Watching You by Helen Fields

 

One of the things I like about a Helen Fields novel is that no character is safe. She doesn't hesitate to kill off characters, even if they have played a significant role in a series. In this, her latest in the Connie Woolwine series, she has paired her with characters from her DI Callanach series, and it's anybody's guess which characters will survive.

With two of the lead detectives out of the picture, forensic profiler Connie Woolwine and her associate, Brodie Baarda, are called to Edinburgh to help with an investigation. As the body count mounts, Connie is convinced there is a serial killer on the loose. With little forensic evidence or a pattern to go on, she works with DS Lively to try to track down the killer. Lively is developing a relationship with surgeon Beth Waterfall, who is still recovering from the death of her daughter, and who may be the killer's next victim. It's up to Connie and her team to catch the killer before they strike again.

This book is quintessentially Helen Fields: dark and twisty, with every character in danger of being killed. Fields does an excellent job of keeping the tension going from beginning to end. This is a good test for Connie's skills and expertise in yet another gripping psychological thriller. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 28, 2025.

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Thin Air by Ann Cleeves

Set on yet another island in the Shetland archipelago, this sixth book in the Shetland Island series is a good one. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist appeared and kept me guessing.

When a group of old university friends travels from London to the farthest north of the Shetland Islands to celebrate the marriage of one of their friends, one of them, Elanor, is murdered. Jimmy Perez, Sandy Wilson, and Willow Reeves are sent to investigate. Elanor, a filmmaker, was exploring the folklore tale of the ghost of a child who drowned in the 1920s, but what the investigating team discovers is Elanor's unhealthy obsession with the story. As they work to find the killer, the team uncovers secrets about the myth with links that some want to keep hidden. 

I liked the relationship that is developing between Jimmy and Willow. Jimmy is emerging from the depression that dominated the last book, Dead Water, and is much more interesting. Sandy is gaining confidence in his abilities and is a good supporting character. The plot was twisty and compelling, and the character development added to my overall enjoyment. 

4/5 stars.

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Dead Water by Ann Cleeves

In this fifth book in the series, Cleeves again makes the atmospheric location another character.

When the body of a journalist is found on Shetland by Jimmy's boss, he is put in a precarious position. As the team, with Jimmy on the periphery, begins investigating, they find that the journalist has a sordid past and numerous islanders aren't sorry to see him dead. 

The murder is framed around an unsympathetic character, with many wishing him dead. This book also introduced a new cast member, DI Willow Reeves, whose relationship with Jimmy was interesting; I can see her taking on a larger role in his life. This book had a complex and engrossing plot, and although I wanted to shake Jimmy out of his lethargy, I know he'll bounce back soon. 

3.5/5 stars.

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We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter

 I like Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series, and We Are All Guilty Here promises to be the start of another good series with complex characters and an interesting setting. 

North Falls is a small southern town where everyone knows each other and their secrets. The Clifton family, comprising both wealthy and less affluent members, is prominent. Sheriff Gerald Clifton and his daughter, Officer Emmy Clifton, are called when two teenage girls go missing at the Fourth of July celebrations. Emmy feels guilty for turning away one of the girls who seemed distressed. With the clock ticking and few clues, law enforcement combs the area looking for the girls. During their investigation into the girls' lives, they uncover disturbing information that points to a dangerous lifestyle and, perhaps, those willing to kill to keep their secrets. 

This is a dynamite start to a new series. Emmy is a strong woman competing in a male-dominated world, and whose personal life is a mess. Combine this with an intricate plot and fast-paced action, and you'll get a page-turner that begs for more books featuring the Clifton family. I can't wait for the next in the series. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 12, 2025.

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Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves

 

This series is just getting better and better. With four books left before Jimmy Perez shows up in the Orkney Islands, and the start of a new series, I look forward to seeing how Cleeves will wrap up this series.

Jimmy returns to his roots on Fair Isle with his fiancée, Fran, to meet his parents. What he hoped would be some time well-spent with his loved ones ends when a famous woman is murdered at the local bird watching center. As Perez begins his investigation, he uncovers secrets in the woman's past and motives galore from the local inhabitants. A storm has isolated the island, so Perez is initially on his own as he tries to solve the murder. He enlists Fran and his father to help him, but in doing so, endangers them as he races to find the killer.

Although I've never visited the Shetland Islands, these books are giving me a good sense of their bleak and wild environment. Add well-drawn characters and suspenseful plots, and it adds up to a series that is hard to put down. Blue Lightning is a riveting, excellently written addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Red Bones by Ann Cleeves

 

In this third book in the Shetland Island series, Cleeves sets it on a smaller island with the same atmospheric environment and interesting characters as her previous novels.

