Every week our news column has a hidden sub plot – some secret thread that connects all the diverse mystery books on the horizon. So today we begin our story with The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware, and we end with a Bat Out of Hell. You can fill in the blanks by reading about these and all the other new novels we’ve assembled below.
Six new books to check out. Here goes…
The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware
If you’re familiar with Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10, then check in on 17 July when its sequel, The Woman in Suite 11, makes an appearance. Journalist Lo Blacklock’s career has taken a back seat since the birth of her youngest child three years ago, so she’s delighted to receive an invitation to the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel, owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann. Lo is determined to bag an exclusive interview with Marcus, but a late night phone call asking her to come to his room instead sends her on a frantic race across Europe – with his mistress in tow. Meanwhile, The Woman in Cabin 10 is becoming a Netflix series starring Keira Knightly.
Order now on Amazon
Gunner by Alan Parks
He’s best known for his books featuring Harry McCoy, now Alan Parks is launching a new series, set in World War II Glasgow and featuring a wounded former detective. Joseph Gunner is home after being injured in battle. He’s relying a little too much on morphine for the pain and hoping to lie low as the Luftwaffe bombs the city. But a chance meeting with his old boss changes all that. A body found in the wreckage turns out to be German, his face mutilated to avoid identification. Gunner is soon on the case, and drawn into something that reaches far beyond his home town. Partly inspired by a true story, Gunner launches on 17 July.
Order now on Amazon
The Felon’s Ball by Polly Stewart
Back in the day, friends Trey Macready and Ben Marsh were distributors and enforcers for Virginia distillers in the moonshine capital of the world. As Trey’s lavish 50th birthday celebration approaches, friends old and new gather in Ewald for a party that will never be forgotten. Tall tales of past exploits are the order of the day but when Ben is murdered it’s clear that some connections from back then cannot be erased. Ben’s secret lover Natalie – Trey’s daughter – is determined to find the killer and gathers an unlikely gaggle of helpers to her quest. Has she made an astute move, or is Natalie heading for disaster? You’ll have to wait until 15 July, when The Felon’s Ball by Polly Stewart is published.
Order now on Amazon
Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter here.
Divinity Games by Lou Gilmond
A corrupt plot between senior government ministers and a big tech organisation intent on enriching its owners are at the heart of Divinity Games by Lou Gilmond, out on 17 July. Harry Colbey, an opposition MP is hot on their trail – until, suddenly, his train pass and credit cards won’t work, his phone has no signal and every traffic light he comes to is red. In a world controlled by tech, it doesn’t bode well for him. Things get even more difficult when Colbey’s daughter gets engaged to the son of one of the tech company’s owners. He’s in the lion’s den, with only fellow MP Esme Kanha in his corner…
Order now on Amazon
Home Before Dark by Eva Björg Aegisdóttir
Award winning Eva Björg Aegisdóttir is best known as the author of the Forbidden Iceland series. Now she’s serving up a twisty standalone thriller in the shape of Home Before Dark, out on 17 July. In November 1967 in Iceland, 14-year-old Marsí arranges to meet the penpal she has been keeping a secret from everyone. She has been masquerading as her older sister Stína, and when the date falls through at the last minute Stína goes missing, leaving behind just a bloodstained anorak. Ten years later, Marsí receives an unexpected letter from her penpal. He’s still out there – but where is Stína? Marsí heads home in the hope of finding out.
Order now on Amazon
Bat Out of Hell edited by Don Bruns
If ever a book title was guaranteed to induce an ear worm, it has to be Bat Out of Hell, edited by Don Bruns and out on 15 July. The fourth instalment in his Music and Murder Mystery series uses the best-selling Meat Loaf album as its muse, with a great cast of authors taking up the challenge. The anthology includes a brand-new Jack Reacher story from Andrew Child, a never-before-seen Pignon Scorbion prequel from Rick Bleiweiss, and new mysteries from Heather Graham, John Gilstrap, Dave Bruns, CJ Kudlacz and Charles Todd. We suggest you grab a copy before it’s gone, gone, gone!
Order now on Amazon
