Mystery

Mystery woman followed by Katie Price’s husband on Insta is ‘biker babe’ who used ‘millionaire matchmaker’ dating site

KATIE Price’s missing hubby is back online after eight days and following a “biker babe”.

Lee Andrews’ Instagram only followed Katie until early today when it added a glam US Navy veteran called Marisol.

US Navy veteran Marisol, who Katie Price’s missing husband Lee Andrews has followed on Instagram
Katie’s last contact with Lee came when he claimed he had been arrested

Katie is said to be disgusted and incensed after “kidnapped” hubby Lee reappeared online.

His shock return came on worried Katie’s 48th birthday. In the early hours fans spotted Andrews had added Marisol — and they alerted Katie.

It appears Marisol previously used an online matchmaking service for millionaires.

Katie’s last contact with Andrews came when he claimed he had been arrested and taken to a “black site”.

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Katie’s fans noticed Lee Andrews had started following another account on Instagram
He had only been following Katie until her fans noticed the change and alerted her

He has since blanked her messages.

A pal said: “Katie is incensed at what has played out.

“She is beyond furious.

“She was panic-stricken last week when Lee told her he was being kidnapped.

“She thought it was genuine.

“Now it’s all unravelling.

“Those close to her have warned it’s all an elaborate sham but Katie genuinely loves Lee.

“She was so worried and does hold out some hope he is going to reappear.

Marisol appears to have used an online matchmaking service for millionaires
Andrews added ‘biker babe’ Marisol after returning online

“Now she’s seen him following this woman, to say she was angry and confused is an understatement.

“The last thing Lee told Katie was that he was being bundled into a van with ties around his hands.

“Now he’s on social media appearing to be chasing other women. It’s disgusting.”

Marisol did not respond to our request for comment.

Last night she deleted a photo with friends she posted on Instagram on Thursday.

Those with knowledge of Andrews had a stark warning for Marisol.

A source said: “If she is somehow involved with Lee she needs to get out fast.

“His MO is finding women on social media then befriending them.

Katie is said to be ‘beyond furious’ about the situation Credit: Louis Wood
Dubai-based Andrews is understood to be on a travel ban Credit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram

“It’s exactly what he did with Katie and look how that ended up.

“This Marisol appears to have used dating websites before with millionaires — so either she’s rich or she wants to meet a well-off partner.”

Dubai-based Andrews is understood to be on a travel ban.

Last month we revealed a business he was asking women to invest in was shut down in 2024.

Last week we told how he took £1,000 from The Sun’s Clemmie Moodie as part of another apparent sham investment scheme and has blanked her demands for its return.

The source added: “Women need to be aware of what Lee has done previously when it comes to taking money for investments.

“They should not give him a penny of their cash.”

Katie married Andrews days after they met in January.

His ex-fiancée Alana Percival later warned Katie off him and branded him a “narcissist”.

Last night a pal of Katie said: “She honestly thought she had found lasting love.

“She married him and got ‘owned by Lee’ tattooed on to her body.

“No matter how many times people tried to warn her about his behaviour she refused to leave him.

“Then he walked off the face of the planet.

“Now he’s back online and has started following some American bird.

“You couldn’t make it up.”

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Mystery as X Factor star pulls out of major festival gig for ‘unforeseen’ reasons

AN X Factor star has mysteriously pulled out of a major festival gig for “unforeseen” reasons.

The 30-year-old shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012 and went on to enjoy huge success as a musician.

An X Factor star has pulled out of a major festival gig for “unforeseen” reasons Credit: Getty
The 30-year-old shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012 and went on to enjoy huge success as a musician Credit: Getty

The In It Together festival, which takes place this month in Wales, has announced that X Factor star Ella Henderson will not be appearing this year.

Taking to social media they said: “We’re very sorry to share that Ella Henderson has unfortunately been forced to cancel some of her upcoming appearances due to unforeseen circumstances, and as a result will no longer be appearing at In It Together Festival this year.

“We completely understand and support Ella’s decision, and we want to send our love and very best wishes to Ella and her entire team at this time.

