The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
Ever wonder what happens to those Final Girls? After the cops eliminate them as suspects, after the press releases their brace-faced class photos, after the candlelight vigils and moments of silence? For Lynette Tarkington, it’s been a support group. Her, five final girls, a therapist. Close to 20 years. Today’s the last day for the group, but Lynne doesn’t know it yet. It’s also going to be the last day for one of the group. And maybe the final day for all of the final girls, because someone’s been planning a nasty surprise for them for a long time.
Grady Hendrix has written some wonderfully bizarre horror stories, including The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, so I’m very excited to read his newest release.
Release date: 13thJuly
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
Years ago, Matt Haig began writing notes to his future self. These notes were meant as gifts: offerings of hope to help himself through anything from the darkest periods of his life to a not-so-great day. As time went on, he added new thoughts and stories, and he turned them into The Comfort Bookso that everyone could draw on this well of reassurance and encouragement.
I have a love/hate relationship with Matt Haig’s work. While his fiction is, well, sometimes just a little too twee, I love his non-fiction writing. So I’m very excited about The Comfort Book, which will hopefully be a beacon of hope for all who need it.
Release date: 6thJuly
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
In a famine-stricken village on a dusty plain, a seer shows two children their fates. For a family’s eighth-born son, there’s greatness. For the second daughter, nothing. In 1345, China lies restless under harsh Mongol rule. And when a bandit raid wipes out their home, the two children must somehow survive. The girl resolves to overcome her destiny. So she takes her dead brother’s identity and begins her journey. Can Zhu escape what’s written in the stars, as rebellion sweeps the land? Can she claim her brother’s greatness – and rise as high as she can dream?
This is the first book in a new epic fantasy series, reimagining the rise to power of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor.
Release date: 22ndJuly
How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
Meet Grace Bernard. Daughter, sister, colleague, friend, serial killer. Grace has lost everything. And now she wants revenge.
Already considered one of the best books of 2021, this dark new novel explores class, family, love and murder.
Release date: 22ndJuly
Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda
Welcome to Hollow’s Edge – a picture perfect neighbourhood where everyone has each other’s backs. At least, that’s how it used to be, until the night Brandon and Fiona Truett were found dead. Two years ago, branded a thief and sociopath by her friends and neighbours, Ruby Fletcher was convicted of murdering the Truetts. Now, freed by mistrial, Ruby has returned to Hollow’s Edge. As Ruby’s return sends shockwaves through the community, terrified residents turn on each other, and it soon becomes clear that not everyone was honest about the night the Truetts died.
New York Times bestselling author Miranda returns with another fast-paced, unnerving thriller.
Release date: 15thJuly
Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come – for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future. On the mystical island of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends. When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.
This latest book from New York Times bestselling author Sebastian is a bold reimagining of a classic English legend.
Release date: 20thJuly
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest – and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed, her past and present come together in a shocking collision.
From the New York Times bestselling author, this coming-of-age story set during World War II promises to be both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
Release date: 6thJuly
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
At home full-time with her two-year-old son, an artist finds she is struggling. She is lonely and exhausted. She had imagined – what was it she had imagined? Her husband, always travelling for work, calls her from faraway hotel rooms. One more toddler bedtime, and she fears she might lose her mind. Instead, quite suddenly, she starts gaining things, surprising things that happen one night when her child will not sleep. Sharper canines. Strange new patches of hair. New appetites, new instincts. And from deep within herself, a new voice.
An unnerving new story about contemporary womanhood, this slim 250-page book also has a sharp sense of humour.
Release date: 22ndJuly
Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey
Thora and Santi have met before – under the clocktower in central Cologne, with nothing but the stars above and their futures ahead. They don’t know it yet, but they’ll meet again. In numerous lives, they will become friends, colleagues, lovers, enemies – meeting over and over for the first time, every time. As they’re endlessly drawn together and the lines between their different lives begin to blur, they are faced with one question: why?
A story of love and connection, this book is recommended for fans of Stuart Turton, Claire North and Audrey Niffenegger.
Release date: 8thJuly
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin
Meet Gilda. She cannot stop thinking about death. Desperate for relief from her anxious mind and alienated from her repressive family, she responds to a flyer for free therapy at a local church and finds herself abruptly hired to replace the deceased receptionist, Grace. It’s not the most obvious job – she’s queer and an atheist for starters – and so in between trying to learn mass, hiding her new maybe-girlfriend, and conducting an amateur investigation into Grace’s death, Gilda must avoid revealing the truth of her mortifying existence.
Described as ‘the perfect blend of macabre and funny’ by Buzzfeed, this highly-anticipated novel has already received rave reviews for its warmth and deadpan humour.
Release date: 8thJuly
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