Autumn Thrillers: New Books from Roz Watkins, Michael Robotham, and Charlie Higson
Reviews of "The Wicked Girls," "Tell Me Something True," and "King Zero" offer a glimpse into the season's most compelling suspense novels.
Geoffrey Wansell reviews three notable thriller releases for the start of autumn: "The Wicked Girls" by Roz Watkins, "Tell Me Something True" by Michael Robotham, and "King Zero" by Charlie Higson.
"The Wicked Girls" by Roz Watkins is set in the small Cornish coastal village of Peneerie, where an ancient curse appears to grip the community. The curse dates back nearly 200 years to the death of Eliza, a servant at the local manor who died on her 17th birthday. The narrative unfolds as schoolgirl Naomi dies on her birthday, mirroring Eliza's fate, and Ruby, who is approaching her 17th birthday, becomes a potential next victim. As other girls in Ruby's class also seem to fall prey to the curse, her mother, Kat, discovers a group of boys in the same year exhibiting misogynistic behavior. The novel is described as deeply creepy, offering a vivid portrayal of modern adolescence that could have been a "wonderful film" for Alfred Hitchcock.
Michael Robotham's "Tell Me Something True" is presented as his debut novel, though it was started decades ago in his early twenties and subsequently set aside. The book is lauded as a masterpiece of tension, poignancy, and heartache. Set in Yulara, a town located between Sydney and Melbourne, the story follows Arlo Hackett's return after serving 12 years for his involvement in a killing committed by his mentally challenged brother, Luke. Confronted with animosity, Arlo becomes determined to uncover the truth as the real story behind the events emerges. The novel features compelling characters and is noted for its emotional impact.
Charlie Higson's "King Zero" is his contribution to the James Bond legacy, following in the footsteps of other authors who have penned stories for the iconic spy. Higson, known for co-creating "The Fast Show" and writing five Young Bond novels, adheres to the Fleming formula by including advanced gadgets, such as a four-armed surgical robot with a mind of its own, and a global conspiracy orchestrated by a mysterious villain. The plot commences with the murder of a British agent in Saudi Arabia and spans the globe as Bond confronts the antagonist. While the novel incorporates modern elements like artificial intelligence, it is noted for lacking the distinctive flair of Fleming's original work, leaving the reader "neither shaken nor stirred."