“We sincerely hope to welcome Ella to In It Together in the near future.”

OH BOY

Eurovision shock as Boy George fails to make the final after cameo performance


GO JOJO

Strictly pro Johannes Radebe set to join Emma Willis as part of new host line-up

Ella found fame on the ITV talent show in 2012 aged 16 where she wowed judges with her rendition of Cher’s Believe before reaching the live finals Credit: Getty
Festival bosses have revealed that they have secured a huge replacement artist Credit: Instagram

The statement continued: “While we know many of you will be disappointed, we’ve worked tirelessly behind the scenes at the last minute to secure a huge replacement artist and someone you absolutely do not want to miss.

“Join us on Sunday at 2PM on the Together Stage for the official reveal. Trust us… this is BIG.”

Ella found fame on the ITV talent show in 2012 aged 16 where she wowed judges with her rendition of Cher’s Believe before reaching the live finals.

But she finished in sixth place behind winner James Arthur.

Following her stint on the show, Ella went on to sign with Simon Cowell’s label Syco Music and released her first studio album, Chapter One, with the music mogul in 2014.

During her time with label, Ella scored several hits with her single Ghost, which she wrote with the American writer producer Ryan Tedder, and emotional ballad Yours.

She went on a four-year hiatus in 2015, and released her second studio album, Everything I Didn’t Say, in 2022. It became her second top 10 album in the UK.

Ella has received the Brit Billion Award, and nominations for four Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award.

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Netflix fans ‘screaming’ over first trailer for ‘excellent’ murder mystery show’s return

A smash-hit crime drama returning to Netflix and BBC later this month has just dropped an electrifying new trailer

Netflix and BBC viewers are ecstatic after getting their first look at one of the most highly anticipated returning shows of 2026.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, based on the series of books by Holly Jackson, first premiered on iPlayer and BBC Three in July 2024 and was later released to Netflix.

Now, fans of the series, which was once again filmed in Bristol and Somerset, will be able to stream the thrilling second season on either service from Wednesday, 27th May.

Ahead of the long-awaited premiere, a new trailer has been released teasing another gripping mystery for amateur sleuth Pip Fitz-Amobi (played by Emma Myers) to unravel.

Season two picks up with Pip and Ravi (Zain Iqbal) after cracking the case of missing student Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies) as Max Hastings (Henry Ashton) prepares for his trial.

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However, while Pip is desperate to go back to her quiet life in Little Kilton, Connor’s (Jude Morgan-Collie) older brother, Jamie (Eden H Davies), a key witness in Max’s case, suddenly goes missing.

A synopsis for the six-part follow-up teases: “With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Pip and the group are thrust into a desperate, heart-pounding race to find him before it’s too late.

“As the search intensifies, Pip is pushed to her absolute limit, forced to face a terrifying reality, will she be able to save Jamie in time?”

Author Jackson is helming the adaptation this time along with showrunner Poppy Cogan, taking inspiration from the second novel in the bestselling series, Good Girl, Bad Blood.

This time around, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will include newcomers such as Davies as Jamie, along with Misia Butler (KAOS) and Jack Rowan (Noughts + Crosses).

Fans were thrilled to get a more extensive look at the second series, which previews another high-stakes missing person investigation along with more drama between Pip and her friends and a reckoning for her vile nemesis, Max.

Audiences have described the series as “excellent”, a “fantastic adaptation”, and so “incredible” they “binged it in a day” in rave reviews on IMDb.

The new trailer for season two is also getting an enthusiastic response from fans on social media. One YouTube user exclaimed, “IM SOOO EXCITED!!!” and another commented, “WE’RE SO BACK”.

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This includes the brand new UK drama Unchosen, starring Asa Butterfield and Christopher Eccleston.

Reactions continued on X, where one fan said: “When I tell you I screamed I screamed oh my god pip is back.”

“May 27 is already circled on my calendar. Pip is back and I am so ready,” someone else said.

And a final viewer declared: “PIP IS BACK ON SCREEN I JUST SAT UP AND CHEERED OMG.” Make sure you clear your calendar for the return of this addictive mystery drama coming in just a few weeks’ time.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2 premieres Wednesday, 27th May on BBC iPlayer, BBC Three and Netflix.

