Dig Two Graves by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins
Once, when someone complained that Mickey Spillane had eight books in a top 10 chart, he replied along the lines that the reader should be thankful he didn’t write two more. It’s hard to overestimate Spillane’s popularity in the 1950s and 60s. He has sold…
The Continental Affair by Christine Mangan
The Continental Affair tells the story of two strangers, initially adversaries, but eventually lovers, both trying to escape their pasts. It is set in the 1960s, and Algerians are rising up against their French colonial rulers. Henri used to work for the police force. It…
White Fox by Owen Matthews
White Fox is the third novel to feature Russian KGB officer Alexander Vasin, a man much like Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther, in that he has had the bad luck to be born with a moral sense and independent streak while serving within a totalitarian regime….
Blown by the Same Wind by John Straley
John Straley is both a criminal investigator and an award-winning crime novelist. His home is Alaska, he clearly loves the place, and he was the state’s writer laureate from 2006 to 2008. His fine storytelling and literary skills are on full burn in Blown by…
Rook by Stephen G Eoannou
True crime and crime fiction that feels like true crime are very popular at the moment. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether the story you’re reading actually happened or not. Which is fine, as long as it’s a good story. With Rook, Buffalo-based author Stephen…
After Everything You Did by Stephanie Sowden
Crime fiction land is awash with whodunnits, but whydunnits are a little thinner on the ground. Time to swell those sparse ranks with this gripping and original debut novel by Manchester author Stephanie Sowden. The setting couldn’t be much further away from Sowden’s home city…
One-Shot Harry by Gary Phillips
1963. Los Angeles. America is supposed to be desegregated but the racism is still there and for many, society remains psychologically segregated. Nevertheless, LA is a city full of opportunities for Americans of all colours, religions and political persuasions. There’s a lot happening here and…