Book Reviews

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three new Australian crime novels, including two which are on my list of the year’s best crime novels. As it’s title suggests, Michelle Prak’s debut novel is a wild rush of a ride from beginning to end! Set in the Australian outback […]

Jane Harper was not the first Australian author to write outback crime novels, but she was certainly instrumental in establishing it as one of the most popular forms of crime writing in the world today. Jane’s The Dry was an outstanding success that fueled overseas interest in outback noir, and the popularity […]

For over two decades now, Mark Billingham has been known as the author of the popular Tom Thorne detective series, although he has also spiced it up with four good stand-alone thrillers. Now in a bold move, Billingham has temporarily left his London detective behind and headed to Blackpool, and […]

A real mix of books over the first half of the month from a bold concept thriller to a light action chase novel to a creepy tale about stalking and secrets. Will Dean’s The Last Passenger (Hodder & Stoughton, 9 May 2023) is a bold, wild ride of a story […]

I have just finished Mark Billingham’s The Last Dance (Sphere, 25 May 2023) and really enjoyed it. The Last Dance is the opening entry in a new series for Billingham, the first for him in over two decades. His previous books have mainly been connected to popular London detective Tom […]

George Easter has just sent out the latest issue of his Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine (No. 99) and it is another great issue packed full of reviews and interesting information. The issue celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the magazine, which first appeared in April 1993, and is a remarkable achievement by George. […]

I recently added to my James Hadley Chase collection with a good selection of covers from different phases of his publishing career, including a rare Australian edition and some interesting JHC jewelry! In addition to publishing a swag of Australian paperback authors such as Carter Brown (Alan Yates),J. E. Macdonnell […]

There are some real treats coming out for crime and thriller aficionados in late May and early June, including new books by leading figures in the genre such as Jo Nesbo, Mark Billingham, Martin Cruz Smith and Riley Sager, and a couple of thrilling reads by some lesser known authors. […]

This recent batch of British crime and thriller titles covers a range of themes and sub-genres, from regional crime to police detective fiction to a paranoid thriller! J. S. Monroe started out writing very good spy thrillers in the 2010s under the name Jon Stock, but more recently he has […]

This week in the Canberra Weekly I had the pleasure of reviewing three great books that are ideal for reading this ANZAC Day. Ross McMullin’s Life So Full Of Promise (Scribe), is an impressive achievement. A follow up to his highly regarded Farewell, Dear People, it is a multi-biography about […]