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menu-item-object-page menu-item-562"><a href="https://espressococo.com/about/">about</a></li> </ul></div> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <div id="content" class="site-content"> <div id="primary" class="content-area"> <main id="main" class="site-main"> <article id="post-5765" class="post-5765 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/" rel="bookmark">The Bookseller – Tim Sullivan</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6790" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/image-74/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image.png" data-orig-size="273,425" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image.png?w=273" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image.png?w=273" width="273" height="425" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image.png?w=273" alt="" class="wp-image-6790" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>THE SETTING<br>The body of a bookseller is discovered, lying in a pool of blood in his Bristol bookshop. Police have one question: how did the man meet such a violent, murderous end in this peaceful place?</p> <p>THE CONFLICT<br>DS Cross’s ability to dismiss red herrings is challenged by a worrying development in his personal life. Hopelessly distracted, he needs to rely on those around him in a way he has never been comfortable doing before.</p> <p>THE MURDER PLOT<br>It may be a quiet profession, but it’s full of passionate, ambitious characters who know the value of a rare book. Their extensive reading means they also know how to get away with murder.</p> <p>But is that enough to fool the tenacious DS George Cross?</p> </blockquote> <p><strong><em>The Bookseller</em></strong> marks the seventh instalment in Tim Sullivan’s series featuring the brilliant but eccentric Bristol-based DS George Cross. It’s the first one that I’ve read, but the title grabbed me and I dived right in.</p> <p>A bookseller is found dead in his antique bookshop in a pool of blood. But who would want the quiet old gent dead? Turns out there are quite a few…</p> <p>I really enjoyed this book. DS Cross is a fascinating character, able to pick out the tiniest of clues from a scene, but struggling to relate to other people due to his autism. The intermix of the crisis in his home life clashing against the murder case was nicely done against the backdrop of the rare book business. I had fun trying to figure out who might have been the culprit, though Sullivan throws in plenty of red herrings along the way!</p> <p>Needless to say I was not successful in my sleuthing (good job I’m not a detective, eh?) but did spot some of the clues along the way. There’s a nice gentle humour at times in the book too, which added to my enjoyment of the story.</p> <p>It may be the latest book in the series, but one which can be enjoyed as a standalone, and I will definitely be delving into DS Cross’s back catalogue of cases!</p> <p><strong><em>The Bookseller</em></strong> by Tim Sullivan is published by Aries and is out now. Many thanks to the publisher for an advance ebook copy to review via NetGalley.</p> <p></p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/" data-text="The Bookseller - Tim Sullivan" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Bookseller%20-%20Tim%20Sullivan&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2025%2F04%2F04%2Fthe-bookseller-tim-sullivan%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=196&d=identicon&r=G 4x' class='avatar avatar-49' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy' decoding='async' /><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="https://espressococo.com/author/dakegra/">dave</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-04-04T17:25:00+01:00">April 4, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-04-04T15:45:29+01:00">April 4, 2025</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/category/books/" rel="category tag">books</a>, <a href="https://espressococo.com/category/reviews/" rel="category tag">reviews</a></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/04/04/the-bookseller-tim-sullivan/#respond">Leave a comment<span class="screen-reader-text"> on The Bookseller – Tim Sullivan</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6802" class="post-6802 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/" rel="bookmark">The Voices – Natalie Chandler</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6803" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/image-77/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/image.png" data-orig-size="325,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/image.png?w=325" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/image.png?w=325" width="325" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/image.png?w=325" alt="" class="wp-image-6803" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>For three years, criminal psychiatrist Tamsin Shaw has been lying unresponsive in hospital.</p> <p>But while she may not be able to open her eyes, she is awake, and listening to her</p> <p>The husband. The best friend. The ex-boyfriend. The former patient. The nurse. All of them have secrets.</p> <p>One of them will kill to keep theirs hidden.</p> <p><strong>Can Tamsin wake up before it’s too late?</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>Hooyah, <em>what </em>a premise! </p> <p>I heard Natalie Chandler talk about her new book at the fabulous <a href="https://serenitybooksellers.com/stockport-noir">Stockport Noir</a> back in February (best get your tickets for next year quick, cos they’re going like hot cakes!) and knew immediately that it was very much right up my street and I needed to read it. I took myself off to the on-site bookshop (well, more of a book table, albeit one groaning with the weight of fabulous books) run by the lovely <a href="https://serenitybooksellers.com/">Serenity Booksellers</a> and bought a copy.</p> <p>Blimey. What a fabulous book. Hooked from the first page is a bit of a cliche, but here it’s absolutely true. I raced through this book. Criminal psychiatrist Tamsin is in a care facility, unresponsive after a car accident. The doctors are saying there’s nothing more that can be done. It’s been three years. Her husband is faced with a choice – keep going or accept that Tamsin isn’t going to wake up. </p> <p>Except Tamsin is very much aware of what’s going on around her. She knows her nurses by sound and scent. She hears the doctors, hears her visitors talking. But can’t remember what happened on that fateful night of the crash…</p> <p>The story is told from multiple perspectives – Tamsin, lying in her bed. Flashbacks to the earlier days before the accident. Her husband and her best friend, linked by an investment in a restaurant venture. The multi-layered narrative is delightfully compelling, and a great twist on the psychological thriller that we all love. Chandler ties the threads neatly, with plenty of twists and knotty problems. Great characters (albeit some of them are awful people), a cracking plot and you’ve got a fabulous story.</p> <p>One of my books of the year so far. Get it on your lists, kids. You won’t regret it.</p> <p><strong><em>The Voices</em></strong> by Natalie Chandler is published by HarperNorth and is out now. You can <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-voices-natalie-chandler/7742737?ean=9780008666729">get a copy via bookshop.org here</a>, or from your local independent bookshop.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/" data-text="The Voices - Natalie Chandler" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Voices%20-%20Natalie%20Chandler&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2025%2F03%2F03%2Fthe-voices-natalie-chandler%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=196&d=identicon&r=G 4x' class='avatar avatar-49' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy' decoding='async' /><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="https://espressococo.com/author/dakegra/">dave</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-03-03T18:00:00+00:00">March 3, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-03-03T17:02:05+00:00">March 3, 2025</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/category/books/" rel="category tag">books</a></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/03/03/the-voices-natalie-chandler/#respond">Leave a comment<span class="screen-reader-text"> on The Voices – Natalie Chandler</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6796" class="post-6796 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/" rel="bookmark">Vine Street – Dominic Nolan</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6797" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/image-76/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-2.png" data-orig-size="326,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-2.png?w=326" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-2.png?w=326" width="326" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-2.png?w=326" alt="" class="wp-image-6797" /></figure> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>SOHO, 1935.<br>SERGEANT LEON GEATS’ PATCH.</p> <p>A snarling, skull-cracking misanthrope, Geats marshals the grimy rabble according to his own elastic moral code.