2017 has been another amazing year for crime fiction and I have been very fortunate to read some brilliant books. All of the following were ARCs so I am extremely grateful to #NetGalley and all the publishers and authors for granting me the opportunity to read them. In no particular order, here are the first eight of my absolute favourites from this year:
The second instalment in Angela Clarke’s Social Media Murders series Watch Me marks the welcome return of chaotic but quick-witted journalist Freddie Venton and no-less-clever but more strait-laced DS Nasreen Cudmore. This exciting series is fresh, modern and smart and I’m already looking forward to Book 4. (Please say there’ll be a Book 4…!?)
See my full review here
One look at that gorgeous cover and a quick read of the blurb, and I knew Sweetpea was for me. I love black comedy and, although this is more black than comedy, it is laugh out loud hilarious in places as well as original, thrilling and totally addictive – I really did not want it to end. I think I’ve read that CJ Skuse is writing a follow-up book so I can’t wait for that!
See my full review here
The Midnight Peacock is – at the moment – the last of four books for children (9+) about Edwardian department store workers Sophie Taylor and Lilian Rose, their band of loyal friends and the mysteries and adventures they encounter. (Think Nancy Drew meets Mr Selfridge!) I love Katherine Woodfine’s warm-hearted, exciting series and hope it continues.
See my full review here
If Marmite was a book…
FYI, I like Marmite and I absolutely loved Sarah Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes! It’s an intelligent, well-written story, full of mystery and, of course, #WTFthatending! Once finished, I went straight back to the start to marvel at how cleverly written it was.
See my full review here
My Sister’s Bones is a remarkable debut by Nuala Ellwood. It is brilliantly written, incredibly moving and brutally shocking. Each of the characters – their emotions, fears and feelings – and the wide variety of locations are all vividly described. The story both pulls at your heartstrings and creeps up your spine and the ending is a revelation.
See my full review here
Chris Brookmyre has long been one of my favourite authors, reinforced not only by 2016’s amazingly twisty Black Widow but also by this year’s complex, cyber-heist thriller Want You Gone. Jack is on top form, Sam is an engaging and sympathetic character and there are some lovely one-liners that evoke Brookmyre’s earlier, more overtly comic style.
See my full review here
Another cracking debut from this year is Safe With Me by K.L. Slater – a slow-burning but intensely emotional roller-coaster, full of mystery, tension and intriguing characters. Anna is heart-breakingly vulnerable and I absolutely felt like I was right there with her throughout. This original story has a great structure and is highly recommended.
See my full review here
This last choice for today will likely come as no surprise to anyone who has read any crime fiction this year. Ragdoll is something pretty special: it’s fantastically gruesome, yes, but it’s also original, smart and surprisingly funny for a story that’s a bit like a cross between Se7en and Luther. I cannot wait for the follow-up, Hangman, due in 2018.
See my full review here
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