Release Date: 16/11/17
Publisher: Head of Zeus
SYNOPSIS:
She lost her sight, but she can still see the truth...
Jenny Aaron was once part of an elite police unit tracking Germany's most dangerous criminals. She was the best. Until it all went wrong. A disastrous mission saw her abandon a wounded colleague and then lose her sight forever.
Now, five years later, she has learnt to navigate a darkened world. But she's still haunted by her betrayal. Why did she run?
Then she receives a call from the unit. They need her back. A prison psychologist has been brutally murdered. And the killer will only speak to one person...
REVIEW:
The UK publisher of this title is one that is renowned for bringing foreign talent to the British reader and when they spend out for a translator they really do make sure that the book is polished to not only bring the full flavour of the tale to the fore but also so that the language nuances work well in the translated version so that the text flows without any minterpreted words that can ruin the whole flow of a paragraph.
Within the pages the reader is treated to a principle character that feels rounded, she has her flaws and whilst she's hard on herself, the strength and ability really show that she "see's" more than the average person. The book has great pace, solid dialogue and all round gives the crime reader a real treat wtih some magical twists. all round a great read and now an author thats firmly on my radar.
Release Date: 16/11/17
Publisher: Century
SYNOPSIS:
From the Sunday Times bestselling author, Simon Kernick, comes the thrilling second instalment in The Bone Field series. Featuring DI Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd.
A house deep in the countryside where the remains of seven unidentified women have just been discovered.
A cop ready to risk everything in the hunt for their killers.
A man who has seen the murders and is now on the run in fear of his life.
So begins the race to track down this witness before the killers do.
For Ray Mason and PI Tina Boyd, the road ahead is a dangerous one, with bodies and betrayal at every turn…
REVIEW:
The Second book in Simon's Bone Field series and one that continues to build upon not only the success of the first but continues to develop the characters so that they become more real to the reader.
As with the original its well written, the overall arc a delight to spend time with and when you throw into the mix a great understanding of pace alongside dialogue that fits the characters as envisioned by me as a reader down to a tee. All round makes this tale a joy to devour. A great christmas gift.
Release Date: 05/08/17
Publisher: Head of Zeus
SYNOPSIS:
100 of the best crime stories written by women, selected and introduced by Sophie Hannah.
From Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier, to Val McDermid and Margaret Atwood, women writers have long been drawn to criminal acts. Here, award-winning author Sophie Hannah brings together 100 of her favourite examples.
Deadlier includes prize-winners, bestsellers and rising stars, so whether you take your crime cosy or hard-boiled, this big, beautiful anthology will keep you reading long into the night.
REVIEW:
A cracking set of crime short stories from female authors across time as picked by crime author Sophie Hannah and to be honest I love to read stories from various time periods to not only see how the craft has developed but also given the opportunity to read some cracking outings without having to spend a pretty penny on older titles.
Its full of genre famous names from those of yesteryear alongside modern ladies seeking to hack as well as slash thier way to the top bringing top talent to the reader. The book was wonderfully rich, was wonderful to dive into and savour each revelation in short story format during lunch breaks or even long journeys. All round a top notch title and one that whilst its great to have in Hardback as you'll be delving in time and again, with the thickness and weight may be better suited to a digital read. (Unless of course you want a bludgeoning weapon on hand for anyone interupting your reading time. LOL) Magic.
Release Date: 10/08/17
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
SYNOPSIS:
The twisty and darkly compelling thriller and RICHARD & JUDY BOOKCLUB PICK that will keep you up all night.
'The rock cast a sharp, dark shadow over a shape huddled on the ground. Please don’t let it be the boy, Colomba thought. Her silent prayer didn’t go unanswered. The corpse belonged to the mother.'
THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STOP HIM IS THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY...
Dante Torre spent eleven young years in captivity - held by a man known only as The Father - before outwitting his abductor. Now working for the police force, Torre's methods are unorthodox but his brilliance is clear. When a young child goes missing in similar circumstances in Rome, Torre must confront the demons of his past to attempt to solve the case.
Paired with Deputy Captain Colomba Caselli, a fierce, warrior-like detective still reeling from having survived a bloody catastrophe, all evidence suggests The Father is active after being dormant for decades, and that he’s looking forward to a reunion with Dante ...
