The Decameron (Netflix)

In plague-ridden mediaeval Italy a group of nobles and their downtrodden servants assemble in a country villa to try to stay safe from the illness. Scheming and seduction, murder and mayhem ensue as a power struggle unfolds and alliances form and shift. External threats from violent marauders put everyone’s lives at risk, along with the ever-present, lurking plague. Can they work together to keep themselves safe? Probably not. Based on a contemporary set of short stories, this 8-part series is colourful and wickedly funny - The Canterbury Tales meets Agatha Christie, but perhaps drags on a bit long. The soft pedal ending sits oddly against the earlier action and violence but pays a nice tribute to the original text.

The Hollow Boy, by Jonathan Stroud

Successful psychic investigations mean Lockwood & Co are overwhelmed with cases dealing with recalcitrant ghostly phenomena. This is exacerbated by a huge outbreak in Chelsea soaking up the resources of the major agencies. Taking on efficient Holly Munro as admin manager makes work go more smoothly, but she is the diametric opposite of Lucy and the two girls clash. Lucy’s particular psychic sensitivities are also causing her problems, creating dangerous distractions in the field as they develop. This third book of the series sees the Lockwood team navigating its own internal friction and dealing with the broader politics and economics of the ghost fighting industry and its shifting alliances while struggling for a secure place within it. The tricky relationship between Lucy and Anthony Lockwood puts the whole team at risk, leading to a big decision for Lucy that will dramatically affect the future of the agency. Smart, funny and scary, Stroud’s Lockwood & Co series operates on several levels. Each fast-paced teen mystery is underpinned by a complex world and punctuated with clues to an overarching conspiracy that promises a satisfying eventual conclusion.

Beach Read, by Emily Henry

Successful romance writer January Andrews is struggling to even start her latest novel. This is not surprising as she is reeling from her father’s untimely death, discovery of his infidelity to her cancer stricken mother and the break-up of her long term relationship. January is trying to work while preparing for sale the house on the shores of Lake Michigan that her father left her. Finding her college nemesis, hardened cynic Gus, lives next door sparks a writing challenge – they will each dip in to each other’s genre and see who is more successful. The ensuing friendship, lust and misunderstanding is textbook rather than beach read, with some ludicrous dialogue amid the occasional welcome laughs. While January’s challenges are interesting, most of the characters are one dimensional, including Gus, with too many exercises in diversity box-ticking. Their romance is just not credible, with tortuous twists, tedious turns and mystifying motivations.

A Prayer for the Crown Shy, by Becky Chambers

A sequel to A Psalm for the Wild-Built, this monk and robot book sees Sibling Dex and Mosscap leave the wilderness and start their journey to the city. There are many stops along the way, including a visit to Dex’s family, so the robot can interact with people and ask its prime question – what do humans need? The answers are sometimes confounding for the robot and cause it to question itself and its purpose. Meanwhile Dex also finds themself with questions about their purpose and their future, which may derail the odd pair’s journey. Becky Chambers celebrates the wonders of nature and the best aspects of the human spirit in these gently philosophical stories. Poetic, beautiful and essentially optimistic, they offer a spark of light and hope in a world that currently feels very dark and disappointing.

Tilda is Visible, by Jane Tara

A divorced mother of grown-up twin girls, Tilda Finch runs a successful business and has great friends. So why has her body started disappearing? Diagnosed with invisibility, Tilda finds she is part of a growing cohort of women across the world who are disappearing from view. Although it is a recognised medical condition there is little research into the problem and much dispute about whether or how it can be treated. Tilda will have to dig into her past and confront her inner demons to fight for visibility. It’s an interesting idea (if not original) to take a metaphorical issue that affects many women over 40 and make it a physical reality. But unfortunately this confused and uneven mish-mash of a story is a self-help manual, thinly disguised as a novel. It’s all about perception and meditation and overcoming childhood trauma and self-belief, apparently. Tilda addresses her issues, follows her dreams and dates a man who actually cannot see to regain her visibility. If only it was actually so easy.

The Seven Husbands of Eleanor Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Former film goddess Eleanor Hugo has decided it is time to tell the story of her life and extraordinary career, which started in the 1950s, after many years of silence. She has selected rising magazine journalist Monique Grant to write her juicy biography. Most of Eleanor’s many marriages were a means to an end – escape from childhood poverty and violence; covering up a scandal; a good career move - as she navigated the tricky, patriarchal and controlling Hollywood studio system. None of her seven husbands were the love of her life. Monique is navigating her own marriage breakdown and has much to learn from Evelyn about life, love and career advancement. But why is she the chosen one? Evelyn Hugo is a fascinating character, with admirable and despicable qualities. Most of the book is her first person account of her life and career, which makes Monique seem a cipher, peripheral to the tale. The story runs out of steam by the sixth husband and races to a conclusion with a twist that explains Monique’s role, but is unconvincing. It’s an entertaining read with some valid points about secrecy and stardom.

All Systems Red, by Martha Wells

A small research exploration team on a remote, uninhabited planet runs into trouble, but is it malfunction or sabotage? The Company they are contracted to has supplied the cheapest and shoddiest equipment; does this include the cyborg security unit charged with keeping them safe? This particular SecUnit calls itself Murderbot. It has a chequered past, a shy nature, an addiction to TV drama serials and a dangerous secret. With the team in deadly peril, Murderbot must decide how much of itself to expose to these unusually pleasant humans in order to protect them. In this slim novel Wells creates a world reminiscent of Becky Chambers’ sci fi stories, with diverse, relatable characters and a deep dive into what it means to be human – physically, emotionally and ethically. Murderbot is a fabulous protagonist – individual, complex, talented and flawed, who promises to be something of a space lone ranger. Will there ever be a Tonto? Probably not, but it will be fun finding out.