‘The Vanished’ by N. J. Mackay

Published by Canelo,
27 March 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-80436-491-8 (PB)

Detective Inspector Sebastian Locke lives with his teenage daughter Tilly and Val, who was once his mother-in-law. She has an annexe in the house. He and his girlfriend Charlotte (known as Charlie) had married very young when she fell pregnant with Tilly. They split up before long, Charlie became a drug addict and Seb vowed to bring Tilly up on his own.

A call comes into the police station, Sid, Charlie’s partner has reported her missing. On arrival at their squalid flat on a really run down estate, there is no sign of Charlie or Sid, but a further search in a flat above reveals Sid’s body, his throat cut from ear to ear.

We then learn of Charlie being held in a locked dark room and coming to in a bad state, suffering from an overdose and being violently sick. She has no idea where she is or how she got there.

Seb’s team trace Charlie’s social worker, Sam Martin, he and his sergeant Lucy Quinn pay her a visit. She tells them her brother Alex, a doctor knew Sid and Charlie. On visiting him they learn of a drop-in centre where Charlie often went.

However, on making enquiries, they are told there has been no sign of Charlie there lately. Then another woman disappears, also with a history of drug addiction. Seb and the team are now really puzzled, and when there is another murder and a third disappearance, they hardly know which way to turn.

Investigations are made about a local drug baron, but they can find no connection between him and the murders or disappearances.

What exactly is going on and who can have carried out the crimes and why? Seb becomes desperate to find his ex-wife, can he discover where she is being held before it’s too late?

The book reveals a great insight into the drug addict’s world and how easily it destroys so many lives. An author’s note at the end of the book says this will be Sebastian Locke’s last story. Such a shame, I will miss him. Highly recommended.
-----
Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Niki Mackay studied Performing Arts at the BRIT School, and it turned out she wasn’t very good at acting but quite liked writing scripts. She holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama and won a full scholarship for her MA in Journalism. 

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.

 

Full Programme Announced for Final CrimeFest

The full programme for the final CrimeFest in Bristol, which takes place 15 – 18 May at Bristol’s Mercure Grand Hotel has been announced.

2025’s featured guest is icon of the genre, Lee Child, who will be in conversation with his brother and co-writer of the Reacher series, Andrew Child.

One of the UK’s leading crime fiction conventions supported by title sponsor, Specsavers, CrimeFest announced 2025 will be its final event after 16 years. Organisers have said they are putting all their energy into making the final event one to remember.

 New authors announced for the final line-up include journalist, broadcaster, author and cultural historian and Doctor Who fan, Matthew Sweet. He’ll be joined by the actor, novelist, and screenwriter Mark Gattis to discuss Bookish, the upcoming TV series created by Gatiss. Set in post-WWII London Bookish follows a bookseller who uses books to help crack crime cases. A novelisation by Sweet is published by Quercus in July.

Gatiss is best known for his acting work and co-creating shows including The League of Gentleman and Sherlock, as well as writing for Doctor Who.

Also announced is TV writer Chris Chibnall, best known as the creator and writer of the award-winning TV drama, Broadchurch. He brings to CrimeFest his crime-writing debut Death at the White Hart, a whodunnit set in a small village with dark secrets.

A highlight of the event is the Ghost of Honour panel, which this year celebrates John le Carré, featuring his two sons, Simon Cornwell and Nick Harkaway.

A film producer, Simon Cornwell is behind adaptations of his father’s work, including The Night Manager for the BBC starring Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman. Author Nick Harkaway recently brought back his father’s famous literary creation - George Smiley - with his acclaimed novel, Karla’s Choice. His new book, Sleeper Beach, is out 10 April.

Adrian Muller, co-host and founder of CrimeFest, said:

“Programming CrimeFest for the past 16 years has been a labour of love. We’ve had the privilege of bringing together some of the best crime writers in the world, and the sense of community we’ve built is something truly special. While we’re saddened that this will be the final convention, we’re determined to make it one to remember—with an outstanding lineup of authors and panels to ensure CrimeFest goes out with a bang.”

 As part of the celebrations the first 450 registered delegates will be gifted an advance copy of CrimeFest, Leaving the Scene, an anthology with 20 newly commissioned short stories from past (and present) attending authors. Contributors include Jeffery Deaver, Lindsey Davis,
Simon Brett and many more.

