Loss Protocol by Paul McAuley (Gollancz, £22)

Set in a future Britain grappling with the repercussions of climate change, approximately fifty years from now, Marc Winters enjoys a tranquil existence as a ranger on an Essex nature reserve until his life is abruptly disrupted. Counter-terrorism agents approach him to discuss events from eight years prior, involving a cult led by his sister Izzy that tragically ended in self-immolation. Marc, largely unaware of the “deep dreamers” who believed they could alter reality through psychotropic experiences, finds himself at the center of intrigue as both government officials and cult members suspect that Izzy may have entrusted him with critical information, whether he realizes it or not. Oblivious to the looming existential threat, Marc embarks on a journey to uncover the truth. This beautifully crafted eco-thriller intricately weaves themes of nature, hallucinatory visions, and a captivating premise, showcasing the talents of one of Britain’s premier science fiction authors.

Night Babies by Lucie McKnight Hardy (John Murray, £18.99)

Following a devastating flood that damages their home, Astrid and her husband seek refuge with her friend Flora in the picturesque Brecon Beacons. The flood has had a particularly damaging impact on Astrid, ruining her paintings meant for her debut exhibition at a prestigious London gallery. The old chapel Flora is renovating becomes her temporary studio. However, rather than focus on salvaging her portraits, Astrid finds herself increasingly drawn to painting the surrounding landscape of water and sky. As she grapples with unsettling dreams, peculiar physical sensations, missing belongings, and eerie child-sized handprints on the walls, she uncovers troubling details about the chapel’s past. It soon becomes clear that she is not the only one affected by what seems to be a sinister haunting. Additionally, Astrid is haunted by memories of a pivotal art trip to Florence, which altered her relationship with Flora. With themes of ambition, jealousy, and complex feelings about motherhood, this sophisticated narrative resonates with many, offering both supernatural and psychological horror elements.

Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (Nightfire, £22)

Drawing inspiration from Welsh mythology, where Blodeuwedd—a woman created from flowers—betrays her husband and is transformed into an owl, this debut novel reimagines the character in a unique alternate reality. Here, a Blodeuwedd serves as a magical “construct,” akin to artificial intelligence. Young Rory, living in a remote Welsh area devoid of other children, receives a Blodeuwedd to be his companion and names her Daye. She becomes his closest friend. However, with the end of summer, Daye perishes alongside the seasonal flora unless she is rebuilt from fresh plant life. Unwilling to part with her, Rory learns to recreate her on a seasonal basis. As he matures, he begins to modify her form to sexualize her, believing she reciprocates his feelings. Unbeknownst to him, constructs are bound to obey their creators. Interspersed chapters from Daye’s perspective illustrate her evolution into a more complex non-human entity, highlighting the growing rift between her and Rory in this thought-provoking and atmospheric fantasy.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker (Hodder & Stoughton, £22)

In 2026, Lee escapes from his college life in America, seeking refuge in his father’s house in Japan while evading a murder accusation. Though he recalls killing his roommate, the reasons and the fate of the body remain shrouded in mystery. Unable to confide in his father, he attributes his memory lapses to sedative misuse and continues to grapple with the unresolved disappearance of his mother during a family trip to Cambodia. In a parallel narrative set in 1877, the same house serves as the residence of Sen, a young woman trained in the ways of the Samurai by her father, who is aware that their family is at risk due to his defiance against the abolition of the Samurai class. A peculiar door that appears to lead to nowhere connects these two timelines, offering Sen and Lee a chance to aid one another. This gripping tale masterfully intertwines elements of horror and mystery, crafted by the author of Bat Eater.