There are strong themes of Golden Age, cosy and puzzle mysteries in this week’s new books report, which includes works by Martin Edwards, Stephanie Austin, Maureen Jennings, Leigh Russell and JD Kirk. Most of them take us to places real and fictional in the British Isles, but there’s also a hop over to Canada.
Read on and choose your next novel…
Hemlock Bay by Martin Edwards
Hemlock Bay is the fifth novel from veteran British author Martin Edwards to feature Rachel Savernake, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves a puzzle mystery created in the Golden Age tradition. And puzzling it is, because our potential murderer, Basil Palmer, knows nothing of his intended victim, Louis Carson. And our sleuth, Rachel Savernake is involved because a medium has predicted the murder, and so she heads to the supposed location it will occur. This turns out to be a proper old jape with one or two characters operating in disguise and, if you don’t solve it while reading, a catalogue of clues at the end to make you say, ‘Oh yeah, how did I miss that?’ On sale from 12 September.
Order now on Amazon or Bookshop.org
Death on Dartmoor Edge by Stephanie Austin
The latest book in Stephanie Austin’s Devon Mystery cosy crime series arrives on 19 September, and it finds Juno Browne feeling the strain of being a woman of many skills. She’s adept at cleaning, dog walking and home help jobs – but the combination of a demanding elderly client and trying to keep her Ashburton antiques business afloat is wearing Juno down. Meanwhile, her friend Elizabeth is being blackmailed, and dear Ricky’s errant nephew is on the run from criminals in London – how can she refuse to come to their aid? But having a kind heart and generous nature is about to lead Juno into a world of deceit and murder.
Order now on Amazon or Bookshop.org
March Roars by Maureen Jennings
Let’s head to Depression-era Toronto for British Canadian author Maureen Jennings‘ March Roars, out on 14 September. This author is best known for her Murdoch Mysteries, but this latest release is the fourth instalment in the Paradise Café series, featuring private investigator Charlotte Frayne. As the book opens, Charlotte has received a letter from Miss Olivia Brodie, an elderly resident in the Toronto poor house asking her to prevent “a grave miscarriage of justice”. Sounds intriguing, as does another case, this time involving the stolen jewels of rich Mrs Emmeline Larkin. The two women couldn’t be more different, but as Charlotte investigates, their cases become entwined in a most surprising manner.
Order now on Amazon
Poppy’s Christmas Cracker by Leigh Russell
Fans of the festive season will not be surprised to learn that it features heavily in Leigh Russell’s Poppy’s Christmas Cracker, out now. The residents of Ashton Mead are delighted when a new French patisserie opens in the village just in time for Christmas. Everyone, that is, except Hannah, owner of the Sunshine Tea Shoppe, who feels threatened by the competition. So, when the new arrival is murdered, Hannah becomes the prime suspect. Emily knows her friend is innocent, and when her little dog Poppy makes a surprising discovery, it appears that Emily is on the right track. Cosy crime from the creator of the DI Geraldine Steel series of police procedurals.
Order now on Amazon or Bookshop.org
A Killer of Influence by JD Kirk
We’ve reached book 20 in JD Kirk’s DCI Jack Logan series, with A Killer of Influence being released on 12 September, and it’s the first time a Jack Logan book will appear as a hardback. In the Scottish Highlands, eight social media influencers vanish without a trace after attending a convention. There’s no word from any of then, no clue as to their whereabouts, until a livestream begins and the eight influencers must battle for likes from their followers… or die. Logan and his team must search the Scottish wilderness and dig deep into the darkest corners of the internet to try and save the captives, but it’s a near-impossible task with a killer who always manages to stay a step ahead.
Order now on Amazon or Bookshop.org