Victor Canning has largely slipped from view but in his prime was a very popular British thriller writer of some terrific books in the 1950s to 80s. The Scorpio Letters is not his best, but is still a damn good read #coverart #thriller #1960s #thrillerclub murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/forgotten-th...

Fans of Tartan Noir can look forward to two good new books by Marion Todd and Eva Macrae (aka @lynnemcewanwriter.bsky.social) in 2026. Short review of Eva's A Death In Glasgow attached, plus preview of Marion's Watch Them Fall murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tartan-noir-...

I have finally caught up with some entertaining books from earlier in the year by @charliekm.bsky.social, Matthew Blake Christopher Reich and a good festive tale by @lisaunger.bsky.social. Short reviews attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/november-202...

My recent finds in the wild have mainly been in the darker underbelly of 1960s men adventure books: Nazis, Japanese POW stories and sexual perversion! But good covers! #pulp #paperbackcovers #cover #coverart #1960s murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three good, end of year crime novels by the Queen of Cold Case Crime @valmcdermid.bsky.social & Australian authors Alan Carter and Matthew Reilly. Good books and great potential Xmas presents murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

2025 is almost over but books keep on coming! Here are 3 great new Aussie/Kiwi crime books by Alan Carter Jack Heath, Chris Blake & forthcoming titles by Natalie Conyer & @timayliffe.bsky.social and news @sularigentill.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

Xmas is just around the corner and the big crime and thriller blockbusters are hitting the stores - here are short reviews of the 4 main ones. @harlancoben.bsky.social @reesewitherspoonbr.bsky.social Matthew Reilly @peterjamesauthor.bsky.social Lee Child murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/blockbusters...

Michael Connelly's new 'Lincoln Lawyer' novel, The Proving Ground, is out tomorrow and it is a gripping courtroom journey through the dangers of the AI tidal wave. Highly recommended. @michaelconnelly.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/courtroom-th...

October brings 3 very good and very different crime novels, from cold case mystery to James Bond spin-off to gritty Aussie noir. All well worth reading. Short reviews @valmcdermid.bsky.social @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social @davidwhish-wilson.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/october-2025...

2 months to Xmas and here the 10 best crime titles coming our way @michaelconnelly.bsky.social Lee & Andrew Child, Jack Heath @peterjamesauthor.bsky.social @valmcdermid.bsky.social Jo Dixon, Matthew Reilly @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social @harlancoben.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/forecast-fri...

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different, but equally good, outback Australian crime novels by Garry Disher, @mbrisso.bsky.social and Alex Dook. Some very good reading here. Short, spoiler-free reviews attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

Fans of gritty outback Australian noir can rejoice with the release of new books by 2 doyens of the genre: Garry Disher & Jane Harper. Very different books, but both are good reads #JaneHarper #GarryDisher #booksky #outbacknoir @textpublishing.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/outback-noir...

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different crime novels that moved from rural Victoria to sunny Byron Bay to Renaissance Venice. By Margaret Hickey, @pathomas.bsky.social & @dvbishop.com murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

Here are my favourite crime and thriller books of 2025 so far - Part 2! @fionathehardy.bsky.social Matthew Spencer @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social @mbrisso.bsky.social @ronnisalt.bsky.social @angiefayemartin.bsky.social @aspyalone.bsky.social John Lawton murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/mid-year-rev...

Here are my favourite crime novels of 2025 so far (part 1): @deonmeyer.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social @michaelrobotham.bsky.social @anthonyhorowitz.com @adrianmckinty.bsky.social @alanparks.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/mid-year-rev...

Early August delivers two good thrillers: including a new Eddie Flynn novel by @stevecavanagh.bsky.social and a clever psychological novel by @kerrywilkinson.bsky.social - The Tapes. Both books are very enjoyable. Short spoiler-free reviews here: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/deadly-twist...

After a good police detective novel in which the detective is not consumed by addiction or dark past secrets? Then try Broke Road by Matthew Spencer. Good plot, briskly paced and nice local Australian rural background. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-australi...

My recent reading has been very mixed and includes new novels by @tommeadauthor.bsky.social, Lisa Jewell, @alanparks.bsky.social & Riley Sager. Park's Gunner was my favourite, but there is almost something for everyone! Short, spoiler-free reviews attached murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...

If you are in Canberra: two times Gold Dagger winning author @michaelrobotham.bsky.social will be in conversation with fellow crime writer Chris Hammer on 2 July 2025 at the ANU to discuss Michael’s new novel The White Crow. Should be a great night: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/michael-robo...

In the Canberra Weekly I reviewed 2 very good crime novels by veteran authors @alexnorth.co.uk & #AADhand & an exciting rural noir debut by Australian Indigenous author Angie Faye Martin murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

Multiple award winner @michaelrobotham.bsky.social is in good form with his latest one The White Crow. Featuring PC Philomena McCarthy from When You Were Mine, it is a gripping read and one of the best books that Michael has done @hachetteaus.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-white-cr...

Our second eldest Long Dog had to go in for spinal surgery for IVDD. She is recovering well but long way to go! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/long-dog-upd...

In my latest round up of Aussie & Kiwi crime fiction, I review new books by Joan Sauers, @neilawhite.bsky.social & Angie Faye Martin. Foreshadow books by Gabriel Bergmoser, Michael Brissenden, Benjamin Stevenson, Zoe Rankin & Ashley Kalagian Blunt. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

I have tended to prefer Robert Bryndza’s series about PI Kate Marshall over his books about DCI Erika Foster, but I have to say that his latest Foster book, Chasing Shadows, is probably the best thing he has done in recent years. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/chasing-shad...