</p> <p>The narrow alleys are brimming with jazz bars, bookies, blackshirts, ponces and tarts so when a body is found above the Windmill Club, detectives are content to dismiss the case as just another young woman who topped herself early.</p> <p>But Geats – a good man prepared to be a bad one if it keeps the worst of them at bay – knows the dark seams of the city.</p> <p>Working with his former partner, mercenary Flying Squad sergeant Mark Cassar, Geats obsessively dedicates himself to finding a warped killer – a decision that will reverberate for a lifetime and transform both men in ways they could never expect.</p> </blockquote> <p>A couple of years ago I heard about this fabulous book that everyone was talking about. I picked up a hardback copy, fully intending to read it next.</p> <p>Then it sat on the shelf, cos it’s a BIG book. I picked up a copy on kindle, fully intending to read that. Bookblogger friends on the socials cheered, as I <strong>had</strong> to read it, it was <strong>so</strong> good.</p> <p>[time passes]</p> <p>Suddenly it seems that Dominic Nolan had <em>another</em> book out. Surely I hadn’t had it that long?</p> <p>Reader, I had. A not-so-gentle nudge by <a href="https://x.com/Lizzy11268">Liz Barnsley</a> (source of 90% of my book recommendations and a scourge on my wallet) had me off to the shelves to retrieve my copy. It was a Sunday morning, around 10am. This might take me a while, at nearly 600 pages <strong><em>Vine Street</em></strong> is a beast.</p> <p>I put the book down at around 10pm, having spent a huge chunk of the day immersed in the murky world of Sgt Leon Geats. </p> <p>My review: I read a <em>six hundred page </em>book in a day, pausing occasionally only to make a fresh cup of tea as the previous one had gone cold. </p> <p>It’s phenomenally good. It oozes atmosphere, you can almost feel the grit and grime of the streets coming off the page. Geats is an incredible character, but only one of a whole cast who are all brilliantly realised. They’re not all nice people, but they all feel so very much… alive. The story pans out over three timelines covering some 67 years, and it’s just glorious.</p> <p>And there’s a cat.</p> <p>Don’t do what I did. Get a copy (or get it off your shelf if you already have it), clear the decks, stock up on tea and biscuits and settle in for a book that will feature <em>very</em> highly on my books of the year list.</p> <p>Sorry it took me so long, Dom. It was very much worth the wait.</p> <p><strong><em>Vine Street </em></strong>by Dominic Nolan is published by Headline and is out now</p> <p><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/vine-street-sunday-times-best-crime-books-of-the-year-pick-dominic-nolan/5980156">Find a copy on bookshop.org</a></p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/" data-text="Vine Street - Dominic Nolan" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Vine%20Street%20-%20Dominic%20Nolan&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2025%2F02%2F07%2Fvine-street-dominic-nolan%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=196&d=identicon&r=G 4x' class='avatar avatar-49' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy' decoding='async' /><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="https://espressococo.com/author/dakegra/">dave</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2025-02-07T11:00:00+00:00">February 7, 2025</time><time class="updated" datetime="2025-02-07T10:55:27+00:00">February 7, 2025</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/category/books/" rel="category tag">books</a>, <a href="https://espressococo.com/category/reviews/" rel="category tag">reviews</a></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/07/vine-street-dominic-nolan/#respond">Leave a comment<span class="screen-reader-text"> on Vine Street – Dominic Nolan</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6792" class="post-6792 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/05/the-troubled-deep-rob-parker/" rel="bookmark">The Troubled Deep – Rob Parker</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6793" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/05/the-troubled-deep-rob-parker/image-75/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-1.png" data-orig-size="975,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-1.png?w=325" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-1.png?w=666" loading="lazy" width="325" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-1.png?w=325" alt="" class="wp-image-6793" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>Nobody ever knew what happened to the Brindleys. One summer they were there – flashy, loud and beautiful – and then they were gone. A mother, father and two children, vanished into the East Anglian night.</p> <p>Some said the family never made it home from the party; their speeding car thrown off the tracks and the four of them silently buried in the marshes. Others said they had simply moved on. For thirty years, the case remained as cold as the freezing waterways of the Norfolk broads.</p> <p>Until Cam Killick found the car.</p> <p>An ex-marine and ex-SBS officer, Cam Killick’s PTSD has made the return to civilian life a living nightmare. The only place he can find peace is underwater, where the world is muffled to white noise. As a cold case diver it is his job to scour the waterways of the country for the lost, the submerged, the drowned, laying their stories to rest alongside them.</p> <p>Except when Cam throws open the doors to the Brindley car, all four bodies are missing. And Cam will soon learn that some secrets, once submerged, are better off staying that way.</p> </blockquote> <p>The Troubled Deep sees the launch of a new series from one of my favourite authors, Rob Parker. Regular readers will know how much I loved his <a href="https://espressococo.com/2021/03/18/far-from-the-tree-rob-parker/">Thirty </a><a href="https://espressococo.com/2022/02/21/and-your-enemies-closer-rob-parker/">Mile</a> <a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/07/12/the-only-truly-dead-rob-parker/">Trilogy</a>, so I was delighted to find out that Rob had a new series! </p> <p>Former Special Boat Service officer Cam Killick is now a cold case diver. Along with his dog Nala, he spends his time diving in the Norfolk broads in East Anglia. Then one day he discovers a car linked to the missing Brindley family deep in the dark cold waters. But there are no bodies inside…</p> <p>Man, I <em>love </em>a good mystery. Throw in some fantastic characters and a real sense of place, and I’m happy as a cold case diver in water. I loved this book and raced through it as soon as it arrived. I sometimes feel slightly guilty knowing how long an author has spent sweating over a book, only for me to open it, practically inhale the story and put it down a couple of hours later.</p> <p>But then that’s also (I hope) a huge compliment. I could not put this book down. I had to find out what happened to the Brindleys. Had to go for one more dive with Cam Killick (and what a great character he is) to get to the truth. Had to just read one more chapter…</p> <p>Hugely entertaining, tautly written, it’s a cracking read. Another belter from Mr Parker. </p> <p>Highly recommended.</p> <p><strong><em>The Troubled Deep</em></strong> by Rob Parker is published by Raven Books and is out now. Many thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of the book for review.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/05/the-troubled-deep-rob-parker/" data-text="The Troubled Deep - Rob Parker" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2025/02/05/the-troubled-deep-rob-parker/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Troubled%20Deep%20-%20Rob%20Parker&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2025%2F02%2F05%2Fthe-troubled-deep-rob-parker%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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Usually I do these roundups a week or so before christmas (to give you time to add things to your lists), but *waves hands* stuff happened.</p> <p>So here we are. Time for a list of Dave’s favourite books of the year, 2024 edition.</p> <p>Let’s kick off with some non-fiction. First up is <strong><em>Local</em></strong> by Alastair Humphreys.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6756" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/200105590/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg" data-orig-size="322,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="200105590" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg?w=322" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg?w=322" loading="lazy" width="322" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg?w=322" alt="" class="wp-image-6756" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg 322w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200105590.jpg?w=97 97w" sizes="(max-width: 322px) 85vw, 322px" /></figure> <p> I really enjoyed this (<a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/02/13/local-by-alastair-humphreys/">full review here</a>) when I read it back in February, and got the chance to go listen to Al talk. Interesting guy, well worth checking out. I even <a href="https://espressococo.substack.com/p/exploring-local-bagging-summits">got an OS map and started exploring</a>, though in standard Dave fashion, immediately got distracted by something shiny instead. Anyway, it’s a great book. Recommended.