AustCrimeFiction - All Blogs

Right, so in April I was thinking back to 2006 and the commencement of AustCrime and then May I forgot to do a wrap up completely.

It's been busy in these parts. Unbelievably busy. So May / June together.

May

Every month this year is starting out with a revisit to the Discworld, so The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett it was.

This is a seriously brilliant idea this book, one that I'm really pleased to see close to out and about.  (Dislaimer: I was recently invited to join ACWA's committee. A long time after this book was conceived and developed.)

From the Blurb:

Crime fiction is the single most popular genre in international publishing and Australia has some of the finest practitioners when it comes to walking the mean streets and nailing the bad guys.

Set in Italy, this is the fourth book in the Sandro Cellini series, but a first for me.

From the Blurb:

Met up with Angela last Thursday night in "chilly" (okay bloody freezing and wet) Ballarat and heard her talk about the background to this series. Which was fascinating.

From the Blurb:

A new case for expat private investigator Jayne Keeney.

As Jayne and Rajiv holiday in Krabi, Jayne can't stop her mind straying to thoughts of the future: a successful business, perhaps even a honeymoon. Who would have thought she could be so content?

Do Not Panic. I'm reading a Crimance book. Sometimes you have to try something different.

From the Blurb:

Ellie Wilding has been running from her past, but when the residents of Half Moon Bay call for help she knows it's finally time to return home.  As an international photojournalist, she's used to violence in war zones, but she's shocked when it erupts in the sleepy hamlet on the north coast of New South Wales, threatening all she holds dear.

About 100 pages in so far and we're talking romp, madness, dust, a bit of energiser bunny action and a lot of activity!

From the Blurb:

'Ford laid his fingertips gently on the cut in his shoulder where the bullet had clipped him. His best chance would be to hitch a ride south at the first opportunity, before the police started looking for him. He was alone, enveloped in the monstrous silence of the desert. Free and alone, without assistance and without excuse.'

The first book by sibling writing team from Denmark, Lotte and Soren Hammer, they have written five so far. An unusual style, and a very unusual voice.

From the Blurb:

For review at http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/(link is external) post publication, and not just because there's a federal election in the offing... well maybe a little bit.

Blurb:

A federal election campaign is thrown into chaos when a popular government minister goes missing and then turns up dead on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

A loan from a friend, couldn't have been more my sort of thing if I'd picked it out myself. Would have been a one sitting book if it wasn't for pressure of work, himself overseas and animals that just demand to be fed twice a day.

From the Blurb:

Paranormal, which we all know I struggle with, Australian, debut author. Have actually found myself sometimes liking these so not going to avoid like I would have in the past.

From the Blurb:

Cass Lehman has a terrifying ‘gift’... She sees what others can’t...

Been looking forward to this one.

From the Blurb:

1993. Houston. A lunar rock geologist gets an outlandish request: steal a piece of the moon. Dr. Wale Olufunmi has a life most Nigerian immigrants would kill for, but then most Nigerians aren’t Wale—a great scientific mind in exile with galactic ambitions. With both personal and national glory at stake, Wale manages to pull off the near impossible, setting out on a journey back to Nigeria that leads anywhere but home.

Stories of the women who broke society's greatest taboo

From the Blurb:

Do women kill? Yes they do, but often for very different reasons from men ...

Meet the women who have murdered - they′ve killed children, husbands, lovers, relatives and friends. They include the desperate, the poor, the abused, the sexually betrayed, and the downright callous. In some cases they were motivated by fear of society′s disapproval, in others they acted to save themselves from violence.

For review at http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/(link is external) this is the second Catherine Berlin book from English / Australian writer Annie Hauxwell

From the Blurb:

Treachery becomes a habit.

London is in the grip of a stifling heatwave. The parched city has slowed to a claustrophobic shuffle and there's no end in sight. Heroin-addicted investigator Catherine Berlin suffers while working the nadir of investigations: matrimonial.

Cheating a little as I read this over the weekend so "technically" a May read :)

From the Blurb:

Ruth and her cousin Naomi live in rural Wisconsin, part of an isolated religious community. The girls' lives are ruled by the rhythms of nature - the harsh winters, the hunting seasons, the harvesting of crops - and by their families' beliefs. Beneath the surface of this closed, frozen world, hidden dangers lurk.

An outing with Kubu is always a much anticipated event, and the addition of new detective Samantha Khama is really interesting.

From the Blurb:

Girls are disappearing in Botswana. The rumor is they're being harvested for muti, a witch doctor's potion traditionally derived from plants and animals--and which, some believe, can be made more potent by adding human remains. Detective David "Kubu" Bengu joins the investigation with the police force's newest detective--and only woman--Samantha Khama, for whom the case is personal.

Set in Manly Sydney, this is the first book in a proposed series.

From the Blurb:

When Martin Stream, successful Australian business icon is murdered one morning on a Manly ferry on his way to work, local detective inspectors Georgia Show and Stephen French step in to solve the case.

It's a bit hard to ignore a comment like "reminds me why I fell in love with crime fiction in the first place... Val McDermid"...., and it's been more than a bit hard to put this one down.