The celebratory finale features a record number of Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger recipients in attendance. Alongside Lee Child, fellow Diamond Dagger recipients include Lindsey Davis, Martin Edwards, and John Harvey. Harvey has written over 100 books, including his series of jazz-influenced Charlie Resnick novels. They’ll appear on the panel: A Cluster of Diamonds: Diamond Dagger Winners in Conversation.

The CWA chair, author Vaseem Khan, will also feature as Toastmaster at the CrimeFest Awards night.

Panels include a focus on the adaption of crime fiction to film and TV, moderated by Lee Child with the award-winning Barbara Nadel, author of the much-loved Inspector Cetin Ikmen series, adapted for the BBC as The Turkish Detective starring Haluk Bilginer. The panel also welcomes Barry Ryan - managing director and creative director of TV production company Free@LastTV, best known for its flagship series for Sky TV, Agatha Raisin.

Free@LastTV is currently adapting the Cait Morgan Mysteries by Welsh Canadian author Cathy Ace, starring the Welsh actress, Eve Myles. Cathy returns to CrimeFest on a number of panels, including a discussion on mental health for writers: Keeping Yourself Sane in a Toxic World alongside the author, playwright and radio producer, Simon Brett, and author, Zoë Sharp.

Topics up for discussion include Evil Crimes in Foreign Climes with the author famed for his love of Greece,
Jeffrey Siger, Michael Ridpath (writer of the Magnus Iceland Mysteries), the Danish-born author and journalist Heidi Amsinck, and Singapore’s acclaimed author,
Ovidia Yu.

The Icelandic author known as the Queen of Nordic thrillers, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, takes part on numerous panel discussions exploring topics such as writing violence in crime fiction. She’ll also take part in 2008 Revisited with authors who attended the very first CrimeFest who are now taking part in the last, alongside authors Kevin Wignall and
Steve Mosby. Mosby writes under the pen name Alex North. His book The Whisperer Man, is being filmed for Netflix starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan,
and Adam Scott.

Author Donna Moore, co-host and founder of CrimeFest, said:

“It has been an absolute joy to organise CrimeFest over the years, and we are so grateful to everyone—authors, readers, and panellists—who have made it such a vibrant and welcoming event. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, we couldn’t be prouder of this final year’s programme, which promises to be one of our best yet. We’re going out in true CrimeFest style—with unforgettable discussions, brilliant talent, and plenty of surprises along the way.”

Other topics book lovers can delve include panels on historical fiction and high society, comedy in crime fiction, Brit Grit, and the evolving role of traditional publishing.

It also features regular favourites, including the Criminal Challenge Quiz, moderated by the author and publishing polyglot, Maxim Jakubowski, with the chance to win a pair of passes to 2025’s Iceland Noir.

CrimeFest was created following the hugely successful one-off visit to Bristol in 2006 of the American Left Coast Crime convention, and CrimeFest runs on the US model. The first CrimeFest was organised in June 2008.

Unlike other major crime fiction events in the UK, any commercially published author who signs up can feature on a panel. In this way, CrimeFest has provided many authors with a platform they would not have been offered elsewhere in the UK.

The convention also continues its Community Outreach Programme. In partnership with the independent Max Minerva’s Bookshop and participating publishers, CrimeFest gifts thousands of pounds of crime fiction books for children and young adults to school libraries.

With thanks to sponsor Specsavers, librarians, students, and those on benefits are offered significantly discounted tickets.

Full passes are now available, and individual entry is open on the door dependant on availability: 

https://www.crimefest.com/

Coming Soon: Mystery at Hideaway House by Clare Chase

Published by Bookouture
7 May 2025

Book 14 in the Eve Mallow series

Amateur sleuth Eve Mallow is enjoying a very well-deserved holiday in a charming cottage with her new husband. But murder never takes a break…

Nestled among the trees of a gorgeous country estate, Hideaway House is the perfect place for a holiday – complete with roof terrace, cosy fireplace and four-poster bed. It’s been a labour of love for charismatic Duncan Blake, who shot to fame thanks to his TV shows restoring old buildings, and he’s hoping his hard work will pay off with a good review.

