Jeff Popple reviews three new novels of murder and mayhem. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
The Inside Man by James Phelps
Harper Colins, $32.99
James Phelps is a well-known Sydney journalist and true crime author. After years of writing factual accounts about Australia’s toughest prisons, Phelps has now used that knowledge to pen an exciting action thriller. The Inside Man focuses on Riley Jax, a former army engineer who is in prison for murder. Jax cannot remember the night of the killing and is struggling to survive in Long Bay jail. Meanwhile a series of bombings rock the outside world, and it appears that Jax may be the only person who can unravel the truth behind them. An enjoyable, easy flowing tale that will keep you turning the pages.
The Killing Kind by Jane Casey
Harper Collins, $24.99
London barrister Ingrid Lewis thought that she had finally escaped the attentions of former client and serial stalker John Webster, but when a colleague is run down on a busy road, Ingrid suspects that she was the intended victim. The police are not convinced, and when Webster turns up at Ingrid’s door claiming that she is in danger, she does not know which way to turn. Jane Casey does a good job of steadily ramping up the tension in this engaging crime thriller and The Killing Kind builds to taut, surprising conclusion. A smart, compelling novel that makes for ideal wet weekend reading.
True Crime Story by Joseph Knox
Doubleday, $32.99
Fans of crime documentaries will enjoy this clever mashup of true crime and detective fiction. Written in the style of a chilling true crime documentary, in which the author himself features, True Crime Story follows the eight-year investigation into the disappearance of 19-year-old Manchester University student Zoe Nolan, who went missing in 2011 after a party. As a pair of writers try to understand what happened that night, old secrets and new threats are revealed. Drawing on fictional police reports, interviews, letters and other sources, True Crime Story is a highly original murder mystery presented as a true crime account. Recommended.
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