WHILST feminism is widely celebrated, in the age of social media, there is still overwhelming pressure on women to be perfect.

Fragile lives is the latest addition to the burgeoning sub-genre of doctor-authored memoirs (consultants’ confessions?) epitomised by neurosurgeon Henry Marsh’s wondrous and strange Do No Harm.

This latest keep-’em-guessing thriller, by award-winning adult and YA author Sarah Pinborough, is already being billed as this year’s must-read for fans of the genre.

As forensic favourite Kay Scarpetta returns for a 24th installment, bestselling thriller writer Patricia Cornwell talks to Hannah Stephensonabout plastic surgery, how the dramas in her own life have given her a thicker skin, and why she was happy to ignore her 60th birthday.

WHEN a body is found in the woods outside Banff, Scotland, — naked, hands tied behind its back, and a bin bag duct-taped over its head — the major investigation team, led by Logan McRae’s ex-boss DCI Steel, charges up from Aberdeen.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. Picture the ‘Sherlock’ star.

We know this much so far about Harper Lee’s new book: Atticus Finch is 72 and suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; Scout is a grown woman who has a suitor most anxious to marry her.

The media baron Rupert Murdoch is preparing to hand over the CEO job at Twenty-First Century Fox to his son, James, the firm’s channel Fox News reported.

She has struggled with anorexia, alcohol and depression, among other dramas. But, like her heroine Dr Kay Scarpetta, bestselling novelist Patricia Cornwell has mellowed, she tells Hannah Stephenson.

Agatha Christie

Don’t Poke A Worm Till It Wriggles by Celia Warren (Bloomsbury; €6.30) is a ‘book of poems to make you squirm’.

Being the invisible artist brings its challenges, discovers Richard Fitzpatrick.

When Hazel Gaynor heard the story of 14 Co Mayo villagers who left Ireland on the Titanic, she knew she had to learn more about them

Mary Leland on some recent book releases

Former world heavyweight champion boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson has been forced to scrap appearances in London after discovering he is banned from entering the UK.

Doris Lessing, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature and author of The Golden Notebook, has died aged 94.

A Michelin-star chef has urged Irish consumers to avoid cutting back on household food budgets.

A stunt double for Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has sued News Corp over allegations its British newspapers hacked her phone, the first lawsuit in the US against the company since a hacking scandal broke out two years ago.

American Amanda Knox said she considered suicide if her 2007 murder conviction of a British roommate in Italy had not been overturned, according to an advance copy of Knox’s forthcoming memoir.

CATHY Kelly, 46, is a top-selling Irish fiction writer who at one point out sold Dan Brown and JK Rowling.

Rupert Murdoch today called time on News Corporation’s digital newspaper The Daily as he unveiled a revamped team at the top of the media giant’s new publishing arm.

The Great Granny Gang by Judith Kerr (HarperCollins; €15.40 HB) tells the tale of a bunch of grannies whose expertise in many fields makes the world a better place.

HarperCollins owner News Corporation is reportedly readying a £1bn (€1.24bn) offer for Penguin in an attempt to scupper plans for a new publishing giant.

One Hundred Names

MASS MARKETFICTION

An unauthorised biography of Mick Jagger, writes David Kernek, is a must-read for fans, but it doesn’t provide a clue to the central Jagger puzzle

Apple and four major publishers have offered to let retailers such as Amazon sell e-books at a discount to settle an EU competition investigation into their pricing deals and avoid possible fines.

MASS MARKETFICTION

US attorneys general in 55 areas who claim there was a conspiracy to fix electronic book prices say they have got on board with a $69m (€55m) settlement of anti-trust claims against three publishers.

PHISHING, googling and apps.

Rupert Murdoch has stepped down from his role as director of a number of boards linked to his British newspaper titles.

XO

The New Republic

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation today confirmed it was considering plans to split the business in two.

Catching The Sun

The Light Between Oceans

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

Despite the creepy bug-eyed cover, Love Monster by Rachel Bright (HarperCollins; €8.35) is the story of an ugly monster, unloved and the butt of children’s jibes.