Category: Mystery/Crime

Better The Blood – Michael Bennett

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS NZ Crime fiction. Detective Hana Westerman chases down a serial killer who is undertaking utu, avenging past atrocities against Māori. Offers insight into New Zealand’s often controversial justice system. ● At first I was surprised to hear a crime… Continue Reading “Better The Blood – Michael Bennett”

Death In Her Hands – Otessa Moshfegh

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Rachel An investigation of an elderly woman’s mental wanderings after finding a note referring to a murder. Vesta Gul is an expected Moshfegh character: a female loner with convoluted, dangerous thoughts. She is 72, living alone in the woods after… Continue Reading “Death In Her Hands – Otessa Moshfegh”

The Secret History – Donna Tartt

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie A group of Greek mythology students attempt to experience a higher level of being and in doing so carry out an evil act. ⫸ “There were many reasons why the The Secret History was such a hit with… Continue Reading “The Secret History – Donna Tartt”

Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jodie A marshland recluse becomes tied up in a 1960s murder mystery, set in North Carolina  ⚑ “In the isolated marshlands of North Carolina, a young orphan named Kya lives alone, with only the local flora and fauna from… Continue Reading “Where The Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens”

His Bloody Project – Graeme Macrae Burnett

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Roderick Macrae admits to a triple murder in a remote Scottish community in 1869. A memoir written by Macrae makes it clear he is guilty but it’s up to the police and courts to try and uncover his motive. A memoir… Continue Reading “His Bloody Project – Graeme Macrae Burnett”

The Shadow Of The Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Jo In 1940s Barcelona a boy named Daniel lives with his father who owns a bookshop. One day, the father takes his son to the Cemetery of Forgotten books – a secret labyrinthine library that houses rare and banned books.… Continue Reading “The Shadow Of The Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon”

The Turn Of The Screw – Henry James

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Rachel The Turn Of The Screw is a gothic ghost story from 1898 set in an old English house on a sprawling estate. The novella is a first person account of a governess who, caring for two children at a… Continue Reading “The Turn Of The Screw – Henry James”

Pigeon English – Stephan Kelman

READ FOR BOOKERTHON Ghana migrant Harrison Opoku unbalances the hierarchical balance in his community when he speaks out about the murder of school mate. ✔ “Harri Opoku is 11 years old when he moves from Ghana to a London housing estate with his mother and sister.… Continue Reading “Pigeon English – Stephan Kelman”

The Little Stranger – Sarah Waters

READ FOR BOOKERTHON The Little Stranger is a mixed genre story set in a dilapidated mansion in Warwickshire, England in the 1940s. It features a country doctor who calls on an old family of declining fortunes who own the old estate that is crumbling… Continue Reading “The Little Stranger – Sarah Waters”

Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Suzy A coming of age novel where a young man, Pip, has an anonymous benefactor who sponsors him in to becoming a gentleman ❚ “ Great Expectations is a story of a young man who wants more than what… Continue Reading “Great Expectations – Charles Dickens”