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Next up is <strong><em>Abroad in Japan</em></strong> by Chris Broad.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6748" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/64645770/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg" data-orig-size="311,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="64645770" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg?w=311" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg?w=311" loading="lazy" width="311" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg?w=311" alt="" class="wp-image-6748" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg 311w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/64645770.jpg?w=93 93w" sizes="(max-width: 311px) 85vw, 311px" /></figure> <p>Which I listened to on audiobook. Twice. It’s great fun and Chris is an entertaining host, chronicling his adventures as a young teacher in Japan and how he fell in love with the country. He’s got an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AbroadinJapan">excellent YouTube channel</a> too, which I realised halfway through listening to the book that I’d already seen a few of his videos. </p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Then there’s <strong><em>There Is No Wall</em></strong>, by Allie Bailey. A no-holds barred look into the life of an ultra runner. If you’re looking for fluffy tales of running incredible distances, this is not the book for you. Allie’s brutally honest story covers her alcoholism and chronic depression, and how running is not the answer. Incredible book. Incredible woman.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6757" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/203924474/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg" data-orig-size="375,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="203924474" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg?w=375" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg?w=375" loading="lazy" width="375" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg?w=375" alt="" class="wp-image-6757" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg 375w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203924474.jpg?w=113 113w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 85vw, 375px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Moving onto fiction, let’s kick off with <strong><em>The Dog Sitter Detective Takes the Lead</em></strong>, by Antony Johnston.</p> <p> I adored the first book (The Dog Sitter Detective). This is a fabulous cosy crime series. I’ve listened to the audiobook of both and Nicolette McKenzie is a brilliant voice for Gwinny Tuffel. Loved it.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6747" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/122773961/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg" data-orig-size="1637,2623" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="122773961" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=312" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=639" loading="lazy" width="639" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-6747" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=639 639w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=1278 1278w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=94 94w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=312 312w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/122773961.jpg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>A book of the year list wouldn’t be complete with out one by Antti Tuomainen, and I’m delighted to add <strong><em>The Burning Stones</em></strong> to the list. </p> <p>Tuomainen’s signature wit is on display here as we delve into the murky world of Finnish sauna salesmen, with a bit of murder thrown in. Absolutely adore his books.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6749" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/210902560/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg" data-orig-size="326,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="210902560" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg?w=326" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg?w=326" loading="lazy" width="326" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg?w=326" alt="" class="wp-image-6749" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg 326w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/210902560.jpg?w=98 98w" sizes="(max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Looking for ghosts on a small island off Ireland? Then let me introduce you to <strong><em>Displeasure Island</em></strong>, by Alice Bell. Fabulous follow-up to<strong><em> Grave Expectations</em></strong> in which medium Claire and her dead-but-still-hanging-around BFF Sophie take a trip to a remote island and encounter ghost pirates, buried treasure and a bit of murder. Loved it.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6750" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/199313493/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg" data-orig-size="1007,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="199313493" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=336" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=687" loading="lazy" width="687" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=687" alt="" class="wp-image-6750" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=687 687w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=101 101w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=336 336w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199313493.jpg 1007w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>If you loved Slow Horses (and who doesn’t), then I can heartily recommend <strong><em>A Reluctant Spy</em></strong>, by David Goodman. Properly good spy novel to keep you up at night reading just one more chapter. Edge-of-your-seat action, and a cracking plot. Goodman is one to watch.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6751" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/209562456/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg" data-orig-size="1836,2835" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="209562456" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=324" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=663" loading="lazy" width="663" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=663" alt="" class="wp-image-6751" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=663 663w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=1326 1326w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=97 97w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=324 324w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/209562456.jpg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>July was the <a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/">Harrogate Crime Writing Festival</a>, and <strong><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/">Killing Jericho</a></strong>, by William Hussey was on the shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and one of my favourites. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6752" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/205501981/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg" data-orig-size="324,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="205501981" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg?w=324" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg?w=324" loading="lazy" width="324" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg?w=324" alt="" class="wp-image-6752" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg 324w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/205501981.jpg?w=97 97w" sizes="(max-width: 324px) 85vw, 324px" /></figure> <p>Having read a <strong>lot </strong>of crime fiction over the years, it’s always great to see something new and fresh in the crime writing world and I really enjoyed this one, featuring the first gay Traveller detective (albeit a disgraced one by the time we meet him).</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>My daughter bought me a copy of <strong><em>None of This Is True</em></strong>, by Lisa Jewell for Father’s Day and I polished it off in a day. I can’t remember the last time I’d read a book with quite so many twists and turns in it, and had to stop every other chapter to go OMG WHAT JUST HAPPENED. Brilliant stuff.