Jack-o-lantern with buddies Jack Ripper and Ducky at Halloween  HD Writers/Shutterstock.

Jack-o-lantern with buddies Jack Ripper and Ducky at Halloween  HD Writers/Shutterstock.

Set the mood for halloween with Delano’s 10 tips. This October, while some team members were knee-deep in the history of World War II, the dark side of motherhood and punk culture, others explored the story of the serial killer Jack the Ripper, and the pursuit of a mafia in Sicily.

Current reads

I was thrilled to receive an advance review copy of , written by , former US ambassador to Luxembourg. McKean is both thorough in his research and an excellent writer, providing illuminating anecdotes about the rise of the Third Reich and the American diplomats challenged to navigate that. It’s a powerful, readable narrative, and an excellent one to add to a library collection for anyone interested in World War II history, western Europe or transatlantic relations. NG 

by Ashley Audrain opens with a mother, Blythe, watching her ex-husband and their daughter from afar through a window. Slowly but steadily the reader learns how things fell apart in a story that tackles the dark side of motherhood. In a suspenseful debut, Audrain delves into the insecurities and anxieties of a first-time mother, wrapped into an altogether more sinister story of a difficult, manipulative child. But can Blythe be trusted or is she imagining things because of her own traumatic past? An entertaining thriller, perfect with a cup of tea (or glass of red wine) on a chilly autumn day. CS

Music is many things to many people: relaxant, artform, refuge, social identifier, way of life… but isn’t it strange how often it’s (also) employed in efforts to destroy the systems that be? I’m speaking about punk, of course. (2018), edited by Steve Zisson, is a collection of science fiction short stories united by the theme of punk. Standouts include Maria Haskins’s “Deepster Punks”, where miners at the bottom of the solar system’s oceans listen to their own soundtracks while something bizarre hunts them; Sarah Pinsker’s “A Song Transmuted”, in which a girl transforms herself into a musical instrument; and Josh Rountree’s “Fury’s Hour”, where the pseudo-religious power of music is the only thing able to challenge the domineering and fascistic “Corp”. Not all of the 26 stories pull equal weight, but they all pull tremendous questions out of our society--and via wonderfully destabilising chord progressions and cymbal crashes. JP

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is the podcast to listen to this weekend for all true crime loving feminists in a Halloween inspired gory mood. Tune in to the story of Jack the Ripper's victims told by historian Hallie Rubenhold who shows us the side of the Victorian-era serial killer's story that has so far remained untold. "Everything you think you know about Jack and those murdered women is wrong," says Rubenhold. So why not find outTG

The new, eponymously titled, album by sees the Kentucky outfit deliver a collection of cracking tunes. The album may be rather eclectic, encompassing alt-country, psychedelic blissed out experiments like centrepiece The Devil’s In the Details, retro southern soul blasts in the shape of Never In The Real World and out and out rock numbers. But there is something warmly familiar and coherent about this, the band’s ninth studio album and even the more contemporary sound of Love, Love, Love is a real joy. DR

Essential viewing

Journalist-activist Pino Maniaci and judge Silvana Saguto seem to pursue the same goal: crack down on the mafia in Sicily. But Saguto finds herself accused of corruption by Maniaci, who in turn faces allegations of extortion and being in cahoots with mafiosos. follows both over the course of several years as they battle with each other and the justice system. The series is a little chaotic at times, not least because of Maniaci’s exuberant personality, but asks interesting questions about justice, journalism and ethics. CS

  In post-WW2 Germany, preacher Paul Schäfer established a cult following, later moving his sect to Chile and creating . Over the years, the sect carried out torture and killings for the Pinochet regime while Schäfer abused children at the colony, expanded his control and cracked down on dissidents. Eyewitnesses who lived in the colony and their harrowing testimonies form the heart of the series, which makes for disturbing but captivating television. CS

tells the story of the pandemic in a fun and goofy way, albeit with all the drama linked to the pandemic. The plot of the movie follows the lives of seven families in a Parisian neighbourhood (8 Rue de l’Humanité--also the title of the movie in French), while taking the audience on a journey through the very many emotions and disruptions covid-19 brought about. From being stuck at home and confined with nosy neighbours, to the scientific scramble for a vaccine, major video-conferencing flops, being away from family, panic-buying, obsession with sanitisers… you will be sure to recognise yourself or your pandemic experience in one of the scenes or through the lives of the characters. AO

For foodies

Dining at was my personal highlight this month. You’d never guess from the outside that this cosy place tucked away on a corner in Hollerich would open up an entire experience. From the friendly greetings of the kimono-clad servers, to the sake sommelier’s extensive knowledge and explanations, to chef Ryôdô Kajiwara personally coming to our table several times to make sure we were satisfied, the service was stellar. Kajiwara takes such care in the details of content and presentation of each dish, from his very special version of miso soup, to the oyster with sanbaizu sauce, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef, to the selection of sweets at the end, it felt like a tour of Japan through the palette. It came as no surprise then when, just three weeks later, Kajiwara was crowned . NG 

replaced the Fischer bakery at the Alima supermarket in Luxembourg City just a few weeks ago. It sells delicious Dutch chocolates amid a range of local treats, baked by a social cooperative that provides work to persons with disabilities. Grab a mini Riesling paté with a glass of wine or stop by in the morning for a pastry. The offer changes subject to availability as everything is prepared fresh. The staff are friendly, happy to have a chat and knowledgeable about their products. CS