Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Hannah Beckerman

In brief: The Blue Hour; England: A Natural History; A Book of Noises – review

A stag in Richmond Park, one of the locations in John Lewis-Stempel’s England: A Natural History
A stag in Richmond Park, one of the locations in John Lewis-Stempel’s England: A Natural History. Photograph: Matt Francis/Alamy

The Blue Hour

Paula Hawkins
Doubleday, £22, pp336

Hawkins’s fourth novel begins with the discovery that a work by acclaimed artist Vanessa Chapman contains a human bone. James Becker – employed by the foundation responsible for Chapman’s estate – is sent to the remote Scottish island that was once home to her to investigate, where he meets Chapman’s former friend and companion, Grace. What follows is an intelligent, propulsive thriller examining art, ambition, legacy and the dynamics of power. Undoubtedly Hawkins’s best novel yet.

England: A Natural History

John Lewis-Stempel
Doubleday, £25, pp464

Lewis-Stempel’s latest work of natural history surveys 12 English locations, from the Thames Estuary and Richmond Park to North Yorkshire and the Lake District. While the author’s focus is nature – whether it’s the biology of ragworms or the elusiveness of otters – his scope is wide-reaching, encompassing history, culture and language. We learn about the derivation of words, the impact of the Industrial Revolution and the significance of Norse mythology. Throughout, the tone is personal and intimate, and Lewis-Stempel’s passion self-evident.

A Book of Noises: Notes on the Auraculous

Caspar Henderson
Granta, £10.99, pp368 (paperback)

“Auraculous” is a term coined by Henderson to encapsulate the wonder of sounds around us, from the cosmic and the natural to human-made. Beginning with the big bang, Henderson embarks on a fascinating journey through almost every type of noise imaginable in a title filled with gems. His playful sense of humour and curiosity makes for a highly engaging science book.

• To order The Blue Hour, England: A Natural History or A Book of Noises go to guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.