SPRING CLEANING – THE BEST CRIME NOVELS AND THRILLERS OF 2024 …. SO FAR!

I am about to head to America to attend the Bouchercon Crime Fiction Convention in Nashville, and have been doing some Australian pre-spring cleaning: looking back over the books I have read so far this year and sorting through the releases for the rest of the year.

In doing so I have come up with a list of my favourite books of 2024, so far.

It is now almost two thirds of the way through the year, and we have already seen some terrific releases from new and established authors. So much so, that I found it very hard narrowing down my list to baker’s dozen! The number of high quality Australian and New Zealand crime books again this year is particularly pleasing, and they have tended to dominate the list. This is partly a reflection of my reading, but also of the high quality of recent ‘Downunder’ crime fiction. In addition to the ones below, there were several others that I could have easily added.

The lists below set out, in no particular order, my favourite crime, thriller, and debut novels of 2024 so far. In addition, I have highlighted a couple of others, which are also very good.

In the main I have focused on books which really grabbed my attention and kept me interested. Some combined a clever plot with provocative themes and moving personal insights, but mainly they are just good entertainment.

The division between crime novels and thrillers is rather arbitrary, but I have tended to follow the advice of George Easter at Deadly Pleasures, and applied the term thriller to books which feature a fast pace, a protagonist in danger, lots of action, usually a deadline or two, and the focus is on saving someone or something. And most importantly, there are no cats! Some of the books below could fit in either grouping, but I have shoehorned them into the category which seems the most logical to me. This year there are less thrillers than usual, but I suspect that it will be more balanced by the end of the year with books scheduled for release by Henry Porter and David McCloskey and a good spy debut by David Goodman, A Reluctant Spy, which I am currently reading.

A number of my favourite books from 2023 are finally being released in America this year, and are finding their way onto Best of the Year lists over there. But while I think that the books by Matthew Richardson, Benjamin Stevenson, Michelle Prak and Steve Cavanagh (Kill For Me Kill For You) are very good, they are 2023 releases for me and not on my lists below.

I have provided some brief words under each of the books and a link to my longer reviews if you want to check out in more detail what I thought about them (but no spoilers).

Firstly, the crime novels

CRIME NOVELS

M. W. Craven’s The Mercy Chair, (Constable, 6 June 2024), was the most addictive crime novel I have read so far this year. It moved at a rapid pace, with plenty of twists and turns, and, as the cliche goes, ‘I could not put it down’! A reasonable amount of suspension of disbelief is required at times, but it is certainly a very entertaining read.

Here is the link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/june-2024-thrills-new-books-by-ruth-ware-m-w-craven-michael-robotham/

Also full of twists and surprises, and the occasional gunshot, is Steve Cavanagh’s Witness 8 (Headline, 1 August 2024).

This is the eighth book in Cavanagh’s series about New York ex-conman turned lawyer Eddie Flynn, and it delivers a good multi-layered plot that captures the reader’s attention from beginning to end. Again some suspension of disbelief is required, but the fast pace and Cavanagh’s intriguing legal conundrums more than compensate.

Here is the link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/category/forecast-friday/

I have not had the opportunity yet to post a review of Ace Atkins’ Don’t Let The Devil Ride (William Morrow, 25 June 2024), but it is a terrific novel full of interesting, quirky characters and a plot that ricochets around in unexpected directions all the way to the final surprising outcome.

Atkins’ portrayal of Memphis and its various social layers is memorable and the storyline excites and amuses in equal measure. A really top notch read.

Here is the publisher’s summary:

“Hell is empty…and Addison McKellar’s husband is missing.

Addison McKellar isn’t clueless—she knows she and her husband Dean don’t have the perfect marriage—but she’s still shocked when he completely vanishes from her life. At first Addison is annoyed, but as days stretch into a week and she’s repeatedly stonewalled by Dean’s friends and associates, her frustration turns into genuine alarm. When even the police seem dismissive of her concerns, Addison turns to her father’s old friend, legendary Memphis PI Porter Hayes.

Porter and Addison begin to dig deeper into Dean’s affairs and quickly discover that he was never the hardworking business owner and family man he pretended to be. As they piece together the connections between a hook-handed mercenary, one of Elvis’s former leading ladies, and a man posing as an FBI agent, it becomes clear that Dean was deeply enmeshed in a high-stakes web of international intrigue, and Porter and Addison aren’t the only ones looking for him.

