This month's crime fiction offerings include compelling new releases that transport readers to the atmospheric Scottish Highlands, the bustling streets of Bristol, and the dusty landscapes of Australia.
In G. R. Halliday's "From The Shadows," DI Monica Kennedy, a newly introduced detective, faces a grim series of murders in the Highlands. The novel, which is set to inspire a television series titled "The Dark," follows Kennedy as she investigates the killings of teenage boys whose bodies are found mutilated in remote locations, suggesting the presence of a serial killer. The book is described as eloquent, dark, and frightening, with believable characters and a strong protagonist.
"The Tailor" by Tim Sullivan introduces readers to DS George Cross, an established detective known for his unique approach, partly due to his place on the autism spectrum. In his seventh outing, Cross investigates the murder of a bespoke Bristol tailor found dead on a train to Paddington. What initially appears to be a robbery escalates into the discovery of an organized hit, with connections to China and a shadowy electronics firm. The novel is noted for its intricate plot, humor, and suspense.
Meanwhile, Garry Disher's "Under the Cold Bright Lights" sees retired police sergeant Alan Auhl drawn back into police work to join an Australian Cold Case Unit. Despite skepticism from younger officers, Auhl takes on a challenging first case involving a skeleton discovered under a concrete slab. The investigation broadens to include a doctor whose previous wives died suddenly and concerns for his current wife, raising suspicions of him being a killer. The story also weaves in a personal subplot involving a friend at risk of losing custody of her daughter. Disher's writing is praised for its atmosphere and tension, creating an absorbing and emotional narrative.