Despite her misgivings – Eve can’t be bought! – she packs up Robin and dachshund Gus and heads to Kesham. But from the beginning it’s the holiday from hell. First, she finds a threatening note warning her that Hideaway House has history…

And then Duncan is found dead at the bottom of a ditch.

But who wanted to demolish the building expert? Was it his keen apprentice, who was working for free? His wife, who gave up her dreams to follow his? Or the owner of nearby Kesham Hall, whose relationship with Duncan was on decidedly rocky foundations?

Brick by brick, Eve gathers her evidence: a missing murder weapon, a long-lost daughter, and the secret sabotage of Duncan’s plans. But can she nail the killer before she digs herself into a deadly hole?

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations. Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium. As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.

www.clarechase.com

‘Marshal of Snowdonia’ by Simon McCleave

Published by Stamford Publishing,
20 February 2025.
ISBN: 979-830393192-6 (PB)

A good detective never quite retires, even when he’s served his time, taken his pension and found another part-time job. And Frank Marshal was always a good detective; so, when his close friend Annie, also retired but in her case from the judiciary, asks for his help, he can’t say no.

Annie’s sister Meg has gone missing from the static caravan she lives in with Callum, her supposedly recovering addict son. Callum seems to be missing too, but he turns up quite soon, albeit with a bad attack of amnesia. Evidence emerges to suggest that Meg has come to harm, but she’s an adult, and the police aren’t really interested, especially DCI Dewi Humphries, an old adversary of Frank’s.

Then Frank and Annie make a gruesome discovery at the caravan. And shortly afterwards a body is found. Now the police are interested, but this is rural north Wales; there’s no murder investigation team, and scant experience of crime of this magnitude.

Annie and Frank set off on their own investigation and unearth a trail of clues and red herrings which lead variously to a drugs baron, police corruption, a convicted murderer, and much closer to home. Meanwhile, they are both juggling tricky situations at home. Frank’s wife Rachel is in the early stages of dementia, and his daughter has moved in with her young son in order to escape from an abusive relationship. Annie’s husband Stephen is a serial adulterer, and she can hardly bear to be in the same house as him. 

The plot twists and turns around most of north Wales, with occasional forays further afield. Suspects abound before the culprit is finally revealed, and both Frank and Annie look danger in the face more than once. There are interesting characters on both sides, but mainly it’s very plain who we’re meant to love and who to hate.

This is only the first case for Frank and Annie, and the stakes are already pretty high. Marshal of Snowdonia is the first in a new series by this already prolific author; it introduces an unusual crime-fighting team, and lays threads for a developing backstory for them both. Frank’s new career is as a park ranger in Snowdonia National Park: cue stunning backdrops to future stories. Annie’s background as a judge speaks of a keen intelligence and an ability to weigh evidence meticulously. It will be interesting to see where they go next.
-------
Reviewer: Lynne Patrick

Simon McCleave is a million selling crime novelist who lives in North Wales with his wife and two children. His first book, The Snowdonia Killings, was released in January 2020 reached #1 in the UK Chart, selling 250,000 copies. His nine subsequent novels in the DI Ruth Hunter Snowdonia series have all been top 20 bestsellers. Simon is about to launch a new crime series based in Anglesey in May 2022 for Harper Collins. The Dark Tide is Published 12 may 2022.  

www.simonmccleave.com

Lynne Patrick has been a writer ever since she could pick up a pen, and has enjoyed success with short stories, reviews and feature journalism, but never, alas, with a novel. She crossed to the dark side to become a publisher for a few years and is proud to have launched several careers which are now burgeoning. She lives in Oxfordshire in a house groaning with books, about half of them crime fiction.

‘An Extremely Unlikely Death’ by Hannah Hendy

Published by Canelo,
20 March 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-80436-474-1 (PB)

All is not well at Summerview Secondary School. The governors have called a meeting just before the start of term.  They announced that the headmaster, James Barrow has been replaced by a Mrs Cooper who has been parachuted in to sort out the school’s problems and bring the school up to standard. She has brought with her a Miss Martin who will be the new deputy much to the chagrin of Rose, James’ wife who had been the previous deputy.

