This first-rate account of some of the women he mixed with casts new light on figures like Fanny Burney while introducing several nearly forgotten writers. As Eva writes: “Only after the fact is order imposed on chaos.” She never wanted a child – how did she end up letting one ruin not just her life but so many others? It’s a shame that the intelligent ending and such important themes have to coexist with one of the most punishing expressions of victimhood you’ll ever read.Dr Johnson’s Women by Norma Clarke (PIMLICO £12.99) The popular image of Dr Johnson as imparted by Boswell doesn’t have much to say about his dealings with women writers. Surely no one would accept Eva’s version of events?Ultimately Shriver doesn’t expect the readers to believe this, and, after a major twist, the contents of the letters become understandable. At no point does the reader feel that Eva’s letters are part of a correspondence – that Franklin ever challenges his role as an unpleasant dupe.

all seemed like pictures of somebody else.” As the book progresses Eva’s existential wail becomes hard to bear – if not believe. Kevin drops bricks off a road bridge on to the traffic below and Franklin ends up apologising to him; Kevin burns out his little sister’s eye and Franklin blames Eva. A wealthy businesswoman, Eva tells Franklin she was a very reluctant mother: “I was absolutely terrified of having a child Before I got pregnant, my visions of child rearing… This novel takes the form of several deadeningly unhappy letters she writes to her estranged husband, Franklin, after the crime.

And the right person walked in through the door, the right journalist, and away we went. That’s the way we do most things.”While the secondhand books have gone, new books will continue to be produced, the publishing operation expanding alongside the gallery. JOHN WILEY & SONS, £16.99

The sub-text of most business books aimed at entrepreneurs is “How to achieve the Holy Grail of early retirement/ untold wealth by having a brilliant idea, working very hard for a few years and then selling out” Gary Erickson’s is a bit different. Waters is a marvellous hostess (not many interviewees email in advance to say they’re getting the chocolate biscuits in), but I can’t help thinking she just wants to have that room of her own back.’Fingersmith’ begins on 27 March, 9pm, BBC 1. So space is what money’s bought me, and that’s lovely.”The cats have departed, rather alarmingly, out of the window (“they play on the roofs – they’re daredevils”) and it’s time for me to go too, via the more conventional door. I’ve bought this flat, which is lovely, and actually I’m just about to buy another.” Moving so soon? “No, my girlfriend lives in Stamford Hill and it’s a real pain shuttling between flats, so I’m buying her one round the corner.

My girlfriend is a copy editor on a TV listings magazine – it’s great, we always know what’s going to be on the telly.”So what has she treated herself to with her new fortune? I’m thinking of Jeanette Winterson’s paintings and first editions.. “No, no I’m a right pleb My Sky Plus Machine? That’ll do for me. “I’ve still got friends I had before I was writing, and they’re lesbian social workers, or academics or teachers. She talks about Seinfeld and The Simpsons as much as Woolf and Dickens. She doesn’t attend literary parties, isn’t a blurb whore (unread, unsolicited proof copies of novels languish outside her door), doesn’t hang out with writers.