Guest Newsletter: Five Books - Mysteries and Overthinking

The guest newsletter (Sylvia Bishop; 12 April 2026) spotlights Five Books’ interview-driven recommendations with two themed roundups: Mysteries and Overthinking. Sophie Roell guides readers through the 2026 Edgar Award Best Novel shortlist — the genre’s prominent prize — highlighting novels whose settings span from Dickensian London to the Southern Ocean. Separately, Dr Jessamy Hibberd explains how overthinking (rumination about the past and worry about the future) degrades problem-solving, traps mood, and contributes to mental and physical health problems, then recommends five books that range from foundational research to works on compassion, mindfulness, and acceptance. The brief also promotes The Browser’s daily offering, lists its editorial team (including Caroline Crampton and Robert Cottrell), and notes the newsletter is published on Ghost from a London address.