From the Blurb:

After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his long-time girlfriend and is living in his office.

A new Australian author, always much appreciated, this book is set on the fringes of the IT industry, with a central character who is a technical writer... There is so much here that makes sense :)

From the Blurb:

Reading this one for review over at http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/(link is external) - it's marketed as YA, but it should work for a wider audience.

From the Blurb:

'I still dream about Anna London's house. In my dreams it's as if the house itself has sinister intentions. But in real life it wasn't the house that was responsible for what happened. It was the people who did the damage ...'

Yes well, if you're going to get out of your comfort zone you might as well make a day of it...

From the Blurb:

A little catchup with a non-local author for a change :)

From the Blurb:

Estranged identical twins Daniel and Max have a complex relationship, so when Daniel goes to visit his bipolar brother in a remote Swiss clinic, he has no idea what really lies in wait for him. Lulled by the peacefulness of the clinic, Daniel finds himself accepting Max's plea for help in taking care of some business, and the brothers swap places for a few days.

April, apart from finishing off one book, was 100% Australian author month. Half way through the month it dawned on me that in 2006, when I got the first version of this site up and running,(link is external) it was a bit tricky to fill an entire month's reading with local books - even with a bit of back catalogue re-reading.

A wonderful way to start off the month, after a rather heavy lifting month of strong, very good Australian Crime fiction, I turned to the 2nd Discworld book in my re-read of this very favourite series.

From the Blurb:

Probably my final book for Aussie Author month as I don't think I'll get this one finished before midnight :)

From the Blurb:

Debut novel set in Tasmania as part of my current Australian author obsession.

From the Blurb:

When the body of a backpacker washes ashore in an idyllic small town in Tasmania, the close-knit community starts to fall apart. As long-buried secrets start to come out, the delicate balance of their fragile lives is threatened...

There are some authors whose books arrive and I find myself torn. Between being desperately keen to read and being ever so slightly too scared to read. Add to that a beautiful big black mare as an integral part of the opening scenes and I will confess to being slightly worried / slightly apprehensive. To be reviewed at Newtown Review of Books.(link is external)

From the Blurb:

Labelled as a satire (I guessed that from the blurb :) ) - this is another one of those there departures for me.

From the Blurb:

Food Enforcement Agent Jason Frolick believes in America. He believes in eating air. He struggles to get the food monkey off his back. As part of the Global War on Fat, his job is to put food terrorists in Fat Camp.

Sticking with the Aussie Author month, this is set in Melbourne, and one of the references that's really resounding is Bodyline. That Adelaide test that my Grandfather was still talking about when I was a kid...

From the Blurb:

Set in the summer of the Bodyline cricket series The Richmond Conspiracy is a crime mystery about men who have returned after war and are refugees in their own land-old certainties have vanished, betrayal is in the air, and Police Inspector James Maclaine has to determine exactly where justice lies.

The latest in an increasingly growing stream of ebooks for reading on the treadmill, THE LATIN CUSHION is a short crime novel set in Perth.

From the Blurb:

Inspector Cloud Maslin investigates a murder in a prosperous leafy suburb, where the genteel sheen seems to have an underlayer of seedy distrust. The subtle stink of decadence and immorality is disturbing, when inhaled among beautiful antiques and family silver. What secrets are to be unearthed in Claremont?

This is a true crime book that I've been champing at the bit to get to.

From the Blurb:

The first of two explosive investigative books – Underbelly meets the narrative storytelling of Chloe Hooper and Helen Garner

Time for another thriller methinks.... (Apologies, still very behind with review posting - having to work sometimes really gets in the road of the things you'd rather be doing... will catch up this week!).

From the Blurb:

The near future. Climate change is causing havoc in coastal areas and the world is in economic and ecological crisis. World leaders gather at a billion-dollar conference centre in Dubai, determined to make the decisions necessary to bring society back from the brink.

Winner of the Best First Australian Crime Novel, Ned Kelly Crime Awards 2006, this is a welcome re-release of an outstanding book from an author who is guaranteed to make you think a lot. And another book to mention Vida Goldstein (I must track down a copy of the books written about her - an astounding true life character).

From the Blurb:

Actually found myself looking for something a bit on the lighter side last night. So this seemed to fit the bill.

From the Blurb:

When a secretive American cult moves to the Gold Coast, freelance journalist Scout Davis's investigative antennae start quivering. She sets out to expose the cult's lunatic beliefs and bizarre practices, but when she learns the identity of a recent recruit, her quest becomes personal. And dangerous.

Interesting short story collection subtitled "A Detective's Story in Ten Cases" revolving around Private Inquiry Agent John Dorn.

From the Blurb:

John Dorn's Yellow Pages ad says "Private Inquiry Agent".

That's what his father used to call himself - before his business went under and his wife left him... and he drank himself to death.

But John's not going to end up like his father. He doesn't have a wife, or much business. He doesn't really drink either. Not yet.

I've been reading this book for a while, and just realised I've not listed it in the upcoming reviews.

