by Kristopher | Oct 1, 2026 | Review
With The Dying Light, Ann Cleeves invites readers back to North Devon—a coastline community in Southwestern England—for a visit with popular protagonist, Matthew Venn and the individuals who make up his sphere of influence. Like many crime fiction writers before her,...
by Kristopher | Sep 24, 2026 | Review
Within the crime fiction genre, there are no shortage of homages to one of the most famous alumni of the field—Dame Agatha Christie. The use of these tropes instantly becomes a shorthand, forecasting what type of story lies ahead. But the clever modern author can also...
by Kristopher | Sep 11, 2026 | Review
There is no denying that there is comfort in predictability. With most books—regardless of genre or tone—readers have a set expectation, leaving room for the author’s originality to flourish without becoming a seismic disruption. But occasionally a novel comes along...
by Kristopher | Aug 21, 2026 | Review
With Perfect Wives, Perfect Lies, Jennifer Anne Gordon has written a summer treat that feels like both an old school throwback and a timely piece of social satire. The reading experience is akin to drinking a vodka stinger poolside with a developing storm in the...
by Kristopher | Aug 20, 2026 | Review
The Martini Club—that collection of aging, retired spies who now secretly reside in Purity, Maine—is back with another unforgettable case in The Shadow Friends, the third book in Tess Gerritsen’s latest series. Unlike the first two books in the series, The Shadow...
by Kristopher | Aug 10, 2026 | Review
Over time, there has been a tendency to place all Nordic Crime Fiction under an umbrella of sameness, largely because the early successes in the subgenre were indeed dark, brooding pieces dripping with a cold and gloomy ambience, but the truth is much more complex—as...
by Kristopher | Aug 7, 2026 | Review
With Not a Word, Linwood Barclay proves that a clever and well-timed twist in the early pages of a book can hook the reader and keep them glued to the pages right through to the end (and beyond). Like Harlan Coben, Linwood Barclay has built a career on writing...
by Kristopher | Aug 5, 2026 | Review
“Sidebar” Reviews are extremely early reviews designed to encourage readers to pre-order novels that will be released later in the year. Miss Marple is one of the most beloved characters in the history of crime fiction. Dame Agatha Christie’s first short story...
by Kristopher | Jul 29, 2026 | Review
With The Cracked Mirror, Chris Brookmyre uses literary slight-of-hand to wrongfoot readers in the most spectacular fashion, all while honoring the tropes of classic crime fiction. For fans of Brookmyre, this will come as no surprise as he has proven over the years...
by Kristopher | Jul 27, 2026 | Review
Although it may have felt like a leap of faith, LynDee Walker’s decision to transition to domestic suspense has proven to be an inspired choice. Each of her psychological suspense novels—from The Pastor’s Wife to The Housewife Next Door to the latest, The Other...
