It Begins in Betrayal
Written by Iona Whishaw — If you’re after historical crime with a strong backbone but also an air of genteel cosiness about it, then the Lane Winslow series by Iona Whishaw is just right for you. This is a series set in post-war British Columbia, Canada,…
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
The posthumous publication of Michelle McNamara’s research into the serial rapist and murderer she dubbed the Golden State Killer is one of the highlights of 2018 true crime writing. Even if you are not particularly keen on true crime, you will very likely be won…
Weeping Waters by Karin Brynard
Translated by Maya Fowler and Isobel Dixon — South African crime fiction is going from strength to strength in both English and Afrikaans. Deon Meyer might dominate the landscape still with his pacey plots and thorough characterisation, but authors such as Roger Smith, Lauren Beukes,…
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Written by Stuart Turton — Almost every review of this debut crime novel starts off with the disclaimer which says that The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is, well, difficult to describe. But, if I were to tell you that it is Cluedo meets The Matrix…
Holy Ceremony
Written by Harri Nykänen, translated by Kristian London — Finnish crime fiction has always been on the quirky side when compared to the more earnest crime novels of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Less often translated or adapted for film or television than the other Scandinavian countries,…
Keeper by Johana Gustawsson
Translated by Maxim Jakubowski — If you’ve read Johana Gustawsson’s first novel Block 46, you’ll know that this is an author who doesn’t shy away from hard-hitting subjects and graphic descriptions of the cruelty humans inflict upon each other. Keeper, her second novel, confirms her place…