 At the end of the meeting, a fierce argument develops between two of the governors and Mr Fitzgerald ends up with a bleeding nose. Later that night, the body of Mr Fitzgerald is discovered at the foot of the stairs in his antique shop. The policeman in charge of the case is keen to judge the situation as an unfortunate accident, but Officer Symon is not so certain. What is the explanation for the broken glass and, most telling of all, why was his beloved Jack Russell, Jason, locked up in a cupboard? 

Prevented from investigating the case further by his boss, Officer Symon must rely on dinner ladies Margery and Clementine to do the sleuthing. Much to their surprise, Mr Fitzgerald has left his shop to the two dinner ladies who now have the perfect opportunity to investigate the crime scene more thoroughly.

This is the sixth book in Hannah Henry’s The Dinner Lady Detectives series of cosy mysteries though it can be read as a standalone novel. This has the fastmoving plot with plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection that will delight all lovers of comic cozy-crime novels.

The characters may be somewhat excentric but remain credible. Dinner ladies Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker are a delight. The new headmistress, with all her new regimes and the setting up of student-police to spy on all those who break the new rules, is a character you can’t wait to get her comeuppance.
-------
Reviewer: Judith Cranswick   

Hannah Hendy is a professional chef by day and author by night. She has recently signed a three book deal with Canelo publishing and is the author of the upcoming novel, ‘The Dinner Lady Detectives’. Hannah lives with her brand new wife (covid wedding!) and two cats in South Wales, UK.  

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder. I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’ Her most recent book is Journey to Casablanca  

http://judithcranswick.co.uk/

‘No Precious Truth’ by Chris Nickson

Published by Severn House,
1 April 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-4483-1445-4 (HB)

The story is set in February 1941, when Britain is immersed in the horror and deprivation of war. Cathy Marsden is a police sergeant in Leeds who has been seconded to the SIB, the Special Investigation Branch that focuses on deserters and related crimes on the Home Front. Cathy is the only woman in a squad of tough ex-policemen, who are now part of the military, but she has proved herself and been accepted by all of the men, apart from one chauvinist, who will always snipe at her and try to undermine her. Cathy still feels that she continually needs to prove herself, and the last thing she needs is to find her older brother, Dan, standing in the SIB office. Dan has always been the clever one who put Cathy in the shade, however hard she worked. Cathy had felt pleased when he moved to London to take up a post with the Civil Service, while Cathy stayed on, living with her parents in their modest council house, and working her way up in the police force. Now Dan is back in Leeds and requiring the help of the SIB. He is now working for a new government department, known as the XX (the double cross) Committee, which is part of MI5. The role of this committee is to work on German agents that have been captured and turn them into double agents, then these agents are supposed to feed false information back to the Germans. Dan has returned to Leeds because a Dutch agent that they thought they had successfully ‘turned’ has fooled them. He has escaped from the agents who were monitoring him and has disappeared. MI5 has information that the spy, Jan Minuet, is heading to Leeds, a city he had visited before the war, and he has got maximum destruction on his mind.

MI5 are short of men, and they need the SIB to work with Dan, in order to catch Minuet before he causes irreparable destruction. They start by checking out the most likely targets for sabotage and use the army to increase their security. They also give out pictures of Minuet to all the places where he may be looking for somewhere to stay. Most taxing of all, they have to hunt down the criminals who are also traitors, who are aiding Minuet. The hunt is gruelling, dangerous, and is made even more exhausting because of nights broken by air raids, and the tension that continues to mount. Worst of all, it is bitterly frustrating, because Minuet always seems to be one step ahead of them, and his methods for dealing with anybody who gets in his way are ruthless and violent. For the first time in her life, Cathy begins to get to know her brother and understand the strain it has been for a working class boy from Leeds to try to fit in with his new public school colleagues. However, this crisis involves more desperate consequences than the destruction of Dan’s career. This dangerous and cunning spy could deal a serious blow to the British war effort, and Cathy and her colleagues must track him down and stop him, whatever the risk to their own lives.