REVIEW:
When it comes to crime novels these days, a lot of people tend to point to the Scandinavian influx that demonstrates how it can be done well blending landscape as well as culture to create something wonderfully haunting, but I have to say that one nation to keep a careful eye on are the Italians as this wonderfully translated title from Sandrone will prove as he brings his blend of crime to the english speaking world.
Its haunting, it has top notch twists and perhaps best of all characters who are so flawed that you'd swear he'd swiped them from real life. They have foibles, they have their weaknesses but its this human part that makes them so believable. Back this with a good amount of investigative detail and all round I was a happy reader. Yes it lost it a little towards the end and could have been tied up a bit neater but all round, for a debut novel I have to say I was more than impressed. I'll be keeping a careful eye on future outings for our duo Torres and Caselli and of course expect in time for them to have thier own TV show. Magic.
Release Date: 27/06/17
Publisher: Harper Collins
SYNOPSIS:
That’s the Four Monkey Killer or ‘4MK’. A murderer with a twisted vision and absolutely no mercy.
Detective Sam Porter has hunted him for five long years, the recipient of box after box of grisly trinkets carved from the bodies of 4MK’s victims.
But now Porter has learnt the killer’s twisted history and is racing to do the seemingly impossible – find 4MK’s latest victim before it’s too late…
REVIEW:
"A criminal thriller that grabs you from the get go and rubs your face in the blood and guts of the killer deed. " is the best way I have of describing this title by JD Barker. After all she really does delivery in a high octane crime novel that really doesn't want to let you go.
As expected the pace is exhausting and with elements like taunting a detective that sets to chase you with your diary are thrown into the mix, you know that its going to have to end in one way. A cracking showdown.
This title for me did it all, it made me emotional with the way that the descriptions took place really adding flavour to the dish, it made you scream internally, it made you emotional and all round more than delivered with a pretty slick arc.
All round a cracker and I tell you now, get this book sooner rather than later, you'll feel a chill even in the summer heat. Magic.
Release Date: 06/04/17
Publisher: Bantam
SYNOPSIS:
‘Composed of over sixty per cent water itself, a human body isn’t naturally buoyant. It will float only for as long as there is air in its lungs, before gradually sinking to the bottom as the air seeps out. If the water is very cold or deep, it will remain there, undergoing a slow, dark dissolution that can take years. But if the water is warm enough for bacteria to feed and multiply, then it will continue to decompose. Gases will build up in the intestines, increasing the body’s buoyancy until it floats again.
And the dead will literally rise . . . ‘
Once one of the country’s most respected forensics experts, Dr David Hunter is facing an uncertain professional – and personal – future. So when he gets a call from Essex police, he’s eager for the chance to assist them.
A badly decomposed body has been found in a desolate area of tidal mudflats and saltmarsh called the Backwaters. Under pressure to close the case, the police want Hunter to help with the recovery and identification.
It’s thought the remains are those of Leo Villiers, the son of a prominent businessman who vanished weeks ago. To complicate matters, it was rumoured that Villiers was having an affair with a local woman. And she too is missing.
But Hunter has his doubts about the identity. He knows the condition of the unrecognizable body could hide a multitude of sins. Then more remains are discovered – and these remote wetlands begin to give up their secrets . . .
With its eerie, claustrophobic sense of place, viscerally authentic detail and explosive heart-in-mouth moments, The Restless Dead offers a masterclass in crime fiction and marks the stunning return of one of the genre’s best.
REVIEW:
The latest book from Simon to feature Dr David Hunter and one that really tests not only his ability to deal with the crimes he's asked to help with but how he deals with things on a personal level when events spiral out of his control.
Its well written with the tale taking the reader on a journey not only of crime but of the heart. Add to this some great twists, an isolated community where no one wants to talk about events as well as families seeking answers all round makes this a book that was a pure joy to spend time with.
All round I did love this book however one of the key points within did leave me wondering if the author was a little outdated for the reasoning as I didn't think it was one worth killing for. However all round, I was more than happy with the authors writing as well as the way the tale was woven so I've overlooked that one niggle. Superb.
Release Date: 04/05/17
Publisher: Head of Zeus
SYNOPSIS:
Vindici is a hero to many. He is also the nation's most dangerous criminal... A gripping serial killer thriller, perfect for fans of Angela Marsons.