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6753" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/62334530/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,2125" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="62334530" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=329" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=675" loading="lazy" width="675" height="1024" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=675" alt="" class="wp-image-6753" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=675 675w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=1350 1350w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=99 99w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=329 329w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/62334530.jpg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Regular readers of this blog will know that I’m a huge fan of AK Turner’s Cassie Raven series, and the latest, <strong><em>Dead Fall</em></strong> is fabulous. One of Cassie’s old school classmates dies in an apparent suicide, but everyone’s favourite goth mortuary technician suspects foul play. I adore these books.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6755" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/200217361/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg" data-orig-size="326,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="200217361" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg?w=326" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg?w=326" loading="lazy" width="326" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg?w=326" alt="" class="wp-image-6755" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg 326w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/200217361.jpg?w=98 98w" sizes="(max-width: 326px) 85vw, 326px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>I also bloody loved <strong><em>Leave No Trace</em></strong> by Jo Callaghan, which I listened to on audiobook. Follow up to the excellent <a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/09/05/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-by-jo-callaghan/">first book</a>, we’ve got DCS Kat Frank and her AI detective partner AIDE Lock on the hunt for a killer who enjoys crucifying young men. This is shaping up to be a fantastic series.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6758" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/181687212/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg" data-orig-size="975,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="181687212" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=325" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=666" loading="lazy" width="666" height="1024" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=666" alt="" class="wp-image-6758" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=666 666w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=98 98w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=325 325w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/181687212.jpg 975w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Will Dean is a regular on my books of the year lists, and this year he’s only gone and taken up two slots. I also got to meet him twice – once on the book tour for <strong><em>The Chamber</em></strong> in Brigg, then again in Harrogate where everyone was talking about <strong><em>Ice Town</em></strong>. More of that in a moment.</p> <p>The Chamber is a classic locked room mystery, albeit in a very small, very locked room. Six experienced saturation divers are locked in a hyperbaric chamber, then one of them turns up dead in their bunk. No-one can get in, no-one can get out for another four days. Who will make it out alive?</p> <p>Not for the claustrophobic, this is a super taut (tempted to say high pressure) thriller which will keep you guessing to the end. It will also leave you looking at raspberry jam in a new light.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6759" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/199798109/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg" data-orig-size="966,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="199798109" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=322" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=659" loading="lazy" width="659" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=659" alt="" class="wp-image-6759" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=659 659w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=97 97w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=322 322w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/199798109.jpg 966w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <p>And so from the North Sea to Sweden – <strong><em>Ice Town</em></strong> is a standalone Tuva Moodyson thriller. Again, it’s not a book of the year list without everyone’s favourite deaf reporter putting in an appearance. Here she’s off investigating the disappearance of a deaf teenager in Esseberg, a small town cut off from the rest of Sweden by a tunnel which marks the only way in or out. We’ve gone from locked room to locked town, and Dean shows he’s equally skilled at both.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6760" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/203239192/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg" data-orig-size="982,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="203239192" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=327" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=670" loading="lazy" width="670" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=670" alt="" class="wp-image-6760" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=670 670w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=98 98w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=327 327w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203239192.jpg 982w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Now, I read <strong><em>The Last Murder at the End of the World</em></strong> by Stu Turton late in 2023, but as it was published in 2024 (paperback out now!) it goes on the list. <a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/03/25/the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world-stuart-turton/">Full review is here</a>. I have loved each of Stuart Turton’s books – they’re all very different and all to be savoured. We’ve gone from Will Dean’s locked room, to a locked town to this – a locked island. It’s brilliant, it’s twisty, it plays with your perceptions and makes you question what it is to be human. It’s a shorter book than the first two, but packs so much into it. Turton was already one of my favourite authors and this book merely strengthens that.</p> <p>And can we talk about that title? I was listening to a podcast earlier today (the excellent <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/quick-book-reviews/id1478566505">Quick Book Reviews</a> by Philippa Hall) in which he said that in a world of one-word titles, he wanted something which jumps out and grabs the readers attention. The <em><strong>last </strong></em>murder? I’m in. At the <em><strong>end of the world</strong></em>?? I’m <strong>so </strong>in I can’t even see the way out. Genius.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6761" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/136276877/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="136276877" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=333" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=683" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-6761" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=683 683w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=100 100w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=333 333w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/136276877.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p><strong><em>Nightwatching</em></strong> by Tracy Sierra is an utterly tense, nerve-shredding, gripping page turner of a book. Single sitting read late into the night, then having to go upstairs with all the lights on. Superb.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6767" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/150246179/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg" data-orig-size="265,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="150246179" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg?w=265" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg?w=265" loading="lazy" width="265" height="400" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg?w=265" alt="" class="wp-image-6767" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg 265w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/150246179.jpg?w=99 99w" sizes="(max-width: 265px) 85vw, 265px" /></figure> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Next, we have <strong><em>House of Bone and Rain</em></strong>, by Gabino Iglesias</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6765" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/203163914/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="203163914" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=333" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=683" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-6765" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=683 683w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=100 100w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=333 333w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/203163914.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <p>I <a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/house-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias/">reviewed this</a> earlier this year. If you’ll permit me a short outburst? (if you’re of a delicate nature, look away now)</p> <p>Holy *<em>fuck</em>*. THIS BOOK. OMG.