![\"6](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CrimeReviewsInPost.jpg\" "\\"6")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This month we have a bunch of amazing new releases from some of the biggest crime\u00a0writers in the business, as well as some truly stunning debuts from talented new authors.<\/p>\n
Our crime fiction book of the month is one such debut. The R\u00fain<\/em><\/a> by Dervla McTiernan is definitely one of the best crime reads of 2018 so far and the beginning of what I\u2019m sure will be a long and popular new series.<\/p>\n Our true crime Book of the month is I’ll be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer<\/em><\/a> by the late Michelle McNamara – an absolute must-read for true crime fans.<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much on offer this month for crime and thriller readers, the only real question is which book to start reading first? Good luck making that decision \u2026 it\u2019s a tough call!<\/p>\n Reviews by Sarah McDuling<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The R\u00fain<\/em> is an absolutely stunning debut from a fresh new talent. Dervla McTiernan is a brilliant author who has secured a place alongside Jane Harper, Sarah Bailey and Candice Fox on my list of favourite crime writers at the moment. (And can we just take a moment to appreciate how much Australian based female crime writers are killing it right now? Eeeeeeeeeeee!)<\/p>\n Set in Ireland, The R\u00fain<\/em> is a highly atmospheric and utterly chilling mystery that ties an old suicide case from twenty years earlier to a present-day murder. Our leading man is Cormac Reilly – perhaps the nicest, most likable, most normal crime-solving protagonist I have ever encountered. I\u2019m used to reading about world-weary, weathered, deeply damaged detectives with dark pasts and boatloads of emotional baggage. And don\u2019t get me wrong, I love them all! In fact that sentence describes most of my favourite fictional people!!<\/p>\n And yet, along comes Cormac Reilly – a character who doesn\u2019t fit this mould at all. He\u2019s not an alcoholic. He doesn\u2019t have any anger management issues. On the contrary, he is a sensible and level headed guy and a supportive husband. He isn\u2019t haunted by any traumatic memories. He remains calm under pressure (even when faced with bureaucratic nonsense from truly infuriating coworkers). He\u2019s a nice, normal guy with a good heart, a happy home and a strong work ethic. Imagine that!?<\/p>\n The mystery at the heart of the The R\u00fain<\/em> is intricate and multi-layered. It\u2019s also quite dark and deeply upsetting. I won\u2019t lie – there were moments during this book where I had to put it down, take a few deep breaths and blink away some tears. Dervla McTiernan has a deft way of creating characters that ring very true to life. Flawed, complicated and wonderfully human, I felt very deeply for the characters of this story.<\/p>\n The title of this book works on multiple levels. In English, the word ruin<\/em> means devastation and downfall. The Irish meaning of the word r\u00fain<\/em> is \u201csomething hidden\u201d. Both words apply to this craftily constructed mystery full of old secrets, compelling character development and riveting suspense. I\u2019m completely blown away by the fact that this is the author\u2019s first novel and to say that I\u2019m looking forward to the next Cormac Reilly book would be a vast understatement. This is an author to watch and a book to grab and devour as quickly as possible!<\/p>\n Perfect for fans of Jane Harper, Sarah Bailey, Candice Fox, Tana French, Val McDermid and basically anyone who likes a complex, character-driven mystery virtually dripping in blood-chilling atmosphere! Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n This was a very emotional and bittersweet read. We know, going into this book, that the case of the Golden State Killer remains unsolved. Furthermore, the knowledge of the author\u2019s untimely death makes this all the more poignant.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be Gone in the Dark<\/em> is an incredibly in-depth, utterly compelling investigation of the serial rapist and murderer who has become known as the Golden State Killer (also known as the Original Night Stalker, the East Area Rapist and the Diamond Knot Killer). Active from the mid 1970s till the mid 1980s, he committed fifty sexual assaults and at least ten murders. He has never been apprehended.<\/p>\n Thirty years after the last murder, journalist Michelle McNamara (creator of the website TrueCrimeDiary.com) decided to immerse herself in the case of The Golden State Killer and do everything possible to finally uncover his identity. Sadly, the case remains unsolved and Michelle tragically passed away in 2016. Her book was finished with help from her colleagues.<\/p>\n True crime can be difficult to read. Everything in me revolts from the subject matter and yet I am often drawn to these books, almost against my will. That said, I will stop reading a true crime book at the very first hint of exploitative or salacious writing. When I read these books, I really need the author to approach the subject with deference and care and I want to feel as though the victims are treated with utmost respect and empathy. As far as I\u2019m concerned, I\u2019ll be Gone in the Dark<\/em> is a perfect example of how true crime books should be written.<\/p>\n I have not been this engrossed, or as emotionally invested, in a true crime novel since I read The Fact of a Body<\/em><\/a> by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich. Of course this is partly due to the detailed research\u2026 but I think the true emotional impact of I\u2019ll be Gone in the Dark<\/em> is owed to the author\u2019s deeply personal writing style. In many ways this book is a memoir as much as a true crime account.