Look Out For These: Two top reads for your summer holidays

I've always got a huge pile of books on the go and want my recommendations for Crime Warp readers to represent the newest and best in contemporary crime and thriller fiction.  I’ve also been thinking about what I would recommend for people going on holiday who want to take just one or two books with them.  It hasn’t taken me long to settle on these two as my top recommendations.

 

The Man Who Wasn’t There by Michael Hjorth and Hams Rosenfeldt.  This is the new Sebastian Bergman thriller – you may have seen the character on the TV played splendidly by Rolf Lassgård, or have read the first Bergman novel, The Man Who Watched Women, which I previously reviewed on The Crime Warp.  Either medium presents superbly both the character and absolutely top writing by Hjorth and Rosenfeldt.  The Man Who Wasn’t There starts with the discovery of six skeletons buried in the mountain a long time ago.  This investigation is perfect for Bergman – not just because of its complexity but the opportunity to be close to his daughter Vanya.  If only it was that simple – Bergman soon finds that he’s more involved than he would want to be and that his chaotic personal life is about to unleash further entanglements that aren’t just emotional but genuinely life threatening.  The Man Who Wasn’t There isn’t just a good chunky novel – it’s a book that scores top marks for character, plot and quality of writing.

 

When the Music’s Over by Peter Robinson.  Number 23 in Robinson’s Inspector Banks series, which sees Banks as a newly promoted Detective Superintendent tasked with investigating a case of historic sexual abuse by a retired but much loved entertainer who’s gained popularity and notoriety through his prolific charitable work.  Meanwhile Annie Cabot is investigating the rape and murder of an under aged girl, with apparent links to the sex trade and the local Asian community.  She finds herself bumping up against the local uniforms who are more keen on a quiet life rather than rooting out crimes on their patch.  Robinson tackles two difficult contemporary themes in this novel.  He pulls no punches in either the characterisation or the plot, with nobody really coming out of this squeaky clean.  Robinson’s done a great job of giving us what I’d say is an unvarnished view of policing where the people that are committed to doing the right thing are hampered by both past and current attitudes and practices.  When the Music’s Over has tough themes and good writing that keeps you totally on the page.

 

Neither of these novels are quick reads, so if you get one or both of these books, there’s plenty to keep you going, whether it’s on the beach, by the pool, or just feet up in the garden.

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Enjoy your holidays!

 

Romancrimeblogger