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The Killing Time by M J Lee Canelo Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 23 Apr 2018 Review The Killing Time is a dark, disturbing mystery set against the turbulent backdrop of 1930s Shanghai, a city divided by race and nation, teetering on the brink of open conflict. Inspector Danilov, haunted by his son’s death and alienated from his wife, focuses on his job to keep the ghosts at bay. His newest case is deeply troubling. Children are being kidnapped and mur

Murder in Montego Bay By Paula Lennon Jacaranda Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 15 Aug 2017 Review Don't go into Death in Montego Bay expecting Death in Paradise. Yes there is a Glasgow detective seconded to the Jamaican force, working with Preddy’s group - but he isn't the lead and this isn't a light mystery/fish out of water scenario. The Jamaica portrayed by Lennon is varied and realistic. The extremes of wealth and poverty are very clear. What also becomes quickly

Thrill Kill A voodoo mystery series set in New Orleans By Don Bruns Severn House Pub Date 01 June 2017 Review Don Bruns skillfully brings New Orleans to life, giving readers a sense of the true colors and true dangers in this vibrant city. Having lived in New Orleans, I can testify to the authenticity of Bruns’s depiction. Thrill Kill is the second Quentin Archer mystery and is easily as good as the first. Quentin Archer is a clean cop in a dirty city, a rarity amidst the c

Enforcing the Paw A Paw Enforcement Novel by Diane Kelly St. Martin's Press St. Martin's Paperbacks Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 27 Jun 2017 Review The Paw Enforcement series is delightfully different, depicting the day to day experiences of Megan and her k-9 partner Brijit. As uniformed officers, most of their day is spent on writing citations, investigating robberies and other non-homicide crimes. The stories have just the right balance of seriousness and humor. And

The Private Face of Murder by John Bonett Endeavour Press Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult) Pub Date 27 Jan 2017 Review Linda Huntingdon is beautiful, vapid and extremely bored - but she isn’t smart enough to target someone other than her neighbor’s husband. Her death appears to be an accident, but aspects are suspicious, and alcoholic former actor Aubrey de Lamplugh sees an opportunity to profit. He dies not long after, crushed in a landslide which definitely l

Control by Andy Diggle, Angela Cruickshank Diamond Book Distributors Dynamite Entertainment Mystery & Thrillers, Comics & Graphic Novels Pub Date 21 Mar 2017 Review Control is an action filled thriller that leaps off the page so vividly that you can imagine you are seeing it at the cinema. Between the edgy story filled with politics, police conspiracies, sex and murder and the brilliant illustrations, Control has all that is needed for success. Detective Sergeant Kate B

The Stalker by Sally Spencer Endeavour Press Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction (Adult) Pub Date 22 Dec 2016 Review After being impressed by Spencer's new novel The Shivering Turn, I decided to try Stalker. It definitely isn't a novel for everyone. It reads like an American 80s cop drama ala Miami Vice - very stereotyped. Beth Baker is a criminal lawyer trying to make ends meet and care for her children after her husband's suicide. Brody and his partner are assigned to

THE MURDERER'S SON a gripping crime thriller full of twists by JOY ELLIS Joffe Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 23 Sep 2016 Review Readers are guaranteed a terrific mystery when they pick up one of Joy Ellis's procedurals. The Murderer's Son is a stand alone novel, rather than part of the Nikki Galena series. Don't be discouraged- The Murderer's Son is a thrilling read that demonstrates Ellis's understanding of human psychology as well as her ability to craft a challengin

Casting Bones A new voodoo mystery series set in New Orleans by Don Bruns Severn House Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 01 October 2016 Having lived in New Orleans, I can honestly say Don Brun's depiction of New Orleans with its culture, food and corruption rings true. Bruns introduces readers to a New Orleans where the rich feed on the poor, and African Americans are an easy scapegoat. Politicians, judges, and the police are all looking out for number one, while vast numbers o

Devil Sent the Rain By Lisa Turner William Morrow Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date: 27 September 2016 Review Initially I expected Devil Sent the Rain to be a classic Southern gothic. Instead, it is a realistic police procedural set in a Deep South strongly affected by tradition. Like a building left uncared for, corruption runs throughout, despite the pleasant facade. When Caroline, the daughter and heir apparent of the Lee family is murdered, it is Detective Billy Able and hi