Into the Fire, by Elizabeth Moon

The second novel of the Vatta’s Peace trilogy starts a few weeks after the close of volume one, on the planet of Slotter Key. After an island break, former Admiral Ky Vatta and her fiancé Rafe have made a hurried return to her cousin Stella’s house in the capital. The house has been broken into and there is a heightened security risk. Ky soon discovers that the personnel she rescued in their previous adventure have not been returned to their families as promised, but have disappeared. Not only that, the evidence she turned over to the Slotter Key military has gone missing and her and Rafe’s immigration status is under question. Under attack on many fronts, Ky needs to regain her citizenship, clear her name and, most importantly, find her people and ensure their safety. Along the way she, Stella and their formidable aunt Grace must find out who is behind decades-old plots to take over the planet and eradicate their family. The tension ratchets up as more things go wrong and the obstacles seem insurmountable. Can Ky’s leadership strength and ability to recruit allies kick in to even the odds?

Dog (2022), directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin

Army Ranger veteran Jackson Briggs was invalided out with a brain injury, but is trying to get clearance to get back in. His only possible route is by agreeing to take a 1500km road trip to deliver retired Ranger dog Lulu to the funeral of her handler, his former colleague. The mismatched pair of damaged vets form a bond as they find trouble along the way and Jackson comes to realise has a choice between the well-worn path of self destruction or a difficult way forward to a healthy future. This is Channing Tatum’s film in every way, but he is almost upstaged by the dog. It had the potential to be sentimental, pseudo-patriotic trash, but the film does not shy away from the hard and dirty work they had to do in Afghanistan and the damage it has done to both man and dog. There are lighter moment and laughs, but it is clear on the reluctance of veterans to seek help and their tendency to self-medicate rather than communicate. So many people along the journey tell Jackson to get help, but will the message finally get through? Dog knows.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022), directed by David Yates

There is to be an election for the leader of the magical world and a fantastic beast is required to judge which candidate is pure of heart and worthy of the role. Naturally Newt Scamander has been sent to find the beast and keep it safe, but dark wizard Grindelwald has other ideas. Far from the simple pleasures of the Harry Potter series of books and films, the Fantastic Beasts franchise went dark and complicated very quickly. A populist leader subverting the election process – what possible historical or contemporary correlations could there be? Mads Mikkelson makes a more than satisfactory replacement for Mr Depp as Grindelwald, while Richard Coyle and Callum Scott are welcome additions as the previously undisclosed brothers of Dumbledore and Scamander. But overall this third film is too long, too slow, and too dark; with not enough magical moments to lighten the load. It’s better than the second film, but not as entertaining as the first; it’s a little hard to credit that two more have been planned.

The Maid, by Nita Prose

Molly works in housekeeping at the Grand Regent Hotel, a job she loves and is very good at. She lives in the aprtment where she was raised by her beloved late Gran and it having trouble making the rent. It is soon clear that Molly is on the spectrum; she is smart but has trouble reading social and emotional cues, which often lands her in hot water. When she discovers hotel guest Mr Black dead in his suite Molly conceals information from the police to protect his trophy wife, Giselle, who has befriended her. Prose does a good job of making it clear to the reader that there have been dodgy dealings between Mr Black and some of the hotel staff, while leaving helpful Molly to her delusions. The maid soon finds herself in big trouble, but also finds friends in high and low places who help her out. In her determination to tie up all loose ends Prose leaves some annoying plot holes and time discrepancies. Most are unnecessary to the main story and contribute to a credibility gap for Molly that undermines the morally ambiguous ending. This is ironic, given that the author is also an editor – perhaps she felt she didn’t need the oversight. Big tip – she did.

Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch

PC Peter Grant is guarding a murder scene in London's Covent Garden when he encounters a ghost. This changes the course of his career with the Metropolitan Police and the course of his life. Destined for a paperwork assignment, instead he becomes an apprentice wizard to the mysterious Inspector Nightingale. This puts him at the pointy end of the murder investigation and he has to learn fast how to deal with the supernatural, both benign and malevolent. Aaronovitch seamlessly weaves the history of London with the operations of the Met and the everyday concerns of a young man about town, in a style reminiscent of Neil Gaiman. His wry humour leavens the often gory and brutal action faced by his appealing hero, who has an interesting back story and a fascinating future. The rivers of the tale are the spirits of the city’s waterways, who have their own agenda that could hinder or help Peter’s investigation and career.

Maid (Netflix)

Alex Russell is 25 with a toddler, living in an emotionally abusive relationship that is threatening to turn violent. Her escape is fraught with difficulty, with minimal help from friends and family. Trying to navigate the welfare and legal systems tests her limits, but she tries her hardest to get work and take care of her daughter. It is heartbreaking to see her thwarted at every turn as, after a series of disasters, whenever she catches a break something else goes badly wrong. This is sometimes due to her poor choices, but more often she is let down or undermined by her drunken ex or her unstable mother Paula. This show can be a hard watch but the tale rings absolutely true, no doubt because it is based on the real life story of author Stephanie Land, who is also an executive producer. Margaret Qualley is raw and believable as Alex, her expressive face saying as much as her dialogue. Her real life mother Andie MacDowell plays Paula, an artist who has had a tough life herself but always seems to put her daughter last. Despite her mistakes you cheer for Alex and hope she finally breaks out of her desperate situation.