This book has been on bestseller lists for a long time so I finally decided to read it, and it is excellent. The story is a cold case mystery covering 70 years, involving a missing boy. The setting is mostly Cornwall with some London interludes, and the story telling switches between 1933 and 2003. The plot progresses in stages, so the slow reveal produces different stages of suspicion. The ending also includes some resolved sub-plots which are a bit predictable, but overall this is a very entertaining read.
Category: Mystery
The Children’s Return by Martin Walker
Benoit Coureges (aka Bruno) is Chief of Police in a small town in the Dordogne region of France. Much of the book details the region (wine-making) and Bruno’s cooking. The police procedural part is topical with the search for jihadist radicals, but the actual police action is limited in terms of violence and body count. So a refreshing addition to the list of mystery writers where context is key.
The Hesitation Cut by Giles Blunt
GB is a well-known Canadian mystery writer for the Detective John Cardinal series of books set in Algonquin Bay. The Hesitation Cut is entirely different, an extraordinary book from a psychological point-of-view: a story about obsession and an honest depiction of how prolonged despair can lead to suicide. Not a fun book but a worthwhile read.
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling).
Cormoran Strike (what a perfect name for a PI) and his intrepid assistant Robin are targeted by a serial killer in this 3rd book in the CS series, which keep on improving. In addition to the serial killing, this book has some disturbing content about amputations. The Strike/Robin relationship is ever-complicated and a real treat to watch unfold.
Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes
Beukes wrote the masterful mystery Shining Girls, and her latest mystery is also excellent: crime in the age of social media. This is a gritty story set in Detroit, sort of M. Connelly/H. Bosch meets Stephen King to make for a fascinating story.
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
This is a cracking good mystery, with misinterpreted observations, deceit and lies (intentional and unintentional). The writing is reminiscent of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, et al) with two time lines that precede and follow an apparent crime. The main character in this novel is delightfully flawed, a real train wreck.
Broken Harbour by Tana French
This is a brilliant mystery; all of French’s books are a treat to read. There is very little place: the first half of the books is all procedural because a veteran homicide detective is training a novice partner, and then the psychological emphasis begins, the “why” of a horrific crime and unexplored secrets in the mind of the crime investigators.
Another French novel I read this month (The Secret Place) is set in a Dublin boarding school for girls: the 16-17 year old girls are secretive and manipulative with lies, deceit and gleeful bitchiness that confound the investigation into a murder. In other words, the mysteries of young adult female minds is explored wonderfully.
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
Vintage Rebus: two stories, a 30 year-old cold case and a contemporary crime. Rebus actually works with Malcom Fox from The Complaints which is a trying experience for all. The Scottish atmosphere (pubs, etc) is perfect.
Tatiana by Martin Cruz Smith
Another brilliant book about Inspector Arkay Renko in the depths of a Russian mystery: missing people, murder, corruption. The context of modern Russia in winter is perfect. Smith’s first Renko book is Gorky Park; Red Square is also brilliant as is Three Stations but it is worth reading the whole list, in sequence.
What David Read 