<\/p>\n Michelle McNamara is so present in this book – her unwavering dedication to the case and her deep empathy for the victims is palpable on every page. So much heart and humanity went into the research and writing of this book.<\/p>\n With a foreword from bestselling author Gillian Flynn and a heartfelt afterward from actor Patton Oswalt (Michelle McNamara\u2019s husband) this is a very powerful book. I can\u2019t honestly say that I enjoyed reading it – one doesn\u2019t really enjoy<\/em> this kind of book – but I\u2019m very glad to have read it and feel as though it\u2019s a book that needed to be written. It\u2019s books like this one that keep interest in unsolved cases alive so that one day the truth may be brought to light. Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n Egyptian Enigma<\/em> marks the third installment of the Dr Pimms series and if my love for Dr Elizabeth Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth, was not already firmly established it is now thoroughly set in stone. Every book in this series is better than the last, and each one manages to leave me desperate for the next!<\/p>\n For those unfamiliar with this delightful series, allow me to introduce you to your next obsession! It\u2019s part cosy crime, part contemporary thriller and part historical crime. L.J.M. Owens has a marvellous talent for writing compelling stories interwoven with fascinating historical facts and packed full of likable characters. These books are brimming with suspense, mystery and loads of interesting information about archaeology and ancient history. Try to imagine a version of Kathy Reich\u2019s Temperance Brennan series<\/a> in which the protagonist is an archaeologist and the crimes are thousands of years old and this will give you a good idea what to expect from Dr Elizabeth Pimms!<\/p>\n This third installment in the series has a strong feminist plot which examines the way women are so often overlooked and written out of history. I learned a lot while reading this book- especially about Twosret, the female Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of Egypt – and found myself hungry for more information. A number of times while reading Egyptian Enigma<\/em> I was compelled to put the book down briefly in order to hit Wikipedia for more information.<\/p>\n I love the vivid glimpses into ancient Egypt depicted in this book. The descriptions of the royal family and the intrigue of the royal court really brought the past to life. I also adore the way this series perfectly blends the feel of an old fashioned detective novel with a modern forensic mystery. It takes all of my favourite things and mashes them together!<\/p>\n Perfect for cosy crime addicts and ancient history buffs\u2026 plus anyone who ever secretly dreamed of being a crime solving archaeologist! Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Portrait of Molly Dean<\/em> is one of my favourite kind of books – a dual timeline historical mystery. And even better\u2026 it\u2019s Australian! I wish there were more books like this. I love reading about people in the contemporary world (or in this case the late nineties) who become obsessed by events in history and determine to solve an old mystery. It\u2019s a special treat when the setting is Australian.<\/p>\n Based on a true unsolved murder case, the story switches back and forth through time following Alex, an art dealer in 1999 and Mary \u201cMolly\u201d Dean in 1930.<\/p>\n When Alex purchases a painting of of the tragically murdered Molly Dean, her curiosity is piqued and she slowly becomes obsessed by the details of the case, determined to uncover the identity of Molly\u2019s murderer.<\/p>\n Meanwhile in Melbourne, 1930, Molly Dean is an aspiring writer who works as a teacher and is in love with an artist. She is a modern woman full of ambition, doing her best to put her difficult past behind her and pursue her dreams.<\/p>\n The great thing about this book is that so often in dual timeline narratives I find myself more interested in one of the timelines while the other one is comparatively less intriguing. In The Portrait of Molly Dean I did not have this problem. On the contrary, I felt a strong affinity for both Alex and Molly and found myself equally spellbound by both timelines.<\/p>\n And can I just take a moment to mention Alex\u2019s dog, Hogarth, who is possibly my favourite character of all? You\u2019ve gotta love a book with a strong supporting canine character!!<\/p>\n The Portrait of Molly Dean<\/em> is an utterly enthralling and captivating read that will appeal to fans of Kate Morton, Susanna Kearsley and Kate Mosse. Also the perfect read for anyone, like me, with an interest in Australian historical crime. I am already looking forward to Katherine Kovacic\u2019s next book! Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n Oh lordy! This is definitely one of those \u201ctwisty\u201d thrillers that gives your brain a good work out. When I\u2019m reading psychological thrillers like this one, I can never just sit back and enjoy the ride. My thoughts are always leaping ahead of me, trying to catch all the clues and guess the ending. Sometimes it\u2019s great to be taken totally by surprise but for the most part, I much prefer the lovely smug feeling I get when I have accurately anticipated the plot twists ahead of time. It makes me feel like a master detective!<\/p>\n I\u2019m pleased to report that The Wife Between Us<\/em> gave me the best of both worlds. I did manage to guess the first major twist but it was only the first in a succession of daringly executed twists and turns. This is really the perfect situation as I get to pat myself on the back for being a clever detective while still getting a nice \u201cAHA!\u201d moment.