</p> <p>Ahem.</p> <p>Actually, if you’re of a delicate nature and <em>that</em> offends you, this book is not for you. Know only that you’re missing out on something incredible.</p> <p>Brace yourselves, cos Iglesias has got a new one. He has a way with language and setting and you can just feel the thunderstorm rising and the shadows moving and what’s that in the corner OMG RUN RUN NOW RUN FAST.</p> <p>It’s brutal and dark and heartbreaking and spiritual and tense and a whole load of other words that just end up with me, semi-crazed eyeball guy, going JUST READ THIS.</p> <p>Add it to your list folks. Write it down in block capitals, in your best pen or pencil, and underline that title twice. Heck, make it three times.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Right, we’re getting towards the end of this list. However, <strong><em>The List of Suspicious Things</em></strong> by Jennie Godfrey should be at the very <strong>top</strong> of your lists. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6763" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/157591205/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png" data-orig-size="255,410" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="157591205" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png?w=255" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png?w=255" loading="lazy" width="255" height="410" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png?w=255" alt="" class="wp-image-6763" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png 255w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/157591205.png?w=93 93w" sizes="(max-width: 255px) 85vw, 255px" /></figure> <p>If you have somehow missed everyone going OMG THIS BOOK, then you need to get yourself to a bookshop (or library, libraries are ace) and get yourself a copy. It’s one of those books where you wonder if it can possibly live up to the high praise that everyone has been heaping on it.</p> <p>Yes, dear reader. It can. It’s absolutely superb, evoking a time and place that just leaps off the page. I’ve already started buying copies for friends, cos you’re not getting mine.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Right, we made it! Last, but by no means least…</p> <p>To absolutely no-one’s surprise, it’s <strong><em>All The Colours Of The Dark</em></strong> by Chris Whitaker. </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img data-attachment-id="6764" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/attachment/168724761/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg" data-orig-size="980,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="168724761" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=327" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=669" loading="lazy" width="669" height="1023" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=669" alt="" class="wp-image-6764" style="width:250px" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=669 669w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=98 98w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=327 327w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg?w=768 768w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/168724761.jpg 980w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px" /></figure> <p>Much like The List of Suspicious Things, it’s one of those books that has been EVERYWHERE this year. I read it at the start of 2024 and have been trying to put into words how I feel about it ever since. Every review I’ve read has made me go yes! That! but also…</p> <p>Another of my instant-buy, all time favourite authors (don’t tell Chris, he’ll get a big head). He just keeps getting better – I though that We Begin At The End was a masterpiece, but then he goes and drops this on us. It’s staggeringly good, utterly heartbreaking and life-affirming and beautiful and one that you absolutely, <em>definitely</em> must add to your list.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <p>Well, that was 2024. A grand selection of books. Have you read any of them? Agree/disagree with any on there?</p> <p>What was your favourite book of the year? I’d love to know.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/" data-text="Books of the year: 2024" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2025/01/02/books-of-the-year-2024/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Books%20of%20the%20year%3A%202024&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2025%2F01%2F02%2Fbooks-of-the-year-2024%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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<article id="post-6693" class="post-6693 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/house-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias/" rel="bookmark">House of Bone and Rain- Gabino Iglesias</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6694" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/house-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias/image-57/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png" data-orig-size="1000,1500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=333" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=683" loading="lazy" width="333" height="499" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=333" alt="" class="wp-image-6694" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=333 333w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=666 666w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image.png?w=100 100w" sizes="(max-width: 333px) 85vw, 333px" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>For childhood friends Gabe, Xavier, Tavo, Paul, and Bimbo, death has always been close. Hurricanes. Car accidents. Gang violence. Suicide. <em>Estamos rodeados de fantasmas</em> was Gabe’s grandmother’s refrain. We are surrounded by ghosts. But this time is different. Bimbo’s mom has been shot dead. <em>We’re gonna kill the guys who killed her </em>Bimbo swears. And they all agree.</p> <p>Feral with grief, Bimbo has become unrecognizable, taking no prisoners in his search for names. Soon, they learn Maria was gunned down by guys working for the drug kingpin of Puerto Rico. No one has ever gone up against him and survived. As the boys strategize, a storm gathers far from the coast. Hurricanes are known to carry evil spirits in their currents and bring them ashore, spirits which impose their own order.</p> </blockquote> <p>Back in 2023 I read Gabino Iglesias’ <strong><em><a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/07/12/the-devil-takes-you-home-gabino-iglesias/">The Devil Takes You Home</a></em></strong> and said at the time it was one of my books of the year. Stunning, I think I called it. </p> <p>And now we have <em><strong>House of Bone and Rain</strong></em>. </p> <p>If you’ll permit me a short outburst? If you’re of a delicate nature, look away now. </p> <p>Holy *<em>fuck</em>*. THIS BOOK. OMG.</p> <p>Ahem.</p> <p>Actually, if you’re of a delicate nature and that offends you, this book is not for you. Know only that you’re missing out on something incredible.</p> <p>I thought (and still think) that <strong><em>The Devil Takes You Home </em></strong>is incredible, and chances are if you’ve spoken to me at any point over the past year and mentioned books even in passing, I’ll have got this kind of semi-crazed look in my eyes and said you HAVE to read this.</p> <p>Brace yourselves, cos Iglesias has got a new one. He has a way with language and setting and you can just feel the thunderstorm rising and the shadows moving and what’s that in the corner OMG RUN RUN NOW RUN FAST.</p> <p>It’s brutal and dark and heartbreaking and spiritual and tense and a whole load of other words that just end up with me, semi-crazed eyeball guy, going JUST READ THIS.</p> <p>Add it to your list folks. Write it down in block capitals, in your best pen or pencil, and underline that title twice. Heck, make it three times.</p> <p>I can’t recommend this highly enough.</p> <p><strong><em>House of Bone and Rain</em></strong> is published by Titan Books in the UK and is out in October 2024. Many thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of the book to review via Netgalley.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/house-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias/" data-text="House of Bone and Rain- Gabino Iglesias" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/house-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20House%20of%20Bone%20and%20Rain-%20Gabino%20Iglesias&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2024%2F09%2F23%2Fhouse-of-bone-and-rain-gabino-iglesias%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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Or perhaps a better question would be, who wouldn’t…</p> <p>Things are not as perfect as they appear at Aberfal, and the list of suspects seems to cover the whole school. From Charles the Chair of Governors, Cass the bullied scholarship student, Mandy the underappreciated secretary to Miss Lane the ambitious Deputy Head there are a lot of people whose lives are better off with Headmaster Jerry Newhall gone.</p> <p>(And the mums’ WhatsApp group have their own theories too.)