Cold Pursuit -- Jefferson Parker

Jefferson Parker isn't as well known as many US crime novelists but he deserves to be with page-turning cop thrillers like this.

His story of a San Diego detective investigating the murder of an ageing tycoon has an eventful plot, noteworthy characters, believable twists and a satisfying double climax.

Long ago the old man murdered the cop's grandfather, and the cop's father crippled the old man's son in revenge.

Adding to our hero's pressures is an Internal Affairs probe, a romance with the prime suspect, intimidation by the victim's family and interference by politicians.

David Knights

The Delia Collection -- Delia Smith

Delia's series of collections are very different from her other books Each one is dedicated to a single subject -- chicken, pork Italian and chocolate.

The new pork book has sections on roasting, baking, grilling, frying, casseroles and braising, gammon, bacon and sausages.

The Italian book, also released recently, has sections on antipasti, pasta, risotto, gnocchi, fish, meat and finally puddings.

With this collection, instead of having to delve through several books, you can pick up the one that meets your requirements. The books are based on the BBC's cookery programme with another two looking at soup and fish.

Gill Badham