Category: Noir

I love Caro Ramsay’s Caplan series, and Where She Lies does not disappoint. Ramsay delivers everything I crave in a mystery—complex characters, morally murky motives, and twisty plots that keep me guessing right up to the final pages.

This installment drops us into the murky world of the ultra-online influencer elite, as DCI Christine Caplan is called to a glamorous (and slightly sinister) Scottish castle turned celeb wedding venue. A young “It Girl” and ex-supermodel named Koi—face of a lifestyle empire—has been found dead on the rocks below a cliff, but where is the body? Was it a tragic accident, a staged suicide, or something far darker? Caplan must pick her way through a minefield of curated personas, brand deals, and weaponized grief to uncover the truth.

The family at the heart of this story is gloriously dysfunctional—nepo babies, fame addicts, and master manipulators—and Ramsay writes them with delicious precision. Every one of them is hiding something, and none of them seem particularly interested in helping Caplan unless there’s an opportunity for a photo op or a follower boost. The misdirection is masterful; just when you think you’ve figured it out, Ramsay pulls the rug out from under you again.

And the setting! The brooding Highland castle, windswept cliffs, and the ever-present scrutiny of the press and social media give the whole novel a gothic-meets-modern vibe that I absolutely devoured.

Caplan remains one of the most compelling detectives in Scottish crime fiction—sharp, no-nonsense, and endlessly human. Her internal struggles add depth without ever slowing the pace.

If you love smart, atmospheric crime with plenty of red herrings and a killer final twist, Where She Lies is an absolute must-read. Caro Ramsay just keeps getting better.

A Triumphant Return, Bosch and Haller Shine Brighter Than Ever

Michael Connelly, the master of Los Angeles crime fiction, does it again with “Resurrection Walk.” Over 30 years into his incredible career, he’s not slowing down. This latest installment in the Lincoln Lawyer series not only delivers a captivating legal thriller, but also masterfully brings together two iconic characters: Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch.

The story starts with Haller, riding the wave of successfully freeing an innocent man. Inundated with claims of innocence, he enlists his half-brother, the retired but ever-vigilant Bosch, to help sift through the truth. Together, they uncover a seemingly impossible case: a woman imprisoned for murdering her ex-husband, a sheriff’s deputy. Despite the long odds and powerful forces aligned against them, Haller and Bosch embark on a relentless pursuit of justice.

The courtroom drama takes center stage, with Haller weaving his magic and Bosch’s investigative prowess shining through. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end, while the intricate legal battles are both thrilling and meticulously detailed. This isn’t just a courtroom drama; it’s a deep dive into the underbelly of Los Angeles, exposing corruption and hidden agendas.

The contrasting personalities and complementary skills of Haller and Bosch create a perfect blend of wit, grit, and emotional depth. For fans of either character, this book is a delight. For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point into Connelly’s captivating world. The LA atmosphere is palpable and the plot is pure adrenaline.

“Resurrection Walk” is a 5 star testament to Connelly’s enduring talent and a must-read for any crime fiction enthusiast.

Caro Ramsay’s “Singing to the Dead” is a suspenseful play on themes of loss, justice, and the fragile threads that bind us together. Set against the backdrop of a bleak Glasgow winter, the story plunges us into a chilling child abduction case, where Detectives Anderson and Costello find themselves face-to-face with their own histories and relationships as they hunt a predator who seems to be targeting young boys.

Ramsay’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the city’s underbelly, its harsh beauty, and the resilience of its people. The plot is meticulously crafted, weaving together intricate layers of suspense with moments of heart-wrenching emotion. Each twist and turn feels earned, leaving the reader constantly guessing while simultaneously invested in the characters’ fates.

Anderson and Costello are not just stoic detectives; they are flawed individuals grappling with personal struggles that mirror the darkness they confront in their cases. Their vulnerability and internal conflicts add a layer of depth and realism that resonates deeply with the reader.

“Singing to the Dead” is not for the faint of heart. It’s a gritty, uncompromising read that delves into the darkest corners of human nature. But for those who appreciate their crime fiction with a dose of emotional complexity, this novel is a masterpiece.

In Tom Coffey’s “Public Morals” you plunge into the dark side of New York in 1982. The gritty backdrop of 1980’s New York is painted with grimy realism, capturing the seedy underbelly and soaring ambitions of a city on the edge. Coffey leans into the darkness, crafting a narrative that’s as raw and unfiltered as a shot of cheap whiskey.

The first half grabs you by the collar and drags you on a wild ride with Terence Devine, a Vice cop whose charm is as sharp as his morals are questionable. The investigation into his alleged corruption unfolds like a slow-burning fire, drawing you in with its twists and turns and leaving you wondering who to trust.

But hold on tight, because the second half is where “Public Morals” truly explodes. The pace ramps up like a runaway train, hurtling into a labyrinth of conspiracy, betrayal, and secrets that would make your hair stand on end. Coffey seamlessly integrates Devine’s daughter, Sheila’s, perspective, adding a new layer of intrigue and emotional depth to the story. Just when you think you have a handle on things, the rug gets ripped out from under you, leaving you gasping for air and desperate to keep turning the pages.

The twists and turns in the second half are masterful, each one landing with the force of a gut punch. You’ll find yourself scrambling to piece together the puzzle, questioning everything you thought you knew, and on the edge of your seat waiting for the next surprise to drop. Coffey keeps you guessing until the very last page, leaving you shaken and breathless but ultimately satisfied. “Public Morals” is a knockout blow of a book.

Liz Mistry is a new writer to me, her lead character Nikki Parekh is a gritty Bradford police detective.

A series of murders of homeless people leads Nikki closer and closer to her own difficult upbringing and leaves her asking questions of her mother and needy younger sister. This moves at pace, is full of surprises without feeling contrived and builds to a great climax.

If there is a genre called Northern Noir, this might be it. I loved it.

4.5/5

The Coffin Maker’s Garden by Stuart MacBride is the third in the Ash Henderson series. A storm is battering the Scottish coast and part of the garden of a coastal cottage crashes into the sea exposing a graveyard in the basement of the cottage. Who were the victims, how did they get there, where is the owner of the cottage?

With massive media attention, the senior brass are looking for a scapegoat as the evidence gets washed out to sea and Henderson is determined it will not be him. Filled with tough and disillusioned characters, this is classic dark crime that rattles along at a blistering pace. I highly recommend this and the other novels in the series.