Category: Katenews

F.H. Petford‘s second Alma Timperley novel, A GHOST HUNTER’S GUIDE TO CATCHING A KILLER, is published by  Hodder & Stoughton on 4 June 2026 following A GHOST HUNTER’S GUIDE TO SOLVING A MURDER published by Hodder & Stoughton on 2 October 2025.

Praise for A GHOST HUNTER’S GUIDE TO SOLVING A MURDER:

“Cleverly entertaining.” Greg Mosse, author of the Maisie Cooper Mysteries
“A well-plotted murder mystery.” Fiona Leitch, author of the Cornish Murder Mysteries
“A thoroughly enjoyable ripping yarn.” T.E. Kinsey, author of the Lady Hardcastle mysteries

Doubleday published their hardback edition of I SWEAR: My Life with Tourette’s by John Davidson on 21 August 2025 and the tie-in paperback edition on 15 January 2026.  

“Funny and heartfelt … this skillfully told tale deserves praise for how it lets us non-sweary people see inside the ordinary, albeit anxious, mind of someone with Tourette syndrome.” The Times

“An astonishing tale about an amazing man.  If this book were given out to schools it would triple the empathy levels for Tourette’s.”  Jo Jo Moyes, author of ME BEFORE YOU and SOMEONE ELSE’S SHOES

John Davidson’s life inspired the heart-stopping film I SWEAR, released in the UK on 10 October 2025 starring Robert Aramayo, Shirley Henderson, Maxine Peake and Peter Mullan.

 

Richard Bassett‘s new book, MARIA THERESA: EMPRESS: The Making of the Austrian Enlightenment, was published by Yale University Press on 25 February 2025.  This is a gripping study of one of the world’s most influential leaders, revealing how Maria Theresa confounded gendered expectations and left a lasting mark on Europe.

“Assured and revisionist … an impressively researched book … Maria Theresa emerges as an impressive if absolutist monarch, committed to bringing her Catholic faith to bear on her rule and making things better for those living in her lands.  Less Queen of the Night; more Queen of the Light.”  The Times

“An absolute tour de force.” Nancy M. Wingfield

UNDER THE BLACK MOUNTAIN by K.T. Fitzpatrick was published in audio by Bolinda on 1 May 2024, the first of the Eva Willoughby series set in 1919 Australia.  

“A sharply written, fast-moving mystery set in a wonderfully evoked post-Gallipoli Australia. A deeply pleasurable read.” Andrew Miller, author of the 2025 Booker Prize shortlisted novel THE LAND IN WINTER and the Costa Book Award winning novel PURE.

“Utterly enthralling.” NetGalley reviewer 5 stars

Apollo/Head of Zeus published STEEL RIVER: Walking the Tees – a Journey through Nature in a Human World  by Steve Nicholls on 6 March 2025. This is an evocative and richly informative account of a journey along the river Tees, presenting its valley as a microcosm of an environmentally damaged and endangered world.

“The north-east has long been a place of proud industry. Beneath the sweat and grime, however, the region’s biodiversity has taken a battering for generations. In STEEL RIVER, Nicholls deftly examines whether nature – and by extension, humanity – can ever truly heal and regenerate.”  Sally Coulthard author of A SHORT HISTORY OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SHEEP

“An admirable book… Nicholls has a powerful message for us: that environmental degradation and social inequality are twin facets of the rush to rob the planet of its resources.”   Max Adams author of THE KING IN THE NORTH

Zephyr/Head of Zeus will publish Ewa Jozefkowicz‘s TRIX’S TREE HOUSE,  beautifully illustrated by Gillian Flint, on 7 May 2026.  This is the fifth title in The Woodland Explorers Club series for young readers, following BENJI’S EMERALD KING, SHYLA’S WOOD WIDE WEB, AJAY AND THE RED-WINGED PRINCE and FUJIKO AND THE FOX.  Inspired by Forest School, this is a magical new series in which a group of friends solve mysteries and protect the animals of Willow Wish Woods.

“With magic, mystery, forest school fun, a whole natural world to explore, and the added bonus of outdoor activities to try out, youngsters will be pulling on their wellies and heading for the great outdoors!”  Lancaster Guardian

 

Catherine Hanley’s new book, THE FAMILY LIVES OF MEDIEVAL WOMEN, was published by The History Press on 9 April 2026. 

Congratulations to Catherine Hanley on LIONESSHEART: The Life and Times of Joanna Plantagenet, published by The History Press, being shortlisted for the HWA Non-Fiction Crown.

Laura Starkey‘s fourth novel, LOVE OFF SCRIPT, a workplace romantic comedy where sparks fly, was published by Bonnier Embla on 11 March 2025.

“This book was completely captivating, brilliantly written, and beautifully romantic from start to finish. I loved it!”  Emma Cooper, author of THE ONE BEFORE THE ONE

 

 

Jane Corry‘s eleventh novel, MY SISTER’S SECRET, will be published by Penguin on 18 June 2026.  All families have history but this one’s deadly …

Congratulations to Jane on THE STRANGER IN ROOM SIX published in June 2025 reaching #10 in the Sunday Times paperback fiction bestseller list, making her an eight times Sunday Times Top Ten paperback fiction bestseller.  

“Ambitious, unguessable and always fascinating, The Stranger in Room Six is one of her best.” Louise Candlish

“A rich brew of dark secrets from the past, bubbling up in the present: haunting and compelling.” Nicci French

“Corry is the queen of the well-constructed reveal.” Helen Fields

“Another great read that pulls you in from the start. Gripping and clever.” Heidi Perks

 Sandy Taylor’s ninth novel, RETURN TO THE IRISH BOARDING HOUSE, was published by Bookouture on 13 May 2024.

“This gut-wrenching story is phenomenal. Heartbreaking… Bringing you to tears, and then bringing a smile to your face and joy to your heart… Completely unputdownable.” Page Turners, 5 star review

Congratulations to Sandy on THE IRISH BOARDING HOUSE, the prequel to RETURN TO THE IRISH BOARDING HOUSE, reaching #30 in the UK Kindle Top 100 and #31 in the US Kindle Top 100 on the same day.