<\/p>\n Told in alternative perspectives, this is one of those books where you don\u2019t know who to trust and cannot make any assumptions. Vanessa\u2019s life is left in ruins after her divorce from her ex-husband, Richard. Penniless and broken, she is full of bitter regret. Richard left her with nothing and now he is replacing her with a younger woman. Poor unfortunate Vanessa is surely the victim in all this\u2026 or is she?<\/p>\n Nellie is engaged to Richard and thinks the world of him. Haunted by the past, she finally feels safe now that she is with Richard. He loves her, he takes care of her, he is the solution to all her problems. And yet\u2026 is it possible her fiance might not be as perfect as he seems?<\/p>\n There is a lot going on in this book. The plot builds to a crescendo with a series of tricky twists and turns. It\u2019s full of mind-bending revelations. Even the plot twists you see coming do not unfold exactly as you anticipated. I fully expect that readers everywhere are going to gobble this one up and start screaming for more!<\/p>\n Perfect for fans of domestic noir thrillers like The Girl on the Train<\/em><\/a>, The Woman in the Window<\/em><\/a> and The Secrets She Keeps<\/em><\/a>. Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they\u2019re yours. If they don\u2019t \u2026 make them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n How good is that line!? This book is so awesome – I can already see the trailer in my head for the movie adaptation. I was honestly stunned<\/em> to realise this is the author’s first book. As soon as I finished I jumped online in search of more books by Karen Hamilton only to find this is her debut novel!<\/p>\n The concept here is not overly complex. Girl loves boy. Boy dumps girl. Girl schemes to win boy back. A whole lot of craziness ensues!<\/p>\n It may sound like a familiar story but the reason this book works so well is because it\u2019s just so well written! The language is so rich and descriptive, the characters virtually jump off the page to slap you in the face. The whole book is like a giant roller-coaster ride into certain doom, and every second is wildly entertaining.<\/p>\n The protagonist, Juliette, could very easily fall into the crazy ex-girlfriend cliche and yet this never really happens. Despite being a certified looney-tunes psycho, Juliette is actually oddly likable. It\u2019s hard to explain because obviously<\/em> I didn\u2019t want her to succeed in her evil plans but also\u2026 a part of me kind of wanted her to succeed in her evil plans. I just couldn\u2019t help cheering her on. She\u2019s bold and smart and sarcastic – not to mention extremely<\/em> goal oriented. You have to respect a woman who knows what she wants! And while I feel the stereotype of the \u201ccrazy ex-girlfriend\u201d should be avoided, in this case Juliette is so brilliantly written that I see her more as a great example of the archetypal \u201cWoman Scorned\u201d.<\/p>\n Perfect for fans of Gone Girl<\/em><\/a> by Gillian Flynn, Before I Go to Sleep<\/em><\/a> by S. J. Watson and Pretty Baby<\/em><\/a> by Mary Kubica. Learn More<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This month we have a bunch of amazing new releases from some of the biggest crime\u00a0writers in the business, as well as some truly stunning debuts from talented new authors. Our crime fiction book of the month is one such debut. The R\u00fain by Dervla McTiernan is definitely one of the best crime reads of 2018 so far and the beginning of what I\u2019m sure will be a long and popular new series. Our true crime Book of the month is I’ll be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by the late Michelle McNamara – an absolute must-read for true crime fans. There\u2019s so much on offer this month for crime and thriller readers, the only real question is which book to start reading first? Good luck making that decision \u2026 it\u2019s a tough call! Reviews by Sarah McDuling The R\u00fain by\u00a0Dervla McTiernan The R\u00fain is an absolutely stunning debut from a fresh new talent. Dervla McTiernan is a brilliant author who has secured a place alongside Jane Harper, Sarah Bailey and Candice Fox on my list of favourite crime writers at the moment. (And can we just take a moment to appreciate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":79212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[23,6678,6764],"tags":[1445,7939,8558,8561,8567,8559,8566,8563,3132,8560,4482,4703,8568,8565,8562,8557,8564,6148],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CrimeReviewsSocial.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79208"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79208"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79596,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79208\/revisions\/79596"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/TheRuin.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a>The R\u00fain<\/strong>
\nby\u00a0Dervla McTiernan<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"I'll](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/9780571345144.jpg\" "\\"I'll")
<\/a>I’ll be Gone in the Dark:
\nOne Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer<\/strong>
\nby Michelle McNamara<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"Egyptian](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EgyptianEnigma.jpeg\" "\\"Egyptian")
<\/a>Egyptian Enigma<\/strong>
\nDr Pimms, Intermillennial Sleuth Series: Book 3<\/strong>
\nby L.J.M. Owen<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/MollyDean.jpeg\" "\\"The")
<\/a>The Portrait of Molly Dean<\/strong>
\nby Katherine Kovacic<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/9781509842827.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a>The Wife Between Us<\/strong>
\nby Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/ThePerfectGirlfriend.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a>The Perfect Girlfriend<\/strong>
\nby Karen Hamilton<\/strong><\/p>\n