September 2025 | Penguin Random House South Africa

IN THEIR OWN WORDS | Jamie Oliver, Sifo the Cooking Husband and Ilse van der Merwe

Looking for inspiration, stories, and fresh ideas? Our authors are here to share their passions, insights, and the journeys behind their books. From Jamie Oliver’s energising new approach to health, to Sifo the Cooking Husband’s celebration of food and family, to bold explorations of AI, joy, and timeless South African heritage, there’s something for everyone. Watch exclusive videos, hear directly from the writers, and discover the heart behind the pages.

Extract: Wicked Smart by Douglas Kruger

New results demand new ways of seeing and acting – this is reframing, one of humanity’s most powerful tools. Recent decades have unlocked behavioural economics breakthroughs, now gathered in one place as “smart-cuts.” Steve Jobs once said technology is a “bicycle for the mind” – and the world is full of them. Adopt these principles and you can think sharper, build stronger teams, and even outpace industry giants.

Extract: When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

Eight students enter an elite writers’ retreat, chasing creative dreams under
the guidance of mentor Meredith Graffam, whose controversial past hides
unsettling truths. Among them, Effy confronts her mother’s betrayal while
navigating unresolved feelings for Arlo, the ex who broke her heart. But
Graffam’s unorthodox methods push the group to dangerous extremes,
exposing secrets, testing loyalties, and igniting rivalries. What begins as

Extract: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon returns in The Secret of Secrets, Dan Brown’s first novel in over eight years. When celebrated academic Katherine Solomon vanishes without a trace in Prague, Langdon is thrust into a perilous search through one of Europe’s oldest, most mysterious cities. Beneath vast castles, labyrinthine passages, and graveyards buried twelve deep, he uncovers a shadow world shaped by centuries of folklore and dark history.

Extract: The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Who's got time to think about murder when there's a wedding to plan?
It’s been a quiet year for the Thursday Murder Club. Joyce is busy with
table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with
family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favourite
criminal. But when Elizabeth meets a wedding guest who fears for their
life, the thrill of the chase is ignited once again. A villain wants access

Extract: The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Extract: The Advocate by Jackie Phamotse

Beneath the Coal family’s flawless facade lies a dynasty on the verge of
collapse. Luna Parks’ fragile marriage, riddled with secrets, ignites further
turmoil when an unwelcome guest arrives on the farm. Meanwhile, the
Fletchers tighten their sinister hold over Clanwilliam, forcing the advocate
to become the last line of defence. As Cameron Coal faces an impossible
choice, love threatens to become both salvation and downfall. Against