Feast your eyes on our selection of highlights from 2017! It’s been an extremely difficult task getting this list down to just eight, but if you love good thrillers and mysteries, the titles below come highly recommended – and not just by us!
THRILL KILL by Don Bruns
Three murders, no apparent motive, but a can of spray gas known as Chill has been left at the scene of each crime . . . Beneath the carefree atmosphere of Mardi Gras, something very sinister is going on in this gripping Quentin Archer mystery.
“Even better than the excellent first book in the series, CASTING BONES!” Amazon reviewer
“Spell-binding” Cindy Fairweather, NetGalley
DEADLY DANCE by Hilary Bonner
A compelling psychological thriller and the first in a new series featuring Bristol detective, DI David Vogel. The discovery of the partially-clothed fourteen-year-old Melanie Cooke marks the start of a baffling murder investigation, where the revelation of a darkly complex secret shocks Vogel and his team to the core.
“Fully fleshed characters, a masterfully constructed plot, and a shock ending make for a gripping read” Booklist
“A very captivating read” Amazon reviewer
THE MANSIONS OF MURDER by Paul Doherty
October, 1381. A murdered priest, a missing body, stolen treasure: Brother Athelstan tackles his most difficult investigation to date when a series of disturbing discoveries lead him into the dark and dangerous world of the gangmaster known as The Flesher . . .
“Doherty keeps readers guessing and the pages turning with yet another intricately plotted whodunit steeped in history” Booklist
“Another great book, keep them coming!” Amazon reviewer
ON COPPER STREET by Chris Nickson
Leeds, England. March, 1895. The day after his release from prison, petty criminal Henry White is found stabbed to death at his terraced home on Copper Street, but Detective Inspector Tom Harper finds answers hard to come by in his latest challenging investigation.
“An outstanding entry in an excellent historical mystery series” Booklist Starred Review
“A huge 5* from me!” NetGalley reviewer
SPRING BREAK by Gerald Elias
Reclusive, blind violin pedagogue Daniel Jacobus is invited to speak at a seemingly innocuous symposium on Baroque music at a prestigious music conservatory, but has no idea he is about to become enmeshed in an entrenched culture of sexual harassment and its cover-up at the highest levels. A timely and engrossing read which deals sensitively with one of society’s big issues.
“A very good entry in a reliable series” Booklist
“Terrific!” Amazon reviewer
THE RIVER BELOW by Bonnie Hearn Hill
When a mangled car is pulled from the river, containing bloodstains and a gun, Tessa thinks she saw a girl out on the riverbank. But her memory is failing; could this be the start of something more serious? Tessa’s friend Claire Barrett vows to work out what’s going on in this tale of suppressed secrets, fractured families . . . and murder.
“A haunting psychological thriller” Booklist
“Gripped me from beginning to end” Amazon reviewer
VANISHED by Karen E. Olson
With a price on her head, computer hacker Tina Adler is determined to stay offline. But a chance discovery leads Tina to abandon her South Carolina hideaway and head to Paris in search of her old flame, FBI Agent Zeke Chapman. But someone is close on her trail in this tense and twisting thriller.
“This timely thriller is Alias meets Hackers – and you can’t get cooler than that” Hank Phillippi Ryan
“Exciting” Kirkus Reviews
UK: buy here. US: pre-order here.
LONE WOLF by Michael Gregorio
The discovery of a badly burned and mutilated body near Stansted airport leads the British police to Perugia, Italy, where park ranger Sebastiano Cangio is assigned to assist British detective Desmond Harris. Meanwhile, something monstrous is on the loose in the forests of Umbria. Could there be any truth to the rumours of werewolves?
“Gregorio offers up a nightmarish plot, white-knuckle suspense, and believable characters in this gripping thriller” Booklist
“A cracking thriller” Mike Ripley