Books by O'Porter and Jones chosen for Richard and Judy Summer Book Club

Six novels, including works by Dawn O’Porter and Ruth Jones, have been chosen as Richard and Judy Summer Book Club picks.

Claire Douglas’ The Woman Who Lied (Penguin Michael Joseph) is one of the selection, with Richard Madeley saying the author has “put a brilliant twist on this psychological oddity". It tells the story of protagonist and author Emilia Ward, who becomes caught up in a series of murders that replicate the plots of her novels, and is the second of Douglas’ works to be picked for the book club.

Also selected is The House of Fortune (Picador), the sequel to The Miniaturist and the fourth of Jessie Burton’s books to appear in the Richard and Judy Book Club. Returning to early 18th century Amsterdam, Burton picks up the story of the Brandts as an 18-year-old Thea navigates a forbidden first love and the family’s dwindling fortune. Madeley described the book as “totally compelling, a fascinating story set in a fascinating society".

Love Untold (Bantam Press), “the funny and uplifting” new novel from Ruth Jones, author, actress and co-creator of “Gavin & Stacey”, also makes the list, centring on four generations of Welsh women, a family rift and the strength of connection which binds together mothers and daughters throughout a lifetime.

Judy Finnegan said: “Jones has a wonderful writing gift. She exudes warmth and wisdom”, adding that her witty storytelling “makes Love Untold irresistible."

B A Paris’s latest thriller The Prisoner (Hodder & Stoughton), described by Madeley as “chillingly addictive”, is another pick, and follows naïve 21-year-old Amelie, who is persuaded into marrying billionaire Ned Hawthorpe for a sum of money impossible to refuse, but it turns out Ned’s offer is too good to be true. Madeley hailed its “tense, twisting and complex plot".

O’Porter, who recently launched her own list of recommendations with W H Smith, “Dawn Loves”, is listed with the “compelling and warm” Cat Lady (HarperCollins), her second to feature in the Richard and Judy Book Club.

Essex Dogs (Head of Zeus), the historical fiction debut from Dan Jones, British historian, TV presenter, and journalist, has also been chosen. Set during the Hundred Years’ War, Finnegan says “there’s something almost cinematic about this story". Recalling the real-life events of England’s full scale invasion of France in 1346, the "Essex Dogs", a tight-knit group of ten men, land in Normandy and must navigate the battle to get home again in one piece. She said: “It’s an exciting opening and the pace doesn’t drop until you’ve turned the last page.”

Exclusive special editions of all the recommended titles from the Richard and Judy Book Club will be available at W H Smith, including bonus content such as book club discussion points, author Q&As and more recommended reads.

The Richard and Judy Book Club podcast also returns for another series, providing an introduction to each of the Book Club titles from the authors themselves. Episodes of the new series will be released weekly from Thursday 20th July.