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‘Stunning’ mystery series perfect for Beyond Paradise fans is free to stream

The fourth season of Beyond Paradise may have ended but fans can catch up with another detective duo

Beyond Paradise fans can enjoy another thrilling detective series after the BBC show recently ended.

On Friday evening (May 1), Beyond Paradise viewers were left distraught as the series concluded after a successful four seasons.

The popular crime drama, featuring Kris Marshall returning to his Death in Paradise character DI Humphrey Goodman alongside Sally Bretton as Martha Lloyd, debuted in 2023 and was an instant hit.

Audiences will be hoping the BBC will soon release more information on new episodes of Beyond Paradise, but in the meantime, crime drama fans are urged to watch Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, which can be streamed on Channel4.com.

The detective period drama follows the personal and professional life of Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis), a private detective operating in Melbourne, Australia, in the 1920s.

Not only is the wealthy, sharp-witted Fisher incredibly glamorous, but she also has the talent to solve cases that police can’t crack. She is often paired with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (Nathan Page), and the duo uses each other’s expertise to investigate crimes.

However, Fisher remains haunted by the tragedy surrounding her younger sister, often wrestling with the question of whether she could have done more to prevent it. The first series aired on ABC in 2012 and was followed by two more, concluding in 2015

The show is inspired by Kerry Greenwood’s historical mystery novels, which brought the iconic Phryne Fisher to life. The series began with the 1989 novel Cocaine Blues and spanned 23 books.

The first series aired on ABC in 2012 and was followed by two more, concluding in 2015. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries was followed up by a feature film, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, released in 2020.

The show is rated 8.2/10 on IMDB with one fan calling the show “another excellent offering”, adding “The story lines, characters, writing, acting, sets, period ambiance… whatever else… are all superb.”

Another explained: “Sultry and stunning period mystery series. As a lifelong mystery buff, I find “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” to be a real treat.”

“Lots of fun, and looks gorgeous. I happened upon Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries quite by accident”, added another.

Who else stars in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries? The cast of the crime drama includes:

  • Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher
  • Nathan Page as Detective Inspector Jack Robinson
  • Ashleigh Cummings as Dorothy ‘Dot’ Williams
  • Hugo Johnstone-Burt as Constable Hugh Collins
  • Richard Bligh as Mr. Tobias Butler
  • Travis McMahon as Bert Johnson
  • Anthony Sharpe as Cecil ‘Cec’ Yates
  • Tammy MacIntosh as Dr. Elizabeth ‘Mac’ Macmillan
  • Miriam Margolyes as Prudence Elizabeth Stanley
  • Ruby Rees-Wemyss as Jane Ross
  • Nicholas Bell as Murdoch Foyle
  • Pip Miller as The Baron of Richmond, Henry George Fisher

Beyond Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries can be streamed on Channel 4.

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Love Island winner Mimii’s hunky new boyfriend’s identity revealed after she hard launched mystery man

JUST weeks after Mimii Ngulube revealed she was in a fresh relationship, The Sun can reveal the identity of her hunky new man.

The Love Island winner hard-launched her other half by sharing a TikTok dance clip with him this week, but fans have been wondering who the man behind the screen really is.

After Mimii Ngulube revealed she was in a fresh romance, The Sun can reveal who her hunky new boyfriend is Credit: Instagram
Mimii’s new beau, Denzel, keeps a low profile with just 2000 followers online, unlike his realiy star girlfriend Credit: instagram

Mimii’s new boyfriend, Denzel, keeps a much lower-profile than the reality star and has just 2.3K followers on Instagram – with little about him on the internet.

The pair have been getting close over recent months, and a source tells The Sun that the smitten couple are “really happy” after making their romance official.

They revealed: “Mimii and Denzel are really happy together.

“She keeps a fairly low profile compared to a lot of the Love Island winners, so for her to hard launch him on her socials means she is definitely smitten.

