Capsule book reviews in 255 characters or fewer. Ish. A reading diary (1st Jan 2019 onwards) by Eamonn Griffin.
An ex-journalist investigating an art theft is accused of murder. The second of the Fletch series (originally published in 1977) is a sprightly mystery well up to the standards of its predecessor. Lean, dialogue-driven, and confident throughout. A movie adaptation is due in 2022.
_
My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
Two friends join an ongoing discussion of England’s history: a series of pub talks ensue. Superficially similar to Mills‘s The Forensic Records Society, this is another examination of men, entropy, and understated menace. Perhaps not for newbies, but those who’ve enjoyed Mills’s work before will find this brisk novel full of familiar pleasures. Recommended.
_
My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
A man arrives at a safe zone, only to find new troubles. A direct continuation from 2020’s The Trouble With Sunbathers, and very much in the same vein. This does precisely what you might imagine a Magnus Mills book to do. For some, that’s recommendation enough. Long may he continue.
—
My own books here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
Los Angeles, 1969. The lives of a TV actor and his stuntman buddy intersect with others, including members of the Manson family. A quasi-novelisation of Tarantino’s 2019 movie, taking a different path through the material. Lots of movie and TV arcana, some fun digressions, and a sense of confident ease throughout. Not sure how it’d stand up for those who haven’t seen the film, but it makes the prospect of an original novel an intriguing one.
_
My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
A young writer returns to his childhood hometown to reinvestigate his father’s suicide and his mother’s disappearance. A touch of Stephen King, East Texas-style, in this standalone novel which balances investigative thriller and the gothic with this writer’s concern for probing the underbelly of prejudice. Plenty to enjoy here: a solid, professional job all around from a modern master.
_
My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
A career criminal needing money takes on a card game heist against her better judgement. Excellent professional thievery thriller: smart, fast and lean with a protagonist to root for. Plenty to relish here for genre fans: the first of four novels to date featuring Crissa Stone. Recommended.
—
My own books are here, if that’s your thing. Newest is noir thriller East of England.
255bookreview.com 