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!

 Isabel Allende: My name is Emilia del Valle, Bloomsbury UK, 9781526683359, hardback, upcoming, pub date: May 2025

Isabel Allende's large body of work is proof of her mastery at storytelling. "My name is Emilia del Valle" is set around the turn of the 19th century blending together a strong female character, Emilia del Valle, with historical facts, a civil war in Chile with an uprising of suppressed  citizens against the wealthy aristocratic society, and naturally a love story as a backdrop. It' s a solid Isabel Allende novel but for me personally, apart from a few chapters, it was a little too predictable and not as strong as "The wind knows my name" which I loved. 

 Scott Turow: Presumed Guilty, Swift Press, 9781800754515, C format paperback

Scott Turow is a legend when it comes to legal thrillers, been a fan ever since reading " Presumed Innocent". Unlike many  thrillers with lots of action, Turow's thing is not a quick thrill, he builts up his plots and characters slowly, the trials in his novels rely on fine detail,  as you would expect a lawyer to argue and research his defense cases. 

Rusty Sabich, a judge and lawyer who featured in Presumed Innocent, has to present his future stepson  in court, charged with a murder indictment. Aaron has been accused of the murder of his girlfriend Mae.

 It needs 534 pages until you have your answer, an incredibly smart, atmospheric and brilliant suspence novel which I absolutely recommend. 

 Rob Rinder: The Protest, Cornerstone, 9781529934755, hardback, ebook available, pub date: June 19, 2025

I am a fan of the hugely enjoyable courtroom mysteries by Rob Rinder , featuring the British court systems,  law firms,  "the Chambers", and particularly young barrister Adam Greene who has to do the sleuthing work for his fellow senior barristers pre and during trial. "The Protest" was just as captivating as the previous one, The Suspect and The Trial and enlightening how the British court system works.

When famous artist Max Bruce collapses during the opening of his exhibition at the Royal Academy, it is soon clear he was killed by cyanide poisoning. The supposed killer, a young activist, insists on being innocent despite crushing evidence. As always it takes Adam and his team until the last  pages literally to come up with the true killer. Loved it! Thanks for the proof Cornerstone..

 Lisa See: The Flower Net, Random House, ebook 9781588366672

Flower Net has been out for some time but i only just discovered this terrific crime series set in the US and China. 

Flower Net features an unlikely duo of detectives: Chinese detective Liu Hulan, a Red princess, meaning she was born into a by now wealthy high cadre family, and district attorney David Stark in Los Angeles. When the son of the US ambassador to China is found murdered on the same day as the son of a Chinese oligarch, wheels are set in motion to request the two of them in an unparalleled concerted investigation. I loved learning about the differences, politics and etiquettes Stark has to observe when he joins Hulan in Chin . A great crime novel, will definately read the other 2 in the series.