This week, Jeff Popple reviews three good crime novels for an autumn weekend reading. More of Jeffโs reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Burning Mountain by Darcy Tindale
Penguin, $34.99
Eighteen years ago, five teenagers went for a hike up Burning Mountain in the Upper Hunter Valley, but only four came back. Despite an intensive police search, fifteen-year-old Oliver was never seen again. Now a skull has been unearthed on the mountain, and the old mystery is re-ignited. Detective Rebecca Gilesโ father had been in charge of the original investigation into the disappearance of Oliver, now it is up to her to finally find out what really happened. Burning Mountain makes good use of the familiar bush noir tropes to produce an engaging and enjoyable outback mystery that will keep you guessing.
Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Century, $34.99
Hot on the heels of the marvellous television adaptation of Anthony Horowitzโs Moonflower Murders comes a delightful new mystery featuring book editor Susan Ryeland. Susanโs previous experience with the late Alan Conwayโs novels about the famous detective, Atticus Pรผnd, resulted in her nearly being killed, twice! Now she has reluctantly been persuaded to work on a Pรผnd โcontinuationโ novel. The new book is by Eliot Crace, grandson of the late bestselling childrenโs author Miriam Crace. When Eliot tells Susan that Miriam was deliberately poisoned and that the identity of the killer is hidden inside the book, Susan knows sheโs in trouble again. Good literary fun!
Carved in Blood by Michael Bennett
Simon & Schuster, $34.99
Award-winning New Zealand author Michael Bennett returns to Auckland with the third book in his acclaimed series about Mฤori detective Hana Westerman. When Hanaโs ex-husband, a high-flying Detective Inspector, is shot in an apparent random hold-up, Hana offers to return to the police force to help with the investigation. An early lead indicates that the incident is linked to a Chinese crime syndicate, but that is thrown into doubt when an anonymous caller suggests that it was a set-up. Carved In Blood is a superior piece of crime fiction with gritty characters, vivid locations, astute plotting and a strong sense of culture.