The man who calls himself Vindici broke out of prison last year. Now he's filmed himself torturing and killing paedophiles in Liverpool's affluent suburbs. Half the city are celebrating: the streets are safer for their children. But for DCI Eve Clay and her team at the Merseyside Police, it's a nightmare. Their job is to solve the crimes and lock up the killer – hard enough without being despised by the public they are trying to protect.
And now, just when they think they've cracked the case, they receive a photo of Vindici, at a Day of The Dead parade in Mexico. So if Vindici is 5,000 miles away, who are they hunting in Liverpool? DCI Eve Clay must draw on all her cunning to unmask a killer who is somehow always one step ahead...
REVIEW:
There are crime books that take a simpler route to the tale where you have police chasing killers and then you have books that take a premise and turn it around in such a way that you're left questioning whether you want the police to catch up with the tales "villain."
Such is the way with this book by Mark Roberts where DCI Eve Clay alongside her team have to track down a killer who the public want to defend due to his targets. Its well written, the twists delightfully delivered and when added to solid description alongside characters that you can believe in as well as get a handle upon, all round make this a book that was a pure joy to read as each clue was revealed.
All round a cracking tale and one that has made sure that Mark's next outing will be top of my TBR pile. Cracking Crime Drama.
Release Date: 09/02/17
Publisher: Headline
SYNOPSIS:
AN ESCAPED KIDNAPPING VICTIM BECOMES AN AVENGER OF INNOCENTS. CAN SHE ESCAPE WHEN SHE'S TARGETED AGAIN? The eighth novel in Sunday Times bestseller Lisa Gardner's Detective D. D. Warren series. Harlan Coben says FIND HER is 'taut psychological suspense' which 'should not be missed'.
A LOST GIRL FOUND
472 days locked in a pine box, at the mercy of a madman.
Flora Dane survived her hell with only one goal:
develop all the deadly skills necessary to make sure she's never caught again.
ANOTHER GIRL MISSING
Detective D.D. Warren believes that Flora may be the key to finding missing college student, Staecy Summers.
But she must follow rules that Flora has no interest in.
For Flora no risk is too great, no cost too high, even if it means playing into a predator's hands.
Two victims. One cop.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT...if you're going to FIND HER
REVIEW:
With so many crime thrillers to enjoy what I want as w reader is a tale that will grab my attention, throw in a good few twists and of course keep me glued to the pages whilst it weaves its eldritch spell over me.
What this story from Lisa does is bring all of that to the fore alongside giving the reader a protagonist who is not just a victim but a hunter as she twists the scenario round with inventive solutions. Its cleverly done allowing the reader to see sensitivities alongside strength, weakness and mental resolve whilst at the same time giving the reader a whole host of characters to delve into as you try to figure things out before the tale reaches its conclusion.
Back this up with some great twists, believable characters alongside a story that keeps you fascinated from start to finish and all round I was a very happy reader. Great stuff.
Release Date: 24/02/17
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
SYNOPSIS:
After a tough week, Tanya Kaitlin is looking forward to a relaxing night in, but as she steps out of her shower, she hears her phone ring. The video call request comes from her best friend, Karen Ward. Tanya takes the call and the nightmare begins.
Karen is gagged and bound to a chair in her own living room. If Tanya disconnects from the call, if she looks away from the camera, he will come after her next, the deep, raspy, demonic voice at the other end of the line promises her.
As Hunter and Garcia investigate the threats, they are thrown into a rollercoaster of evil, chasing a predator who scouts the streets and social media networks for victims, taunting them with secret messages and feeding on their fear.
REVIEW:
The eighth book by Chris to feature lead character Robert Hunter and each offering really takes the reader from the opening page into an almost cinematic story as each page turns. As with his other books the writing is crisp, the prose sharp but above all else its his characters that really bring the whole world to life.
Add to this solid dialogue, a cracking overall arc that adds more to Hunters mythos and all round it was a very satisfying read. Just be aware that some of the subject matter can be unsettling especially if you hear a phone ring at the wrong time. Cracking.
Release Date: 12/01/17
Publisher: Arrow
SYNOPSIS:
She kept moving forward. She didn't stop. She didn't look back.
Lily has been abducted from outside her high-school gates.
For eight long years she's been locked away from the outside world. During that time she's changed from a girl into a woman. She's had a baby.
