New Issue of Crime Review

We feature new 20 reviews in each issue of Crime Review (www.crimereview.co.uk), together with a top industry interview. This time it’s crime fiction expert Barry Forshaw in the Countdown hot seat.

We’re on Twitter at:

Crime Review: @CrimeReviewUK

Linda Wilson: @CrimeReviewer

Sharon Wheeler: @lartonmedia

This week’s reviews are:

LYING IN WAIT by Liz Nugent, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler

Lydia Fitzsimons has the perfect home and family – and she’s willing to

kill to protect both.

THE FIRE MAKER by Peter May, reviewed by Chris Roberts

Forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell makes a visit to Beijing to give a

series of lectures, but is soon involved in a live police case when a man

is set alight in a local park.

THE SUN KING CONSPIRACY by Yves Jego and Denis Lepee, reviewed by Linda

Wilson

A young aspiring actor finds himself in possession of a deadly secret in

the court of King Louis XIV

THE WIDOW by Fiona Barton, reviewed by John Barnbrook

Jean is newly widowed. Her husband, killed in a traffic accident, had been

the object of an investigation into child kidnapping. His death leads to a

resurgence in press and police interest and a renewed investigation ensues.

MY NAME IS N by Robert Karjel, reviewed by Ewa Sherman

Ernst Grip of the Swedish Security Police is summoned to the USA to

interrogate a prisoner, accused of involvement in the terrorist attack.

Then he meets the man called N.

THE SPY OF VENICE by Benet Brandreth, reviewed by John Cleal

Caught in a seduction too many, young William Shakespeare flees Stratford.

He falls in with a band of players, but others have their eye on the young

wordsmith. England’s survival is in the balance and soon he is sent to

Venice as part of a crucial embassy – and into deadly danger.

JIHADI by Yusuf Toropov, reviewed by Chris Roberts

The clash of two cultures has a dramatic impact on the lives of a few

selected people close to the centre of events.

WITHOUT TRACE by Simon Booker, reviewed by Sharon Wheeler

Morgan Vine has campaigned for the release of her childhood sweetheart, who

was found guilty of murdering his step-daughter. Once he’s free, though,

the doubts set in

MAIGRET IN NEW YORK, reviewed by Arnold Taylor

Maigret agrees to a request from a young Paris lawyer, fearful for his

father’s life, to sail to New York and find out what is happening to him.

CRASH by Toby Vintcent, reviewed by Linda Wilson

A fatal crash at the Moscow Grant Prix leaves the Ptarmigan team facing

charges of corporate manslaughter.

THE BODY ON THE DOORSTEP by AJ Mackenzie, reviewed by John Cleal

Reverend Marcus Hardcastle is pickling himself in beer and port in a lonely

parish on the Romney Marshes. When a man is shot on his doorstep, he is

plunged into a plot involving espionage, treason and betrayal.

BIRD IN A CAGE by Frederic Dard, reviewed by Arnold Taylor

It is Christmas and Albert Herbin, after a long time away, is visiting his

old home in one of the poorer parts of Paris. He meets a young and

attractive woman in a brasserie and begins to feel hope for the future.

THE UNSEEING by Anna Mazzola, reviewed by John Cleal

In 1837 Sarah Gale was sentenced to hang for her part in her murder of

another woman. An idealistic young barrister is appointed to determine if

the sentence is appropriate.

A GAME FOR ALL THE FAMILY by Sophie Hannah, reviewed by Sylvia Maughan

Justine has left her job and moved with her family to a large house in

Devon. Once there she begins to receive threatening phone calls from

someone who pretends to know her.

LAWLESS AND THE DEVIL OF EUSTON SQUARE, reviewed by John Cleal

Scotsman Campbell Lawless has ambitions to be a Scotland Yard detective.

His assignments soon lead him into a dark world which threatens the very

future of the Empire.

ENDGAME by Ahmet Altan, reviewed by Chris Roberts

A writer takes a liking to a small town, but discovers that disputes

between leading citizens result in a high murder rate. He becomes

personally embroiled and eventually becomes involved in murder himself.

DEATH TRAP by Dreda Say Mitchell, reviewed by Linda Wilson

A terrified teenager is the only witness to the brutal murder of three

people. It’s DI Rio Wray’s job to keep her alive during the hunt for the

killers.

THE MAN WHO WANTED TO KNOW by DA Mishani, reviewed by Chris Roberts

A woman murdered in her own flat is known to the attending detective as a

rape victim from some years previously. Could there be any connection?

EDEN BURNING by Deirdre Quiery, reviewed by John Cleal

A story of love amid the violence and death of the Troubles, centred on two

families on either side of the sectarian divide, who share a dark secret.

END OF DAYS by Susan Ee, reviewed by Linda Wilson

The war between the angels and the remnants of humanity reaches a suitably

explosive climax.

Best wishes

Sharon