BLOCKBUSTERS FOR CHRISTMAS: NEW BOOKS BY LEE & ANDREW CHILD, HARLAN COBEN & REESE WITHERSPOON, PETER JAMES and MATTHEW REILLY

Christmas is just around the corner and the big crime and thriller blockbusters are hitting the stores over the next week or two. I have done some short reviews of the four main ones.

Leading out the major releases is the high profile collaboration between Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon, Gone Before Goodbye (Century, 14 October 2025).

The book opens with the highly skilled and renowned combat surgeon Maggie McCabe not being welcomed at a high-profile event celebrating her mother’s achievement as an academic, because of her recent indiscretions. After a devastating series of personal tragedies and mistakes, Maggie is persona non grata, but she is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy. Halfway across the globe, one of the world’s most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfils her end of the agreement. However, when things go wrong, Maggie finds herself on the run.

This is a fast paced and typically twisty tale by Harlan and Reese, which smoothly moves its way through a labyrinth plot to an exciting and surprising ending. It is not clear how much each author contributed to the project, although I understand that the basic idea for the book’s plot was Reese’s. Regardless, the writing is free flowing and uninhibited, and there is none of the clunkiness that you get with some collaborations.

Not surprisingly given the backgrounds of both authors, there is a strong cinematic feel to the book, which is enhanced by the glitzy locations and the larger than life supporting characters. The story certainly draws you in and it easy to get caught up in Maggie’s plight. There are the usual fortunate coincidences and lucky escapes, but not enough to detract from the entertainment.

In all, Gone Before Goodbye is a good fun read that delivers lots of thrills and some real surprises towards the end, especially the final dark lines. A good holiday read!

Gone Before Goodbye is out everywhere. Thanks to the publishers for a copy of the book for review.

Not far behind Gone Before Goodbye in terms of thrills and fun, is the new Reacher novel by Lee and Andrew Child, Exit Strategy (Bantam, 4 November 2025).

Exit Strategy is the sixth of the Reacher books since Lee Child handed over the primary writing role to his brother Andrew (Grant), and it does not stray far from the formula that has made the series so successful. It opens in typical fashion with Reacher, this time in Baltimore, violently helping out an old down-on-their-luck couple who are being scammed. From there, a simple case of mistaken identity finds Reacher caught up in a deadly conspiracy.

Overall, this is a classic Reacher story, with a fast moving plot, an intriguing storyline, plenty of action scenes and the occasional dash of wry humour. As always the writing is smooth and readable, and it is very easy to settle back and devour large chunks of the book in one go. Andrew is just as adept as his brother at devising interesting plots that deliver some nice surprises, and Exit Strategy builds to the usual well-choreographed finale. There is also the occasional interesting nugget of obscure detail that the Child brothers love to throw in.

There are probably too many coincidences, but overall, Exit Strategy is as enjoyable as any Reacher novel I have read. Reacher’s many fans will not be disappointed with this latest entry in the series.

Exit Strategy is released in Australia and the United Kingdom on 4 November 2025 and in the United States on 11 November 2025.

Note: the Australian edition comes with a very interesting interview with the two brothers and some exclusive Australian content.

Detective Roy Grace is purportedly Queen Camilla’s favourite fictional detective and Peter James makes good use of that in his latest mystery, The Hawk Is Dead (Macmillan, 28 October 2025).

Queen Camilla is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes – the train is derailed. A tragic accident or a planned attack? When, minutes later, a trusted aide is shot dead by a sniper, the police have their answer. Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced that The Queen was the intended target. But he finds himself alone in his suspicions. Fighting against the scepticism of his colleagues and the Palace itself, Grace pursues his own investigation. But when there is a second murder, the stakes rise even higher, and Grace is at risk of being embroiled in a very public catastrophe – and in mortal danger.

James is in good form with The Hawk Is Dead. The story has an intriguing set-up and generally moves along at a good pace, although there are diversions as Grace takes us on a tour of the Palace and its various art works. There are also information filled meetings with the monarchy and their staff, and James’ extensive research is evident on every page. As well, there are maps and plans of Buckingham Palace to satisfy the curious.

The central plot features some good detective work, and once underway it offers a solid dose of suspense and the usual surprises. Grace is a sound central narrator and his uncertainty about what is happening adds to the tension. After a strong build-up, the ending is exciting and the final line delivers a good shock. Another enjoyable outing by the always reliable Peter James.

The Hawk is Dead is released in Australia on 28 October 2025. It is released in the United Kingdom and the United States on 21 October 2025. Thanks to the publishers for a copy of the book for review.

Australian author Matthew Reilly moves into new territory with his latest novel, The Detective (Macmillan, 21 October 2025).

Best known for his wild, over-the-top international thrillers that have captivated readers around the world, Reilly has been expanding his range of work with recent books and The Detective is more of a straight crime novel, albeit with a sharp political and social edge:

“For 150 years, women have been going missing in an isolated corner of the American South. And all of the investigators who went in search of them – from 1877 to the present day – have disappeared, too.

Now Sam Speedman, a most unique private detective, is on the case. Brilliant, direct and disarming, Sam is … different. He’s not your average private detective. But then again, this isn’t your average case. For not even he will be prepared for what he will find.”

The Detective certainly packs a punch. From quite early on it is relatively easy to guess where the story is heading, but it is still quite shocking. The plot races along at a brisk pace, fuelled by well described action scenes, startling revelations and Reilly’s stripped-down, unadorned writing style. Sam is an interesting central character, and his direct way of speaking and thinking also adds to the sense of speed and energy.

The descriptions of the swamps, the desolate countryside and the “stench of the petrochemical terminals”, give the book a strong sense of place, and Reilly’s depiction of the local communities also rings true. The conspiracy at the centre of the book seems outlandish at first glance, but recent events in America give it more credibility. It is also well supported in the book by references to actual events and real press conferences.

The Detective is not always an easy book to read because of its themes, but it certainly holds your interest. But be warned, it is very violent and some may be put off by the gruesome scenes.

Darkly entertaining!

The Detective is released in Australia on 21 October 2025. Release in the United Kingdom is not until April 2026.