Bones are discovered on an archeological dig on Mima Wilson's land. Mima, who is Perez's assistant Sandy Wilson's grandmother, is then found shot to death in what appears to be an accidental shooting. As Jimmy begins his investigation, he begins to doubt that the shooting is accidental. Mima didn't have many friends on the small island, and her personality created some enemies. The islanders hold secrets, and it's up to Perez and Sandy to find the truth.

I enjoyed the portrayal of life on the small island and the tension between the islanders. Their desire to keep the past hidden created a challenge for Perez. The past and present combine to create an excellent whodunit that kept me turning pages. Cleeves does a fantastic job of keeping the identity of the killer a secret right up to the end. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 

After watching the "Dept. Q" series on Netflix, I decided to reread the series. I'd only read four books before it fell off my radar. Now I'm determined to follow the series; it's that good.

Copenhagen Detective Carl Morck survives an attack that killed one colleague and left another paralyzed. Upon returning to work, he finds that he has been promoted to be the sole member of the new Department Q — a department dedicated to cold cases. He eventually acquires a driver, Assad, who turns out to be a bad driver but a good detective. Their first case: find a woman who has been missing for five years and is presumed dead. Carl and Assad begin digging and uncover sloppy police work and dark secrets.

This is a fast-paced, darkly humorous book that shifts between timelines and points of view. It is excellently written, with multiple plot twists and an intriguing plot. Both Carl and Assad are great characters, and even though their colleagues view their department as something of a joke, they eventually earn their respect. There are currently ten books in the series, and I look forward to seeing what Carl and Assad get up to. 

5/5 stars.

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White Nights by Ann Cleeves

In this second book of the series, Cleeves again depicts life on the small Shetland Island in such a way as to bring beauty to a rough landscape and populate it with interesting characters.

The sun never fully sets midsummer on the Shetland Islands. These white nights wreak havoc with the residents' biorhythms and lend an eerie atmosphere to the islands. When a stranger is found hanging from a rafter after an elaborate art exhibition given by local artist Bella Sinclair, it is up to Jimmy Perez to determine if it was suicide or murder. When a second death occurs that is linked to the exhibition, all doubt is erased.

Cleeves brings back characters from the first book, Black Raven, and sets it a few months after those events. Jimmy's relationship with Fran Hunter is progressing, and he is once again teamed with DI Roy Taylor to solve the murders. I love the setting for this series, although I wonder at the number of murders that can occur on such a small island. If I lived there, I'd think about finding a safer place to live!

This book has an interesting plot, and I like Jimmy's relationships with Fran and Taylor. There are subplots that are resolved nicely. This is an excellent addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars. 

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Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

When I heard that Ann Cleeves was bringing back her Jimmy Perez character in a new series set in the Orkney Islands, I decided to reread the Shetland Islands series featuring him. It's been years since I've read the books, and I wasn't surprised to find I couldn't remember much of this first book. It's like discovering an old friend. 

When the body of a teenager is found strangled, Shetland detective Jimmy Perez, with the help of his colleagues from the mainland, sets about to find the killer. The island residents are convinced that the culprit is Magnus Tait, a man of low intelligence who has had recent contact with the victim. Preliminary evidence also points toward him, but Perez is determined not to be seduced by the easy solution. Complicating things, the disappearance of a young girl eight years earlier also pointed to Tait, with the islanders anxious for their safety, pressure mounts on Perez and the investigation.

I loved this series the first time I read it, so I'm looking forward to rediscovering it. I like the characters and the setting, and the writing is excellent. Cleeves always has interesting plots, and I never figure out the ending. Her books are suspenseful page-turners that never fail to entertain--even on a second reading. 

4/5 stars.

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Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

 I like police procedurals, and this one was good. The pacing was a bit slow, but the story was interesting.

In a small town in Devon, the man who ran the White Hart pub is murdered, and his body is graphically displayed in the middle of a road. Detective Sargent Nicola Bridge, recently returned to the area, and Detective Constable Harry Ward are assigned to the case. They discover that similar murders occurred many years ago, and wonder if there is a link. As they investigate, they begin uncovering secrets that many wish to stay hidden. What was once an idyllic village is now a place where neighbors point the finger at neighbors, and speculation runs rampant.

The beginning grabbed my attention with the description of the victim, but the pace slowed, and I skimmed over the character's navel-gazing. I didn't find Nicola engaging, and often felt sorry for the way she treated Harry.  The writing is good, but I figured out who the murderer was well before the reveal. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

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Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza

 

I love Robert Bryndza's books. The Kate Marshall and Erika Foster series have interesting characters and always intriguing plots that keep me turning pages. This latest Erika Foster book is no exception.

