s Kiss at the Chalet by Sookie SnowWhen Elle lands a spot at London’s most prestigious culinary school, it finally feels like she might just achieve her dreams… if only she could raise the money needed for her tuition.Luckily a last...

Mr Mercedes has landed on Netflix, and many are diving into the captivating crime thriller series, following binge-watches of ITV's Des with David Tennant, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and most recently, The Beast in Me. Mr Mercedes originally premiered on the Audience network back in 2017, reports the Mirror.The programme is an adaptation of renowned horror writer Stephen King's best-selling detective novel trilogy: Mr. Mercedes (2014), Finders Keepers (2015), and End of Watch (2016). This series is the brainchild of seasoned American TV writer and producer David E. Kelley, who also brought us Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal, Goliath, and Chicago Hope.Mr Mercedes boasts a stellar cast including Irish acting icon Brendan Gleeson, Harry Treadaway from The Crown, Holland Taylor of The Practic...

A cherished crime drama that's drawn comparisons to HBO's The Sopranos is set to return imminently to Sky, though with a dramatically altered appearance, reports the Mirror.The gripping series, adapted from an internationally acclaimed novel, debuted in 2014 and spanned five seasons before concluding in 2019.Viewers have previously celebrated the programme on IMDb, with one fan penning in their 10/10 review: "In my opinion this is an absolutely brilliant TV-series. In the beginning you get to know the characters and the Mafia business in general, but as the series develop you get a deeper insight into all the personalities, their psychology, the choices that they make and how/why their actions lead to all kinds of different sequences of events that are tragic, sad, action packed, exciti...

December is full of exciting new releases for book lovers (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more With December here, the countdown to Christmas is now well and truly underway. It’s an especially exciting time of year for book lovers, with plenty of festive books doing the rounds in addition to the usual fiction, romance, sci-fi, thriller and fantasy releases. Whether you’re looking for your next favourite read, or a book to gift to a loved one, here are some of the best books to look out for in December. The list includes anticipated releases from well-known authors, as well as some hidden gems and debut novels well worth picking up. For more book news and recommendations, subscribe to The Bookish D...

One of Jane Austen's novels is creating a stir amongst period literature fans, and it is not Pride and Prejudice.Emma, the English author's last published novel before her death, is set in the fictional Surrey village of Highbury and the surrounding estates of Hartfield, Randalls, and Donwell Abbey. It is centred on the relationships among people from a small number of families. Similar to her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian–Regency England. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote: "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like."The book's blurb reads: "Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however...

The best book of all time is up for debate, and if you love classic novels, you'll likely have heard of this one. A novel by Jane Austen has been hailed by fans as a "masterpiece". The last completed novel of Austen's, Persuasion, is the pick of readers over on Reddit.The book's synopsis states: "Jane Austen's final novel, Persuasion, is the story of Anne Elliot, a woman in her late twenties who, eight years earlier, was persuaded to break off her engagement to the less-wealthy naval Captain Frederick Wentworth. When they meet again, Anne must navigate her lingering feelings, societal pressures, and a rival suitor for a second chance at love, in a tale described as Austen's most moving and a masterpiece of missed opportunities and romance."Under the thread titled "In your opinion, what’...

With the weather growing ever chillier and the supermarkets filling up with all things Christmas, there's no better time to get into the festive spirit. Putting your tree up, eating some pigs in blankets and visiting a Christmas market are all great ways to ease yourself into December.If you're a book lover, you might also fancy reading a wintery romance novel to help get you in the Christmas mood. Luckily, author Chloe Ford has shared her top reading recommendations for the festive period. She said: "Looking for something to get you in the festive, wintery mood? Here is a list of ten books I recommend which promise to have you swooning, laughing and most importantly, feeling merry! So grab a hot beverage of choice, curl up in a warm blanket and get started on these wonderful wintery re...

True crime is a genre that many people dive deep into, but what most don't know is where the genre began. There is one novel that has been described as being one of the pioneers of true crime in books, and fans are saying it is the "best true crime novel".In a Reddit thread titled "Looking for the best true crime books…", several users commented that Truman Capote's novel In Cold Blood should take the crown.It was also highlighted in Goodreads' listing of "Best True Crime", taking the number one spot.Capote's In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel first published in 1966. It recounts details of the 1959 Clutter family murders in the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. Upon learning of the quadruple murder, Capote travelled to Kansas to write about the crime, prior to the killers b...

There are thousands of detective books out there, and many have gone on to become massive hits with readers. A number of them have even been turned into television shows. But there’s one series in particular that fans simply cannot stop talking about. It’s been called a “masterpiece” and “one of the best shows ever created”, and it’s all thanks to the gripping book it was based on.One reader wrote: “I watched the TV series first and was apprehensive about reading the book. I'm very happy I did because it turns out it's the best detective book ever written.” Another review said: “I have wanted to read this book forever. And I'm so glad that I finally did. I first loved the TV show, so it was great to read what started it all.”A third added: “I binge watched the show on Netflix a couple y...