Book Reviews

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three enjoyable crime novels that tackle the serial killer thriller from very different perspectives! First up is Inside Man, (Harper Collins, 28 January 2026), by John McMahon. Inside Man is the second book in John’s Head Cases series and is a really enjoyable read… Read more: CANBERRA WEEKLY 26 FEBRUARY 2026: NEW CRIME FROM FERGUS CRAIG, JOHN McMAHON and KATE ALICE MARSHALL

Australian crime fiction has certainly started with a bang this year, with some strong new releases over the first two months, and plenty more scheduled for March and April 2026. Leading off the March books are enjoyable new crime novels by Natalie Conyer and J. P. Pomare, while Fiona Lowe… Read more: AUSTRALIAN CRIME FICTION MARCH 2026: NATALIE CONYER, J. P. POMARE & FIONA LOWE

Here are three very good, and very different, thrillers to get your spy reading off to a good start in 2026. James Wolff’s Spies and Other Gods, (Baskerville, February 2026), flirts with the style of Mick Herron’s Slow Horses series, but is very much its own creation. Sir William Rentoul,… Read more: NEW 2026 SPY FICTION: By JAMES WOLFF, PAUL WARNER and JASON M. HOUGH

My recent trawling through old bookshops and bookfairs has uncovered an odd collection of old crime and spy novels, some adult titles and a striking western cover! John Creasey was an incredibly prolific author with over 600 books to his credit and a raft of pseudonyms. One of his most… Read more: TRASHY TUESDAY: BOOK HAUL – OLD CRIME AND SPIES, AUSTRALIAN CHANDLER AND WEIRD SCI-FI SEX ROMP.

Some short reviews and a quick look at a forthcoming new release by Australian crime maestro, Sarah Bailey. Kirstyn McDermott’s genre crossing What The Bones Know, (HQ, 24 February 2026), is part rural gothic and part psychological mystery. Set in a small town called Kiln Creek, outside of Melbourne, during… Read more: AUSTRALIAN CRIME FICTION – FEBRUARY 2026: REVIEWS AND PREVIEWS

Shailee Thompson makes a spectacular entry into Australian popular fiction ranks with her genre blending debut novel, How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates (Atria, 28 January 2026). Combining the familiar tropes and themes of the slasher genre with the light-hearted spirit of a classic romantic comedy, How To… Read more: VALENTINE DAY MURDER: HOW TO KILL A GUY IN TEN DATES by SHAILEE THOMPSON

Nowhere seems safe in these recent British crime fiction titles, with murders occurring at weddings, castles and even retirement homes! Fergus Craig’s new novel, I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home (Sphere, 17 February 2026), is probably the pick of the three, although all are good. Borrowing from other recent… Read more: DEADLY WEDDINGS, CASTLES AND RETIREMENT HOMES: 2026 BRITISH CRIME BY FERGUS CRAIG, STUART MACBRIDE & C. L. MILLER

Late January and early February 2026 brings a wealth of very different crime novels by a clutch of always entertaining authors. Ashley Elston’s Anatomy Of An Alibi, (Headline, 20 January 2026), is one of my favourites in this current batch. Ashley drew considerable praise for her debut novel, First Lie Wins, but she… Read more: CRIME FICTION WRAP – FEBRUARY 2026: NEW BOOKS FROM ASHLEY ELSTON, ALICE FEENEY, C. J. BOX, JOHN McMAHON, and DOUGLAS PRESTON & LINCOLN CHILD.

Looking back over the past twelve months since last Australia Day, it has been another good year for crime fiction set in Australia. Once again the overall quality of the books greatly impressed, especially given that some new favourite authors of mine, such as Dinuka McKenzie and Natalie Conyer, did… Read more: AUSSIE CRIME 2026: Recent Australian Based Crime Novels To Read This Australia Day!

I recently read and enjoyed Andrew Garve’s crime novel Frame-Up, which inspired me to re-read his spy novel The Ascent Of D.13 (1969), the details of which had largely escaped my memory. I borrowed a copy of The Ascent Of D.13 off a friend, before finding a copy for myself… Read more: FORGOTTEN THRILLERS: ASCENT OF D.13 by ANDREW GARVE