Paula Longhurst's Blog, page 3

Swiped, L.M. Chilton

Gwen and Noah met at Sussex University but their final breakup sends barista Gwen onto Connector, an addictive dating app which matches her with the dregs of Eastbourne’s dating pool. Gwen is a plucky protagonist but could she also be a serial killer? 

Swipe right to find out.

The Main Character, Jaclyn Goldis

Disgraced news anchor Rory Aranovis the main character in Ginerva Ex's new book. She’s been through hours ofinterviews to tease out her story and as a bonus, Ginerva gifts Rory an all-expensespaid vacation on the Orient Express. Rory just wants to relax but this tripcould be far from relaxing, it could prove deadly.

Last Murder At The End of the World, Stuart Turton

Recently widowed Emory and her fellow villagers are the last survivors. Onan idyllic island surrounded by a deadly fog that wiped out the rest of humanity just as they wereabout to solve climate change. The survivors look up to the three scientists who protect and guide them.

Emory isn’t good at anything, except asking questions andthat’s about to come in handy as a murder has occurred, the voice ineveryone’s head has wiped their memories of the night in question and if theydon’t solve the crime and punish the guilty party the fog will overrun theisland. 

Humanity has 97 hours until it becomes totally extinct. Can Emory saveit?

If you haven't read The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle or Devil and the Dark Water you're in for a treat (and add these to your reading pile asap) If you have read these you'll know that Turton is that rare beast, his standalone novels have elements of mystery sci fi and some killer twists.

Midnight Puzzle, Gigi Pandian

Tempest Raj has rented the Whispering Theatre as the venue for her final magic show. The Secret Staircase Company faces a lawsuit and Tempest’s mentor, Nicodemus the Necromancer is in town and of course there’s a murder to solve.

And a murderer who seems hell bent on implicating Tempest in their crimes.

Tempest intends to unmask her mother’s killer during the show unaware that the killer is determined to silence her first. Will pop-up justice be televised?

The Hunter, Tana French

It’s been a couple of years since retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper settled in the tiny Irish village of Ardnakelty. On the surface the place jogs along just grand. Cal and local widow Lena have settled into a comfortable rhythm and Trey Reddy, has progressed from feral child to a feisty but shrewd teenager.

A killer heatwave and the return of Trey’s father, chancer Johnny Reddy upends everything. Johnny’s get-rich-quick scheme complete with posh English mark has the local area buzzing. Death and the Dublin police, however, aren’t far behind. Trey sees the opportunity to avenge her murdered brother without breaking the truce that Cal established with the townsmen. Using the police to exact her revenge is a risky plan but Trey has no idea how risky.

Antique Hunters Guide to Murder, C.L. Miller

Freya Lockwood went from Lara Croft in her twenties to Laura Ashley in her forties. Now divorced with a teenage daughter she still shuns her partner/mentor Arthur Crockleford, whose actions in Cairo - Freya is convinced - ruined her life.

Now Arthur is dead and Freya’s flamboyant Aunt Carole suspects foul play. Arthur was on the verge of acquiring ‘an item of immense value’ and his clues, set up weeks before his death, seem designed to awaken Freya’s inner artifact hunter. 

Carole, with a reluctant Freya in tow descends on the Manor House weekend where Arthur had planned to get back a treasure, where a killer awaits.

Fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series should check this out. Freya is a great character and Aunt Carole is a complete hoot.

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect, Benjamin Stevenson

Ernie Cunningham’s debut true crime novel has done well enough to earn him andgirlfriend Juliette a spot at a literary festival- on a train speeding acrossthe Australian desert.

The main draw is Henry McTavish from whom Ern is hoping to get the promiseof a blurb for his as yet unwritten second book.
The backstabbing has already begun before the Ghan leaves the station andthat’s just the writers.
In amongst the one-star reviews, withering literary criticism, codes, letches,superfans and firecrackers, there’s a murder; one Ernie must solve or dietrying.
Stevenson’s in-jokes and fourth wall breaking continues. A cracking mysterythat’s fun to try and solve. Ern is a reliable narrator, and his honesty isrefreshing.
N.B. This is not an Aussie version of a Christie Classic.

The Fury, Alex Michaelides

Less of a whodunit than a whydunit, Fury’s narrator relates the tale of a beautiful Greek island owned by a luminous actress and the events of one wild night which ended in betrayal and murder.

Whose? Ah, you’ll have to read this Greek tragedy to find out. 

Midnight, Amy McCulloch

If you enjoyed ‘Breathless’ you’rein for another treat. Olivia has the perfect life - on the surface; but likethe icebergs she and the passengers and crew of the luxury ship MS Vigil aresurrounded by, appearances can be deceiving.

The millionaire’s cruise will takethem from Ushuaia deep into Antarctica with an art auction of recently deceasedartist Kostas Yellin’s works as the main event. Olivia’s art dealer boyfriendhas missed the sailing leaving Olivia to schmooze the wealthy buyers alone andthat’s just the first thing to go wrong.

McCulloch is quickly establishing her own nichein the adventure travel/whodunit genre. 

Anna O: A Novel, Matthew Blake

The sleeping beauty case was a tabloidsensation. A prominent MP’s daughter stabbed two friends to death whilst sleepwalking.After years asleep the government wants Anna O awake and convicted. The Abbeyis a central London sleep clinic that caters to a monied clientele, and Anna istransferred there and placed under the care of Dr. Ben Prince; who has a planto bring her back to the land of the living, but is that wise? Death has alwaysfollowed Anna O and the repercussions of her move to the Abbey have yet to befully felt. 

Prepare to let your tea go cold and you read this twisted tale inone sitting.