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Review

Gideon’s Ring

by Dodie Ownes

Detective Chief Inspector Conny Sjöberg and the Hammarby police squad have been pushed to the limit before, but the case before them could be the breaking point. What is the connection among an abused naked woman, a dead infant, and what appears to be a murder in a quiet suburb of Stockholm? Working amid a disturbing secret that involves influential men in the community, Sjöberg must find out why the young woman, Veronica, ran to the home of John Gideon, a local piano tuner, after she was assaulted—but Gideon’s not answering the door. Neighbors tell the police there are always young women coming and going from Gideon’s home, raising suspicions and theories. Gerhardsen expertly weaves into the story the complicated personal traumas of the squad’s members, adding layers to this Scandi-noir psychological thriller. Gideon’s Ring combines the best of police procedural with taut suspense, keeping readers rooted in the emotional aspects of these crimes as the Hammarby police tighten the noose on the bad guys—and they are really bad. Though fifth in the Hammarby Mysteries series, this title reads as a stand-alone, but readers may find themselves wanting to go back to where it all began with Gerhardsen’s 2012 (translated from Swedish) The Gingerbread House.—Dodie Ownes

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Review

Animals of the French Species

by Willy Williams
Book of the Week October 15, 2026 After the traumatic events of The Wonder Test, FBI agent Lina Connerly and her teenage son move from California to Paris, where she is posted to the American Embassy as a liaison between U.S. and French counterintelligence agencies. Mother and son are also dealing with their lingering grief over the death of Lina’s husband in a car accident two years ago. Still, the Paris they find is not a romantic refuge but a gritty and dirty metropolis (“you can almost smell the French Revolution”). The French present Lina with a 20-year-old unsolved case—the Train Fantôme—involving the bloody deaths of nine passengers in a single metro car. Could it be connected to a mysterious device found in a tunnel wall, which might be linked to a secret weapons program in Eastern Europe? Covertly, Lina is also tracking an Edward Snowden-like American intelligence agent who leaked classified documents, fled to Russia, and is now rumored to be hiding in France. Her need to find him becomes urgent when her sources start turning up dead. Richmond skillfully weaves two complex espionage plots into a touching family drama about rebuilding a life after a tragedy. Fascinating spycraft details are mixed with amusing observations about expatriate life and Franco-American cultural differences. Fans of Chris Pavone’s The Expats will enjoy this.—Willy Williams
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Review

Murder Returns to Gravigna

by Dodie Ownes

Nico Doyle, an American ex-homicide detective, is once again coerced into working with Gravigna’s local police in the final installment of Trinchieri’s “A Tuscan Mystery” series. Maresciallo Perillo, the town’s highest ranking police officer, is weary of his work and gladly accepts Nico’s assistance in determining who murdered Gravigna’s butcher, Sergio Macchi. Amid the beautiful scenery of the Chianti region, bad feelings and secrets lurk and soon the townspeople are suspicious of everyone. As readers meet the shopkeepers and restaurateurs and spend time with OneWag, Nico’s adorable dog, a picture begins to form of a town and its people in transition. There’s even a developer interested in building a high-end hotel complex, much to the chagrin of the locals. After the owner of the enoteca dies by apparent suicide, the search for the murderer picks up speed—what good is a Tuscan town without meat and wine?! Trinchieri brings this deliciously plotted (yes, there is much good eating and a recipe included) mystery imbued with the everyday loves and lives of the locals to a satisfying conclusion. Fans of contemporary mysteries who are craving a trip to the Tuscan countryside without the airfare will find much to relish in this series conclusion.—Dodie Ownes

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Review

Hidden Currents

by Henrietta Thornton

Sheriff’s deputy Sam Karnes just wants to get married to the love of his life, Brenna. His first attempt at writing vows, “Respondent states he loves her and would be willing to proceed with a lifelong commitment,” is perhaps not quite right. Worse again is his meddling mother-in-law. He’s gotten great advice from his boss, the star of this absorbing police procedural, Sheriff Hank Worth, who says to just stay out of most of the wedding arrangements. But Hank can’t stay out of messy politics himself, as in this sixth outing in the series, he’s leading the investigation into a shocking murder in his small Ozarks town of Branson, Missouri. The owner of a local fishing store has been found dead. He was relatively new to town, having bought the store from its long-time owner and moved here with his wife, who he was in the process of divorcing, and her troubled son. In the background of that investigation, Hank’s second-in-command, Sheila, is under the microscope as she testifies against attackers in a case that has politics written all over it. Booth has again brought the Ozarks and police life to the page in a way that will keep readers rapt and leave them waiting for more from these steadfast characters. New readers will find Hank especially endearing and will want to go back to the previous books for more.—Henrietta Thornton

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Review

The Dying Light

by Brian Kenney

Book of the Week July 30, 2026

As with all of Cleeve’s novels, this one centers on a violent act that summons a whole community, from the police to a rising politician and from a small group of teens to the media eager to expose the familes. At the center of the novel is DI Matthew Venn, whose gentle demeanor and persistent inquiry move the storyline ahead, peeling the novel like the proverbial onion. The tale takes place in the UK in the midst of a scorching summer, when Venn has been called in to investigate the death of a young woman found floating face-up in a pool. But it’s not just any pool—the luxurious location is owned by the girl’s friend, Hannah, who is also missing. Social media, secrets, and unrest all go far to crack this mystery, exposing what is left unsaid. A sophisticated, fast-moving novel that many readers will relish.—Brian Kenney

