May thriller roundup
The Authors Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams
Literary celebrity Brett Saffron Presley is found dead at the historical Castle Kinloch in the remote Scottish Highlands, and suspicion falls on three American novelists attending his retreat: a romance writer, a cosy mystery author, and a historical fictionist. Despite their contrasting personalities, Kat, Cassie, and Emma unite to clear their names as the skeptical Detective McIntosh investigates. Blending classic whodunit elements with satire of the publishing world, this is a clever and witty locked room mystery.
The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller
1944 Montecassino, art restorer Pietro Houdini rescues 14 year old orphan Massimo amidst the chaos of WWII. Striving to protect hidden artworks from the Nazis, they band together to rescue by theft. The novel blends art heist suspense and historical accuracy, depicting the Battle of Montecassino, with coming of age, humour, and an array of richly depicted and engaging characters - a cafe owner turned murderer, a wounded Germany solider, and a pair of young lovers with their injured mule Ferrari
I Will Find the Key by Alex Ahndoril
Haunted by a gruesome photo and a memory blackout, a man enlists PI Julia Stark to unravel a potential murder. Their investigation leads them to his family's grand Swedish estate, the scene of a tense gathering. Julia and her policeman ex-husband delve into the family's intricate web of secrets, where each member harbors hidden motives. The atmospheric setting heightens the psychological tension as they reconstruct fragmented memories and navigate a labyrinth of lies. Written by the same wife/husband pair who cowrite Lars Kepler.
Glaciologist Rachael Beckett is isolated at a remote Antarctic research station when she receives a radio message announcing a nuclear war. Cut off from communication and with dwindling supplies, she faces the brutal reality of potential global annihilation and the unknown fate of her family. As Rachael fights for survival against the extreme environment, loneliness, and creeping despair, she discovers she might not be entirely alone in the desolate white landscape. A claustrophobic and atmospheric story of survival against a backdrop of potential global destruction.
In 1994, a seemingly routine noise complaint in Cork plunges Garda Julia Harte and Adrian Clancy into a horrific scene, marking Julia with lasting trauma and a determination to catch the clever serial killer responsible. Twenty years later, retired detective Julia seeks peace in a remote cottage, only to be pulled back when a new series of murders eerily mirrors the past. Haunted by old nightmares, Julia returns to Cork, no longer the naïve rookie but a seasoned veteran ready to confront the resurfaced evil and the ghosts that still linger. Fans of Irish crime writers such as Tana French and Sam Blake will appreciate this new voice.
Death of a Diplomat by Eliza Reid
When a junior staff member at the Canadian embassy in Iceland is found dead in an apparent suicide, Jane, the wife of the ambassador delves into the death, uncovering a web of secrets, international intrigue, and long-held grudges within Reykjavík's diplomatic circles and beyond. Reid, the First Lady of Iceland, brings a unique insider perspective to the setting, vividly portraying the close-knit nature of Icelandic society and offering a refreshing take on the crime genre, moving beyond the typical gritty urban landscapes.
The Clues in the Fjord Satu Rämö
Hildur Rúnarsdottir, the sole detective on Iceland's remote west coast, seeks refuge from her past in her work, mentoring trainee Jakob Johanson. However, Jakob carries his own burdens, making their escape from their histories impossible. When a local man is murdered, buried by an avalanche that obscures the truth, Hildur and Jakob must confront their personal struggles to untangle the region's dark secrets and unmask a killer lurking in their isolated community. Rämö, a Finnish-Icelandic author creates a compelling whodunit plot with a deep exploration of Icelandic culture, folklore, and the stark beauty of the Icelandic fjords.
All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
Thirty-one-year-old Florence Grimes, a single, broke ex-girl-band member, lives for her son Dylan. When Dylan's bully, the heir to a frozen-food empire, vanishes during a school trip, Dylan becomes the main suspect and for the first time, Florence can't take the easy way out. Despite lacking any investigative skills and facing the animosity of the other school mothers, she must find Alfie to clear Dylan's name and avoid losing him forever. Adding to her desperation, Florence harbors a growing suspicion that Dylan might not be entirely innocent. For fans of Alison Gaylin and Gillian Flynn.