And now she has seized her chance and escaped.
Running for her life, with her daughter in her arms, she returns to her family and the life she used to know - to her much-loved twin sister Abby, her mum, her high-school boyfriend - and her freedom.
But is it possible to go back?
Impossible not to read in one sitting, Baby Doll is a taut psychological thriller that focuses on family entanglements and the evil that can hide behind a benign facade.
REVIEW:
Stories create an emotional bond for the reader and to be honest this one is going to be tough for anyone who picks it up. Not because of the writing, its beautiful, but because of the subject matter that for me is based on the Josef Fritzl case, It's deeply harrowing, is emotionally draining and at the end of the day its content is disturbing as whilst we often claim that fiction is just that, when you can find real life parallels it makes it all the harder.
OK, so this book won't be for everyone and to be honest I'd have probably preferred not reading it due to how uncomfortable it made me feel as a voyeur within the scene. The principle character is believable, the dialogue solid and all round I have to say its a book that whilst I won't say that I'm pleased that I made it all the way through, was one that with its complexities and inner thoughts made this a real in-depth discovery into the mind of a prisoner. All round a book that you really should ask yourself questions about before embarking upon but if you do, be prepared for a number of nightmares as well as questions that this tale will end up leaving you asking yourself.
Release Date: 01/12/16
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
SYNOPSIS:
Eddie Butcher, one of four brothers from a notorious East End family, is tortured and brutally murdered while visiting London from his home in Marbella. DI Carter and DS Willis monitor his extravagant funeral in case Eddie’s violent brother Terry, under house arrest in Spain, tries to make an appearance. Terry is wanted for robbery, drug trafficking and murder - and the police strongly suspect he is even prepared to kill his own family to maintain his power.
What Carter hasn’t told all of his colleagues is that this family’s history is personal to him. When Carter is offered the chance to finally catch Terry, he knows he cannot refuse. But it comes at a heavy personal, and professional, cost - and Willis must protect them all as the Butcher family’s enemies close in, wanting revenge.
REVIEW:
OK, so having read previou work by lee, I've realised that I missed book four, yet with that being said I don't feel at a disadvantage to readers who have kept up to date with the series. As with previous outings, the authirs dark humour works wonderfully well throughout the piece, the mismatched duo working wonderfully well off each other and for me, its the dialogue that really helps to glue the book together.
Its delightful, it is deliciously dark and all round its a book that i had a hard time putting down let alone letting go of each night as I processed what I'd read and tried to guess what else would occur. All round a cracking author and one that I'm going to have to pay more attention to so I don't miss out. Now if you'll excuse me I have book four to order.
Release Date: 23/04/16
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
SYNOPSIS:
‘What impresses me most is Lloyd’s ability to bring big themes into the weave of the story and yet keep to the underlying threads of an astonishingly good detective novel. Such a magnificent writer’ Manda Scott
‘This is historical crime fiction at its very best’ Shots
From the author of the acclaimed historical thriller Savage Magic comes The Detective and the Devil, a riveting tale of villainy, alchemy and murder.
London, 1815: Constable Charles Horton of the River Police Office is called to investigate the brutal murder of a clerk and his family in London's East End. Horton's investigation draws him into the secretive world of the East India Company, which will stop at nothing to protect the secrets of its vast empire. What is the Company hiding, and why are its employees disappearing - particularly those linked to the small island of St Helena? The trail takes Horton and his wife Abigail from the steps of John Dee's house in Mortlake to the lonely South Atlantic, on the trail of a killer who seems to be the very Devil.
REVIEW:
The fourth outing for Charles Horton and a book that delightfully continues his "war" against the dark forces that beset this superntural crime thriller.
The prose is solid, the dialogue wonderfully rich and when you throw into the mix a principle character that you love to spend time around as he goes about his duty all round makes this a book that was a sheer delight to read. Whilst you can pick this up with no knowledge of what has gone before, I would suggest that you start from the beginning to get the fuller picture and with the holiday period fast approaching, could be a good time to order the lot for one hell of an adventure to get you away from the ensuing chaos it inevitably brings.
Release Date: 11/02/16
Publisher:
SYNOPSIS:
He's going to leave his mark on you
The gripping new Frank Behr novel from David Levien, author of City of the Sun. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and Chris Carter.
