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...

Aust Day 2025: here is my list of the best Aussie based crime of 2024: Garry Disher @natconyer.bsky.social Dave Warner Dinuka McKenzie Chris Hammer Gabriel Bergmoser, Sarah Bailey, Iain Ryan, TimAyliffe @ronnisalt.bsky.social Sherryl Clark, Margaret Hickey murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/aussie-crime...

Here is the ultimate Best Crime Novels of 2024. Collated by George Easter from 108 lists - it identifies those that were the most popular. Including: @lizmoorebooks.bsky.social Chris Whitaker @richardosman1.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social etc murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-best-of-...

Here are my picks of the best early 2025 crime books including @alicefeeney.com @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social @jconnollybooks.bsky.social @alexnorth.co.uk @prakky.bsky.social @tessgerritsen.bsky.social @shelleyburr.bsky.social @jamesbradleyaf.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/crime-novels...

Some pre-Christmas femme fatales courtesy of the covers for the Australian Marc Brody private eye series of the late 1950s - including some uncredited movie star images! Merry Christmas everyone! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...

Fans of Australian Outback Crime Fiction, will want to look out for @ronnisalt.bsky.social's Gunnawah. Due out 1 Jan it is a terrific historic crime thriller with plenty of heart and a good smattering of humour. Highly recommended, murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-outback-...

2025 is another big year for @harlancoben.bsky.social with a new Netflix series, Missing You, in Jan and 2 books! In my post I look at the new Nobody's Fool and look back at my book review of Missing You from 2014! @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-harlan-c...

Debuts are the lifeblood of crime fiction. Here are 6 good debuts that caught my attention in 2024 by Amy Tintera, @davegoodman.bsky.social Gavin Strawhan, Gareth and Louise Ward, Riley James, @kristenperrin.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/best-debut-c...

2024 was a good year for crime fiction: here are my takes & favourites @ianrankin1.bsky.social @mwcraven.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social @aceatkins.bsky.social @stevecavanagh.bsky.social @jconnollybooks.bsky.social @henryporter.bsky.social @natconyer.bsky.social Dinuka Mckenzie Garry Disher

2025 looks like being a good year for crime! Here are the best 7 to cross my desk so far @carahunterbooks.bsky.social @ronnisalt.bsky.social @josephfinderbooks.bsky.social @drjennymorris.bsky.social Hannah Richell, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Shankari Chandran murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/book-haul-th...