CANBERRA WEEKLY 21 MAY 2026: NEW AUSTRALIAN CRIME THRILLERS by JOHN CONNOLLY and GAVIN STRAWHAN
This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed two dark crime novels by John Connolly and New Zealander Gavin Strawhan, and an engaging non-crime book by Anna Johnston.
First up of the crime novels is Gavin Strawhan’s Slash, (Allen & Unwin).
I really enjoyed Strawhan’s first novel, The Call, and was not disappointed with Slash, which continues former Aukland Detective Honey Chambers’ dark journey.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Gavin Strawhan made a strong crime fiction entry with his first novel, The Call, and has now followed it up with the equally good Slash.
Battered former Aukland cop Honey Chambers is barely getting by following the murder of her lover, but is coerced into tracking down a missing son who is suspected of murder. It is a bloody trail that takes her from New Zealand’s east coast to Fiji, and a deadly final show down with a killer. This is good, gritty noir writing and a fine example of the quality crime fiction being produced across the Tasman. Tense and exciting, it grips to the end.”
This is top shelf noir and will not disappoint fans of tough crime writing with a strongly modern feel.
John Connolly’s Charlie Parker series has shown strong staying power. A River Red With Blood, (Hodder & Stoughton), is the twenty-third book in the highly acclaimed series and is just as good as those that preceded it.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Connolly’s latest novel opens with haunted private investigator Charlie Parker reluctantly agreeing to determine the truth about the death of a runaway teenager, whose body was found in the Maine wilderness. Very soon, however, he finds himself up against a deadly trio of thrill killers, and something much worse deep in the forest.
This is another beautifully written and compelling thriller by Connolly, which mixes crime and mild supernatural themes with the dark reality of teenage institutional care in America. The story moves along at a good pace, with richly described characters and scenes, and a high degree of suspense. First class.”
A River Red With Blood probably has a stronger supernatural flavour than his other recent Parker books, but displays the usual flair for characterisation, plotting, pacing and social observation. A very good read.
I did longer review here: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/may-mayhem-new-crime-novels-by-john-connolly-jo-murray-and-mike-ripley/
Finally, the non-crime book in the mix is Anna Johnston’s When Lemons Give You Life, (Penguin).
Anna drew on her experience as an aged care expert to craft an engaging first novel, The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife, which is now being turned into a Netflix series. Her second novel, When Lemons Give You Life, follows a similar path and thoroughly entertains while exploring issues around dementia, the quality of aged care and the plight of LGBTQIA+ couples in care.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Fans of feel-good novels will enjoy this latest book by Anna Johnston, author of the bestselling The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife.
Retired Michelin-star chef Griff Barlow has lost his appetite for food and life. Tired of the slop that they serve at his aged care facility, he breaks into the kitchen one night to cook up a final tart, but finds his dormant joy of cooking re-ignited. Encouraged by the local residents he branches out and discovers that food may give him the second chance that he needs. An uplifting novel with a sharp sense of humour and genuine empathy. Recommended.”
I hope you enjoy the books as much as I did.