Platform Decay, by Martha Wells

The latest Murderbot tale sees the trusty SecUnit on yet another rescue mission. Members of Mensah’s family have been kidnapped by the vengeful Barish-Estranza Corporation and the SecUnit must work out if an old enemy could be an ally, while wrangling human children, a grumpy elder and a worried spouse. Add some more rogue SecUnits to the mix and it makes for a tricky extraction exercise, complicated by Murderbot’s new imperative to check in on its emotional state. Fast-paced and wryly funny, Murderbot can always be relied on for an entertaining story. There is a hint that future tales may involve the exponential spread of SecUnits that have been given the tools to overcome their Governor modules. Bring ‘em on.

Practical Magic 2 (2026), directed by Susanne Bier

Owens sisters Sally and Gillian are revisited 20-odd years later, with Sally having locked down her magic and forbidden her two daughters to be told of or trained in their witch legacy. Twice widowed by the ancient family curse, she believes this is the best way to keep Antonia and Kylie safe. But now Kylie has found love and her ignorance of her powers puts her at great risk. Can she find a way to break the curse and save her love? There are some really nice things about this sequel, which celebrates female power and the bond between sisters. It’s great to see Diane Wiest and Stockard Channing back as the wise aunts; Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock effortlessly re-create their sister act; Maisie Williams and Joey King are fine as the new generation, although Williams is not given much to do; and there are some fun nods to the first film, especially with the soundtrack. But the plot is ridiculous and the script is woeful; most of the humour and charm of the original is lost although you can see everyone trying very hard. Star power alone cannot carry a movie and Sandra Bullock playing Miss Congeniality yet again is just not that interesting.

Based on a True Story, by Sarah Vaughan

Renowned children’s author Dame Eleanor Kingman is planning a huge party to celebrate her 70th and at the same time is cooperating with an arts documentary on her life and work. But can she keep the murkier elements of her past from coming to light? Her three daughters have their own secrets to conceal. The eldest, her devoted PA Gilly, wants her own life, while accountant Rachel has marital woes and money trouble her mother won’t help with. The youngest, recovering addict turned wellness influencer Delia, has issues with her mother mining her childhood for her books. And they are not the only people who have complicated relationships with Eleanor. Disgruntled editorial assistants, a philandering ex-husband, abandoned siblings – all have reason to unmask the woman who left behind her humble origins for literary fame and fortune. Is Eleanor a monster, or a strong woman who overcame the odds to succeed? Maybe both. As the party approaches and threats multiply it becomes increasing hard to care whether any of these unappealing characters will get their comeuppance.

Strange Beasts, by Susan J Morris

The daughter of Dracula conquerors Mina and Jonathan Harker teams up with the daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ enemy Dr Moriarty to solve the case of a mysteriously murderous beast in Paris, hampered by the son of Van Helsing. All three work for the Royal Society for the Study of Abnormal Phenomena, although Samantha Harker is a researcher, while Helena Moriarty and Jakob Van Helsing are field agents – she a maverick and he a hero. Appropriating the works of others, especially classics, is often problematic. This book at least makes it more interesting by using Stoker and Conan Doyle’s creations as a jumping off point for the next generation. But, as exemplified by the opening paragraph of this review, there is just too much going on. As well as the central mystery, the story touches on the role of women, othering difference and parent-child relationships. The setting, fin-de-ciecle Paris, has clearly been thoroughly researched and is well evoked. The tale ends with a teaser for the next novel, with the two women off an adventure in Ireland. Whether it is worth joining them there? – dunno, probs not.