Category: murder mystery
+ crime fiction, fiction, grief, murder, murder mystery, police drama, police procedural, review, witchcraft, witches
Murder on Govan’s Head by Nicola Clifford
An elderly woman lies dead on the stone floor of St Govan’s Chapel, a tiny medieval church wedged into the Pembrokeshire cliffs. She wears a long white dress. Flowers are woven through her hair and threaded between her bare toes. A red rose rests in her hands. There’s not a mark on her. Detective Vicki Blunt has seen plenty of ugly deaths. She has … Read More Murder on Govan’s Head by Nicola Clifford
+ brothers, child abuse, family, fiction, murder, murder mystery, mystery, review, serial killer, thriller
The Other Daughter by Heidi Field The Peasedale Woods Killers #4
Two brothers. Two daughters. One deadly legacy. Every family has secrets. Some are worth killing for. Shiv has spent years trying to leave Peasedale behind. With Mason Tucker finally free from prison and her son, Pip, growing into a happy young boy, the future feels brighter than it has in a long time. Then Hunter Piper appears. For decades, the Piper name has been synonymous with … Read More The Other Daughter by Heidi Field The Peasedale Woods Killers #4
+ crime fiction, folklore, gothic, Gothic mystery, grief, Historical fiction, humour fiction, Iceland, Iceland noir, Ireland, List, murder mystery, mystery, political thriller, politics, Scandi noir, superstition, thriller, witchcraft
My Top 10 Books of 2026 – Part Three
Here are ten of my favourite books of 2026 Part Three, excluding audiobooks, of which there are loads so far. As usual a disparate selection, with a fair bit of superstition thrown in, and my usual Gothic, plus Iceland, Ireland and politics. Where Are The Kings by Donal Ryan What a remarkable book this is. Ryan deals with suicide and mental health in such … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2026 – Part Three
The Knitting Circle by Jane Murray
St. Barnabus’ church in Middlehurst runs a fortnightly Knitting Circle, which is well attended until one of the group is murdered in the choir stalls during one of the Knitting Circle sessions. When investigating officers D.I. Jack Cunliffe and D.C. Gil Brennan arrive, they discover the dead woman, Lorraine Prendergast wasn’t particularly well liked and a number of potential killers soon cross paths with … Read More The Knitting Circle by Jane Murray
The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
An orphaned fortune teller in 18th-century England searches for answers about her long-dead mother and uncovers shocking secrets in this immersive and atmospheric saga perfect for fans of Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry. Cornwall, 1730: A young girl known only as Red travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient Cornish method of the Square of Sevens. Shortly before he … Read More The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
+ child abuse, childhood, crime fiction, Detective novel, family, fiction, lies, murder, murder mystery, mystery, obsession, police drama, review, secrets, thriller
You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner
The Dixon family house was once a crown jewel of the White Mountains. Perched on a cliff with breathtaking views, it promised summer adventures, winter skiing, and family gatherings around a roaring log fire. Until late one August night, when both parents and their four children vanished, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints, and a mystery that has endured for generations. Thirty years … Read More You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner
The Beasts of the Black Loch by Gay Marris
In 50,000 acres of remote Scottish mountains and moor sits Dorcha Hall: a former hunting lodge nestling amongst ancient forests, on the shores of the enigmatic ‘Black Loch’. At night, lights glow from within, smoke curls from its chimneys, and in the forgiving murk of the gloaming, it looks magical. In daylight, its mouldering plasterwork and failing plumbing present a less romantic reality. #TheBeastsoftheBlackLoch … Read More The Beasts of the Black Loch by Gay Marris
Crime in the Gym by Catherine Moloney
Bromgrove folk are dying to join Fitness for All. A friendly little gym where everyone’s welcome. And everyone’s a suspect. Paralympian Jack Donahue has always been the gym’s devastatingly handsome poster boy. Until now. Jack is found dead in the weights room. Bludgeoned with the same dumbbell that helped sculpt his world-class biceps! Detective Gil Markham is called to investigate, with his loyal — and gloriously tactless — sidekick … Read More Crime in the Gym by Catherine Moloney
+ crime fiction, folklore, Historical fiction, humour fiction, List, murder mystery, mystery, superstition, thriller, WW2
My Top 10 Books of 2026 – Part Two
Here are ten of my favourite books of 2026 Part Two, excluding audiobooks, of which there are loads so far. As usual a disparate selection, with a fair bit of superstition thrown in, but only one Gothic this time. It was a difficult decision as I had to leave out two more that could have been on this list. The Tradwife’s Lie by Bella Ellwood-Clayton … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2026 – Part Two
+ audio book, crime fiction, fiction, murder, murder mystery, psychic, review, serial killer, supernatural
The Two by Will Carver January David #2
They Kill Without Mercy. Disappear Without Trace. They are The Two. And now the stakes are raised once more for Detective January David. Five lie dead, brutally murdered – the first taken on the night of Halloween and as autumn bleeds into winter more ritualistic murders are discovered. January must battle his demons, for in his mind lies the clue to stopping a ruthless … Read More The Two by Will Carver January David #2
+ crime fiction, Danish Noir, Denmark, fiction, murder, murder mystery, retreat, review, Scandi noir, thriller, writer
Under the Blazing Sun by Jenny Lund Madsen
Hannah is miserable. Her love life is in ruins, her contract demands a sequel to her bestselling crime debut―and she’s out of ideas. After a mortifying TV interview, her agent ships her off to a sun-drenched Sicilian villa with a simple order: finish the book. No distractions. No excuses. But inspiration doesn’t strike―murder does. When a night out ends in murder, Hannah finds herself … Read More Under the Blazing Sun by Jenny Lund Madsen
+ 1950s, audio book, cosy mystery, fiction, ghosts, Historical fiction, murder, murder mystery, review, serial killer, supernatural
Murder At The Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd Nora Breen Investigates Book #2
In the second installment of the Nora Breen Investigates series – ‘perfect for cozy mystery lovers’ (Book Riot) – beloved former nun Nora Breen returns, this time to track down a ghostly killer before it’s too late. When Dolores Chimes, a famous medium, arrives in Gore-on-Sea, even surly Detective Inspector Rideout is lured in by her promises of messages for the afterlife. But after … Read More Murder At The Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd Nora Breen Investigates Book #2