No Precious Truth is the first book in a new series featuring Cathy Marsden. It is a compelling read, with a perfectly paced, tense plot, and engaging, believable characters. The historical details are beautifully observed and skilfully inserted, bringing alive the deprivation and tension of the Second World War. This is a page-turner, which I thoroughly recommend.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron

 

Chris Nickson was born and raised in Leeds. He is the author of historical mysteries set in Leeds. The Richard Nottingham books are set in the 1730’s. The books are about more than murder. They're about the people of Leeds and the way life was - which mean full of grinding poverty for all but the wealthy. They're also about families, Nottingham and his and Sedgwick, and the way relationships grow and change, as well as the politics, when there was one law for the rich, and another, much more brutal, for everyone else. Chris has penned a further six series, and to date has published 37 books. For full details visit his web site. In addition to this Chris is also a music journalist, reviewing for magazines and online outlets

http://chrisnickson.co.uk/  

Carol Westron is a Golden Age expert who has written many articles on the subject and given papers at several conferences. She is the author of several series: contemporary detective stories and police procedurals, comedy crime and Victorian Murder Mysteries. Her most recent publications are Paddling in the Dead Sea and Delivering Lazarus, books 2 and 3 of the Galmouth Mysteries, the series which began with The Fragility of Poppies. 

www.carolwestron.com 

‘The Other Fiancé by Ali Blood

Published by Avon,
15 February2024.
 ISBN: 978-0-00852719-9 (PB)

Three years after her fiancé was murdered, walking his dog in a London park, journalist Gemma Morgan is starting to move on with her life – except that her new date isn’t all he seems... Meanwhile, an informer has phoned the paper to say Met DCI Elias Cain is in the pay of one of London’s criminal gangs – Gemma has investigated Cain before, when his wife disappeared. Can she nail him at last?

Against a background of increasing violence, the dangers of online dating are clearly demonstrated: Gemma’s danger from her new date, John Jackman, Alice’s controlling husband, Sean Kelly and Martin’s top-model wife – all three couples met on-line. It’s easy for Jackman to find out where Gemma lives, and the chapters focused on him and show the man behind the pleasant facade, and heighten the tension as Gemma continues to meet him in spite of her instinctive misgivings.

Most of the novel is narrated by Gemma, drawing us into her increasing fear. I enjoyed the vividly drawn South London background, and the authenticity of the newsroom scenes (Blood is a journalist), which also showed some decent men, particularly Gemma’s friend Martin, as a counterpoint to the violence displayed by others in the book: Jackman, Kellly, and possible wife-murderer DCI Cain, now in the anti-corruption squad. The story builds to a gripping climax.

A fast-paced ‘woman in danger’ thriller with good characterisation, a well-created background and a serious message about the dangers facing women today.
------
Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Ali Blood, a pseudonym used by James Raven, has been a journalist for most of his working life. After reporting for local, regional and national newspapers he moved into television as a news scriptwriter. He then worked his way up to become Director of a UK News Division. He now runs his own TV production company. James spends much of his time writing and travelling. He is also an accomplished magician. He is the author of a number of books including After the Execution, Malicious, Rollover, Stark Warning, Urban Myth, Red Blitz and Arctic Blood.

http://www.james-raven.com/

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

‘The Case of the Unfortunate Fortune Teller’ by Cathy Ace

Published by Four Tails Publishing,
31 March 2025.
ASIN: ‎ B0DW6LD9VN

Henry Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is one of nature’s worriers, and he has several reasons for anxiety: he is the head of the family, the owner of a large, historic house, which is constantly in need of renovation and repair, and also the owner of the surrounding estate, including many properties in the local village of Anwen-by-Wye. Added to this are his concerns about being a good husband to his adored wife, Stephanie, and a doting father to his one-year-old son, and this is both a joy and burden to a man of sixty. At the moment, Henry’s main cause for concern is that his recently acquired brother-in-law has announced that he wants to consult him. Henry’s relationship with his sister, Clementine, has always been difficult. Henry gave up his life as an artist in order to do his duty when he unexpectedly inherited the Dukedom, but Clementine has always been fickle, taking up interests and people and then abandoning them. Henry fears that his brother-in-law is about to confide in him that, after just a few months, Clementine is bored with her marriage.

All of this is very worrying for a man who is naturally indecisive and easily confused. To add to his troubles, while he is distracted, his headstrong mother, Althea, the Dowager Duchess, involves him in painting the backdrops for the local Christmas pantomime she is organising. Despite being in her eighties, Althea is a whirlwind of energy and determination, and soon it seems as if preparations for the Tale of Mother Goose will engulf the whole Chellingworth estate and the small village of Anwen-by-Wye.

