MORAL DISORDER by Margaret Atwood

Following the ambitious historical fiction of The Blind Assassin, and the dystopic vision of Oryx and Crake, Atwood returns in this semi-autobiographical collection of loosely connected short stories to the landscape of post-war Ontario previously explored in novels such as Cat’s Eye. Although the main theme – how women negotiate society’s obstacles – has been explored before, not least by Atwood herself, the writing is full of humour, charm and telling detail. In late middle age her protagonist, a Canadian woman like herself, tries to avoid newspapers, but always ends up reading them: “We don’t like bad news, but we need it. We need to know about it in case it’s coming our way”.

(Virago £7.99). IC

THE DEATH OF DALZIEL by Reginald Hill

It would be criminal to reveal whether the title of this crime novel is accurate. But what can be said is that Dalziel, the fat, rude Yorkshire detective superintendent and hero of Hill’s successful series, is in dire straits – locked in a coma after being blown up by a terrorist bomb. Cue sidekick DCI Peter Pascoe who, while investigating, becomes snarled up with the antiterrorist squad, who insist it’s their case. Meanwhile, a group called the Knights Templar start beheading Muslims they consider a threat, and sending out videos of the killings.The result is an exciting mystery written with Hill’s usual characterisation and attention to detail.

(Harper £6.99). SB

THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos

In 1985, amid the racial tensions of Washington DC, three black teenagers are found shot dead in public gardens. Each had a palindromic name – Otto, Eve and Ava. Three of the police investigators become obsessed with the case, which nevertheless remains unsolved. Twenty years later, another black teenager with a palindromic name, Asa, is found shot dead, again in a public garden. Is the killer back? The three original investigators – one still a serving detective, one sacked for drinking, one retired – are still obsessed with the case and set out to solve it in an exciting crime novel that shows the long shadow that violence throws.

(Phoenix £7.99). SB

All titles available at Sunday Times Books First prices (inc p&p) on 0870 165 8585 and timesonline.co.uk/booksfirst

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