The Kill List, by Frederick Forsyth (Random House, RRP $38): It’s hard to know exactly how much of The Kill List is based on fact. The worrying part is that it could all be based on actual events, because of…
Category: Mysteries & Thrillers
Patterson: prolific and entertaining
The prolific James Patterson never seems to run out of ideas for novel. Sure, most of them involved murder, but it’s nice to see he can produce a bit of romantic fluff, too. Sure, he has his critics — mainly…
NZ crime novel an edge-of-seat thriller
The Laughterhouse, by Paul Cleave (Penguin, RRP $38): Christchurch-born author Paul Cleave has turned out another cracking read in the latest book in the private investigator Theodore Tate series. Tate is an ex-cop now working as a private investigator who…
Forensics queen a winner again
Bones of the Lost, by Kathy Reichs (William Heinemann, RRP $37): While not as fast-paced as some crime novels, Bones of the Lost will drag you into the story from the very first page and keep your attention to the…
Maverick a curious mixture
Dead People, by Ewart Hutton (Blue Door, RRP $35): I missed the first book in this new series by Ewart Hutton but will be tracking it down while I await the next in the series. Detective Sergeant Glyn Capaldi is…
Cracking thriller a hefty, compelling read
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes (Bantam Press, RRP $38): Award-winning screenwriter Terry Hayes has made an undoubtedly successful move from writing for the viewer to writing for the reader. Hayes has an impressive track record: he trained as a…
Popular hero is perfectly flawed
Cockroaches and Police, both by Jo Nesbo (Harvill Secker, RRP $37 each): This recent release to the New Zealand market from Norwegian musician, economist and author Jo Nesbo is actually one of the earlier Harry Hole novels that has finally…
Cracking read with plenty of surprises
One Step Too Far, by Tina Seskis (Michael Joseph, RRP $37): Emily Coleman wakes up one day and simply disappears: she walks away from an apparently happy family with her husband and son, her lovely home and lovely life. But that…
Formulaic? Yes … but still entertaining
Private No 1 Suspect, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Century, RRP $38): Another easy-to-read collaboration from the king of quick reads: James Patterson. Former United States Marine Jack Morgan owns Private, what has become the world’s foremost investigation firm.…
Gently flowing mystery
The Golden Egg, by Donna Leon (William Heinemann, RRP $35): Author Donna Leon continues her Commissario Brunetti series, with this 22nd book to feature the Venice-based detective moving along at the same satisfying pace of its predecessor, Beastly Things. In…