Unlike most of the villagers, the four women of the WISE Enquiries Agency have little time to spend on the pantomime. They are fully occupied with their busy personal lives and have just acquired a new client. However, Mavis, the oldest of the WISE women, lives at the Dower House with Althea, and she is concerned that Althea is over-exhausting herself by immersing herself in the pantomime preparations. Before she married the seventeenth Duke of Chellingworth, Althea had been a dancer, and she has invited a colleague from that time to stay at the Dower House and is paying him to adapt and produce the pantomime. Mavis has finely honed instincts from both her previous career as an army nurse, and her present job as an enquiry agent, and these tell her to distrust Oswald Featherington. However, she doesn’t want to spoil Althea’s pleasure and accepts that her friend has the right to spend her money as she wishes, so apart from a few discreet enquiries, Mavis’s hands are tied.

The WISE women’s new client is Pauline Thomas, a fortune teller who has been suffering a series of mishaps, which have left her with several injuries. Pauline suspects that somebody is targeting her and is sure that they are pushing or tripping her. Apart from her personal safety, she is aware that many potential clients feel unwilling to trust a fortune teller who cannot foresee her own accidents. She has also been receiving an unusual number of extremely bad reviews for her business, which is having a serious impact. The WISE women are divided in their opinions regarding whether Pauline can really foretell the future, but they agree to take Pauline’s case. This is very time-consuming, as it involves both electronic and personal surveillance. Matters take a serious and sinister turn when a fatality occurs and neither means of surveillance spots it.

At around the same time, another suspicious death occurs some distance away, which the team feel sure is related to the local crime. The case is now in the hands of the local police, which means the WISE women have to rethink how they can contribute to the investigation without risking their good reputation and livelihood by annoying senior police officers, who feel that such matters should be left to the professionals.

The Case of the Unfortunate Fortune Teller is the eleventh book in the series featuring the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency and the other inhabitants of Anwen-by-Wye, and it is an excellent addition to a warm, enjoyable series. The book has an interesting, multi-faceted plot and is filled with lively, eccentric and engaging characters. This is a delightful read, which I thoroughly recommend.
-------
Reviewer: Carol Westron

Cathy Ace was born and raised in Swansea, South Wales. With a successful career in marketing having given her the chance to write training courses and textbooks, Cathy has now finally turned her attention to her real passion: crime fiction. Her short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies. Two of her works, Dear George and Domestic Violence, have also been produced by Jarvis & Ayres Productions as ‘Afternoon Reading’ broadcasts for BBC Radio 4. Cathy now writes two series of traditional mysteries: The Cait Morgan Mysteries (TouchWood Editions) and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries (Severn House Publishers) 

http://cathyace.com 

Carol Westron is a Golden Age expert who has written many articles on the subject and given papers at several conferences. She is the author of several series: contemporary detective stories and police procedurals, comedy crime and Victorian Murder Mysteries. Her most recent publications are Paddling in the Dead Sea and Delivering Lazarus, books 2 and 3 of the Galmouth Mysteries.

www.carolwestron.com 

‘Gone To Earth’ by Jane Jesmond

Published by Verve Books,
23 January 2025.
ISBN: 978-0-85730-871-9 (PBO)

Daredevil climber Jen Shaw is still reeling from events in Calais, where she and her undercover lover, Nick, rescued two girls from people-traffickers. However, the gang is still intact, and now they’re after her...

This was a rattling good yarn. It was narrated throughout by Jen, a wonderfully complex character with her own demons to fight, but who’s determined, quick-thinking and resourceful. I also enjoyed her hippy mother, Morwenna, and felt for the two rescued children.

The opening Cornwall sequence was vividly described. Most of the book was set in Glasgow, and there was a wonderful sense of place, particularly the atmosphere of the underground tunnels used in the page-turning climactic episode. The plotting was clever, with unexpected twists that kept me reading on – once I’d started, I didn’t want to put the novel down.

