Rachel Joyce’s — Miss Benson’s beetle *****

Frumpy Margery Benson is a middle-aged English spinster who works as a home science teacher. Her three older brothers are killed in WW11. Her parents die. And her remaining two aunts die. Her life is lonely and boring, until she discovers a note with a comical caricature of herself being passed around her sniggering classroom. She storms out of the school stealing the head mistress’s boots, and is determined to leave England still suffering from rationing after the war. Margery decides to chase the dream she abandoned after her father’s suicide, and discover the golden beetle of New Caledonia .

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Sophie Perinot’s — Medicis daughter *****

This novel has an average rating from my local library readers, but I found it a fascinating insight into the Valois dynasty seen through the eyes of Marguerite de Valois during the 16th century. Although King Charles heads the French dynasty, his mother, Catherine de Medicis, is the one who makes all the political decisions. Her schemes to maintain and increase her family’s rule include marrying her off to any man if it will increase the family’s power. The Queen’s desire to maintain a stronghold on its kingdom culminates in the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre when thousands of Huguenot are slaughtered.

Will Margurerite realize what kind of a person her mother really is, and overcome her desire to please her?

Sadie Jones’s — The outcast *****

In 1950s England, Lewis’s mother drinks a bottle of wine, and drowns while out on a picnic with her son. Because of his failure to save his mother, Lewis’s response to his guilt becomes unruly and he lands in jail. On his release, he discovers the past is ever present within both his remaining family and his village community that no longer trust him.

Alka Joshi’s — The henna artist *****

After Lakshmi runs away from her abusive husband, she begins work as a henna artist in 1950s Jaipur. For years she struggles to survive, and gradually develops a reputation as the city’s best henna artist. But then her bedraggled husband arrives with her sister, Radha whom she has never known existed. She struggles to develop a bond with orphaned Radha, and to rid herself of a husband who demands money. Will he give her the divorce she wants, and will she be able to survive her mounting debts?