This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three outstanding new crime novels by two of the masters of the genre, Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin, and a very clever tale by Australia’s ‘king of the twist’, Christian White.
Award winning Australian author Christian White has been described as Australia’s ‘Master Of Misdirection’ and his latest book, The Ledge (Affirm Press, 24 September 2024), is another carefully plotted novel with well developed characters and a strong sense of place and time.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Australian author Christian White has been described as Australia’s ‘Master Of Misdirection’ and his latest book is another twisty tale of surprises and suspense.
The book opens with the discovery of old human remains in the forests of regional Victoria. The police are baffled, the locals are shocked, and one group of old friends start to panic, fearing that their long-held secret is about to be uncovered. White’s dual timeline of 1999 and the present day quickly unfolds, and the book combines a good coming of age story with an absorbing mystery that builds to a final memorable twist.”
The Ledge is a really memorable story that ably captures the mood of the two timelines and builds to an unexpected, but quite poignant conclusion.
Here is a link to the longer review I did of The Ledge back in September: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/major-new-crime-releases-for-october-2024-new-books-by-richard-osman-michael-connelly-and-christian-white/
Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin are at the forefront of the world’s best crime fiction writers and both have very impressive books out in 2024. Michael Connelly’s The Waiting, (Allen & Unwin, 15 October 2024), is billed as a Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch novel, but it is very much Ballard’s story.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Michael Connelly’s latest novel, The Waiting, starts with Renée Ballard, head of the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit, waiting for an early morning wave. When she returns to the shore, she finds her car broken into and her badge, gun, and ID gone. Reluctant to report the thefts she works the burglary alone, but when her solo mission takes a dangerous turn, she turns to Harry Bosch for help. Meanwhile two cold cases take Ballard and her team down some unexpected paths.
This is stellar crime writing, with great characters, good excitement, intelligent plotting and a sharp view of American society. Highly recommended.”
The Waiting is one of my favourite crime novels of the year.
I also did a longer review back in September: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/major-new-crime-releases-for-october-2024-new-books-by-richard-osman-michael-connelly-and-christian-white/
The latest John Rebus novel by Ian Rankin is also an outstanding piece of work. As with Connelly’s novel, Rankin’s Midnight And Blue, (Orion, 8 October 2024), not only showcases the author’s mastery of the necessary tricks of the trade, but also offers an impressive depth of characterisation, and plenty of astute reflections on modern life.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Ian Rankin’s John Rebus series ranks alongside Connelly’s Bosch books, as the most significant crime series of recent years. Each of the books are masterpieces of crime writing that impress with their depth and insight.
Midnight And Blue opens with Rebus in jail alongside many of the crooks he put there. Apart from the threats to his well-being, his life has become a drudge until a murder occurs at midnight in a nearby locked cell. Suddenly Rebus has a purpose again, but it is hard to find a killer in a place that is full of them. One of the year’s best crime novels!”
Here is a link to a longer review I did a couple of weeks back: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/midnight-and-blue-by-ian-rankin/
So three very good crime novels for your late year reading, which would also make for great Christmas presents!