Literary news andreviews with alocal flavour

by Harriet Lane (£20, HB, Orion) What lies beneath the image we construct of ourselves? Ruth, newly divorced and drifting as her daughter leaves home, feels invisible – until Sookie, her dazzling form

Zoe West shares her favourite picks for the week

DAWN FRENCH reveals why her latest character feels that dishonesty is the best policy…

Our lives, your lives... that’s life!

PICTURES: GETTY IMAGES, PENGUIN, RANDOM HOUSE Water Moon ...