A corpse discovered. A woman. Dismembered. Twisted. Grotesquely reassembled.
This is the work of a dangerous, psychopathic serial killer. Soemone who goes about his daily business unseen, slipping under the radar.
And ex-cop Frank Behr has somehow got himself involved.
As Behr is drawn further and further in to the murky underworld, he finds that the line between good and evil is more blurry than he ever thought . . .
REVIEW:
If you're looking for a gory dark crimt thriller then David Levien is an author for you to try. The descriptive prose leaves you in no doubt about the twisted nature of the tales villain and whilst I have never been to Indianapolis I have to say that I could imagine the scenes pretty well.
The pace is delightfully fast, the action top notch and when backed by a character that, whilst on his fourth outing, is still fresh and complex, gives you something to thoroughly draw you in. All round a top not read. Magic.
Release Date: 02/06/16
Publisher: Corgi
SYNOPSIS:
Annika Bengtzon has spent her career telling stories that need to be heard.
As a journalist, she’s always been at the front line of criminal reporting, alongside the investigating officers. And now a court case that she’s been reporting on – the savage murder of a homeless man – has begun to attract a lot of attention. With the stakes rising by the day, Annika is once again flung to the heart of a complex case.
But nagging at the back of her mind is her sister’s mysterious absence. After a series of anxious text messages, she’s not heard another word. In the midst of a tense public situation, Annika’s own complicated past looks set to rear its head.
Some voices refuse to be silenced.
REVIEW:
Liza is a woman who doesn't pull punches in her writing, giving her stories dark paths to tread that are not only physically hard to treat but also psychologically disturbing, dealing with subject matter within that will leave many readers with chills.
The story is well written, the prose sharp and for me what really gives this book the edge over a lot of other titles out there at the moment is the frank honesty and manner in which Liza deals with violence towards women. Some may not make it through be book because of this so I say it as a warning ahead of schedule.
Add to this a principle character who whilst on her 11th outing still feels like a person I want to spend time with makes this authors series a must read every time a new title is released.
Release Date: 20/10/16
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
SYNOPSIS:
From BAFTA award-winning creator of Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren, comes the blistering follow-up to the bestselling Tennison. Jane Tennison, a young, inexperienced WPC, learns the hard way never to take anyone, or anything, at face value, whether in her dealings with her police colleagues or when confronted by seemingly innocent suspects.
Hidden Killers sees Jane acting as a ‘decoy’ prostitute, with the hope of capturing a suspect wanted for numerous sexual assaults. The attacker is drawn in and put under arrest. Commended for bravery in the case, Jane is given CID status and moves from Hackney to Bow Street Station as Detective. Her first call-out is to a non-suspicious death. The victim is a young mother, drowned tragically in her bath, leaving a bereft and doting husband and a young child.
The two storylines interweave as Jane begins to doubt the evidence against her assailant in East London, and becomes certain that the young woman in the bath did not drown in tragic circumstances. Two entirely different cases but one common thread - the lingering doubt in Jane’s mind around the evidence, and around her colleagues…
REVIEW:
Jane Tennison has been a part of my life for a while now and I just love to spend time with her. She's gutsy, a challenger to the hierarchy and above all else a person who believes in the truth no matter how uncomfortable it makes either her or the reader feel.
As usual with Lynda's writing, the police work feels solid, the clues alongside their answers can mislead at times as often as they help solve the crime and above all else for me, its getting the time with a younger Tennison so we learn what happened to create the detective so beloved by the Prime Suspect audience.
All round another cracking outing and with dialogue that not only fits the lady she is to become but the character feeling her way though the difficult machinations of a male orientated job generates a book of tensions that really give the pace a serious kick in order to keep that blood pumping. Top notch.
Release Date: 30/06/16
Publisher: Transworld
SYNOPSIS:
Retired Chief of the National Crime Police and Swedish Security Service Lars Martin Johansson has just suffered a stroke. He is paying the price for a life of excess - stress, good food and fine wine. With his dangerously high blood pressure, his heart could fail at the slightest excitement.
In the hospital, a chance encounter with a neurologist provides an important piece of information about a 25-year-old murder investigation and alerts Lars Martin Johansson's irrepressible police instincts. The period for prosecution expired just weeks earlier and that isn't the only limitation. Lars Martin Johansson is determined to solve the atrocious crime – from his deathbed.
