The Sense of an Ending, the new novel by Julian Barnes about the fortunes of a group of school-friends, is brief but masterful, says Anita Brookner.

In this psychological drama a mysterious man sits at the booth at the end of a diner.
People come to him with things they want: a parent with a sick child, a woman who wants to be prettier, a nun who wants to hear god again.
The man can make these things happen. For a price. In exchange for what they want, these individuals must sacrifice their morals and do deeds normally inconceivable to them.

What should I read next?

Dead on Time—Meghnad Desai’s first novel published by Penguin — has all the trappings of becoming a major summer release when it hits the stands in June. The economist is already showered with praises for offering “a delightful mix of action, humour and realpolitik”. Author Ruth Rendell says, “Dead on Time is a compelling read — a treat for political aficionados, an eye-opener and a shock for the innocent.”

From police procedurals to satires and even screwball comedies, the Inspector Devlin author picks the best from a booming genre.

In Copenhagen, charismatic detective Hallgrim Hallgrimsson (Jens Albinus) puts together a team of crimefighters equipped with the most advanced technology and high-tech weapons. Called "The Eagle" for his unerring intuition, Hallgrimsson exudes competence and self-assurance; but behind the dynamic facade is a tormented personality ...

'This recent French TV sensation is a dark and labyrinthine Parisian crime drama ...'

TV adaptation of the Fred Vargas novel 'Wash This Blood Clean from My Hand'.

released 30/04/07.

XYY Man (The) The Complete Series

When three hard-nosed detectives are drafted into the police force of a northern city to infiltrate areas of crime where the local police might be recognised, it becomes a baptism of fire for the strangers...

With some audacity, the spirits of both Hitchcock and Nabokov are invoked in this delectable adaptation of Zoë Heller's Booker-shortlisted novel. It's a psychological thriller about an ageing history teacher in a north London state school with a sinister

Jill Gascoine stars as Detective Inspector Maggie Forbes.

Christopher Ravenscroft reads End in Tears.