It’s been a reading year of surprises for this reviewer, who handed out a dozen five-star accolades to books I’ve enjoyed in 2025. Picking the best five was something of a challenge, but in the end the quintet of absolutely fabulous reads is one I’m very happy to share. It features four debut authors and one whose name will be well known to you all – on this evidence, there’s no shortage of new blood in the genre!
5 – A Novel Murder by EC Nevin
Just in time for the summer book festival season, crime fiction newbie EC Nevin stepped into the breach with a book set at one – and what a great job she did! Behind the pen name is ex-publishing professional Eve Hall, who really took the hoary write-what-you-know advice to heart, because A Novel Murder rings true with its behind-the-scenes peep at the fictional Killer Lines Crime Fiction Festival in the Cumbrian village of Hoslewit. There are cliques, drunken escapades, jealous authors, sundry shenanigans – oh, and a murder… with the conveniently dagger-shaped Killer Lines Legend Award as weapon.
With a wonderfully quirky protagonist in shy author Jane Hepburn, this book is tons of fun and will keep you giggling throughout. A well-plotted whodunnit that will appeal to fans of cosy crime and anyone looking for something a little bit different to add to their book pile. Here’s our review.
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4 – The Silent Ones by Anna McPartlin
The co-creator of the crime drama The Gone, Anna McPartlin turned her hand to novel writing this year, and The Silent Ones was the result. It’s set in Kerry in the Republic of Ireland, the year is 1980 and the mutilated body of a new born baby has been found on deserted sand dunes. Cue a story that turns the spotlight on some heavy social issues of the time, where women are treated as second class citizens and misogyny and sexual harassment are taken as the norm. Unmarried mothers are ostracised and The Church rules over everything.
McPartlin never shies away from tackling such subjects head on, but what could have turned into a dry and somewhat preachy read is handled so well that the pages fly by. Central to it all is glorified tea girl, Garda Mary Shea, who is about to latch on to a smidgeon of a chance to shine and run with it. An immersive read that will both engage and surprise you. Read our review here.
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3 – Black Water Rising by Sean Watkin
Heading back across the Irish Sea, we arrive in Liverpool, the setting for Sean Watkin’s debut novel, Black Water Rising. The city takes a starring role in this one with the author painting it warts and all, from the tourist magnets to dark, dingy and dangerous back streets. Lovers of a police procedural should take note, because DCI Win de Silva is one to watch. An instinctive and impulsive cop, de Silva is haunted by the death by suicide of her husband, Ritchie and teetering on the brink of alcoholism. But when young, vulnerable girls keep turning up murdered she turns off the self pity and jumps head first into the investigation.
As a fan of character-driven crime, I found this protagonist a breath of fresh air and was delighted to learn that she will be back next year. Meantime, grab a copy and set aside a block of reading time. You won’t want to put it down. Read our review.
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2 – Clown Town by Mick Herron
Crime Fiction Lover has been a supporter of Mick Herron since 2013, when we reviewed Dead Lions, second book in the Slow Horses series featuring a bunch of hapless fallen-from-grace spies – which also made RoughJustice’s Top Five Books of the same year. It’s a testament to Herron’s consistency that he’s back here again, 12 years later and with book nine, Clown Town. The years have passed and Slough House personnel have come and gone, but the old faithfuls are still in play when a number of chickens come home to roost. There’s some jiggery-pokery in Northern Ireland in the time of The Troubles, for example; while closer to home River Cartwright has a puzzle to solve in the aftermath of his grandfather’s death. And Jackson Lamb? Well he’s Jackson Lamb, so what do you expect?
A masterclass in characterisation and eminently quotable dialogue, this is Herron at his imperious best. It’s my bet that he’ll still be in someone’s Top five list in 2037. Here’s our review.
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1 – The Nancys and the Case of the Disappearing Necklace by RWR McDonald
It takes a mighty fine novel to knock King Herron off the top spot, so congratulations to Kiwi author RWR McDonald for managing the feat. This writer is already a big name in his native New Zealand, where The Nancys and the Case of the Disappearing Necklace won the Ngaio Marsh Award for best first novel in 2020. Five years later and it has finally arrived in the UK. The Nancys are 11-year-old Tippy Chan, her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon who, inspired by the books of Nancy Drew, decide to investigate the murder of Tippy’s class teacher in the quiet little backwater of Riversdale.
It’s a whodunnit what will have you crying tears of joy and sadness as young Tippy and her team slowly realise that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. A tale populated with wondrous three-dimensional characters – some dippy and delightful, some downright dangerous – set in a world that you won’t want to leave. It’ll make you smile while taking up residence in your heart and head. A worthy winner, in my book! Read our review here.
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