</p> <p>As more and more secrets are revealed and rumours fly at the school gates, it’s clear that appearances mean nothing at Aberfal and everyone is hiding something. It’s not just one bad apple, Aberfal Boys High School is rotten to its core…</p> </blockquote> <p>I’ve been reading (or listening to) a lot more cosy crime recently, and really enjoyed this book. Set in an exclusive boys’ school in Cornwall, there’s murder (of course), a delightful range of suspicious characters to ponder, red herrings galore and a spot of cricket and Pimms for good measure.</p> <p>But who could possibly want the much-beloved head teacher Jerry Newhall dead? Such a stalwart feature of of the school! Though the school itself is hiding one or two secrets of its own.</p> <p>Fab setting, great characters – I loved the mums’ WhatsApp group chats – plenty of gossip doing the rounds to leave you wondering who <em>wouldn’t</em> want dear old Mr Newhall dead. Secrets and lies and old-school ties. Marvellous stuff.</p> <p></p> <p><strong><em>One Bad Apple </em></strong>by Jo Jakeman is published by Constable and is out now. Many thanks to the publisher for the advance copy of this book to review.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/one-bad-apple-jo-jakeman/" data-text="One Bad Apple - Jo Jakeman" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/one-bad-apple-jo-jakeman/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20One%20Bad%20Apple%20-%20Jo%20Jakeman&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2024%2F09%2F23%2Fone-bad-apple-jo-jakeman%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=196&d=identicon&r=G 4x' class='avatar avatar-49' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy' decoding='async' /><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="https://espressococo.com/author/dakegra/">dave</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/one-bad-apple-jo-jakeman/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published updated" datetime="2024-09-23T20:55:40+01:00">September 23, 2024</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/category/books/" rel="category tag">books</a>, <a href="https://espressococo.com/category/reviews/" rel="category tag">reviews</a></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/09/23/one-bad-apple-jo-jakeman/#respond">Leave a comment<span class="screen-reader-text"> on One Bad Apple – Jo Jakeman</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6663" class="post-6663 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books mentions-dakegra"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/" rel="bookmark">Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2024</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>It doesn’t quite feel like a year since I was at the <a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/07/25/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2023/">Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival</a>, but this weekend found me back at the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate along with a bunch of like-minded crime writing fans.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6666" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-49/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png" data-orig-size="2048,1536" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=500" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=840" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6666" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=1024 1024w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png 2048w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=150 150w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=500 500w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-6.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo of the beer tent from 2023, I didn’t take as many photos this time!</figcaption></figure> <p>This year I was there for Friday and Saturday again. Cunningly I’d made a bookish t-shirt (<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/gwylana/shop?artistUserName=Gwylana&collections=3988847&iaCode=all-departments&sortOrder=relevant">get yours here</a> – full transparency: I make a couple of quid for each one), posted it up on Twitter and invited anyone to say hello. More on that later.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6669" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-51/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png" data-orig-size="1158,1544" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=375" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=768" loading="lazy" width="375" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=375" alt="" class="wp-image-6669" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=375 375w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=750 750w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png?w=113 113w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 85vw, 375px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">they come in lots of colours, not just eye-wateringly bright mango!</figcaption></figure> <p>I think I’d been there about 2 minutes before bumping into some friends.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6668" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-50/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png" data-orig-size="1158,1544" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=375" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=768" loading="lazy" width="375" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=375" alt="" class="wp-image-6668" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=375 375w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=750 750w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-7.png?w=113 113w" sizes="(max-width: 375px) 85vw, 375px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The lovely <a href="https://twitter.com/louisewriter">Louise Beech</a> and equally lovely <a href="https://twitter.com/ScotlandChris1">Chris Scotland</a>. Photobomb courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/johnmarrs1">John Marrs</a></figcaption></figure> <p>I’ve seen a lot of chatter online over the past day or so about people being worried about talking to people there, or about it feeling cliquey, or not being one of the cool kids and not getting invites to parties or the latest proofs of exciting books. Charlotte Duckworth shared a great blog post: <a href="https://www.charlotteduckworthstudio.com/being-published-lessons/harrogate-crime-writing-festival">Some honest thoughts about the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival</a>, which lead to <a href="https://x.com/charduck/status/1815111923068715153">a really good discussion on twitter today</a>.</p> <p>I was a festival newbie last year, and it was great to have a friend to hang out with (thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/EllenDevonport">Ellen</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/frantastic20">Fran</a> again!). I can totally see why it might feel overwhelming to be there with so many people, favourite authors all chatting with each other. How do you go up and tell someone you loved their books? Or their blog? The first time I did it I worried about what to say, and that I was going to make a fool of myself.</p> <p>It takes a lot to go up to an author you like to say hi, and they’re <strong>always</strong> talking to someone else. Then you worry that if you do get to chat for more than a ‘hi I love your book’ it’s taking up their time or they’re just being polite.</p> <p>There’s talk of setting up something for next year where anyone new can come along and find someone to show them around. I think it’s a great idea. That, and better name badges/lanyards – I found myself squinting at names (the author names are in quite a small font!) to try and work out who people are. My next bookish t-shirt might have to be something like “Hi, I’m Dave, aka <a href='https://espressococo.wordpress.com/mentions/dakegra/' class='__p2-hovercard mention' data-type='fragment-mention' data-username='dakegra'><span class='mentions-prefix'>@</span>dakegra</a> from espressococo” in large friendly letters!</p> <p>I found that once I’d plucked up the courage to talk to someone, it became easier. Friends I’d met last year introduced me to others, and I’d do the same – hi, have you met x? They’ve got a fabulous book/blog etc.</p> <p>Years ago I’d made myself some <a href="https://www.moo.com/uk/business-cards/minicards">Moo Minicards</a>. Until now they’d mostly been used as bookmarks, or added to books I’d sent to people. This year I was handing them out when someone asked if I was a blogger. Can recommend! (here’s my referral code: <a href="https://refer.moo.com/s/dakegra">https://refer.moo.com/s/dakegra</a>)</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6672" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-52/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png" data-orig-size="2460,1257" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=500" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=840" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="523" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6672" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=1024 1024w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=2048 2048w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=150 150w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=500 500w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-9.