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Val McDermid

Scottish crime writer, author of the Tony Hill and Karen Pirie novels.

6 things

This Mortal BoyBook Fiona Kidman

loved

It's an amazing novel, this. It's compelling. It's a novelization of a real event: the second last hanging in New Zealand.

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

The Lost ManBook Jane Harper

loved

I think The Lost Man is her best yet. It's not just a great crime novel, I think it's a great novel.

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

American by DayBook Derek B Miller

loved

American by Day is engagingly written. Miller isn't afraid to write characters who are opinionated. They don't hold their tongue about what they believe in, they let rip. People are angry, people are passionate. I love the unorthodoxy of it, I suppose.

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

A Dark MatterBook Doug Johnstone

loved

It's a really great read. I read this in two days when my life was very busy, and I really shouldn't have been taking time off to sit in the corner and read, but I just kept wanting to return to it because I was marvellously entertained and engaged by it.

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

My Sister, the Serial KillerBook Oyinkan Braithwaite

liked

But the thing I liked about this book most of all was the voice. It's a first person narrative where you really get a sense of her coming through in the language she uses, the way she speaks, and the way she takes us through her story.

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

Norwegian by NightBook Derek B Miller

recommended

And read Norwegian by Night anyway, because it's a great read. I remember first reading that and thinking, 'Oh, this guy can really write.' Read

Five Books interview on the best crime fiction of 2019

2019-12-04·fivebooks.com ↗

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