This week, Jeff Popple reviews three thrilling books to keep you entertained over the Easter long weekend. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Michael Joseph, $32.99
Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is the most original crime novel you will read this year. Revolving around an unusual family reunion in the Snowy Mountains, it is a funny and clever novel, that plays homage to the classic British murder mystery. In between the rising body count and the revelation of old family secrets, Stevenson’s reluctant sleuth, Ernie Cunningham, amusingly reflects on the rules of detective fiction and offers plenty of witty asides. A cross between Agatha Christie, Daniel Craig’s Knives Out and Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, it is the ideal Easter weekend read.
Three Assassins by Kotaro Isaka
Harvill Secker, $32.99
Also offering some wild, off-beat fun is Kotaro Isaka’s Three Assassins. Isaka’s Bullet Train proved a popular success last year, and the movie version of it, starring Brad Pitt, is due to hit cinema screens shortly. Three Assassins takes a similar approach to Bullet Train and is a fast-paced tale of vengeance. Suzuki used to be an everyday sort of guy, until the murder of his wife. Now he has left behind his life as a teacher and finds himself in a deadly battle with three oddball assassins and the Japanese gang responsible for his wife’s death. An enjoyable, high-octane read.
The Foot Soldiers by Gerald Seymour
Hodder & Stoughton, $32.99
More serious thrills are provided by veteran British writer Gerald Seymour. The Foot Soldiers is a slow burn of a thriller that centres on the defection of a low level Soviet spy. The agent does not possess any startling secrets, but his defection sets in place a deadly Russian operation and reveals the presence of a ‘mole’ in MI6. Nondescript Jonas Merrick is called in from his caravan holiday to work through the possible suspects and finds himself involved in dangerous battle of wits. The pace is occasionally slow, but the tension is high throughout, and the book builds to a terrific climax. Recommended.
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