From the Blurb:

This March wrap up is, of course, late. But then, I'm the reader and a lousy blog writer. The books that are keeping me distracted are written by those writer type people. This month has been an interesting bag of ups and downs, highlights and potential. Apologies to those for whom I'm very late with reviews. It's been ridiculously hectic in these parts - what with himself overseas, and the ongoing "dry spell". (Lovely bit of spin that, nicely pitched as a tad of an inconvenience rather than the actuality of bugger all rain for 10 months and counting).

It's always the way, there's a book arrives that you really want to shuffle to the top of the TBR Mountain and somehow or other the piss you off fairy gets out of their cage and spends the whole weekend getting in the blasted road. So I'm not as far into this as I wanted to be.

From the Blurb:

Second Darian Richards book, with a "companion" short story The Soft Touch, I'm back with my local author run and I have to admit thoroughly enjoying this.

From the Blurb:

Darian Richards knew he should have let the phone keep ringing. But more than two decades as a cop leaves you with a certain outlook on life. No matter how much he tried to walk away, something, or someone, kept bringing him back to his gun.

One phone call. Two dead girls in a shallow water grave. And a missing cop to deal with.

Unusual combination this - couldn't resist a peak :)

From the Blurb:

This is the first book I've read from this author - based around the scenario of internet dating which, thinking about it, isn't something I've come across a lot in my recent reading.

From the Blurb:

I was, I admit, intrigued when this showed up on the Miles Franklin lists. So it shunted to the top of the Easter reading pile without any effort whatsoever. What I didn't expect was how absolutely difficult it was to put it down again).

From the Blurb:

It’s build-up time in the north-western town of Ransom, just before the big wet, when people go off the rails.

In the midst of a bitter custody battle, an eight year old girl goes missing.

To be reviewed first at: http://newtownreviewofbooks.com/(link is external) this true crime book explores the murder of Kylie Labouchardiere in NSW and the unbelievable behaviour of her killer.

From the Blurb:

Set in Tasmania, with a particularly "Pink!" cover, I'm guessing we are a tad outside my normal comfort zone :) :) :)

From the Blurb:

Murder, cannibalism, kidnapping and breach of copyright hit the sleepy state of Tasmania.

From the Blurb:

The remarkable memoir of Molly Lefebure, secretary to the Home Office's chief forensic pathologist during the Second World War. NOW ADAPTED FOR TELEVISION!

It is 1941. There may be a 'war of chaos' in the skies over London, but 'the perpetual war against the underworld of crime' must nevertheless continue on the streets below.

From the Blurb:

Paul Anderson is a long-term police reporter and the author of five previous true crime books. This is his first novel.

From the Blurb:

The Victoria Police Armed Robbery Squad has long been considered the hardest and most feared group of Victorian detectives. They operate without fear or favour.

This is the second book in the Douglas Brodie series set in post WWII Glasgow. Brodie is an ex-cop, returned serviceman, turned newspaper crime reporter following up on a vigilante group who are driven by what they regard as the injustice of the justice system.

From the Blurb:

The news is out and I don't think any of us are going to die if we mention If I Tell You…I’ll Have To Kill You: Australia’s Leading Crime Writers Reveal Their Secrets.

A collection of writing on crime and crime writing, described by the Australian Crime Writers as 'a book for fans, wannabe writers and people who love the genre... full of anecdotes and insights, along with some seriously good reading lists.'

Debut book from a South Australian based author, this is a police procedural set in Adelaide.

From the Blurb:

As soon as the Flynn brothers lifted their Glocks, Dan was in trouble. Silence descended like a cloak of doom. No confusion crossed his mind... it was clear he would die in the next few seconds.

This is the second Bromo Perkins book from British / Australian author Tony Berry. 

From the Blurb:

A set of short stories, I've been reading these in an amongst other things.

From the Blurb:

Retirement can be murder! The adventures of a former Sydney detective from 21 Division who, in his prime, collared some of the most murderous criminals in Australian history yet, on retiring to the Gold Coast in Queensland, along with half of the criminal milieu he once pursued, is shot, king-hit, tortured, and thrown from buildings in his relentless pursuit of justice.

An unusual take on the concept of embedded agents.

From the Blurb:

How far would you go to save the planet? ...Would you destroy it?

Imagine a global depression caused, not by greed or stupidity, but by a secret band of brilliant and radical environmentalists, 9S, using cyber-terror to slash the world’s population and smash its resource-hungry economy. Members of 9S have spent ten years secretly infiltrating industry and government, working themselves into the most trusted jobs in the world...sleepers ready to act.

A long time ago, in a place far away from here (well the fringes of Melbourne, before we went bush) himself read this series and laughed a lot. I've been meaning to pick them up since then, and finally, looking for a change of pace... here we are.

From the Blurb:

An incompetent space pilot, a massive debt and a twenty-four hour deadline...

Freighter pilot Hal Spacejock has a life to die for: His very own cargo ship, a witty and intelligent flight computer ... and a debt so big it makes the GFC look like a rounding error.