For years the “Kentucky Killer” managed to elude the FBI, leaving a trail of victims with terrible injuries that haunted the agents looking for him. With a method of highly specialised method of torture secretly developed during the Vietnam War, the Kentucky Killer had an easily recognised signature when it came to killing. And the […]
Thriller with the good, the bad and the ugly Read Post »
Former special investigator Louis Kehlweiler has to find new ways to fill in his days now that he no longer works for the Parisian police force. Kehlweiler gathers information, takes care of his toad (yes, he has a pet toad), and patiently digs away at crime and corruption. He’s keeping watch on the flat of
Quirky thriller is a little off-balance Read Post »
With a PhD in history from Oxford University, Dr Yuval Noah Harari is well-qualified to examine the history of us – the human species. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind looks at the whole of human history, from the very first humans until now, and how our history has shaped us and our environment. Going back
What shaped our evolutionary path? Read Post »
Here’s a treat for fans: new novella featuring the now world-famous (but, sadly, now retired literary character) of Scandinavian detective Kurt Wallander. After three decades of solving crime, Wallander is ready for a change, and an old farmhouse in the Swedish countryside looks like the perfect place to make that change. Wallander’s life hasn’t exactly
Short preview to a character’s farewell Read Post »
Best known as author of the chilling Kurt Wallander crime novels, Henning Mankell has certainly opted for a change of pace with his latest novel. A Treacherous Paradise is a complex and powerful historical novel set in early 20th Century Sweden and Mozambique. Based a true story (A Sullied Angel), it tells the story of
Engrossing, dark story of tragedy Read Post »
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 been translated for his English-speaking fans. This time around, the troubled detective has been sent to Bangkok after the Norwegian ambassador is found dead in a motel
Popular hero is perfectly flawed Read Post »
Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series has been hugely popular with his home-based Norwegian fans and those of us in the rest of the world, and now those of us living down under can finally get our hands on the very first book in the series. These action-packed crime dramas/mysteries all feature Detective Harry Hole and
Nesbo’s debut was worth the wait Read Post »
In the latest instalment in the Harry Hole series, the ex-detective has returned to Oslo after spending three years in Hong Kong. He asks his old boss if he can investigate a murder but permission is denied as the case is closed: the victim, a young junkie, was shot dead by a fellow addict. However,
This one might get you hooked Read Post »
If you are looking for a one-off Jo Nesbo novel to kick off your addiction, Headhunters is a good place to start. Released late in 2011, this is the story of Roger Brown, a short man with great hair and even better instincts. Roger is a headhunter for a top recruitment agency. He has a
Perfectly disturbing tale of double life Read Post »
There seems to be a bit of a trend for kick-ass Scandinavian thrillers of late. Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy has pushed the Nordic murder-mystery genre into the spotlight and those books have made a whole lot of readers sit up and take notice, but there are lots of other authors waving the Nordic flag. Mercy,
Nordic authors come in from the cold Read Post »
