mystery Archives - The Quick and the Read

Book Review: ‘The Christmas Clue’ by Nicola Upson

Christmas books in October is not entirely in my comfort zone, but I had to make an exception for Nicola Upson! More frequently writing about Golden Age detective writer Josephine Tey (check out that series if you haven’t already), this marks a new direction for Upson – it’s the Christmas of 1943 and a married couple arrive at a country hotel in the snow to run a festive murder mystery game for the guests. When things take a sinister turn, Anthony and Elva Pratt turn detective, as well as game designers as they create Cluedo along the way.

Anthony and Elva Pratt were real people, and did actually create Cluedo based on Elva’s floor plan design and Anthony’s brainwork. The rest comes from Upson’s imagination, and we’re introduced to a lively cast of characters passing Christmas at the hotel, as well as a load of shady back-stories and mysterious events. It’s phenomenal to see what Upson has packed into this book which is short – novella length, I think. It even has a map of the village, and I love a map!

This would make a brilliant Christmas present for crime-lovers. It has shades of Agatha Christie (the clever closed circle mystery) and Josephine Tey (ingenious plotting), avoiding too much coziness and keeping the reader hooked right to the end. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy of the book.

Thanks to Alexander Lyashkov on Unsplash for the header photo

Book Review: ‘No Safe Place’ by Hannah Brennan

I love a good police procedural, and this is a good police procedural!

This is a debut from Hannah Brennan, and marks what is (I presume) going to be a new detective series featuring Detective Liz Field.

In this book, Field is called in to investigate a brutal attack on a man who is stabbed multiple times and ends up with his life hanging in the balance. When a second attack happens with the same distinctive methods, Field has a murder investigation on her hands. Guided only by a page from an academic paper found with the victims, Field embarks on a race to understand the subjects of the paper a child psychologist’s study on his young patients with OCD. Field has to race against time to find the group of ex-patients, while also considering that one of them could be a killer…

The OCD element of the story is managed really well – the writer has personal experience of this and it shows in her careful treatment of the issue. Several of the characters who take turns narrating the story have OCD, and it is interesting that Brennan explores the different aspects for each character, such as agoraphobia, intrusive thoughts or fear of causing harm. This was an intriguing addition to the expected murder mystery, and something I’ve not seen so sensitively handled or so well integrated into the plot. before.

The other aspect of the book that I loved was Field herself. She’s an older character (in her fifties) and with a family connection to OCD herself, which makes this case more personal. I thought that the character was well developed, especially in her relationships with her son and her two (very competitive and warring) colleagues.

This was an enjoyable read with a bit more depth than some other books in this genre (not a criticism of other books – I love a mystery in pretty much any form!) because of the OCD element. I think that Field is an appealing central figure and look forward to more books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book. It publishes on 31st July, 2025.

Header photo by Marios Gkortsilas on Unsplash.

Book Review: ‘Dead to Me’ by Gytha Lodge

Gytha Lodge writes great books – twisty, fast-paced and totally immersive. I loved the series featuring detective Jonah Sheens and was intrigued to read this standalone crime novel.

This story centres on an investigation by an American journalist, Anna Sousa, who is digging into the circumstances surrounding the death of s student at Cambridge University. Going undercover and moving among the rich and elite students, Anna seems to be closing in on some very unpalatable truths. She begins writing her notes down in an email to Reid Murray, a British detective and Anna’s ex – they’re not really in a good place, but he’s the only one who will understand. Then Anna goes missing, and her ex is the only one who can help her…

I liked the way that the book was structured, moving between Anna’s father (who is looking for her), Reid and the email to Reid containing Anna’s account of what happened. It’s a clever model and allows insights into the separate characters and the situations they put themselves in. It also brings a great deal of tension into the book, as Anna mixes with the students knowing that one of them may be a killer – and puts herself in constant danger of discovery to get some answers. The suspense builds as the account gets closer to the University’s May Ball, while Reid and Anna’s father try to find her.