Here are three strong British crime novels to get your June reading off to a good start. Short reviews of Mark Ellis' The Death Of An Officer, Mark Billingham's What The Night Brings and A A Dhand's The Chemist: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-british-...

Here are my picks of the best new crime fiction coming in June 2025 @michaelrobotham.bsky.social Riley Sager, Robert Bryndza, @blacktopkid.bsky.social, Mark Billingham, Mark Ellis, C L Taylor @julieclarkauthor.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/judgement-in...

My recent crime reading has been mixed & has ranged across two creepy tales by @jconnollybooks.bsky.social & Alex North, serial killer thriller by John McMahon & great escapism by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different crime novels, both geographically and thematically, by @anthonyhorowitz.com, Michael Bennett & Darcy Tindale. All are well worth reading. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

Spanish syndicated artwork can be found globally on hundreds of pulp paperbacks in late 1960s/70s, with the same artwork often being re-used multiple times on different books in different countries. I have recently added a couple to my collection. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/spanish-cove...

For fans of Australian outback noir, here are two good, recent examples by @shelleyburr.bsky.social & Darcy Tindale that take you into the dangerous rural areas of New South Wales where the murder rate seems to be on the rise! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/outback-noir...

@michaelconnelly.bsky.social has two books coming out this year. There is a new Lincoln Lawyer book in Oct, but more immediate is Nightshade (May). Featuring a new detective in the form of Detective Stilwell based on Catalina Island, it is a top notch read murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/looking-forw...

Spies and lies! My recent reading has been dominated by 3 very good spy novels by Gerald Seymour, John Lawton @charlesbeaumont.bsky.social and a new Finder novel by Simon Mason murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/spies-and-li...

After a five year break, @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social returns to her popular series about Irish detective DS Cormac Reilly with a new book - The Unquiet Grave. Highly entertaining! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-unquiet-...

If you are after a briskly paced crime thriller with an edgy, morally ambivalent heroine and a clever plot then Elizabeth Kaufman's Ruth Run is for you. It also has a neat cover. Short, spoiler free review attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/short-review...

April brings two British crime novels that have good fun in playing with the conventions of the genre and providing some very enjoyable surprises! @anthonyhorowitz.com @martynwaites.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-british-...

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed 3 good books for an Aussie autumn read: @harlancoben.bsky.social @prakky.bsky.social & Susan Neuhaus murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

In my latest Downunder crime fiction update I review and preview new books by @prakky.bsky.social Maryrose Cuskelly, Michael Bennett, @ghostspecies.bsky.social, Fleur McDonald, Darcy Tindale, Joan Sauers and Chris Hammer murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

Here are my picks of the best Brit/USA crime titles for April: Catherine Ryan Howard @martynwaites.bsky.social @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social Anthony Horowitz @janecasey.bsky.social William Hussey Elizabeth Kaufman, @davidbaldacci.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/april-action...

Set in 1980s Northern Ireland, the Sean Duffy novels by Adrian McKinty are some best of the best detective fiction you can find. The 8th book, Hang On St. Christopher, has just been released and it is another terrific read. Spoiler-free review attached: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-2025-sea...

March is shaping up as a good month for crime fiction: Adrian McKinty, Charles Beaumont & Neil Lancaster etc. Coming late in the month are 2 of the best releases, courtesy of great new books by @harlancoben.bsky.social & @tessgerritsen.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/2025-blockbu...

Here is one to add to your forthcoming 'to buy or borrow' list. @janecasey.bsky.social's The Secret Room (Maeve Kerrigan #12) is due out in April and it won't disappoint fans and others - no spoiler review attached! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/looking-forw...

Here are 3 very different crime novels to get your March criminal reading off to a good start. From Spain to Australia to a Scottish island, the books by @juangomezjurado.com @joannajenkins.bsky.social & Laura McCluskey provide plenty of thrills. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/march-mayhem...

During my recent rummaging through book fairs and bookstores I have come across an interesting array of Aust paperbacks/digests from the 1950s and 60s that cover the pulp fiction spectrum from westerns to war to faux American crime and a medical romance! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...

Fans of remote locations and dark secrets, will enjoy these two new suspense thrillers by Bronwyn Rivers (Australian bushland) and @katealicemarshall.bsky.social (American snow). #crimefiction #Auscrime #psychologicalsuspense murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-2025-sus...

The new Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine is a bumper issue featuring the best reads of 2024 and the most anticipated crime novels (around 200) of 2025, and the usual reviews and articles. Plus separate sections on Aussie and UK books. A must read. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/deadly-pleas...

March is shaping up to be a big month for crime fiction: @harlancoben.bsky.social Adrian McKinty @chrischibnall.bsky.social @tessgerritsen.bsky.social Kristen Perry @aspyalone.bsky.social Sarah Hornsley Laura McCluskey Hannah Deitch murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/march-mayhem...

Fans of well plotted rural crime novels, will enjoy this vividly described debut by New Zealand author Geoff Parkes. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/kiwi-noir-wh...

Here is one for the Australian pulp aficionados amongst us. Aust pulp fiction publishers of the 1950s and 60s were firm believers in the old adage that blondes have more fun, and therefore more sales. Here are some Larry Kent 'Blonde' covers that I found. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...

2025 has started well for Aust and NZ crime fiction. I review 4 recent releases and look ahead to some upcoming books. Michael Trant, Ashely Kalagian Blunt, Catherine Jinks, Kate Horan, Zane Lovitt, Amanda Hampson, Gareth &Louise Ward, Matthew Spencer murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

Happy Sunday Morning! Fans of twisty crime novels with unexpected denouements will enjoy these two very different crime novels by @carahunterbooks.bsky.social and @alicefeeney.com murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/british-crim...