CANBERRA WEEKLY 26 FEBRUARY 2026: NEW CRIME FROM FERGUS CRAIG, JOHN McMAHON and KATE ALICE MARSHALL
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 that combines domestic American terrorism with the search for a serial killer.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“John McMahon made a good entry into the international crime writing ranks with his first FBI novel, Head Cases and has now followed it up with the even better Inside Man.
FBI Agent Gardiner Camden and his idiosyncratic team are on the verge of stopping a right-wing militia group from stockpiling weapons when their confidential informant is killed. As they set about solving his murder, they find themselves caught up in the hunt for a serial killer who has been quietly targeting women for several years. Fast paced and intriguing, Inside Man keeps you engaged from the beginning to the final bloody shoot-out. Highly recommended.”
I had the pleasure of listening to John talk at the Bouchercon in Nashville in 2024 and was keen to read the first book in the series – Head Cases. I quite enjoyed it, but I think that Inside Man is a stronger book.
Here is a link to my review of Inside Man from earlier this year: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/crime-fiction-wrap-february-2026-new-books-from-ashley-elston-alice-feeney-c-j-box-john-mcmahon-and-douglas-preston-lincoln-child/
Kate Alice Marshall is a veteran of the mystery and Young Adult genres. Her books feature strong plots, lively central characters and plenty of reflection.
Her latest adult mystery, The Girls Before (Macmillan, 24 February 2026), is another well crafted story with a very dark premise.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Kate Alice Marshall is very good at thrillers set in small town America with dysfunctional wealthy families and creepy murders. Her latest is no exception, and has the added bonus of an engaging central character in the form of search and rescue expert Audrey Dixon.
In The Girls Before, a woman is trapped in a dark basement surrounded by the scribbles left by long-dead girls, while above ground Audrey finds evidence that a teenage runaway might have been kidnapped from land belonging to a prominent local family. With consummate skill, Kate brings the two strands together in a way that thrills and surprises.”
I thought that Kate’s previous novel, A Killing Cold, was quite good, but The Girls Before is probably better, mainly due to the more credible plot and the character of Audrey Dixon who drives much of the action.
Here is a link to my review of A Killing Cold from last year: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-2025-suspense-fiction-the-reunion-by-bronwyn-rivers-and-a-killing-cold-by-kate-alice-marshall/
Finally, Fergus Craig’s I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home, (Sphere, 17 February 2026), is one of the funniest dark crime novels I have read in a long time. Skilfully mixes humour and mystery in just the right measures, it is a terrific read from beginning to end.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Lastly, Fergus Craig’s I’m Not The Only Murderer In My Retirement Home combines a good murder mystery with laugh out loud moments and a swathe of surprises.
Former serial killer Carol is out of jail and nicely ensconced in a pleasant retirement home, when one of the residents, a former police commissioner, is brutally murdered. Suddenly all eyes are on Carol, and she has to work out who really killed the former copper before she is sent back to jail. Moving along at a nice pace, and aided by Carol’s darkly humorous comments, the story smoothly twists its way to a clever and original resolution. Great fun!”
Certainly one to put on the top of your ‘to read’ pile. Here is a link to my longer review from earlier this year: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/deadly-weddings-castles-and-retirement-homes-2026-british-crime-by-fergus-craig-stuart-macbride-c-l-miller/
The Fergus Craig book was probably my favourite of the three, although all of them are worth reading, depending on your preferences.
Happy reading!
Thanks to the Canberra Weekly and the publishers for the books.