Who Runs Britain Robert Peston (Hodder & Stoughton, £8.99) This is a dense book, but one that repays careful reading. It describes the gradual acceptance, by the media and politicians, that no one pays if superrich people create bizarre money-making vehicles to make their next million. The events of the past few months make it clear that we are all paying – in terms of taxpayer’s money, lost jobs, lost pensions, and lost savings. Peston, the BBC's rather eccentric business editor, produces an eye-opening account of various shenanigans, but is short on suggestions about what might be done.

Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories Agatha Christie (Harper, £14.99) Poirot, the Belgian detective with an immaculate black moustache, is due to return to the silver screen soon, with ITV starting work on four new films, starring David Suchet. This book represents what must be one of the best value ways of acquiring a complete set of the stories, with more than 50 on offer, including Poirot and the Regatta Mystery, an early short story not published since 1936. But be warned – this is a bargain book, and there are no concessions to ageing eyesight. It does, however, contain an introduction taken from Christie’s autobiography, in which she expresses her horror that the idea that Poirot should ever meet Miss Marple. “I am sure they would not enjoy it at all,” says the master of whodunnits.