The inimitable style, distinct voice and dark humour of Leif GW Persson, along with the fascinating exploration of a long-cold murder case, serves to make The Dying Detective a true masterpiece of the genre.
REVIEW:
It probably comes to many readers as no surprise that I love to spend time in the Scandinavian Crime genre. There's soemthing so moreish about the landscape and the culture that populates it that really has you glued from start to Finnish (sorry for the pun. LOL)
Here Leif goes to prove why, if you love crime thrillers, you really need to delve into it and in particular, if this is your first outing, why you should make this book your starting point. As the title states its the story of Lars Martin Johansson, the dying detective, who in his final days seeks to resolve a case that has been ongoing for a quarter of a ventury. Its well written, the characters not only beleiveable but people you feel you could actually meet and when its all bound up with cracking dialogue as well as beautifully written prose, you know that you're on to a winner.
ITs a delightful dive into a dark world but for me, what makes this story more than compelling is the principle character coming to terms with what is to come, hoping to clear his mind and conscience of that one case that has been there since it originated before his death. ITs dark, brings the world into startling colour and whilst I can't vie for all the procedures within, feels like its correct with other titles I've read.
If you only read one Scandinavian crime, please meke sure that its this one. You won't be disappointed and I get the feeling that it will open up a whole new set of titles that will take you away as well as chilling your marrow.
Release Date: 04/08/16
Publisher:Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
JUSTICE IS SERVED.
Edward Mira is a powerful man, with a lot of enemies. But when the former senator is violently abducted, Lieutenant Eve Dallas suspects his kidnap is more personal than political. Someone is seeking justice; the bloodier the better.
Edward's cousin Dennis was injured during the abduction - and that makes things very personal for Eve and her husband Roarke. Dennis is a beloved friend, married to NYPSD's top profiler Charlotte Mira.
But as Eve delves deeper into the case, dark secrets emerge that could tear the family apart. Edward Mira has friends in high places - and they all seem to be hiding something. As her investigation takes a shocking turn, Eve finds that not all victims are innocent, and that some bonds are forged not in friendship, but in blood.
REVIEW:
I've enjoyed this series for quite some time, loving the way that JD brings the characters to life in such a way that they're not only believable but friends. The writing is crisp, the prose sharp however this time, with this outing, I did feel that the plot wasn't as good as a lot of the others that have gone before. I just didn't feel the excitement of a new adventure or that the character shone as much as they usually do.
All round a bit of a disappointment against her normal fair but still a solid read for people to sit back with.
Release Date: 06/09/16
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people lay dead at Central Park's ice skating rink. There's a sniper loose on the streets of New York City, and Lieutenant Eve Dallas is about to face one of the toughest and most unsettling cases of her career.
Eve knows that only a handful of people could have carried out such an audacious but professional hit. Even more disturbing: this expert in death has an accomplice. Someone is being trained in the science of killing - and they have a terrifying agenda of their own. With a city shaken to its core, Eve and her team are forced to hunt not one but two killers. Worse still - this talented young apprentice has developed an insatiable taste for murder...
REVIEW:
The 43rd book in JD's In Death series and one that continues to build upon not only the success of the previous but allows characters to continue to grow not only professionally but personally which is what keeps me coming back for more.
The story is sharp, has greet prose and of course a wonderful sense of pace. Baxk this up with great dialogue, top notch one liners and of course characters that feel like family and all round you're in for another treat.
Release Date: 08/09/16
Publisher: Head of Zeus
SYNOPSIS:
From award-winning Hong Kong writer Chan Ho-kei, The Borrowed tells the story of Kwan Chun-dok, a Hong Kong detective who rises from constable to senior inspector over the span of several decades, from the 1960s to the present day, and becomes a legend in the force, nicknamed “the Eye of Heaven” by his amazed colleagues. Divided into six sections told in reverse chronological order — each of which covers an important case in Kwan’s career and takes place at a pivotal moment in Hong Kong history — the novel follows Kwan from his experiences during the Leftist Riot in 1967, when a bombing plot threatens many lives; the conflict between the HK Police and ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) in 1977; the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989; the Handover in 1997; and the present day of 2013, when Kwan is called on to solve his final case, the murder of a local billionaire, while Hong Kong increasingly resembles a police state. Along the way we meet Communist rioters, ultraviolent gangsters, stallholders at the city’s many covered markets, pop singers enmeshed in the high-stakes machinery of star-making, and a people always caught in the shifting balance of political power, whether in London or Beijing.