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></figure> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6674" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-53/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png" data-orig-size="2280,1246" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=500" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=840" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="559" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6674" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=1024 1024w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=2046 2046w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=150 150w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=500 500w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-10.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px" /></figure> <p></p> <p>So, despite worrying about how I might be coming across, or if I was going to say something daft, I just jumped in. Found authors whose books I’d loved and said hi. I’d taken some books to get signed, and can confirm that if you approach an author with their book in your hand and a smile, they will be <strong>delighted</strong> to see you. <a href="https://twitter.com/WHusseyAuthor">William Hussey</a> (author of the shortlisted, fabulous <em><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/">Killing Jericho</a></em>, go read it now) told me that if you loved an author’s book, please do tell them! I resolved to do that as much as possible over the weekend.</p> <p>At the end of the day, everyone was really friendly. I had a bunch of nice comments about my t-shirt from quite a few people, and Mark Billingham recognised me from twitter because of the t-shirt as he was signing my book. And twitter friend Caro (<a href="https://twitter.com/TurnUp4TheBooks">@TurnUp4TheBooks</a>) bumped into me outside the tent and said hello (that t-shirt really does work) and we had a brilliant chat about books and libraries and minis. Made my day. </p> <p>Bumping into <a href="https://twitter.com/JamieLeeNardone">Jamie-Lee Nardone</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackCrow_PR">@blackcrow_pr</a> who I’ve known online for years and done a ton of blogging for was a thrill, and she invited me to sit and have a chat with her and her husband <a href="https://twitter.com/MartynWaites">Martyn Waites</a> (who I’ve reviewed <a href="https://espressococo.com/2020/02/13/the-sinner-martyn-waites/">on the blog before</a>) and friends for a bit, one of whom turned out to be <a href="https://twitter.com/SJIHolliday">Susi Holliday</a>, who I’d met last year! Great to catch up.</p> <p>Also sat there was <a href="https://twitter.com/bethklewis">Beth Lewis</a> who I’m an absolute HUGE fan of, and after years of shouting about her books online (you need to read <a href="https://espressococo.com/2016/09/01/the-wolf-road-beth-lewis/">The Wolf Road</a>, like now) got her to sign my proof copy. Also finally tracked down (not a stalker, honest) the fabulous <a href="https://twitter.com/robparkerauthor">Rob Parker</a>, who I’ve chatted with and talked about his brilliant books for almost as long as Beth’s, but have managed to miss at pretty much every event we’ve both been at. A beer in the bar and a natter about books, blogging, Bond (he has a brilliant podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/really-007/id1529674193">Really 007</a>) and a bunch of other stuff.</p> <p>I’d met Stuart Turton a few years back at a book event in Derby, and we’ve chatted on twitter about this and that, so it was great to see him and talk about his new book <em><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/03/25/the-last-murder-at-the-end-of-the-world-stuart-turton/">The Last Murder At The End of the World</a></em>. That ended up with me being introduced to Harry, his agent, <a href="https://twitter.com/TomHindle3">Tom Hindle</a> (author of Murder On Lake Garda, which is going straight on the list) and his accountant Chris (<a href="https://twitter.com/AuthorTax">@authortax</a> – who I promptly started promoting his new business to a friend whose husband is an author – networking!). Turned out Stu knew <a href="https://twitter.com/ABeeWords">Alice Bell</a>, whose first book <a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/02/28/january-february-roundup/">Grave Expectations</a> I absolutely loved so I was able to fanboy at her too, and get her to sign book 2 for me later.</p> <p>Saturday was drawing to a close when I also got to meet the lovely <a href="https://twitter.com/jennieg_author">Jennie Godfrey</a>, author of <strong><em>The List of Suspicious Things</em></strong> (which is utterly fabulous), and bumped into the equally lovely <a href="https://twitter.com/whittyauthor">Chris Whitaker</a>, of whose books I have raved about a LOT and you’ve all read them anyway as he’s absolutely everywhere.</p> <p>I also got to say hi to Jo Callaghan and tell her how much I loved the audiobooks of her books, and say congratulations for <strong><em><a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/09/05/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-by-jo-callaghan/">In The Blink Of An Eye</a></em></strong> winning crime novel of the year.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6675" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-54/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png" data-orig-size="2058,1544" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=500" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=840" loading="lazy" width="500" height="375" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-6675" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=500 500w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=1000 1000w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=150 150w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-11.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 85vw, 500px" /></figure> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/dan_stubbings">Dan Stubbings</a> (looking very dapper, I must say) and I (slightly more dishevelled by this point) were just getting our now traditional Harrogate selfie when I spotted <a href="https://twitter.com/laurenbeukes">Lauren Beukes</a> talking to some people by the beer tent.</p> <p>Now Lauren was one of the first authors I featured on the blog. I’ve been a huge fan since her first book, <strong><em>Zoo City</em></strong>. Her latest novel, <a href="https://espressococo.com/2023/10/06/bridge-lauren-beukes/">Bridge</a>, is brilliant. Again, we’d talked online via twitter for years. I’d even got a tiny cameo in <em><strong><a href="https://espressococo.com/2014/07/28/broken-monsters-lauren-beukes/">Broken Monsters</a></strong></em>. </p> <p>I <strong>had</strong> to say hello. But she was deep in conversation. The time on my car parking was running out. My social battery was running low. </p> <p>I asked Dan how long I should give it before going over.</p> <p>“Just do it mate,” he said. </p> <p>I did it.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><img data-attachment-id="6677" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/image-55/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png" data-orig-size="2058,1544" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=500" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=840" loading="lazy" width="500" height="375" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=500" alt="" class="wp-image-6677" srcset="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=500 500w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=1000 1000w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=150 150w, https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-12.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 85vw, 500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yes, that’s a skull necklace</figcaption></figure> <p>A lovely way to round out the festival – the last author I met was one of the first ones I’d had on the blog. After years of shouting about her books to anyone who’d listen, finally getting the chance to say hi and have a chat about books, castles in France (long story) and many other things topped off what had been a brilliant couple of days.</p> <p>I started this post meaning to talk about being an introvert at a festival. It is still kind of about that, but hopefully as you’ve seen, authors and bloggers and people are generally brilliant. Even if it’s just to say that you loved their book, or their t-shirt, it’s so worth it. </p> <p>If you find yourself at Harrogate next year and don’t know anyone, come find me. I’ll be the one in the bright t-shirt in the beer tent talking about books. And if I’m talking to someone, take a deep breath, sidle in and say hi. It’ll be fine, and we can all make some new bookish friends.</p> <p>See you next year?