By Sofia Martinez Alvarez and Fernanda de Madariaga
Blackheath Bookshop Book Club
Wednesday 24 April, 6:00 p.m.
Waterstones Blackheath, London
Join the Blackheath Bookshop Book Club for an evening of conversation on the exhilarating debut novel The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton. This coming-of-age story involves a group of girls who are scandalized to find out about the new town gossip: a teacher has slept with a student. In the aftermath of this affair, the theatre school will soon merge the stage and real life by turning this story into a play. This provocative, quirky and clever novel is sure to keep you entertained for the month and excited for the upcoming meet up with fellow readers. Be sure not to miss this event. For more information and tickets, click here.
An Evening with Lawrence Battersby
Friday 26 April, 7:00 p.m.
Waterstones, Ayr
Lawrence Battersby will be coming to Waterstones to discuss his new novel Dead Reckoning. The novel begins with three couples who are all united in friendship, but with the onset of war they are all separated from each other. One of them, Edgar, is requisitioned with his ship. This historical novel recalls the long-forgotten WWII policy of internment of civilian 'enemy aliens' and delves into the intrigue of top-secret Operation Colossus. Battersby will be there to set all your doubts at ease and engage in conversation about this exciting novel. For more information and tickets for the event, click here.
A.F. Steadman: Book Signing
Saturday 27 April, 11:30 a.m.
Waterstones, Canterbury – Rose Lane
Join Waterstones for a thrilling Saturday morning meeting best-selling author A.F. Steadman for a book signing. Steadman is the writer of the outstanding Skandar series and will be celebrating the release of the third book, Skandar and the Chaos Trials. This hit trilogy unravels a world of bloodthirsty unicorns, epic sky battles and elemental magic, which is the ideal scene for fantasy and mystical fans. The series was crowned Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year in 2022 and has been translated into over forty-seven languages. Be sure to join Steadman for a morning you will not forget. For more information and tickets for the event, click here.
Book Launch: A Spy Like Me at Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh
Wednesday 1 May, 7:30 p.m.
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
With the success of her revival of the James Bond universe in Double or Nothing, author Kim Sherwood is back with the next thrilling instalment in her Double O series. Join her in celebrating the Scottish release of her highly anticipated sequel, A Spy Like Me, at the Edinburgh branch of Topping & Company Booksellers, where there will be 007-esque martinis for those in attendance! Kim Sherwood is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh, whose first novel Testament debuted in 2018 and won the Bath Novel Award. If you’re a fan of twisty spy thrillers, this fresh take on a beloved franchise is not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased on the Topping website here, with an early bird discount for booking ahead that can be redeemed against the price of a copy of A Spy Like Me.
An Evening with Holly Jackson at St James’s Church, London
Wednesday 1 May, 6:30 p.m.
St James's Piccadilly
Author of number one New York Times bestseller A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Holly Jackson will be at St James’s Church to celebrate the launch of her latest YA (young adult) thriller The Reappearance of Rachel Price. When the person at the centre of a true crime documentary suddenly reappears after missing for nearly two decades, eighteen-year-old Bel’s life gets turned upside down. She was the last person to see her mother, Rachel Price, alive before Rachel went missing and was presumed dead. Now, with Rachel back, Bel must face the truth about questions that have gone unanswered for sixteen years – and it won’t be pretty. Holly Jackson will be joined in conversation by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, award-winning author of Ace of Spades and Where Sleeping Girls Lie. An exclusive edition of The Reappearance of Rachel Price, along with a special pin badge, will be included with the price of a ticket and can be purchased on the Waterstones website here.