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The pair have been keeping details of their romance under wraps over recent months Credit: m
However, fans did get a sneak peek of the new couple together in Mimii’s most recent TikTok as she hard-launched the relationship Credit: TikTok
Pals say that Mimii is ‘so happy’ since meeting Denzel Credit: Instagram
It comes after Mimii split from Josh Oyinsan, whom she won Love Island with in 2024 Credit: Rex

“He is a good guy, with good values. He is very religious, as is Mimi, so they have that in common.

“Friends have commented how she hasn’t been this happy in ages and it’s great to see her with such a huge smile on her face.”

In March, Mimii first revealed that she was seeing someone new as she dubbed Denzel “Mr. Mimii”.

However, she kept details to a minimum, other than revealing he treated her to some luxury birthday gifts.

But in Mimii’s latest TikTok, fans finally got a glimpse into the romance as she danced whilst Denzel was spotted busting a move in the frame behind her.

However, she still refrained from naming or tagging Denzel, who has around 2,000 followers on Instagram and is thought to hail from Kent.

Mimii won Love Island in 2024 with her ex Josh Oyinsan.

However, the pair split shortly after appearing on the show as they failed to make things work outside of the villa.

Whilst the ITV2 show may not have found her lasting love, Mimii has, however, maintained friendships with several her co-stars.

Showing they approve of her new romance, a number of Mimii’s fellow Love Islanders commented on her new TikTok with Denzel.

“Ugh YES You’re GLOWING,” wrote Uma Jammeh.

While Matilda Draper wrote: “love this for u”.

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‘Must-watch’ murder mystery perfect for Agatha Christie fans streaming for free

The unique crime drama is perfect for Agatha Christie fans, and is now available to watch for free.

A “must-watch” murder mystery perfect for Agatha Christie fans is now available to watch for free.

This Is Not A Murder Mystery follows a group of young Surrealist artists in the 1930s.

The Belgian English-language crime drama is now available to watch on Channel 4, after first airing last year.

Set in England in a lavish country estate, it sees a collection of famous artists finding themselves trapped with a serial killer.

The cast features Pierre Gervais as Rene Magritte, Inaki Mur as Salvador Dali, Florence Hall as Lee Miller, Frank Rourke as Man Ray and Mike Hoffman as Max Ernst.

The synopsis for This Is Not A Murder Mystery, taken from Magritte’s The Treachery of Images painting, reads: “Crime drama set in the flamboyant 1930s, following a group of young Surrealist artists, including Dali and Magritte, who are trapped in a lavish mansion with a serial killer on the loose.”

Viewers were left gripped by the unique period drama, with one person writing: “This series is a delightful and stylish twist on the classic whodunit. Set in the opulent 1930s with a gathering of legendary surrealist artists, it plays masterfully with suspense and visual flair.” They added: “For anyone looking for an intelligent drama wrapped in atmosphere and intrigue, this series is a must-watch.”

Another person branded it “worth watching” while someone else called it “charming”. When the trailer dropped, fans rushed to share their excitement, with one writing: “This looks *rilly* good, as another said: “This looks fun!”

Someone else said: “I’m so glad Agatha Christie-ish stories has taken ahold of media for now. It’s such a fun genre.”

Another added: “I’ve been itching for another story like this ever since Knives Out came out years ago! And I’m also really excited to see a cast where I don’t recognize anyone I’m sick of Hollywood only casting the same “trendy” actors in roles they’re ill-suited for so this is a nice chance to see other talent shine!”

Producer Kristoffel Mertens and Elly Vervloet previously spoke to Variety about turning their surrealist idea into this drama, with Mertens saying: “It started as the typical cliché idea that goes around in production companies.

“Everyone is very enthusiastic about it, but at the same time we would never be able to make it. Yet for this one, it remained with us and we kept going back to it, so in the end, we thought we could try to at least get it into development. And it turns out that “This is Not a Murder Mystery’ became one of the biggest shows ever made in Flanders.”

It’s definitely the biggest series we have ever done”, Vervloet added.

“We usually commission Flemish series for our local audience, creating a mix of domestic series and high-end TV shows as well.

