The Collector
Written by Fiona Cummins — In January 2017 I was lucky enough to be given a debut novel to review. It stayed with me through thick and thin and ended up being one of my favourite crime fiction books of the year. That book was…
The Wanted
Written by Robert Crais — The Wanted is the 17th novel in the best-selling series about Los Angeles private detective Elvis Cole and his strong-arm sidekick Joe Pike. It also marks the 30th anniversary of their debut in The Monkey’s Raincoat. That novel collected the…
The Other Mother by JA Baker
Three women who share one secret create myriad possibilities in this thriller from North East-based author JA Baker, published by independent favourite Bloodhound Books. Lissy lives with her teenage daughter Rosie in a small, remote village in Yorkshire. Their home is comfortable and Lissy spends…
Know Me Now
Written by CJ Carver — This is the third crime thriller featuring former MI5 operative Dan Forrester and Yorkshire-area Detective Constable Lucy Davies, who team up with their old friend, general practitioner Grace Reavey. This time out, they are in the Scottish highlands, where Grace and…
Burn the Evidence by Keith Nixon
Seedy, run down seaside towns offer a rich hunting ground for crime writers. Cathi Unsworth’s Weirdo (set in the fictional Norfolk resort of Ernemouth) and Whitley Bay in Ann Cleeves‘ Vera series are just two examples. Keith Nixon has an affinity with the Margate area, as demonstrated…
Front Page Murder by Peter Bertram
In 1960s Brighton Percy Despart had been making a living illustrating saucy seaside postcards. Right until he was stabbed to death with his own pencil. Fellow artist Archie Flowerdew is sweating it out as he will be hanged for the murder on Christmas Eve. But…
Shame on You
Written by Amy Heydenrych — Social media. We can’t live without it these days, no matter how much we’d like to. Love it or hate it, our lives are played out on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram feeds. For some, garnering likes is the be…
Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Her debut novel, The Dry, has astounded readers around the world, winning both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ned Kelly First Novel Award. But what if Jane Harper’s first book is still lurking in your to be read pile, as it is in mine? Is…