S.M.Govett: Believe, Michel Joseph, publishing June 2025, 9780241707340 hardbeck, available as ebook

The author was a solicitor before turning to writing, has written mainly YA novels, this is her debut crime novel.

The story is told alternately by a female detective, Stratton, and Natalie, who had been raped by her boss suffering only to see him declared innocent in a trial. Natalie is a solicitor herself, has bravely moved on only to find herself in a simi,ar position 10 yrs later when her husband Ryan, her soulmate,  is accused of the same crime. The question of whom to believe, seen from the acused, the wife's and the police's  side drives the novel to the last page. 

I found the beginning a bit slow but the story soon gathers momentum using psychological angles,  with a surprise development towards the end. An accomplished debut.

 Elaine Feeney: Let me go mad in my own way, 9781787303485, Vintage, publishing May 2025

When I picked up Elaine Feeney's " Let me go mad in my own way" from my proof pile, I  had no idea how much I would love this new literary novel by the Booker longlisted author. The characters and the story are still with me, an incredibly strong, emotional story set in West Ireland, such exquisite writing. Definetely one of my favorite books this year.

 Claire O'Connor moves back to the West of Ireland after the break up with Tom Morton, to care for her dying father, a harsh, often brutal  man who dominated her family's life. When her father dies, she stays on in her family home trying to rebuilt her life as a university teacher. But the demons of her childhood and her grandparents resurface casting a long shadow on the present, particularly when Tom moves near her. I was very absorbed in this novel, from start to finish, highly recommend!

 Rory Clements: Evil in High Places, 9780241728178, pub date: August 2025

"Evil in High Place" by Rory Clements was a real surprise discovery for me, terrific historical thriller, plausible plot, set during the winter Olympics 1936 in Nazi Germany, with a very likeable protagonist, detective Stefan Wolff. He is called in to investigate the disappearance of a famous actress, Elena Lang who is rumored to have an affair with Goebbels. With the Nazi's firmly in place, his clash with officials is almost a certainty as Wolff's politics are not the same and his investigation is to be kept quiet.  

At times I was reminded of Volker Kutscher's superb novels, whose books are all set during the Nazi period in Germany. Very much enjoyed this captivating, atmospheric thriller, portraying  what it is like to live and to investigate in a totalitarian country. Thanks for the proof Penguin, out in August!