“But at that level, it becomes a matter of dreaming big, being bold, and daring to make this choice as a public broadcaster to bring this English-spoken series to our audience and beyond.”

This Is Not A Murder Mystery is available to watch on Channel 4.

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Inside Jack Whitehall’s ‘mystery feud’ with Freddie Flintoff & James Corden after dodging £250k wedding & Instagram snub

WHEN Jack Whitehall decided to leave Sky’s A League of Their Own in 2018 to try and crack America, he feared it would leave his friendship with his co-stars James Corden and Freddie Flintoff in tatters.

Fast forward eight years, and it appears Jack’s prophecy may have come true. Both Flintoff and Corden skipped his £250k nuptials on Saturday –  with Flintoff posting photos of himself on the golf course in Slough instead.

Freddie Flintoff’s absence from Jack Whitehall’s wedding has raised eyebrows and sparked rumours of a feud between the former best mates Credit: Alamy
When Jack left A League Of Their Own, he feared his friendships with co-stars would be left in tatters Credit: Alamy
James Corden was at Jack’s stag do, but didn’t make the star-studded wedding Credit: CLICK NEWS – DEAN

And neither Corden 47, who attended the stag do in London on March 30th, nor Flintoff, 48, – who was involved in a horrific and life-changing crash while filming the BBC’s Top Gear – have congratulated Jack and his new wife Roxy Horner online. 

Their absence at the bash raised eyebrows – and sparked rumours of a feud between the former best mates.

One guest tells us: “Of course, people noticed that Freddie and James weren’t there. They were huge parts of Jack’s life for so long.

“But Freddie has been through so much over the last few years, and people suspected he just didn’t want to be at such a public event. 

“All the guests were photographed for Vogue, and it was actually quite a big spectacle, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Freddie didn’t want to be part of the circus.

“Why James missed it is another matter and very bizarre considering he was at the stag do.”

‘Very bizarre’

Other guests, including Jamie Redknapp, who also worked on the Sky show, shared gushing posts about the nuptials on Instagram. Corden however, is no longer following Whitehall. 

Meanwhile, Redknapp certainly made his presence known; he posted his Vogue snaps from the big day and gushed: “Congratulations to Jack and Roxy on your big day. I honestly couldn’t be happier for you both. I think the world of you guys, and I’m so proud to be there to see it all

“Jack, you’re like a little brother to me, although somehow still my favourite man baby. And Roxy, fair play… you’ve taken on a lifelong project there.

“Wishing you both a lifetime of laughs, love, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Have the best day, and an even better life together.”

Roxy sent a pointed response, saying: “Thank you so much for being there on our special day x”

Whitehall, known for Fresh Meat, tied the knot with Roxy at Euridge Manor in Wiltshire over the weekend, with their daughter Elsie by their side.

His stag do took place at the end of March in London and saw him joined by fellow celebs Jamie Redknapp and James Corden as well as ex-rugby star, Lawrence Dallaglio.

The boozy day out, which Whitehall says started at 11am with a Guinness, ended up getting so rowdy that the comedian can barely remember what happened.

Whitehall tied the knot with Roxy at Euridge Manor over the weekend Credit: anna_longford / Instagram
Roxy and Jack’s wedding took place in the grounds of £12million stately home Euridge Manor, near Chippenham, Wilts Credit: Instagram/Roxyhorner
Jack Whitehall starred alongside James Corden, Jamie Redknapp and Freddie Flintoff on the hit Sky show A League Of Their Own Credit: Handout

The lads sank pints at The Devonshire pub, before visiting the infamous and very sexy nightclub The Box, which is believed to have put on a private show just for Whitehall and his rowdy group of mates.

They then moved on to mini-golf hotspot, Swingers and ended the night with drinks at the Soho Hotel bar.

Images from the night showed Whitehall staggering down the street with Corden and Redknapp,  but Flintoff was absent.

The four mates started working together in 2012, at the time Whitehall was a relative unknown, while Flintoff and Redknapp were sporting legends, and Corden had made his name in comedy Gavin & Stacey.

