What are you reading? My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing.

 Noelia's contribution

The Book

Source: Amazon

I picked up My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing almost by accident while browsing my digital library and actively trying to avoid one of my go-to genres. Based on the title alone, I expected something light, maybe even a romantic comedy. I couldn’t have been more wrong—and that’s exactly what made the experience so enjoyable.

This is one of those books where saying too much would ruin everything, so I’ll avoid plot details. What I can say is that it’s well written and surprisingly addictive. Even when I could see certain developments coming, I still felt compelled to keep reading. The real hook isn’t just the story itself, but the way it explores marriage, parenthood, and suburban relationships in such an unsettling way.

That said, the book isn’t flawless. A few chapters drag, and parts of the plot are fairly predictable. Still, none of that stopped me from enjoying it. The tension holds, the tone stays dark, and the twists—expected or not—are satisfying.

Overall, My Lovely Wife was a fast, entertaining read that caught me off guard in the best way. I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for something dark, twisted, and easy to get lost in.

The Author

BIOGRAPHY  generated by OpenAI

Source: Facebook

Samantha Downing is a leading voice in contemporary psychological thrillers, known for her bold, unsettling explorations of marriage, family, and hidden violence. She broke onto the scene with her acclaimed debut My Lovely Wife, instantly establishing her trademark style: ordinary lives stripped open to reveal chilling secrets. Her tightly paced, twist-heavy novels confront the darker instincts beneath social norms and domestic stability. With sharp insight and relentless tension, Downing delivers fearless, psychologically charged fiction that has secured her place as a standout author in modern suspense.  

What are you reading? The piano Tuner by Chiang-Sheng Kuo

 Noelia's contribution

The book

Source: Amazon

I am grateful to everyone who supported me in learning English as a second language. This has enabled me to read novels such as The Piano Tuner by Chiang-Sheng Kuo, a Taiwanese author translated into English, broadening my literary experiences.

The Piano Tuner is a short novel. In the first two chapters, the story centers on Lin San, a businessman married to the pianist Emily. From the third chapter onwards, however, the narrator takes centre stage and becomes the driving voice of the story.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its narrative style: simple yet poetic, with music frequently used as a metaphor for life itself. Throughout the book, themes such as loss, grief, and friendship are thoughtfully explored.

One chapter stands out in particular—chapter three. Perhaps because I am a teacher, I found its reflection on the importance of teacher motivation especially powerful, highlighting how educators can empower students and help them fully develop their abilities.

That said, the novel is not without its flaws. Some character arcs feel incomplete, and the ending is abrupt and rushed. Several stories, particularly Emily’s, are left unresolved, and the reader is never given a clear sense of her relationship with the narrator.

As a result, I find myself conflicted about recommending this book. While I deeply appreciated its lyrical narrative and thematic depth, the lack of closure in key storylines ultimately weakens its overall impact.

The Author

Source: Ministry of Culture of Taiwan

Here’s a brief biography of Chiang-Sheng Kuo, the Taiwanese author of The Piano Tuner:

Chiang-Sheng Kuo is one of contemporary Taiwan’s most acclaimed writers, known for his elegant prose and deep explorations of memory, identity, and emotion. He earned a Ph.D. in drama from New York University (NYU) and serves as a professor in the Department of Language and Creative Writing at National Taipei University of Education in Taiwan.

Kuo has published numerous novels, essays, and plays over his long career, establishing a reputation as a “writer’s writer” in Taiwanese literary circles. His work has received many of Taiwan’s major literary honors, including the Taiwan Literature Golden Award, the Golden Tripod Award, the Openbook Book of the Year Award, and the United Daily Literature Award.

His novel The Piano Tuner, first published in 2020, became a bestseller in Taiwan and swept the country’s top literary prizes. It is also his first book to be translated into English and has been published in numerous languages worldwide.

Kuo lives in Taipei, where he continues to write and teach.

What are you reading? The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Noelia's contribution

The Book 

Source: Amazon

While going through my reading list, I came across Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale.

At the heart of the novel are two unforgettable women: Vida Winter, the legendary and reclusive author, and Margaret Lea, a young and reserved biographer called upon to unravel Vida's mysterious past. As their stories intertwine, Margaret delves into a labyrinth of secrets, family mysteries, and chilling revelations that blur the line between reality and fiction.

The opening chapters are a love letter to the world of books, immersing the reader in Margaret's idyllic life with her father, a bibliophile whose secondhand bookstore is a sanctuary of stories and secrets. Amid the musty scent of yellowed pages and whispered tales, Margaret turns her passion for reading into her profession, becoming a renowned biographer.

Another highlight of the novel is its fervent homage to 19th-century Gothic literature, evoking the sombre worlds of the Brontë sisters. Setterfield masterfully conjures an atmosphere thick with apprehension, where something as simple as a house becomes a character in its own right.

Finally, Setterfield skillfully weaves her narrative threads like an expert puppeteer, building tension with every turn of the page. She conceals the devastating truth like a secret whispered in a dark room until the final sentence, when the kaleidoscope of lives is revealed.

The Author

Source: X

Diane Setterfield is a British author born in 1965 in Englefield Green, Surrey, England. She studied French at the University of Bristol and later completed a PhD in 20th-century French literature. Before becoming a novelist, she worked as a university lecturer.

Setterfield achieved international success with her debut novel, The Thirteenth Tale (2006), a Gothic mystery that became a bestseller worldwide. She is known for her atmospheric storytelling, literary style, and themes of memory, identity, and secrets. Other notable works include Once Upon a River (2018).

The English Book Club Winter - Spring 2026 - programme for next term.