Robert Harris

First Lady
Michael Dobbs

For modern-day political in-fighting, look no further than this well-written saga from former Downing Street aide Michael Dobbs. The tale is of the mid-thirties, ambitious political wife Camilla Hastings, and her transformation from dutiful spouse to masterful manipulator of the entire political process: an insider's view of the dynamics of power.

First Lady by Michael Dobbs: RRP £17.99

The God of Chaos

Tom Bradby

Perhaps you might like to try this novel by TV reporter, Tom Bradbury. Set in wartime Cairo, former New York cop (with a shady past) Joe Quinn must use wit and counter-intelligence to figure out who killed a senior British officer, and do so before Rommel's troops begin to arrive…

The God of Chaos by Tom Bradby: RRP £6.99

The Ruby in her Navel

Barry Unsworth

Or for skilful use of historical backgrounds, why not investigate this novel by Barry Unsworth, whose intriguing title gives an accurate flavour of this tale of passion and treachery, and whose rich narrative and setting - Medieval Sicily at the height of the Christian-Islam conflict - has overtures for the present.

The Ruby in her Navel by Barry Unsworth: RRP £17.99