‘Breaking up the friends’

Whitehall’s career started to take off, and despite League of Their Own being a huge hit, he decided to quit in 2018 to pursue a career in America like Corden.

He admitted at the time he was worried about leaving his mates behind and said: “It was very sad ­sitting down with Jamie and ­Freddie and telling James on the phone. Jamie wept.

“I’m the b*****d breaking up the friends. But I think they still like me.

“I think we’re all still pals, it will probably help going forward with our friendship as we won’t see each other all the time.”

His career skyrocketed from there, and a few years later, Corden quit A League of Their Own and then Flintoff left a year later. 

Jamie Redknapp, pictured, and James Corden attended Jack’s boozy stag do in London – but Flintoff gave it a miss Credit: CLICK NEWS – DEAN
Flintoff posted photos of himself on the golf course in Slough on Jack and Roxy’s big day Credit: Instagram

Former cricket star Flintoff landed a place on Top Gear in 2019 but in December 2022, he was involved in a terrifying accident while filming the BBC show.

He was airlifted to hospital after his three-wheeled Morgan flipped, leaving him with devastating facial injuries, which meant he needed reconstructive surgery, as well as suffering some broken ribs.

He became a social recluse, not leaving the house for over six months, and struggled with his mental health, including suffering from PTSD, flashbacks, and anxiety.

Whitehall appeared in Flintoff’s 2025 Disney+ documentary about his accident and recalled their first meeting, he said: “I remember being quite intimidated. I was meeting Freddie Flintoff, who I looked up to a lot as a kid, for the first time.

“So many people think of him as so strong and so alpha, but he’s definitely fragile.”

Asked if he had a message for Flintoff, whose friendship with Top Gear co-host Paddy McGuinness also struggled post-crash, Whitehall replied straight-faced: “Answer my texts.”

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101 best book club picks, including mystery, romance and literary fiction

Dishing about what you’re reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Even better if your audience has read the same book. Reading with others also provides space to deepen community, ignite conversations and share moments of joy. Los Angeles needs that more than ever right now as we continue to shoulder a heavy 2025 marked by fires and ICE raids. But how to choose a book to get started? The best books to read in groups inspire a dialogue. They have sparkling prose and unshakable narratives. These were the guiding factors for compiling our recommendations for all kinds of readers.

We surveyed 200-plus luminaries in the book and journalism worlds to make this in-depth list. The voters included prizewinning authors, indie bookstore owners, a Man Booker Prize judge, Ivy League professors, literary agents, lauded journalists and several zealous book club members. To ensure an especially varied selection, the editors gave a final curatorial pass.

The list includes 10 categories for every type of reader, whether you reach for literary fiction or romance. We also crowned an “Ultimate Book Club Pick,” which is the title that received the most votes out of all the books by a landslide, and happens to be eerily prophetic (find it among the “Make-Believers” selections). Of course, we couldn’t include every worthy book. Let us know your picks and pull up a chair next to us. Why not read together?
Sophia Kercher

If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.

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Tell us: What’s the best book you’ve ever read in a book club?

When perusing our final list of the 101 best book club picks, my eyes popped. My book club had just read two books that made the final cut.

And they were, on average, both our favorite and least favorite of the year. “Martyr” by Kaveh Akbar was layered and moving. “Big Swiss” by Jen Beagin was spicy and fun but too over the top.

Still, both led to fervent conversation peppered with oh-my-gods. So it goes with book clubs: Even if you don’t love what you’re reading, it can still offer something interesting to tease apart.

To make our lineup, The Times surveyed more than 200 authors, publishers, journalists and general book club enthusiasts to select the best book club reads in 10 categories, including romance, mystery, memoir and literary fiction.

Did we miss any books your book club loves? Tell us in the form below by April 20. We may include your suggestions in a follow-up story.

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Alarcon Mailer’s Mystery Endorsement Is Finally Unmasked

“Scratchers” is the familiar California Lottery game in which players rub a silver coating off tickets to see if they have won.

A similar game is being played in the San Fernando Valley by voters who have received campaign material from state Senate candidate Richard Alarcon.

