The Dictator's Wife: A mesmerising novel of deception and BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club pick

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As the novel’s cover suggests, this is a boldly visual novel. I won’t be surprised to see it turned into a film or Netflix series. I, for one, can easily imagine Cate Blanchett as the Dictator’s Wife. My debut novel follows a captivating dictator's wife standing trial for her dead husband's crimes in post-communist eastern Europe, and the web of lies she weaves around the young female lawyer defending her. The Dictator’s Wife is published by Headline Review, and is available on Book Depository from 17 February. I felt in thrall to Marija reading this, she is addictive. It’s an intoxicating read and deliciously good. Berry keeps you just off kilter enough to make you feel like you are the one being watched, it is outstanding! My hands down favourite aspect of this book were the characters, they felt so three dimensional and were well done. The Dictator’s wife herself was such a compelling woman to read about, I felt as fascinated by her as the narrator. She had such an alluring energy to her, I was captivated by the way she held herself and the way she spoke. I think she was a great character to study. I’m a little bit obsessed with her, I’d literally love to read more about her in her own book to be honest.

Over the course of Ceausescu's rule, Nicolae and Elena constructed a personality cult around themselves, which in many ways paralleled those of Mao, Stalin, and Hitler. This cult positioned Elena as the doyen of the European scientific community and as an academic powerhouse whose publications and international recognition were the result of sustained hard work.The book's pace slows considerably through the middle section even though some new considerations and red herrings are thrown into the mix. However, there is a reasonably late revelation that does deliver some sense of closure. Freya Berry always loved stories, but it took several years as a journalist to realise she loves the kind of truth that lies in fiction, not reality. (Or, to put it another way, making stuff up is more fun.) Compelling, atmospheric. It’s BRILLIANT’MARIAN KEYES, Sunday Times bestselling author of Again, Rachel The Dictator’s Wife, Marija Popa, faces the death penalty for the crimes of her husband, who can’t stand trial himself, as he was brutally murdered. Set in the fictional country Yanussia, Marija hires defence lawyers from London to help her fight her case. In comes Laura - who is a Yanussia born lawyer along with her boss to try and save Marija from the noose. Through the eyes of another, we are offered a window on the titular character. And those eyes may not be the most reliable, even if she is a lawyer. Laura bookends her own narrative by attending the funeral of Marija Popa, once wife of a dictator, both vilified and adored in her own right, a contentious public figure that Laura herself had dealings with earlier in her life.

Wow! I know this is fiction but this felt really real! The scenes at the press conference with rabid crowds surging, the violence, you could feel the rage. We’ve seen scenes this on the TV but I felt like I was in these places whilst reading, a really believable world has been created and I found myself half holding my breath at times, on tenterhooks to see what would happen next!

I kept the rythm, waiting for the main character to appear. And the meeting with Marija Popa was disappointing. I expected an overly sweet cover for a tyrant lady; someone knowing that gaining her lawyers to her cause, will help her to show a maternal figure, incompatible with being the monster everyone thinks she is. But seeing an arrogant person, already playing the VIP to the team that can buy her freedom, broke the magic. So, I couldn't believe Laura's observation of being almost sad for someone like Marija, that had everything and lost it all.

Authors, if you are a member of the Goodreads Author Program, you can edit information about your own books. Find out how in this guide. An unconventional legal thriller and absorbing debut that is as satisfyingly complex in both its plotting and moral conclusions' EXPRESS Gender roles and stereotypes are a key theme throughout The Dictator's Wife, and the reader is challenged on their own views and beliefs about what limits exist around an individual's gender. To some degree, the reader has to decide what they believe to be true from the conflicting narratives that are presented to them. Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Librarians Group is the official group for requesting additions or updates to the catalog, including: A captivating story of women's power, love and secrets. As timely and profound as it is unforgettable. The ending left me breathless' LARA PRESCOTT, New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets We KeptImelda Marcos talks to the press at the Manila international airport on 10 December 1997. Photograph: Bullit Marquez/AP Her interest in chemistry arose when she was briefly employed in a laboratory. In her free time, she attended meetings of the Youth Communists' League, where she met her soon-to-be husband Nicolae. She failed nearly every subject that was taught in Romanian schools.

The beautiful, enigmatic wife of a feared dictator stands trial for her late husband's crimes against the people. The world will finally know the truth. But whose? First ladies’ fashion choices are scrutinised in ways that would be unthinkable for their besuited husbands beyond their choice of tie colour. Conversely, not much ink has been spilled on the wardrobe choices of Doug Emhoff, second gentleman and spouse of Vice-President Kamala Harris. Demands to be devoured in one sitting. S umptuously written... One of the most compelling literary debuts of the year ' GLAMOUR

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Her second novel, The Birdcage Library, is out now: an adventuress discovers an old book containing clues about the disappearance of a woman who vanished 50 years before. Set between a Scottish castle in the 1930s and an exotic animal emporium in Gilded Age New York, it's a twisting Gothic tale of secrets, obsession and murder. Oh, and taxidermy.