The Soulmate, by Sally Hepworth

Gabe and Pippa and their two small girls live near a cliff that has become a suicide spot, a couple of hours out of Melbourne. In the few years they have lived there Gabe has become a life-saver, specialising in talking people down from the edge. When a woman goes over while Gabe is talking to her, the shock and distress triggers an unravelling of secrets and a murky history that threatens to lead to more deaths. The story alternates between the points of view of Pippa and Amanda, the dead woman, in short sharp chapters that detail their marriages and what happened before and after the fateful day. Pippa makes an interesting narrator, so in love with her husband she is blind to his faults – despite bitter experience. Amanda as an omniscient ghost is an odd device that doesn’t quite work. There are plot holes and a sloppiness of detail that detract from the story, which is far-fetched in the extreme. The style and tone is reminiscent of Liane Moriarty's books, featuring women who stand by their men against all comers, until they don’t.

I Am Not Fine Thanks, by Wil Anderson

Essentially a memoir of the COVID years, the self-deprecating comedian gives lots of personal insight, but little personal detail about how he got through them and how he is travelling. The intended audience must be fans of Wil’s stand-up or TV shows, who don’t know that much about him. Those who listen to any of his many podcasts will have heard most of the stories before and the repetitive style is more entertaining spoken than written on the page – possibly a recommendation for the audiobook version. Very short chapters and simple language make it suitable for those with a low reading age. The humour is often dry and acerbic, sometimes silly, always entertaining. The tone and the politics are reminiscent of the First Dog on the Moon cartoon, only with all words and no pictures. The last few chapters verge on polemic, which can get a bit much even if you agree with every word.

Unnecessary Drama, by Nina Kenwood

Starting university, Brooke has moved from the country into a Melbourne share house. Troubled by anxiety and an overwhelming need for control, she hopes to reinvent herself in the big city. This seems unlikely when she realises that one of her new housemates is Jesse, a former friend from her home town who let her down badly. Always the good girl, the responsible one, Brooke needs to relax, get out of her own head and learn how to trust again. The characters don’t quite ring true is this uneven coming-of-age tale. It is mildly amusing and wholly predictable, with the will-they won’t-they tediously adolescent.

Empire of Light (2022), directed by Sam Mendes

In a small town on the south coast of England in 1981, the Empire cinema is past its glory days. Only two of four screens operate and the old bar, restaurant and ballroom have been left to the pigeons. Duty manager Hilary Small lives in a similar state of neglect with neither friends nor family and a problematic relationship with the old school cinema manager. New employee Stephen brings light into her life, but also throws it off balance - again. The themes of mental illness and racial and social division in Thatcher’s England sit a little oddly within a sentimental homage to cinema. This makes the film extraordinarily powerful and moving in parts, amid strange little flat patches. Olivia Coleman gives her usual strong performance as the struggling Hilary. She is well matched by Micheal Ward as Stephen and ably supported by Colin Firth and Toby Jones. The cinematography is superb and the soundtrack is killer. The essential message of the vital importance of kindness manages to shine through what is overall an uneven film.

The Bullet that Missed, by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club has decided to look into the 2013 disappearance of Bethany Waite, an investigative journalist deemed murdered, although her body has never been found. At the same time former spy Elizabeth faces a deadly threat dredged up by her past that also puts her friends at risk. Once again it will take all the ingenuity of the fabulously ageing four, as well as allies old and new, to stay alive and solve the mystery – or do they? The short chapters and fast pace make this series an easy read, but there is no lack of depth to the characters. Several love stories enliven this third book, not least the poignant tale of the decline of Elizabeth’s beloved husband. The plot keeps twisting and turning to the end, requiring considerable suspension of disbelief, and it is all very entertaining. Roll on book four.

Amongst Our Weapons, by Ben Aaronovitch

Back in the Folly after his undercover adventures, Detective Constable Peter Grant has a new trainee in the Special Assessment Unit. Two mysterious murders lead the team of magical investigators in search of a set of platinum puzzle rings. Peter has to leave his beloved London for Manchester to repair relationships with magical engineers the Sons of Wayland. The Folly needs allies to combat a malign medieval spirit inadvertently released by erstwhile colleague Lesley May, while she was pursuing the rings. Meanwhile his other beloved, river goddess Beverley Brook, is about to give birth to twins, which will change their lives forever. The key to this mystery is to expect the unexpected and the same goes for Peter’s future in the police force. This novel was published in 2022, which means it may be a while to wait for any further adventures of Peter Grant, his family and friends. Hopefully not too long.

My Year of Dicks (2022), directed by Sara Gunnarsdottir

Based on a book by Pamela Ribon, this short animated film has been nominated for an Oscar. Told in five chapters, it is the story of 15-year-old Pam’s misguided bid to lose her virginity and the complete dicks she encounters along the way. The chapters are punctuated with old video footage of Pamela talking to camera, which is sometimes illuminating and a bit distracting from the main event. The 25 minute film is sweet and funny and very relatable. It is available to view free online at myyearofdicks.com Because everybody has one, apparently.