Alarcon, a city councilman, is in a tight primary race with former Assemblyman Richard Katz to replace state Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) who is being forced out of office due to term limits.

Last month, Alarcon began distributing hundreds of campaign brochures that question Katz’s legislative record. On the back is a list of 13 former and current elected officials who endorse Alarcon.

But one of the names on the list has been blacked out with ink and covered with a piece of white tape, on which is printed the name of another Alarcon supporter, former Assembly Majority Leader Mike Roos.

At several recent campaign events, people have been seen scratching at the tape on the back of the brochure to try to reveal the name. One woman who tried complained that she couldn’t get past the ink and the white tape.

“Whose name did they hide under there?” she asked.

The hidden name is that of Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles). Sources close to Villaraigosa say that Alarcon’s campaign printed Villaraigosa’s name on the brochure without the speaker’s consent. When Villaraigosa found out, he blew a fuse and demanded that his name be removed because he had decided not to make an endorsement in the race.

By then, sources say, hundreds of the brochures had been printed. The only way to remove Villaraigosa’s name was to cover it with another name.

When asked about the brochures, Alarcon would only say: “There was a misunderstanding.”

Greening

In the Broadway musical “The Music Man” traveling salesman Harold Hill sings about the evils of pool, which he notes starts with “P” and that rhymes with “T” and that stands for trouble, trouble, trouble.

Maria Armoudian, the Green Party candidate vying to unseat Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills) has no hang-ups about pool halls. For her, pool starts with “P” and that rhymes with “C” and that stands for cash, cash, cash.

Armoudian’s first fund-raiser will be June 11 at Fantasia Billiards. For $10, supporters can get their fill of food, pool and political speeches. “I’m committed to changing the world,” Armoudian said, “but I’m going to have fun while I’m doing it.”

Full Speed Ahead

The newest advocate of a separate San Fernando Valley transit zone agency is Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

Riordan gave his endorsement of the proposal in a letter submitted to the MTA board by Alarcon, a strong backer of the idea. Alarcon also submitted the city’s notice of intent to seek formation of the agency.

Alarcon has long argued such an agency could improve bus service. Riordan agreed.

However, the mayor wrote, not just cheaper service but more buses on the road should be the goal, and the Valley shouldn’t benefit at the expense of other areas of the city.

When Alarcon gave the mayor’s letter, together with the letter of intent, to the MTA board, some board members couldn’t hold back their enthusiasm.

Although the letter is supposed to kick off studies that are expected to take months, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich suggested bringing the proposal back in June for approval. Alarcon said he actually found himself urging restraint.

“I said, ‘I appreciate that greatly, but perhaps conceptual approval would be appropriate,” he said.

Exalted Company

Deputy Mayor Rocky Delgadillo, the mayor’s economic development czar, found himself elbow to elbow with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and actress Lauren Bacall recently at a dinner he attended to receive Columbia University’s prestigious University Medal of Excellence this week.

Delgadillo, a graduate of Columbia’s law school, joins such notables as scientist Stephen Jay Gould, choreographer Twyla Tharpe, and political analyst George Stephanopoulos in receiving the medal.

Talk, Talk

Don’t expect the hotly contested proposal to build 24,300 homes at Newhall Ranch near Santa Clarita to come before the Board of Supervisors any time soon.

The proposal, which would plunk 70,000 people down on what is now grazing and farmland, is scheduled to be heard by the supervisors next Tuesday. However, Antonovich has requested that the discussion be postponed until June. And a key player in Antonovich’s office has said he does not expect a final vote until fall.

In part, the delay is due to the vast volume of material–including a four-volume environmental impact report–that has accompanied the application by the developer, the Newhall Land & Farming Co.

But there’s another reason. Antonovich’s aides are hoping that a compromise can be reached between neighbors–many of whom vehemently oppose the project, and Newhall Land–before the application comes before the supervisors.

Antonovich spokesman Cam Currier would not say whether progress had been made since the board held a public hearing on the project in March. But, he said, Antonovich’s office is attempting to facilitate discussions,.

“There is an ongoing dialogue between the developer and those who oppose the project,” Currier said.

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