A cleverly-plotted, fast moving undercover agent thriller with real-feeling characters and a moving finish. This is the third in a trilogy, and though it can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with On the Edge. I enjoyed Gone to Earth so much that I went straight onto Amazon to order On the Edge and the sequel Cut Adrift.
------
Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Jane Jesmond was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, although she was raised on Liverpool, and considers herself northern through and through.   On The Edge is Jane's debut novel and the first in a series featuring dynamic, daredevil protagonist Jen Shaw. Jane's family comes from Cornwall, and her lifelong love of the Cornish landscape and culture inspired the setting of On The Edge. Jane has spent the last thirty years living and working in France. She began writing steadily six or seven years ago and writes every morning in between staring out at the sea and making cups of tea.  

http://jane-jesmond.com 

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.  

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

CAPITAL CRIME ANNOUNCES FULL PROGRAMME

with Michael Connelly, Steph Mcgovern, Jeremy Vine And Vaseem Khan, Joining

Previously Announced Headliners

Linwood Barclay, Karin Slaughter, Richard Armitage, Dorothy Koomson And Ruth Ware

The 2025 festival to return to the Leonardo Royal Hotel, on
13th and 14th June,
and Fingerprint Awards on 12th June

Newly confirmed authors also include
Adele Parks, Andrew Child, Clare Mackintosh, Louise Minchin and Virdee creator AA Dhand

Fingerprint Awards shortlists also announced with
 Jennie Godfrey, Lisa Jewell, Stuart Turton, Janice Hallett, Abir Mukherjee and Chris Whitaker
amongst those nominated
Adele Parks, Mark Billingham and Karin Slaughter
will be celebrating 25 years of writing

Michael Connelly, Adele Parks, Vaseem Khan, Andrew Child, Steph McGovern, Louise Minchin and AA Dhand
are amongst the authors today (27th March)
 announced to take part in Capital Crime,
London’s largest celebration of crime and thriller writing,
which returns 12th-13th June.
They will be joining the previously announced headliners
Linwood Barclay, Karin Slaughter, Richard Armitage, Dorothy Koomson, Ruth Ware, Chris Chibnall, Lisa Jewell and Nick Harkaway,
for conversations around moral dilemmas in crime fiction; contemporary spy thrillers creating Golden Age stories in the modern era; and the appeal of unlikeable characters.

 Also announced are the shortlists for the Fingerprint Awards, which allow crime and thriller lovers to select the winner of five categories, including Crime Novel of the Year; Thriller Novel of the Year; and Historical Crime Novel of the Year.
Shortlisted authors include Jennie Godfrey, debut author of #1 bestseller The List of Suspicious Things; British Book Award Crime and Thriller winner and previous Fingerprint winner Lisa Jewell; Janice Hallett, the bestselling author of The Examiner; Abir Mukherjee for his critically acclaimed thriller Hunted, written in a departure from his previous historical crime; and
Chris Whitaker, author of the literary thriller sensation All the Colours of the Dark. The winners will be announced on the evening of
Thursday 12th June in a ceremony at
the Leonardo Royal Hotel
hosted by broadcaster and writer Steph McGovern.

Capital Crime co-founder and Goldsboro Books
managing director David Headley said:

‘I can’t believe that this is our fifth festival. When we launched Capital Crime, our aim was to create not just a festival but a community that celebrates the love of storytelling. Some attendees have told us that Capital Crime is the highlight of their year, a space where they can fully indulge their love of mystery and thriller novels while connecting with others who share their enthusiasm. This response and this passion drive us to continue innovating, ensuring that every event delivers something unique and memorable for our audience – from quizzes and panels, to world-famous authors like Linwood Barclay and Karin Slaughter and exciting emerging talent.’

The panels and events begin on
 Friday 13th June
with Chris Carter, Erin E. Adams, Jessie Elland and Andrea Carter speaking about social injustice in horror and high concept thrillers; and experts turned novelists Duncan Harding, Graham Bartlett, Nicola Williams and Ruth Mancini discussing drawing on their fields in fiction. Friday will also see Belinda Bauer, Charlotte Philby, Charlotte Vassell and Holly Watt exploring our fascination with wealthy people doing horrible things; a celebration of Australian crime with Chris Hammer, Hayley Scrivenor, Kate Kemp and Craig Sisterson; and a panel of exciting new translated fiction with
Jon Atli Jonasson, Lex Noteboom, Johana Gustawsson, Thomas Enger and Quentin Bates.