Dean angered some very dangerous people before he disappeared—people who have already killed to get what they want—and they won’t hesitate to come after his family to even the score.

Don’t Let the Devil Ride is a thrilling adventure about what can happen when you pull back the curtain on your life. Ace Atkins, long known for gritty Southern noir with a witty edge, has crafted an ambitious, globe-hopping story that comes home to Memphis in explosive fashion.”

Don’t Let The Devil Ride has not enjoyed wide release in Australia, but it is well worth tracking down.

Leading off the Australian releases is Sanctuary by Garry Disher, (Text Publishing, 3 April 2024).

Set primarily in the Adelaide Hills, it revolves around two women with dangerous pasts and secrets. One, Grace, is a professional thief who is running from a dangerous former associate. The other, Erin, is hiding out as the owner of an antiques shop until her cover is broken.

This is a finely constructed novel that unfolds with precision and care and is peopled with gritty credible characters who worm their way into your emotions. Slower in pace than the above three books, it is nevertheless a very tense and absorbing novel.

Here is the link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/looking-forward-new-2024-aussie-crime-by-garry-disher-and-candice-fox/

Dinuka McKenzie is developing into a crime writer of real substance.

Her first two books about mixed heritage, northern NSW regional detective Kate Miles, were very good, but I think with Tipping Point, (Harper Collins, 31 January 2024), she raises the bar even higher.

The characters are nuanced and credible, the plotting is interesting and tense, and a number of substantial themes are smoothly woven into the story without slowing the pace. A very strong book.

Here is a link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/women-on-the-ledge-new-2024-crime-fiction-by-dinuka-mckenzie-ruth-mancini-and-kylie-orr/

Located in Victoria’s high country, Margaret Hickey’s The Creeper (Penguin, 30 July 2024) is a carefully plotted novel that introduces a new series character for Margaret in the form of Detective Constable Sally White. The only officer at a small rural town, Sally becomes caught up in old and new crimes as the anniversary of infamous local shooting draws near.

This is a very accomplished novel that makes good use of its ‘past’ and ‘present’ timelines, and moves smoothly to a taut and surprising conclusion on a lonely mountain track. There is also a neat sting in the tail.

Here is the link to my fuller review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/australian-outback-noir-2024-new-books-by-margaret-hickey-and-gabriel-bergmoser/

Gabriel Bergmoser’s The Hitchhiker, (Harper Collins, 31 July 2024), started life as an Audible Original story, before being recast as a short novel. Set in the harshness of outback Australia is a twisted cat-and-mouse thriller that builds to a very blood climax.

The tension is palpable from the beginning, and Bergmoser’s portrayal of life in the small towns scattered across inland Australia is dark and gritty. A powerful chiller that will grip your attention and keep you thinking long after it is finished.

Here is the link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/australian-outback-noir-2024-new-books-by-margaret-hickey-and-gabriel-bergmoser/

Sitting somewhere between a thriller and a crime novel is Natalie Conyer’s Shadow City, (Echo Publishing, 3 September 2024).

Moving smoothly between Cape Town and Sydney, Shadow City is an evocative and exciting story that also deals with pressing social and political issues. The depictions of both Cape Town and Sydney ring true, and the characters are nicely sketched and interesting. A very good novel from a former Ned Kelly Award winner.

Note: Shadow City is not due out until 3 September 2024, but it is worthwhile getting an early order in for it.

Here is the link to my full review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/australian-crime-fiction-2024-new-books-by-natalie-conyer-and-david-whish-wilson/

In addition to the above books, there were several others strongly vying for inclusion on the list, including Michael Bennett’s Return To Blood (which only narrowly missed out), Duane Swierczynski’s California Bear, Sarah Bailey’s Body Of Lies, Michael Robotham’s Storm Child and David Whish-Wilson’s Cutler.

THRILLERS

Catherine Steadman’s Look In The Mirror, (Quercus, 30 July 2024), is a bit like Craven’s The Mercy Chair, in that it was a novel that I could not put down. From the opening pages I was curious as to what was happening, and what would become of the two main protagonists. The pace was quick throughout, and it certainly delivered on the surprises. Like Craven’s book, some suspension of disbelief was required, but overall it was one of the most exciting books I have read this year.

