My Week in Books – 17th May 2026

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On the blog last week

Monday – I published my reviews of Relative Failures by Matthew Sturgis and Flashlight by Susan Choi.

Tuesday – This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic was May Flowers and I created a list of Books By ‘Flowery’ Authors (authors with first names that are flowers).

Wednesday – As always WWW Wednesday is a weekly opportunity to share what I’ve just read, what I’m currently reading and what I plan to read next… and to take a peek at what others are reading.

Thursday – I shared my list for the latest Classics Club Spin.

Saturday – I joined other gardeners for #SixonSaturday, sharing six things happening in my garden this week.

New on my shelves

Conqueror (Agricola #4) by Simon Turney (Head of Zeus via NetGalley)

Following years of distinguished military and political exploits, Agricola has been rewarded with control of Aquitania by the Emperor Vespasian.

But Agricola’s greatest glories have always come in that rainy northern corner of the Britannia. When Vespasian sends him back to Britannia, this time as governor, he has a chance to cement his place in Roman history.

To conquer Britannia completely Agricola must overcome its many Celtic tribes. The Ordovices have massacred a Roman cavalry unit. The Selgovae and Damnonii resist Imperial rule fiercely. And he must take them on with ever fewer troops due to a series of changes at the heart of Roman power.

Failure will mean disgrace or death, but if he should succeed, Agricola will be forever lauded among the pantheon of Rome’s heroes.

Trials of the Heart by Stephen Wade (Northodox Press)

Will the forbidden fruits of their labours come to light?

As the end of the Second World War nears its close, a tense mood surrounds Leeds. Karel Letnov faces the noose at the Leeds assizes. Accused of a string of suspicious killings in the peaceful village of Forley, a war-ravaged community contemplates its future.

Clara nursed Karel back to health following the evacuations from Dunkirk at the start of hostilities. So when her husband, Tom, is found murdered, rumours of a secret relationship abound. 

Alyse Rose, a singer with Ken Kershaw’s dance band, becomes enraptured by the case when it is revealed that Kershaw and Karel were perhaps more than friends.

What I’m currently reading

I’m reading Once the Deed is Done, shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, and Carrion Crow, published in paperback on 30th June by Pushkin Press, from my NetGalley shelf

Look out for…

  • Book Review: Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell
  • Book Review: Goodbye Chinatown by Kit Fan
  • Book Review: Bane of Bernicia by Matthew Harffy

#SixOnSaturday – Six things happening in my garden this week

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Six on Saturday is a weekly meme originally hosted by The Propagator but now in the tender care of Jim at Garden Ruminations.

My apologies that the rain I pleaded for last week came in the form of torrential (albeit brief) downpours or hailstones, accompanied at times by high winds. And here in Berkshire we’ve still had some really cold nights, although hopefully not for much longer. I have a pink and lilac themed six this week:

One – I only had one flower to show on this rhododendron last week, now there’s a whole host of them.

Two – Somehow this sweet pea has managed to seed itself and climb its way up through the perennials around it. I really like the delicate blush pink colour so I’ll try to remember to save some seed for next year.

Three – Perennial wallflower Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’.

Four – The rather beautifully patterned flower of Clematis ‘Nelly Moser’.

Five – A lovely dusky pink foxglove.

Six – I hope you’re not sick of pink yet because here’s Geranium sanguineum

Do check out the posts of other participants by following the links in the comments section of Jim’s post. If you fancy taking part yourself but don’t know where to start, here’s the participant’s guide.