The day will close with panels on modern spy fiction with
Ava Glass, Charles Cumming, Nick Harkaway and Vaseem Khan; criminal minds through history, from Nero to Dr Crippen with Conn Iggulden, Kate Williams and Hallie Rubenhold; and multi-million international bestsellers Linwood Barclay and Andrew Child, speaking about writing thrillers that keep you awake with Nadine Matheson.
The final event of the day is the festival’s regular highlight
 Crime Quiz, hosted by AJ West.

On Saturday 14th June,
crime fiction fans will have the chance to see international bestsellers Adele Parks, Mark Billingham and Karin Slaughter celebrating 25 years of writing; as well as Richard Armitage, Lisa Jewell and Steph McGovern discussing the appeal of unlikeable characters and Harry Bosch creator Michael Connelly interviewed by award-winning thriller writer M.W. Craven.

Other panel highlights from the day include a debut panel made up of Ram Murali, Kelly Mullen, Jeremy Vine and Rob Rinder discussing their Agatha Christie-inspirations for the Knives Out era; Suk Pannu, Rev Richard Coles, Blake Mara and Tim Sullivan will speak about creating communities in their novels; and international bestsellers Ruth Ware and Dorothy Koomson will explore how psychological thrillers are the perfect vehicle for examining the human mind with Anna Sharpe.

There will be also be exciting public events throughout the festival, including an industry talk and Q&A hosted by Sphere, a networking event for authors and publishers and a launch party for Beth Lewis’ new historical epic The Rush.

Now in its fifth year, Capital Crime is proud to be a part of and contributor to the vibrant culture scene with the city, and has quickly established itself as one of the biggest festivals in the UK, with a reputation for originality, innovation, and a focus on creating an incredible reader experience with creatively curated and inclusive panels. Co-founded by Goldsboro Books MD David Headley, it has welcomed readers from around the country to see British authors such as Robert Harris, Anthony Horowitz and Paula Hawkins appearing alongside international talent including Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and US bestsellers
Jeffrey Deaver and Chris Carter.

 Headley and his team at Goldsboro Books have helped launch the careers of so many authors since it opened almost 25 years ago, by uniting incredible writing with their loyal, ever-growing community of passionate readers. Renowned for their thoughtful and impactful new initiatives to engage communities of readers, Capital Crime is a brilliant extension of this vision with an outstanding programme of over 40 entertaining, accessible events that explore all corners of the genre, and the opportunity to meet your literary heroes.

The full programme can be found here from 10am today (Thursday 27th March): 

https://www.capitalcrime.org/schedule

 The Fingerprint Award Shortlists are:

 1. Crime AudioBook of the Year

Holmes, Margaret and Poe by James Patterson

Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz

The Dream Home by TM Logan

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas

 

2. True Crime Book of the Year

The Siege by Ben Macintyre

The Murder of Judith Roberts: The Mark Of Peter Sutcliffe by Chris Clark & Tanita Matthews

Getting Away With Murder by Lynda La Plante

The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale

The Umbrella Murder by Ulrik Skotte

 

3. Debut Crime Book of the Year

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Isolation Island by Louise Minchin

Five By Five by Claire Wilson

 

4. Historical Crime Book of the Year

Holmes and Moriarty by Gareth Rubin

House of Shades by Lianne Dillsworth

The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal

City Of Destruction by Vaseem Khan

White City by Dominic Nolan

 

5. Genre-Busting Crime Book of the Year

Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

The Examiner by Janice Hallett

The Gathering by CJ Tudor

 

6.  Thriller Book of the Year

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

A Violent Heart by David Fennell

The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini

Hunted by Abir Mukherjee

The Missing Family by Tim Weaver

 

7. Overall Best Crime Book of the Year

Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle

All The Colours of The Dark by Chris Whitaker

Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

The Mercy Chair by MW Craven

Nightwatching by Tracey Sierra

 

8. Publisher of the Year for best crime campaign

Simon & Schuster UK for One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware -
(marketing) Rich Vlietstra and Gen Barratt; (publicity) Sabah Khan

Orion for All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

HQ for Our Holiday by Louise Candlish

PRH Transworld for Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

PRH Cornerstone for The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey