For fans of suspense and intrigue, a fresh batch of crime and thriller novels has arrived, offering everything from espionage in Tehran to timeloop murders in suburban England. This roundup delves into five of the most compelling recent releases, each promising to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Espionage and Confession in a Topical Thriller
David McCloskey's fourth novel, 'The Persian' (Swift, £20), proves to be tragically timely. The story centres on Kam Esfahani, a Jewish Iranian dentist living in Sweden who is deeply dissatisfied with his life. Lured by the promise of funds to relocate to California, he accepts a dangerous offer from Mossad.
Returning to Tehran under the cover of a fake dental practice, Kam's mission to sow chaos goes awry when he involves double agent Roya Shabani. The narrative is framed as a series of confessions, written under duress after Kam's capture. His cynical, mordantly humorous voice highlights the horror and hypocrisy of endless cycles of violence, making this a masterly and utterly gripping read.
A Glaswegian Auctioneer Returns for a Third Case
Louise Welsh welcomes readers back to Glasgow with 'The Cut Up' (Canongate, £20), the third outing for her beloved gay auctioneer, Rilke. The discovery of a body sets the plot in motion: obnoxious jewellery dealer Rodney Manderson has been stabbed through the eye with a Victorian hatpin.
Loyal to his boss, Rose Bowery, who had recently showcased the very same pin on television, Rilke makes a fateful decision before calling the police. While the authorities are quick to name a suspect, Rilke's instincts point towards secrets buried in the past, notably linked to a notorious reform school. Sharp, humane, and beautifully written, this novel reaffirms Rilke's status as an old friend to readers.
Diverse Thrills: From Train Hijacks to Financial Desperation
The remaining three novels showcase the genre's impressive range. In Anna Maloney's debut 'The 10:12' (Raven, £16.99), art lecturer Claire Fitzroy's train home is hijacked. Her brave actions during the crisis have drastic consequences, leading to a trial where public opinion turns against her, branding her a 'menopausal murderer' rather than a heroine.
Lauren Schott's tense debut 'Very Slowly All at Once' (HQ, £16.99) is a cautionary tale of financial strain. The Evans family, struggling to maintain their lifestyle in Cleveland, sees mysterious cheques from 'Sunshine Enterprises' as a salvation, only to be drawn into illegal requests. Schott expertly balances plausibility with escalating paranoia.
Finally, CE Hulse's 'Vivian Dies Again' (Viper, £16.99) offers a witty and innovative mystery. Chaotic Vivian Slade is pushed off a balcony and finds herself trapped in a timeloop of her own murder, with only a weary waiter as an ally. Flashbacks help unravel the mystery of who wants her dead in this clever and darkly comic crime debut.
This selection demonstrates the continued vitality of the crime and thriller genre, with authors delivering sharp social commentary, relentless pace, and deeply human stories amidst the suspense.