The Borrowed reveals just how closely everything is connected, how history always repeats itself, and how we have come full circle to repeat the political upheaval and societal unrest of the past. It is a gripping, brilliantly constructed novel from a talented new voice.
REVIEW:
To be honest this is a novel of a number of tales wonderfully interwoven around a dying man who hopes to solve the cases prior to his passing. Its well written, wonderfully descriptive and for me I have to say that the translation kept the story beautifully fluid as well as allowing subtle nuances to be kept within.
Back this up with good understanding of pace, top notch supporting cast and of course a mind that can work intrinsically detailed sequences together in one book that doesn't feel like a short story compendium and all round its led to a very positive reading for me. I can't wait to dive into more books from the far east. Cracking.
Release Date: 25/08/16
Publisher: Little Brown
SYNOPSIS:
'There were a lot of things that ran in families, but murder wasn't one of them . . .'
When a teenage joyrider crashes a stolen car, a routine DNA test could be the key to unlocking the mystery of a twenty-year-old murder inquiry. Detective Chief Inspector Karen Pirie is an expert at solving the unsolvable. With each cold case closed, justice is served. So, finding the answer should be straightforward, but it's as twisted as the DNA helix itself.
Meanwhile, Karen finds herself irresistibly drawn to another case, one that she has no business investigating. And as she pieces together decades-old evidence, Karen discovers the most dangerous kind of secrets. Secrets that someone is willing to kill for . . .
Number one bestseller Val McDermid returns with her most atmospheric, spine-chilling and gripping novel to date.
REVIEW:
I love a crime novel that takes the reader on a journey and at times I can be a real sucker for cold cases as has been witnessed when I watched the TV series feeling satisfaction at the completion of a case, so when I heard about Val’s latest book I couldn’t wait to get my hands upon it.
What Val always does well in her work is give readers a principle character that you love to spend time around. In this Karen Pirie’s fourth outing, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster case that someone behind the scenes really wants to be kept quiet as new evidence helps our intrepid detective on her search for closure for the dead. It has some great prose, wonderful dialogue and when added to an arc that just keeps giving, will leave the reader with at least one late night sa they’ll be loathed to put it down. Cracking,
Release Date: 04/08/16
Publisher: Quercus
SYNOPSIS:
PI Lennox - the Scottish Philip Marlowe - returns with a new helping of fast-paced detective noir. where the violent death of Quiet Thomas Quaid shows that Quaid's life had been anything but quiet. From the winner of of the Bloody Scotland Crime Novel of the Year.
Lennox liked Quiet Tommy Quaid. Perhaps it's odd for a private detective to like - even admire - a career thief, but Quiet Tommy Quaid was the sort of man everyone liked. Amiable, easy-going, well-dressed, with no vices to speak of - well, aside from his excessive drinking and womanising, but then in 1950s Glasgow those are practically virtues. And besides, throughout his many exploits outside the law, Quiet Tommy never once used violence. It was rumoured to be the police who gave him his nickname - because whenever they caught him, which was not often, he always came quietly. So probably even the police liked him, deep down.
Above all, the reason people liked Tommy was that you knew exactly what you were dealing with. Here, everybody realized, was someone who was simply and totally who and what he seemed to be.
But when Tommy turns up dead, Lennox and the rest of Glasgow will find out just how wrong they were.
REVIEW:
Craig is a Crime author that I originally stumbled across with his original novel Blood Eagle and to be honest I’ve been hooked ever since. He has a knack for bringing cracking prose with top notch dialogue alongside an arc that just keeps the reader glued.
In this title, a tale featuring PI Lennox really gives the reader the gritty feel of a post WW2 Glasgow with the darker, seedier aspects really helping to give the city a feeling of reality for the reader which when backed with solid description really helps bring it all to life. Finally throw into the mix a principle character that just keeps giving and never letting go, all round generates a story that at the end of the day sated me as a reader leaving a smug satisfaction at the end of the final page. If you love Crime Noir and want some home grown talent, then Craig should be top of your list, trust me you won’t regreat it Just prepare to spend a lot of late nights savouring the stories.