What starts as a routine investigation into a dead body leads Erika to the past that continues to haunt her: the death of her husband and colleagues ten years ago on what was supposed to have been a routine drug bust. The perpetrators were never caught, but now, Erika comes face-to-face with one of the suspected killers. He has a different identity, but Erika knows it's him--only to be told to stop pursuing that case angle. Frustrated and forced to take leave, Erika returns to the scene of the drug bust and begins digging. What she finds is damning information about the bust and links to the current case.

I liked that Bryndza went back to Erika's past so she could try to solve the case that has haunted her. This cleverly plotted story ties Erika's past and present lives in ways that enrich the character and help resolve her demons. The writing is top-notch, and the breakneck pacing makes for an excellent page-turner. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 5, 2025.

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A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni

 I am a fan of Robert Dugoni. I have followed his Tracy Crosswhite series from the beginning and like his standalone novels. I was set to enjoy another good Crosswhite book, but this one let me down. It did deliver Dugoni's brand of murdering psychopath, but it also delved too much into material already covered in previous books.

Tracy thinks she has an air-tight case against killer Erik Schmidt, but when a technicality throws the case out, she is determined to uncover new evidence against him. Schmidt is equally determined to seek revenge against Tracy for a wrong he is convinced she committed. Concerned for her family's safety, they flee Seattle for the remote town of Cedar Grove, where she and her husband grew up. Tracy's hope of escaping Schmidt is short-lived, and she prepares for the showdown with him while fighting the ghosts from her past.

This is a gripping and fast-paced psychological thriller. Where it fell short for me was the rehashing of storylines covered in previous books and the depth to which guns and shooting competitions played a role. I am not a gun enthusiast, so my take may be biased. Dugoni did a good job weaving Tracy's need to improve her gun skills into the plot, but I didn't need that much information. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 27, 2025.

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Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

 Following on his last book, A Heart Full of Headstones, Rebus is now in prison, convicted of killing Big Ger Cafferty. When a fellow inmate is murdered in a locked cell, Rebus begins his own investigation into the killing.

Meanwhile, a teen goes missing, and Siobhan Clark, who leads the investigation, runs afoul of her nemesis, Malcolm Fox. Fox, investigating an organized crime angle, links the case to the prison murder and puts Rebus's life in jeopardy.

I can't believe how long this series has gone on. Rebus has aged and transformed himself along the way, and even though he is now retired, he still finds himself at the heart of investigations. I miss the old, boozing, corner-cutting Rebus, but this incarnation is just as fascinating. This is a high-quality series with excellent characters and interesting plots. I'll keep reading as long as Rankin keeps writing. 

4.5/5 stars.

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A Lesson in Dying by Ann Cleeves

 

A Lesson in Dying is the first book in Ann Cleeves's first detective series. Written in the late 1980s, it is the first of six Inspector Ramsay books. Other than the fact that the characters don't have cell phones, the book does not seem dated.

Headmaster Harold Medburn is despised or feared by the faculty and staff at the school he runs in the village of Heppleburn. When he is found hanging in the school's playground, Inspector Ramsay quickly arrests Medburn's wife, Kitty. This does not work well for retired miner and school caretaker Jack Robson. Jack, a widower, is smitten with Kitty and is determined to clear her of the crime. But when he and his daughter begin investigating, they uncover long-held secrets whose exposure threatens their lives.

True to form, Cleeves's Inspector Ramsay is a flawed character. Unlike the police inspectors in her three other series, Stephen Ramsay does not appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Jack and Jack's daughter, Patty, saved his bumbling investigation by doing most of the investigative work. Cleeves always creates memorable characters, and this book is no exception. The story did get bogged down in places, but overall, this series shows promise. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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Lethal Prey by John Sandford

 Once again, John Sandford hits it out of the park with his latest addition to his long-running Prey series. Teaming the Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport characters is a winning combination.

Twenty years ago, Doris Grandfeldt was brutally murdered, and her body was left in a St. Paul, Minnesota, area park. Few clues were found, and the case quickly went cold. Now, Doris' twin sister Lara, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, decides to offer a five-million-dollar reward and publishes all of the case materials online in hopes of renewing interest in the case. This attracts the attention of true-crime bloggers and law enforcement. U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and state investigator Virgil Flowers are assigned to the case. They must deal with the bloggers and media attention and try to find the elusive killer. Recognizing the power of crowd-sourcing, Lucas and Virgil use the bloggers to their advantage, and when one of the bloggers discovers the murder weapon, the race is one to see who can find the killer. Unfortunately, what works to their advantage is also a detriment. With progress available online, the killer stays one step ahead of the investigation and begins to influence the case. Lucas and Virgil now struggle to handle the information flow while still needing the blogger's resources.