I’d recommend this to fans of clever crime fiction – it will keep you guessing with your heart in your mouth!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book. It is due for publication on 3rd July, 2025.

Header photo by Chris Boland, a fab wedding photographer based in Cambridge

Book Review: ‘We Are All Guilty Here’ by Karin Slaughter

This is one of those books that drags you in from the start – it’s by turns totally shocking, heart-breaking and brutal, but you’re never in any doubt that you’re experiencing storytelling genius. It’s so well-plotted, clever and eventful – Karin Slaughter is an author I need to read more.

This book is set in North Falls, one of those small American towns where everyone knows everyone else and generations of one family (the Cliftons) work in law enforcement. When two teenage girls go missing during the town’s big summer firework party, Emmy Clifton steps up to investigate, along with her father and son. Emmy’s close friend is one of the girl’s mothers and Emmy was one of the last to see the teen at the party.

However, what follows is far from a simple kidnapping, and has tragic repercussions that impact the town. As Emmy starts to uncover the secrets of the people of North Falls, it becomes really clear that everybody has secrets and nobody can be trusted. Her investigations – spanning a long period from the original disappearances to a trial and a new case – start to break down relationships in the town and in her personal life. Into this mess comes an investigator who has had considerable success in finding the bodies of murder victims – but is she going to help or hinder Emmy?

I loved the character of Emmy – a middle-aged woman with a responsible job who is also trying to navigate some tricky family stuff. As a character, I thought she was warm and likeable, yet also human and responding to some awful situations in totally understandable ways. I’ve heard that this might develop into a North Falls series and I’d be really keen to see what Emmy does next.

As I’ve already alluded to, Slaughter doesn’t pull any punches in her writing and some of the twists and turns in this book were genuinely really shocking. I wasn’t quite prepared for some of it! However, it’s all really cleverly woven together and the narrative is always credible. I found myself constantly guessing whodunit and I was always wrong – there’s so much going on and the real clues are hidden in stacks of red herrings!

I’d recommend this if you like your crime stories with grit and off-the-scale levels of tension. There were times I had to put this book down to take in what had happened – but I always found myself desperate to get back to North Falls!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book – opinions, as always, are enturely my own. This book is due for publication on 19th June, 2025.

Header photo by Brad Switzer on Unsplash

Book Review: ‘The Penthouse’ by Catherine Cooper

Catherine Cooper books can be relied upon to be twisty, unexpected – and lots of fun. This one is absolutely all those things,

This book focuses on the intertwined stories of an early noughties girl band and a boy band. Both were discovered on a talent show and their fates seem ever-linked – from the early days of auditions to tours, romances, less-savoury happenings and then, 20 years later, a farewell concert. The story is told from the perspectives of the different band members and other key characters, with the time line shifting between the noughties heyday and the reunion/farewell concert.

For anyone who grew up watching X Factor, Popstars or The Voice, there will be a lot that’s familiar here: the drama of the auditions, the bands created from the most talented ones from other groups, the greedy managers and the relentless money-making from these young stars. It’s an interesting look at the industry, especially when we see the same people years later and the damage that fame has done as they’ve mostly drifted back into obscurity.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Catherine Cooper book without a great mystery, bucketloads of secrets surfacing and the questions over people’s versions of the truth. In this case, the mystery surrounds the disappearance of the girl band’s lead singer, Enola – and the way that the events of the final days before she vanished. It’s not clear what happened to her – but, as the reunion gathers pace, it seems that everyone has things they’re hiding, from Enola’s jealous ex (Max) to her bandmates who had their sights on taking the lead in the group.

This is a fun, easy read and will keep you guessing until the end – I’d recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy – opinions are my own.

Photo by Matthias Wagner on Unsplash

Book Review: ‘The Death of Shame’ by Ambrose Parry

A new Ambrose Parry book is always cause for celebration – and this is no exception. I’m actually really gutted that the cover for this book suggests it will be the final book in the historical crime series to feature Dr Will Raven and his (now) apprentice, Sarah Fisher – it’s been such a great series from the start.

