12 year old Esther disappears on her way home from school. Her best friend Ronnie is determined to find her. Their “sort of” friend Lewis is holding something back. Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels is called in to investigate. Everybody has a secret and nobody in this small “dirt” town in the outbacks of Australia seems to be telling the truth. This is a great debut mystery story that reminded me of Jane Harper. Great characters, good suspense and an ending that was hard to see coming.

When do you speak out and at what cost? The story takes place on an unamed island in the aftermath of a US supported regime that has wreaked havok on the island people. Lena suspects that a powerful senator she was once involved with has murdered a young woman in his employ. What follows is a suspensful exploration of the forces that keep us silent in the face of evil. I loved the characters in this novel – even the slimy senator who I hoped would get his comeuppance in the end.

Ann Stilwell gets a job at the Cloisters, a museum and garden that is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There she meets Patrick, who is her supervisor and is working with art dealers to locate a pack of 15th Century tarot cards. Ann and her colleague, Rachel, become embroiled in the mysterious dealings of these tarot cards. This is a very fun, interesting read, filled with twists and turns, and characters who keep you on your toes wondering about their motivations and just how far they will go to make their mark. I

By Stephen Spotswood

I’ve just read Murder under her skin which follows Fortune Favours the Dead. These books are set in post-WWII USA. Will and Ms Pentacost are two of the most unlikely characters to ever to be drawn as detectives, but detectives they are and they don’t fit that post war mould of what a woman must be. I fell in love with irreverent, feisty, hilarious Will. She reminded me of a wiser, older version of Flavia de Luce from Alan Bradley’s series.

By Janice Hallett

An amateur theater group starts a fundraising campaign when their director tells them that his granddaughter is in need of a very expensive drug to cure her of cancer. Someone is murdered and the chief inspector has asked two of his detectives to go through the emails that have been circulating prior to the murder. The book is told through the emails and the texts send between the detectives. This is an original, fun, baffling and twisty tale.

by Kimberley Belle

Alex is a professional influencer who hires the perfect personal assistant. But maybe not so perfect? The twists surprised me (a seasoned who dunnit afficiano) and I found the characters interesting, the plot fast moving and the dialogue intelligent. A great read!

By Jane Harper

I love all of Jane Harper books; The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man, The Survivors and most recently, Exiles. Aaron Faulk, a Federal Inspector, has come to the small town where his close friend’s family is celebrating the arrival of their latest child. While there a woman disappears and he is drawn into the lives of the people of the town. Harper’s writing is sharp, intelligent, witty and wise. Another winner for me!

by Audrey Magee

Amid the backdrop of the raging Irish Civil War, two foreigners, one English, one French, come to a remote island off the coast of Ireland. Most of the islanders are wary of the two, some welcome them and still others are indifferent to them. Regardless, the two remain locked in their colonial history by disregarding the people upon whose land they trod. I loved this thoughtful, wise book – the simple dialogue is razor sharp and the story slowly shines a light on the lasting effects of colonialism.

by Emily Austin

Gilda, who can’t stop thinking about death, goes to the local Catholic church in response to a flyer for free therapy. Father Jeff assumes she’s here for a job interview and hires her to replace his recently deceased receptionist, Grace. Gilda isn’t even Catholic and is too embarassed to correct him so she takes the job. Grace’s old friend has been trying to reach her through the church’s email adddress so Gilda, who feels sorry for her, responds pretending to be Grace. What harm can it do? Turns out Grace’s demise is suspicious and the police come around asking questions. I loved Emily Austin’s ability to lay bare what disconnection and loneliness feel like. And, of course, she does it all with humour and gentleness.

By Richard Osmann

The Thursday Murder club reconvenes to chase down and solve some cold murder cases. Richard Osmann has created a cast of characters that are easy to love and I always look forward to new novels in this mystery series. They’re all great fun!