</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/" data-text="Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2024" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Theakston%20Old%20Peculier%20Crime%20Writing%20Festival%C2%A02024&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F22%2Ftheakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=98&d=identicon&r=G 2x, https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=147&d=identicon&r=G 3x, https://1.gravatar.com/avatar/7ff0c30d0d9f948e8610c230b291d9d9f438ff7980262f19076f9c83903fa8b8?s=196&d=identicon&r=G 4x' class='avatar avatar-49' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy' decoding='async' /><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="https://espressococo.com/author/dakegra/">dave</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2024-07-22T21:47:10+01:00">July 22, 2024</time><time class="updated" datetime="2024-07-23T17:11:24+01:00">July 23, 2024</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="https://espressococo.com/category/books/" rel="category tag">books</a></span><span class="comments-link"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/22/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival-2024/#comments">3 Comments<span class="screen-reader-text"> on Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2024</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6658" class="post-6658 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/" rel="bookmark">Killing Jericho – William Hussey</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6659" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/image-48/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-5.png" data-orig-size="324,500" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-5.png?w=324" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-5.png?w=324" loading="lazy" width="324" height="500" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-5.png?w=324" alt="" class="wp-image-6659" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>Fresh out of prison, former Detective Constable Scott Jericho is a desperate man.</p> <p>Disgraced and penniless after his assault on a violent suspect, he is forced to seek refuge with the fairground family he once rejected. Now, troubled by his failure, Jericho’s brilliant mind stagnates.</p> <p>That is until a series of bizarre murders reawaken his interest. Men and women with no obvious link to each other are being ritualistically slaughtered.</p> <p>Slaughtered in ways that recall an old legend of the Jericho Travelling Fair.</p> <p>Now, in a race against time, he must unpick the threads of a baffling mystery. But as his investigation unfolds and the corpses pile up, a shocking truth awaits him. A revelation that will test not only Jericho’s intellect but challenge the very core of his morality…</p> </blockquote> <p>Another shortlisted book for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year!</p> <p>This was the last of the six books I read, and picked it up alongside Mark Billingham’s <strong><em><a href="https://espressococo.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/the-last-dance-mark-billingham/">The Last Dance</a></em></strong>. </p> <p>I polished both books off in a couple of sittings. I absolutely loved the character of Scott Jericho – the first gay Traveller detective I’ve ever seen (albeit disgraced and therefore former detective by the time we meet him) investigating off-the-books a series of delightfully (can we say that?) gruesome murders which all appear to be leading back in his direction. Superb writing, tense, clever plotting – what more could you ask for?</p> <p>Having read a <strong>lot </strong>of crime fiction over the years, it’s always great to see something new and fresh in the crime writing world and I really enjoyed this book. </p> <p>Very much looking forward to book 2 (the good thing about being slightly behind on books is that it’s already out, hurrah!)</p> <p>I’ll be keeping a close eye on William Hussey going forward. Top stuff! Very highly recommended.</p> <p><strong><em>Killing Jericho</em></strong> by William Hussey is out in paperback now from Bonnier.</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/" data-text="Killing Jericho - William Hussey" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Killing%20Jericho%20-%20William%20Hussey&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F10%2Fkilling-jericho-william-hussey%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/10/killing-jericho-william-hussey/#comments">2 Comments<span class="screen-reader-text"> on Killing Jericho – William Hussey</span></a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-6649" class="post-6649 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-books category-reviews tag-book-review tag-books tag-mark-billingham tag-police-procedural tag-reviews"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/09/the-last-dance-mark-billingham/" rel="bookmark">The Last Dance – Mark Billingham</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-attachment-id="6650" data-permalink="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/09/the-last-dance-mark-billingham/image-47/" data-orig-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-4.png" data-orig-size="283,445" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-4.png?w=283" data-large-file="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-4.png?w=283" loading="lazy" width="283" height="445" src="https://espressococo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-4.png?w=283" alt="" class="wp-image-6650" /></figure> <p></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p>Meet Detective Miller: unique, unconventional, and criminally underestimated…</p> <p>A double murder in a seaside hotel sees grieving Detective Miller return to work to solve what appears to be a case of mistaken identity. Will this eccentric, offbeat sleuth find answers where more traditional police have found only a puzzle?</p> </blockquote> <p>Reader, I’ve got a confession to make. And for a crime book reader, it’s a biggie.</p> <p>Ready?</p> <p>I’ve not read any of Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne books.</p> <p>There. I said it.</p> <p>I <strong>have</strong> read one of his standalones (Rabbit Hole) and did really enjoy it! But for me it’s one of those things where when it’s a big series, I need to read them all, in order and the tottering TBR pile of books gives me some properly filthy looks when I even <em>broach</em> the subject of starting a series with so many books in it.</p> <p>But now we have a <strong>new</strong> series! Perfect chance to jump in. And The Last Dance was shortlisted for the Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year too!</p> <p>Now, Mark Billingham is no stranger to the Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year shortlist. He won the inaugural award back in 2005 with <strong><em>Lazybones</em></strong>, followed up by a shortlist spot in 2008 with <strong><em>Buried</em></strong>, a second win in 2009 with <strong><em>Death Message</em></strong>, and shortlists in 2010 for <strong><em>In The Dark</em></strong> and 2011 for <strong><em>From The Dead</em></strong>. Taking a year off in 2012 he returned to the shortlist in 2013 with <strong><em>Rush of Blood</em></strong> and 2016 with <strong><em>Time of Death</em></strong>.</p> <p><strong><em>The Last Dance</em></strong> marks his <strong>eighth</strong>(!) appearance on the shortlist, and a new detective, Declan Miller. Can this book make it a hat trick of wins?</p> <p>I absolutely loved this one. Declan Miller is mourning the death of his wife and possibly back on the job too soon. The book has a delightfully dark humour running through it, an intriguing case and in Declan Miller, a fantastic main character. Ably abetted by his new partner DS Sara Xiu, Miller twirls through this case. Billingham is clearly having a lot of fun with this new character, and it absolutely shines off the page. A pure joy (if you can say that about a book where people get bumped off!)</p> <p></p> <p>Roll on book 2 (which is fortunately out now so I don’t need to wait!). Highly recommended.</p> <p><strong><em>The Last Dance</em></strong> by Mark Billingham is published by Sphere and is out in paperback now</p> <div id="jp-post-flair" class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-official sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-url="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/09/the-last-dance-mark-billingham/" data-text="The Last Dance - Mark Billingham" data-via="dakegra" data-related="wordpressdotcom">Tweet</a></li><li class="share-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button" data-href="https://espressococo.com/2024/07/09/the-last-dance-mark-billingham/" data-layout="button_count"></div></li><li class="share-email"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="" class="share-email sd-button" href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Last%20Dance%20-%20Mark%20Billingham&body=https%3A%2F%2Fespressococo.com%2F2024%2F07%2F09%2Fthe-last-dance-mark-billingham%2F&share=email" target="_blank" title="Click to email a link to a friend" data-email-share-error-title="Do you have email set up?" data-email-share-error-text="If you're having problems sharing via email, you might not have email set up for your browser. 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