This instalment picks up Will and Sarah’s story in 1854 Edinburgh – it’s a city where the medical community is making great advancements in scientific understanding and practice, but also a city that struggles with poverty and has a very sinister side that both Will and Sarah have experienced before. In this book, Will finally has his own medical practice and is secretly training Sarah who is not allowed – as a woman – to study medicine. When Sarah is asked by a relative to find a young woman, Annabel, she follows a trail that leads her into the world of Edinburgh’s brothels and the trade in women by powerful men. Alongside this, Will is caught up in his own mystery involving the blackmail of some of Edinburgh’s most esteemed doctors. It seems that no-one is safe in this violent, immoral city – and both danger and scandal are edging ever nearer to Will and Sarah.

As with the previous books, the Victorian Edinburgh setting is evoked in all its grim detail – this is a world of baby famers, street prostitution, petty crime, lawlessness and violence. It’s clear that the writers (Ambrose Parry is the pen name of married couple Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman) have extensively researched not only the places and social issues of the period, but also the key figures and medical treatments – this is a book you’ll finish and then end up googling all the real historical figures and events!

Long-standing fans of the series will know that one of the common threads through the books is the relationship between Will and Sarah – they should so clearly be together, but there are just so many reasons why this isn’t possible and every book brings new obstacles. This is still a key element of this book too, and it’s really lovely to see their mutual respect and collaboration develop further as Will helps Sarah to achieve her medical aspirations and she leads parts of their investigations. They’re really brilliant characters – flawed, human, and so engaging to follow.

If you’ve not read an Ambrose Parry book before, obviously I’d suggest you start at the beginning of the series with ‘The Way of All Flesh’. However, if you do start with ‘The Death of Shame’, you’ll still be rewarded with an excellent mystery that can stand alone.

If dark, twisty, historical crime fiction is your thing (and it’s definitely mine!) then this series is highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy of this book – opinions are entirely my own. This is due for publication on 5th June, 2025.

Photo by Jörg Angeli on Unsplash

Book Review: ‘The Secret Room’ by Jane Casey

I love this series, so this was bumped right to the top of my reading list as soon as my review copy landed on my Kindle. Thanks to NetGalley for granting my request to read. This book will be published on 24th April, 2025.

This is the twelfth book in the series featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan of the Met Police and her partner, DI Josh Derwent. Regular readers will know the back-story of these two and enjoy the ongoing saga of their will-they-won’t-they romance, but for everyone else, this works as a brilliant standalone police procedural.

Book Review: ‘You Are Fatally Invited’ by Ande Pliego

Classic crime fiction fans, this one is for you! If you can imagine a modern ‘And Then There Were None’ (Agatha Christie in fine form) and mix it with all the crime tropes you can think of, plus throw in some classic horror elements…you might be part of the way to imagining this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy. As always, opinions are entirely my own.

Book Reviews: New Crime Fiction

I haven’t been great at keeping on top of my blogging recently. Sometimes life just takes over! However, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to highlight some crime fiction and thriller gems that I’ve enjoyed in the past few months.

‘The Dark Hours’ by Amy Jordan

I loved the premise of this novel – seeing a police officer at the very start of her career in 1994, then when she’s called back as a retired detective in 2024 to pick up a case that has echoes of that traumatic first one.

Book Review: ‘The Bookseller’ by Tim Sullivan

This is the seventh book in the engaging DS George Cross series – thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

‘The Bookseller’ takes us into the (who knew?!) murky world of antiquarian bookshops. When a bookseller is discovered dead in his store, it seems unlikely that brutal murder would strike at the heart of the sleepy, bookish community in Bristol. However, DS George Cross soon discovers that the book world is packed with shifting allegiances, hidden secrets and bitter rivalries – all he has to do is work out who has the motive to kill, picking from a pretty packed field. Add in the multi-generational nature of the family-run bookstores and there’s plenty of simmering resentments for him to examine…