Round up from 2016- Not to miss reads

Well, we've seen the back of 2016 with all its trials and tribulations.  However there are a few books I've read in 2016 that deserve a shout out on The Crime warp ... so here's my thoughts on them




Candles and Roses  by Alex Walters (Sept 2016)

Alec McKay a curmudgeonly detective with troubles of his own doesn't suffer fools lightly... just the sort of character I love!  He is well written and totally believable.  When young girls  are being murdered and surrounded by candles and roses it makes Alec think of his own recently deceased daughter- this makes his investigation poignant and realistic.  Set in the Dark Isles, the ethereal scenery provides an uncompromising back drop to a well told engrossing narrative.
Walters skilfully merges the investigation with the main characters emotional life and with frequent insight into the killers mind we are drawn further and further into the case.  I'd definitely recommend this book.
Available on Amazon kindle £1.99 or free on unlimited or PB£8.99  Click here

Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan (Oct 2016)
Dear Amy is a terse psychological thriller that attracted me because its set in Cambridgeshire and I love the historic connotations of Cambridge - atmospheric and compelling yet down to earth .  An agony aunt,/ teacher, missing girls and a criminologist are an enticing combination.
When  agony aunt, Margot Lewis receives a letter from a girl claiming to have been held captive for twenty years heralds the reopening of the cold case.  This in turn attracts criminologist Martin Forrester.  When one of Margot's students disappears, believing the two abductions are linked Margot and Martin team up in a compelling investigation.  The relationship between the two main characters is what really sold the book to me.
Available on Amazon Kindle £4.99 or PB £6.49 Clickhere

Spider's Web by Mike Omer (May 2016)

I love a good police procedural and I love a good serial killer novel... Spider's web is both.  As a debut novel this is appealing with well rounded characters.  I love the sparks of humour and I like the idea of a close knit police community.

 When the body of a young woman is found followed by other murders of random women it appears there is a serial killer on the loose in Glenmore Park.  The relationship between partners Mitch Lonnie and Jacob Cooper is inspired and the villain is delightfully delusional... kept me hooked.
Available on Amazon kindle unlimited for free or £2.29 to buy, PB £9.64 click here

Local Girl Missing by Clare Douglas (Aug 2016) 
Sophie Rose Collier disappears without trace when she's twenty one.  Now a body has been found and Sophie's best friend Francesca is lured back to their seaside town by Sophie's brother Daniel.  Can the ghosts of the past be finally laid to rest?
This is a stunning psychological thriller that really grabbed me by the throat.  It had elements of near paranormal in it which I like.  I was so absorbed in the different characters and their back stories that I missed sussing out the final twist till the very last second.  Totally enjoyable and engrossing.
Available on Amazon Kindle for £4.99 PB £3.85 or free on audiobook Click here