On the Radar — This week’s new books column opens with the latest inventive novel by Chris Petit, who has set Pale Horse Riding within the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz. German or Jew, it is hard to see how a crime can be investigated in such a place, so it should make for fascinating reading. New books from Mari Hannah, Ragnar Jonasson and Tony J Forder add to the intrigue, meaning stops in Northumberland, Iceland and action thriller land…
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Pale Horse Riding by Chris Petit
An internationally known filmmaker, Chris Petit has carved a niche for himself in the political thriller genre and his last work, The Butchers of Berlin, won widespread praise. The two central characters of that book, August Schlegel and SS officer Eiko Morgen, return to investigate a missing gold shipment that seems to have been sucked into a black market operating within the Auschwitz death camp. The pair, disguised as post office officials, are tasked with capturing the culprits – but in a place like Auschwitz it is hard to find anyone on the side of the law… Out 16 November.
Pre-order now on Amazon
The Death Messenger by Mari Hannah
Following on from The Silent Room, the second book in the series featuring DS Matthew Ryan is out on 16 November, and it starts with a shocking scene. A DVD is delivered to Northumbria Police HQ and Ryan and Detective Superintendent Eloise O’Neil are among the few to see it. The footage is of an anonymous lockup and the place is covered in blood. Is it a crime scene? Where is is? And who is the woman, narrating off camera? As more gruesome and disturbing DVDs are delivered to police stations across the country the body count rises and pressure mounts on the investigating officers.
Pre-order now on Amazon
Whiteout by Ragnar Jonasson
Based in Siglufordur, as seen in the drama Trapped, Icelandic detective Ari Thor Arason should be able to enjoy a rather peaceful life in a small town with a negligible crime rate. No such luck in the world of crime fiction, though. He has already been involved in four murder investigations from Snowblind through to Rapture. The fifth novel in the series takes him to the deserted village of Kálfshamarvík where the body of a woman is found at the bottom of a cliff. It’s the old question: did she jump, or was she pushed? Turns out the victim’s mother and sister died at the same place 25 years earlier and that the abandoned village is full of dark secrets…
Buy now on Amazon
Scream Blue Murder by Tony J Forder
Mike Lynch thinks his day can’t get any worse until he witnesses a murder in a lay by. But in his rush to escape the scene he makes a terrible error by deciding to take the victim’s car. It’s only when Lynch is on the road and beginning to relax that he realises he isn’t alone… The victim’s young daughter and her nanny are in the car too and they beg for his help. Cue error number two – and it’s one that soon has all three running for their lives in this action-packed thriller, out now as a paperback
Buy now on Amazon
The CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour edited by Martin Edwards
Ann Cleeves, CL Taylor and Vaseem Khan are amongst the names who have chipped in this year as we gallivant around the globe in the company of some of the finest crime writers. The annual treat from the Crime Writers Association features established names as well as many new talents. With death in Ukraine, murder in Mumbai, and even an excursion to French Polynesia there’s an international feel this year. We also swing by Glasgow and Twickenham among other places in this collection of 28 stories that promises to warm us in the autumn evenings. Out 15 November.
Pre-order now on Amazon
The Perfect Victim by Corrie Jackson
Sophie Kent is a London Herald journalist who is trying to clear Charlie Swift’s name. She is his best friend and is adamant that he couldn’t possibly have committed a brutal murder. Others aren’t so sure – especially when Swift does a runner. Swift has a picture perfect relationship with his gorgeous wife Emily but when Sophie starts investigating she uncovers secrets and her own life is soon at risk. It’s the second book featuring the feisty Sophie Kent and we are promised a heart-pounding thriller with multiple twists from former journalist Corrie Jackson. Released 16 Nov.
Pre-order now on Amazon
Free From All Danger by Chris Nickson
It’s 1736 and two years since Richard Nottingham took retirement. However, his replacement dies of a heart attack and Mayor John Brooke persuades him to step into the breach to fill in as Constable of Leeds again. The city isn’t quite as Nottingham remembered with newcomers arriving and money following. Different crimes and new types of criminals. A body, throat cut, is fished out of the River Aire and Nottingham finds himself facing a desperate criminal who thinks he is beyond the law. Chris Nickson has several historical crime series set in Leeds and this is the long-awaited seventh in the Nottingham series. We have previously reviewed The Constant Lovers. Out now.
Buy now on Amazon