 I like that Sandford combines characters from his other series and that readers don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy the current offering. He always gives enough background material so new readers don't feel lost. Once again, Sandford demonstrates that he is the master of snappy dialogue: the Davenport and Flowers exchanges are dynamite, and the twisty plot is the icing on the cake. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade

 

I wasn't sure what to expect of this book. Initially, it seemed like a crime noir book with quirky characters, but it became a good police procedural with quirky characters.

Jeep Mullane has switched from being a New York City cop to the police chief of a wealthy community where he had grown up, far from the "haves" who populate the community. When the body of his wealthy friend, Johnny Chambliss, aka Johnny Careless, because of his "care less" attitude, is found, Jeep suspects foul play. Because of his connection, the case is taken away, and he is forced to concentrate on a gang stealing high-end vehicles. Not to be deterred, he keeps tabs on the investigation and often steps on the toes of the officer in charge. When the cause of Johnny's death comes back as undetermined, Jeep decides it is up to him to figure out what happened to Johnny.

Written with a touch of humor, this is a fast-moving story with great characters. Johnny's mysterious death and secret past add to a mix of loose ends Jeep is determined to tie up. Overall, it's a good story but failed to capture my attention fully. I'm a mood reader, so maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Celadon Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 28, 2025.

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Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger

This fifth Cork O'Connor book is another action-packed police procedural whose action takes off immediately and never stops.

Cork and a deputy are on what is thought to be a domestic disturbance call on the Ojibwa reservation when a sniper ambushes them, wounding the deputy and leaving Cork with the disturbing knowledge that he was the target. Just as the search for the sniper begins, the gruesome murder of a Chicago businessman occurs, and Cork has his hands full. The businessman's wealthy family inserts their investigator into the investigation, and ties between the family and Cork's wife, Jo, are revealed. With two seemingly unrelated investigations, Cork and his team see disturbing connections that require them to negotiate the political and emotional threads in the cases carefully.

Although I did figure out who was behind the sniper ambush and the murder, Krueger did a good job weaving together the details into a complex mystery. I always enjoy Cork's interactions with the Ojibwa band and their culture—they are both enlightening and entertaining. As always, the writing and characters are excellent. 

4.5/5 stars. 

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Grimm Up North by David J. Gatward

 I enjoy police procedurals, especially those set in Great Britain. This book ticks both boxes and is a promising start to a series.

DCI Harry Grimm has been seconded from a bustling city to a remote village in the Yorkshire Dales after he almost botched an investigation because of a personal obsession with finding his missing father. Once there, he is disappointed to see that the most significant crime is sheep rustling. When a local teen goes missing, he suspects human trafficking, and his interest is piqued. When a murder occurs, Harry understands terrible things can happen in even the most idyllic surroundings.

I like the setting, the author's description of the countryside, and the peculiarities of the locals. The book moved along, and I liked Harry the more I got to know him. He is a protagonist with a dark past that haunts him. It is a good mix of interesting characters and an unusual setting. 

3.5/5 stars.

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Below Ground by Michael Wood

 When I think this series can't get better, I read the next book and am proven wrong once again. Now that I've caught up with the series, I must wait until October 25, 2024, when Last One Left Alive comes out. And I'm not a patient person!

DS Scott Andrews is found on the floor of Matilda Darke's house, bleeding from a stab wound, and Matilda is nowhere to be seen. Wanting to keep her kidnapping from the press and with few clues, the team tries to find her - their only clue: serial killer Steve Harrison may again be pulling strings from behind bars. Meanwhile, a skeletonized body is found in the woods, and then another, and another. The team is at odds trying to solve these old murders while still looking for Matilda. As time passes without clues, the possibility of not finding Matilda alive looms.

This is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read. Even though Matilda is the main protagonist, Wood's penchant for killing off characters left me wondering if she would survive her ordeal. Some surprises and twists kept me reading this dark police procedural.

 5/5 stars.

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Silent Victim by Michael Wood

 I love this murder mystery series. Michael Wood does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with dark, twisty plots that grip the reader. Each book builds on previous events and characters, so I feel like I'm with old friends each time I pick up a new book.

Matilda was brought back after her team was disbanded, and she was made redundant in a scandal-laden case involving child abuse. This time, she is after a serial killer who rapes and kills his victims. One victim survived, however, but she had life-changing injuries and can no longer speak. It is now up to Matilda and her team to hunt a killer who leaves no trace evidence. Leads are sparse, and political pressure is high to catch the killer before he strikes again.

This fast-paced police procedural has Matilda stumped with no clues to the killer's identity; she and her team grasp at straws. It's interesting to see how the meager clues eventually identify the killer and the lengths Matilda goes to capture him. I'm looking forward to book #11 in the series. 

5/5 stars.

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