You may find you have more time on your hands over the next couple of months (thank you, spring bank holidays), so what better time to start making a dent in your reading list? If you require some assistance in finding the perfect book to sink your teeth into, allow us to present our carefully-curated selection of the best fiction and non-fiction tomes hot off the press this month. From chilling thrillers to moving memoirs, here are the best new books coming out in April 2024 to pre-order now.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson
From the author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder comes another irresistibly good thriller following 18-year-old Bel who has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mum’s mysterious disappearance. It was 16 years ago that Rachel Price vanished – and, with two-year-old Bel as the only witness, Rachel was presumed dead. But when the case gets dragged up again when the family agrees to a crime documentary, Rachel suddenly reappears – and life for Bel will never be normal again…
Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda
Another great thriller publishing on 9 April is the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda. The plot centres around Hazel Sharp, daughter of Mirror Lake’s long-time local detective, who unexpectedly inherits her childhood home. Despite trying to resist returning to her hometown, she’s warily drawn back to the place she left behind almost a decade earlier. But when a sudden drought descends on the region and the water level in the lake drops, hidden secrets begin to emerge, including clues that explain the mystery of her mother’s disappearance decades before…
Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne
One of the most intriguing releases this month comes from Patric Gagne, a memoir centred around the slow realisation that her behaviour was becoming sociopathic. Gagne always knew she was different and struggled with the idea of ‘being good’. But as she grew older, petty theft grew into breaking and entering, stalking, and worse. Her erratic behaviour helped her come to the realisation that she was, in fact, a sociopath. In 368 pages, Gagne’s self-examination is powerful, moving and thought-provoking as she unpicks her life and questions whether there will ever be a way for sociopaths to integrate seamlessly into society.
Knife by Salman Rushdie
Speaking out for the first time since the attempted on his life in August 2022, internationally acclaimed author Salman Rushdie – famous for the Satanic Verses and Midnight Children – goes into meticulous detail about the events of his stabbing and long recovery. In 224 pages, published on 16 April, Rushdie intentionally answers violence with art, and highlights that words can slowly heal deep wounds.
The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza
Against a backdrop of serene Sicilian countryside unfolds a family saga which see protagonist Sara handed a murder investigation in order to inherit her great-aunt Rosie’s Italian property. Rosie never believed that her great-great grandmother Serafina died of illness and she wants Sara to prove it. What follows is an investigation that spans Sicily, as Sara learns more about headstrong Serafina, her enemies and who killed her decades before.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Following the Chen family and their disillusionment with the American dream, Rachel Khong’s latest novel, published on 30 April, is a family drama about privilege and identity. Lily Chen is attempting to live in New York City, but despite the glamour of her media job, she can barely make rent. Her scientist parents aren’t in a position to help but imagined so much more for her when they fled Mao’s cultural revolution hoping for a better life. Elsewhere, Lily’s brother Nick is planning to escape their strict mum as he breaks away to college, where he hopes he can finally fit in.
The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby
Set in Harlem in 1969 – against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement – Arthur Mitchell, the first Black principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, establishes the Dance Theatre of Harlem – and what follows is the story of the five women at the heart of this book. Both a group biography and a story, this 352-page book examines racism and activism in the performing arts, as well as the eternal glamour of ballet and the grand opera houses and theatres where it’s staged. But most importantly, this is a remarkable but universal story of female friendship that will resonate across the world.
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