August Authors: Four Books to Read on the Beach this Summer

A mixture of comedy, politics and thriller to keep you intrigued and engaged, this month.

The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer

Gary Thorn is struggling with a big decision. Should he stay in London, wallowing in the safety of his legal job in Peckham and eating pies with his next door neighbour, Grace and her dog Lassoo, or should he move to Brighton, where his girlfriend Emily is about to open The Hotel Avocado? Either way, he’d be letting someone down. Yet the arrival of the mysterious Mr Sequence puts Gary in an even worse predicament: soon he might be dead. The sparkling sequel to Mortimer’s bestselling The Satsuma Complex fizzes with off-the-wall humour and mystery.

Published by Simon & Schuster on August 29th

Safe Enough: And Other Stories by Lee Child

From the mega-selling author of the Jack Reacher series comes an exhilarating collection of short stories featuring bodyguards, hitmen, gangsters and more, all collected for the first time in one edition, complete with an introduction from the author. A drug-dealing hitman unburdens his fears to a stranger. An overlooked rookie cop is assigned to the department’s fi le room. A ruthless killer only kills bad guys. A methodical bodyguard quits his job when he’s outsmarted. A military mission is planned to perfection…Each story is entirely distinct, and could only have been written by the creator ofJack Reacher.

Published by Transworld on August 20th

Precipice by Robert Harris

A masterclass in page-turning historical fiction from the bestselling author of Fatherland and Act of Oblivion, Precipice imagines the British Prime Minister on the verge of leading the nation into war, and the secret love affair which could have world-changing implications. It all occurs across the summer of 1914, with the world on the brink of catastrophe. In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley – aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, HH Asquith, a man more than twice her age. A young intelligence offi cer is assigned to investigate a leak of top-secret documents – and what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security.

Published by Cornerstone on August 29th

Alastair Campbell Talks Politics by Alastair Campbell

Legendary Westminster adviser and podcast host Alastair Campbell shares incredible knowledge, dynamic passion, and a brand of charisma that some modern politicians would do well to weave into their armoury, in a book that looks to empower young people and give them the skills and confi dence they need to understand how the country is run. For young people interested in politics, this book, bursting with Q&As, quizzes, tips, challenges and interviews, is a must-have.

Published by HarperCollins on August 29th