Crime Review Update

In our new edition of Crime Review (www.crimereview.co.uk) this week we
have 16 reviews, together with Kerry Wilkinson in the Countdown interview
hot seat:
We’re on Twitter at:
Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK
Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer
Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia

This week’s reviews are:
EVEN DOGS IN THE WILD by Ian Rankin, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler
John Rebus has finally been retired off – but he talks his way back as a
police consultant after old adversary Ger Cafferty narrowly dodges a bullet.

A QUIET END by Nelson DeMille, reviewed by Arnold Taylor
John Corey has recently returned from action in the Yemen as part of the
Anti-Terrorist Task Force, and has been asked to resign on the grounds of
insubordination. But a dead-end job puts him on the trail of a dangerous
Russian.

TAKING PITY by David Mark, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Detective Superintendent Trish Pharaoh is hoping that a power struggle
between criminals in north east England will give her the opportunity to
take a few down, while DS Aector McAvoy tackles a very cold case.

THE SHERLOCK HOLMES BOOK edited by Barry Forshaw and David Stuart Davies,
reviewed by Linda Wilson
Everything you ever wanted to know about the world’s most famous fictional
detective.

A STUDY IN MURDER by Robert Ryan, reviewed by John Cleal
Major John Watson is a prisoner of the Germans. A former adversary of
Sherlock Holmes, seeking revenge, vows to make him suffer and Watson is
sent to a vicious PoW camp in the Hartz mountains. There he uncovers a
murderous racket among the prisoners and puts his own life, as well as that
of Holmes at risk.

YOUNG SHERLOCK: NIGHT BREAK by Andrew Lane, reviewed by Linda Wilson
Young Sherlock returns to his childhood home after the death of his mother
and trouble doesn’t take long to seek him out when his sister’s fiance
disappears without trace.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND A SCANDAL IN BATAVIA, reviewed by John Cleal
Holmes and Watson are begged by Prince Alexander, heir to the Dutch throne,
to investigate his fears of a plot to steal his inheritance and an
attempted poisoning.

THE PALE HOUSE by Luke McCallin, reviewed by Chris Roberts
During the German retreat through Yugoslavia in 1944, Captain Gregor
Reinhardt comes across a site of mass murder. His enquiries expose a
conspiracy involving both the brutal Ustase and senior figures in the
military hierarchy.

FALLING IN LOVE by Donna Leon, reviewed by Sylvia Maughan
A well-known opera singer is upset when she is inundated with flowers after
each performance in Venice. Hundreds appear on stage, in her dressing room
and some even outside the apartment in which she is staying. Then
Commissario Brunetti is called to see a young woman in hospital who has
been attacked. Is there a connection?

THE DEATH’S HEAD CHESS CLUB by John Donoghue, reviewed by John Cleal
An SS officer’s attempt to boost morale among death camp guards leads to an
impossible friendship which bears fruit many years later.

SHADOWS OF WAR by Michael Ridpath, reviewed by Chris Roberts
As World War II opens, Britain’s response to German aggression is in
debate, and a young Second Lieutenant is caught up in the struggle between
those contending for resistance or accommodation.

THE HOG’S BACK MYSTERY by Freeman Wills Crofts, reviewed by Anthea Hawdon
At 8:30 one evening, Dr James Earle goes into his sitting room to read the
paper and disappears without trace. The baffled local police call in
Scotland Yard and Inspector Joseph French arrives to solve the mystery.

THE BONE ORCHARD by Paul Doiron, reviewed by Chris Roberts
Mike Bowditch has left the Maine Warden Service and now works as a fishing
guide, but when his mentor and friend Sergeant Kathy Frost finds trouble,
he is compelled to get involved.

THE DARK MEADOW by Andrea Maria Schenkel, reviewed by John Cleal
Afra has returned to the poverty-stricken Bavarian home she left as a
14-year-old. Her pregnancy places intolerable strains on her staunchly
Catholic family. When she and her son are murdered, her father is
convicted, but 18 years later the case is reopened.

SHOOT TO KILL by Steve Cole, reviewed by Linda Wilson
James Bond gets the chance of a trip of a lifetime on a luxury airship
bound for Hollywood, but trouble isn’t far behind him.

DOUBLE OR DIE (audiobook) by Charlie Higson, reviewed by Linda Wilson
One of his professors has disappeared and young James Bond has to decipher
and follow a series of cryptic clues that lead him into some very dangerous
places.

Best wishes

Sharon