Here is the link to my earlier review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/twists-courtroom-action-and-a-hibernating-serial-killer-new-2024-crime-by-steve-cavanagh-catherine-steadman-and-duane-swierczynski/

Juan Gomez-Jurado’s Black Wolf, (Macmillan, 12 March 2024), is the second book in the Spanish author’s trilogy about detective extraordinaire Antonia Scott. A briskly paced and absorbing thriller, it follows Antonia’s efforts to track down a missing pregnant woman, before a notorious hitman can get to her first.

Full of surprises, some very bloody encounters and an interesting patina of quirkiness, Black Wolf is the best Euro crime thriller I have read so far this year.

Here is the link to the original review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/murder-and-mayhem-in-march-2024-fast-paced-crime-novels-by-lisa-gardner-juan-gomez-jurado-and-max-luther/

John Connolly’s The Instruments Of Darkness, (Hachette, 30 April 2024), could have readily fitted in the Crime List, but its structure and slight supernatural elements gives it more of a thriller edge.

The story about a woman accused of murdering her own child is dark and absorbing, and the presence of far right extremists add an extra element of excitement. Typical for a Connolly novel, there is also a rich tapestry of ideas and detail. Racism, stereotyping, far right politics, misogyny, greed and the cloud of political influence are all tackled by Connolly in a telling way, but without overly slowing the pace or lessening the excitement. A superior novel.

Here is the link to my longer review: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-british-thrillers-2024-the-instruments-of-darkness-by-john-connolly-and-profile-k-by-helen-fields/

I really enjoyed Paul Doiron’s Dead Before Dawn a few years back, and have been trying to keep up with the new books in his Mike Bowditch series, as well as catching up with those that I had missed. Unfortunately, his books are not widely and readily available in Australia.

I have just finished listening to Pitch Black, (Minotaur, 25 June 2024), on Audible, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is primarily a chase novel, with Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch, alone and unarmed, pursuing a suspected killer and his young daughter through the impenetrable Maine forest towards Canada. Bowditch is a skilled bushman, but his quarry seems to have even greater skills and Bowditch can’t tell if he is the cat or the mouse in this dangerous game.

The plot seems simple, but it is very skilfully crafted and Doiron does a good job in keeping the reader’s interest at a high level, while also exploring themes around fatherhood and mental illness. There are several good twists along the way, and the ending is very dark and harrowing, and totally unexpected.

Doiron’s descriptions of the Maine wilderness is evocative and vivid, and his depiction of the mindset of the human inhabitants of this remote area is also fascinating. There are some unlikely occurrences, but overall this is a terrific thriller with real heart.

Here is a link to my review of Doiron’s Dead Before Dawn, which is also a favourite of mine: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/wilderness-thrillers-new-books-by-c-j-box-and-paul-doiron/

In addition to the above, there were a couple of other thrillers that I quite enjoyed, including Oliver Harris’ The Shame Archive (only marginally missed out), Gerald Seymour’s The Best Revenge and Jack Beaumont’s Dark Arena. Reviews can be found by searching on the site.

DEBUT

The Call, (Allen & Unwin, 19 March 2024), by New Zealander Gavin Strawhan is the best debut I have encountered so far this year.

Set primarily in a remote coastal area of New Zealand, it is a gripping tale about a damaged police detective and her battle with old and new enemies. The characters are very strongly drawn and credible, and the book builds to a tough and bloody climax.

Fleshing out the book are some sharp eyed observations on New Zealand society, the damaging rise of gangs, mental health issues and ageing. A very accomplished debut!

The other debut that caught my eye this year was Amy Tintera’s Listen For The Lie, which is also well worth hunting out.

So, there are my favourites for the year so far. I am still reflecting on some of the recent books I have read, and there are some impressive releases scheduled for later this year, including from Michael Connelly, Dave Warner, Alan Carter, Ian Rankin, Henry Porter and Benjamin Stevenson, so I suspect that the above list may go through some changes before the end of the year!

Enjoy your reading, while I head off on holidays!