Are you lost in the library? Struggling to find a book that takes your fancy? Need a hand? Here are 5 of my top reads...
The Puppet Show by M.W. Craven
The Puppet Show begins with a sadistic murder. A serial killer is burning people alive and clues point towards a connection to disgraced Detective Washington Poe, who is reinstated and begins to investigate. He enlists the help of socially inept, but brilliant, Tilly Bradshaw.
This was the first book of Mike Craven's that I read. Since then I have gone on to read the other Washington Poe books, and while I light-heartedly claim to be a 'Team Tilly' fan, it is actually the case that, like any great duo, I couldn't imagine one without the other. The plot and pace are both brilliant, but for me it is the pairing of these two cracking characters that mean that Puppet Show is the place to start with this unmissable series.
Puppet Show can be found as a Kindle edition, audiobook, hardback and paperback on Amazon. Alternatively, please look in and support your local bookshop.
Death in the East by Abir Mukherjee
I was asked to host an 'in conversation with' event at Heffers bookshop to coincide with the release of Death in the East, the fourth book in the Sam Wyndham series. Usually I read contemporary crime, so flitting between London in 1905, and India in 1922, was a bit of an adventure. I loved every second of it. The writing is vivid, and thought-provoking, and I didn't want to reach the end. Death in the East has stayed with me a long time after reading the last chapter.
Death in the East can be found as a Kindle edition, audiobook, hardback and paperback on Amazon. Alternatively, please look in and support your local bookshop.
Black and Blue by Ian Rankin
Here's the oldest book on my list. It was my first experience of reading an Inspector Rebus book and I reckon I must be fond of slightly moody, rule-breaking detectives. A copycat of the murderer, Bible John, is terrorising Edinburgh and Rebus is on the case. I don't know how I missed the first seven books, but starting at number eight was certainly not a problem. I have a real soft spot for this book.
Black and Blue can be found as a Kindle edition, audiobook, hardback, paperback and audio CD on Amazon. Alternatively, please look in and support your local bookshop.
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
I think that being a crime writer can sometimes take the surprise out of reading - often it's possible to see how the plot's going to unfold - but I was completely blindsided by this book. I don't want to give away spoilers so I will just say that this is likely to remain a favourite of mine, and if you enjoy psychological thrillers, I'm sure you won't be disappointed with this one.
I Let You Go can be found as a Kindle edition, audiobook, hardback and paperback on Amazon. Alternatively, please look in and support your local bookshop.
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Laurel has never recovered from the loss of her daughter, Ellie, who went missing ten years earlier. Every part of Laurel's life is broken until she meets an attractive man whose nine year old daughter bears a startling resemblance to Ellie. The plot twists and turns, and I cried my way through the last few chapters. If you haven't tried a Lisa Jewell novel, this is an excellent place to start.
Then She Was Gone can be found as a Kindle edition, audiobook, library binding and paperback on Amazon. Alternatively, please look in and support your local bookshop.
#thenshewasgone #lisajewell #supportauthors #supportlocalbookshops #supportlibraries Thank you for supporting me by reading this blog post. I hope you enjoyed it.