Look out for these – November's choice is a trio of gritty Liverpool, psychological suspense and a cosy character we’d all forgotten about

I’ve chosen just three books for November as I’m going to try and concentrate on posting more individual book reviews in the run up to Christmas.  Of this month's picks, only The Late Scholar hasn’t yet been published, although with a 5 December publication date it’s not so far away.  I think you’ll like the mix – new author, established author and a bit of cosy – what else could you ask for?

 

Romancrimeblogger

 

Down Among the Dead Men by Ed Chatterton: This is Chatterton’s second book, featuring newly promoted DCI Frank Keane and the Major Incident Team in Liverpool.  The crime scene is a dead husband and wife, which looks initially like a murder-suicide.  However, the couple’s teenage son Nicky is missing.  Uncertain whether he is looking for the killer or another victim, Keane discovers a link between the missing boy and his holiday job on a film being shot in the city.  Keane knows time is running out to find Nicky, but as he uncovers more about scriptwriter Dean Quinn and the film, Keane’s case becomes far more complex than he could ever have expected.  If you’re looking for a good solid plot and dark atmosphere, this one’s for you.

Monument to Murder by Mari Hannah: This book is set on the opposite coast of the North, in Northumberland and features DCI Kate Daniels.  A skeleton is found in an old castle, leading Daniels to get help from a forensic pathologist to help identify the remains.  Meanwhile, Emily McCann, a newly widowed and vulnerable prison psychologist is drawn into the subtle and sinister mind games of convicted sex offender Walter Fearon.  As Fearon’s release date comes closer, his manipulation of McCann intensifies.  Daniels’ investigation seems to be stalling, despite the appearance of new bodies plus a tentative link between the skeletal remains and Fearon.  The question is whether Daniels can put all this together before Fearon executes his twisted plans for Emily McCann.  Deep and psychological, think twice about reading this if you’re alone.
 

The Late Scholar by Jill Paton Walsh:   I’ve not featured any cosy crime for some time.  In case you’re not sure of the style to expect, the opening line of this book is:  “Great snakes alive!” said the Duke of Denver, sometime Lord Peter Wimsey, famous amateur sleuth.  You also soon find that the Duchess is none other than Harriet Vane, detective story writer, which means that the detective partnership established in The Attenbury Emeralds continues.  Hurrah I say!  This book is set in the 1950s with Wimsey adjudicating as Visitor to settle disputes at an Oxford college.  The dispute at St Severin’s is not academic, but involves the future of a tract of land whose sale could solve the college’s financial problems.  The fellows are evenly split on the issue, until one of them is murdered, followed by other deaths that bear a close resemblance to Wimsey’s past cases and method Vane has used in her novels.  If you like cosy, this is spot on.  If you want to choose a Christmas present for someone reading this part of the crime genre, The Late Scholar is perfect.
 

I hope you enjoy the November trio.  Please keep an eye out over the coming weeks for more reviews and recommendations.
 

Happy reading

 

Romancrimeblogger