 

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Review

The Heights

by Henrietta Thornton

Ian Rankin likes to explore the gray areas in life. This time the ambiguities surround a murder at the Heights, a London more-money-than-taste highrise that houses HNWs and UHNW individuals—those are high net worth and ultra-high net worth to those of us in the LNW and ULNW zones. In this standalone thriller, DS Gillian Gish and colleagues are pitted against organized criminals and the walls that wealth can create in investigating the death of one of the highrise’s concierges, quickly finding a morass of complications. And then there are those moral gray areas—how far can Gish push when she just knows something is wrong, but has no real evidence? Is a police career worth it when Gish’s mother is not-so-slowly declining? Does wealth necessarily mean guilt? Fans of detailed police procedurals will be right at home here, with the London police’s steady and then all-at-once habits on full display. Those who enjoy a no-nonsense lead with heart to spare will fall immediately in step with Gish, too. Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels wait in the wings for those who need more after this.—Henrietta Thornton

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Review

The Body in the Bath

by Brian Kenney

Welcome to some powerful Nordic noir that is partly a novel of suspense, with the shadow of Agatha Christie, and partly terrifying in its own right. At its center is detective Helgi Raykdal. As Christmas season approaches, Bergþóra, Helgi’s ex-girlfriend, fatally runs over the detective’s new girlfriend, Anita. A violent alcoholic, Bergþóra totally destroys the car and the future Helgi hoped to build with Anita. After a month’s absence, Helgi returns to work in Reykjavik brimming with anger. As someone who was physically abused by Helgi, who insists that Aníta’s death was an accident, Bergþóra somehow manages to walk free. To escape his sorrow, Helgi becomes involved in trying to resolve the disappearance of his predecessor, Hulda, a retired officer long presumed dead. But as the lines begin to blur, the shifts between the past and present merge. Will Helgi’s colleagues accept him back?—Brian Kenney

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Review

Dungeons and Danger

by Danise Hoover

Hotelier and herbalist Nora Althorp lives and works in Ravensea, the family castle, outside of York. It has been occupied by members of her family for around one thousand years. As such, the ghosts that also reside in the castle are well known to the family and regularly communicate. This week is a busy one. A scholar is making a deal with Nora’s father to hunt for a Viking hoard on the property, proceeds to be split of course; a group of TV wanna-bees are on site to film the ghosts, with the hopes of commercial success; and Nora’s brother has set up a Viking fest for the weekend, complete with roast ox and burning dragon ship. The ghosts perform beautifully, leading people to clues, though not everyone behaves within honorable strictures as far as the treasure is concerned. There is a lot of skulking about, minor poisonings, and eventually a murder. Nora outdoes the police but readily shares what she learns. A very comfy cozy with friendly supernatural additions that is a nice easy read.—Danise Hoover

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Review

Kill to Keep

by Jeff Ayers

In her latest mystery, Taylor delivers a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit set against the backdrop of a traveling carnival on the eve of its grand opening. When Sheriff Bet Rivers and her boyfriend, Rob Collier, stumble upon a dead man during a stroll through the fairgrounds, the investigation quickly grows complicated. There was the sound of a gunshot, but the man bears no visible bullet wound. Even more puzzling, none of the carnival workers seems to recognize the victim, leaving Rivers with a nameless corpse and a growing list of suspects. As she fights for answers, the sheriff uncovers a world of deception, with workers operating under assumed names and a community built on secrets. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that some of those hiding in the shadows will go to extreme lengths to stay hidden, including committing another murder. Taylor masterfully balances a richly drawn cast of characters with the cozy, small-town charm that makes this series so appealing. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace before building to a climax that is both breathtakingly tense and deeply rewarding. Best of all, newcomers to the series need not worry. This installment works beautifully as a standalone, making it an ideal entry point into the world of Sheriff Bet Rivers.—Jeff Ayers

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Review

A Taste for Murder

by Brian Kenney

A tremendously well-balanced, traditional novel—in the best sense of the word—that is sure to appeal to a wide range of crime-fiction readers. Joe Mottram is on leave from the London police and forced into a sabbatical on the island of Capri. Delightful, no? No. Matt is accompanied by his teen daughter, Angelica (for whom everything is just too much of a bother, except for boys). A fatal accident killed his wife a year ago, and father and daughter have a rocky relationship. And while they are staying at an idyllic resort, they could be staying at a Motel 6 for all the attention they pay each other. Until there is a murder, of course, and Joe jumps in to help young police inspector Lorra Lorrancio discover the killer. A Taste for Murder is rich in plot, but it is even richer in detail. As the story slowly unfurls, so too does the grief, beauty, and menace. Matt Baker is a British television screenwriter known for creating the ITV drama Hotel Portofin. Here’s hoping this novel is the start of a series.—Brian Kenney

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