Today our new books column starts off with some very hot Mexican crime fiction by Élmer Mendoza, AKA the godfather of narco-lit. It seems that Latin American crime fiction just gets better and better, so see what you think of Kiss the Detective. But if that’s not your thing, there’s plenty more heat coming your way from all over the place, with titles set in North East England, Sheffield and Alaska. Read on to discover your next crime read…
Kiss the Detective by Élmer Mendoza
We kinda wish we’d come across Élmer Medoza’s Lefty Mendieta series sooner. Kiss the Detective is the fourth, but just the name Edgar ‘Lefty’ Mendieta has us sold. In this episode, Lefty does a deal with the head of a cartel – Samantha Valdés helps him crack an execution style murder of a fortune teller (yes, really), and he helps her to escape from Mexico’s federal police and army. Trouble is, he gets caught and booted off the force. Things get even worse when Lefty’s son is abducted in Los Angeles, and he needs Samantha’s help once again. Out 29 April.
Pre-order now on Amazon
The Rock by LJ Ross
LJ Ross has carved a niche for herself writing atmospheric mysteries set in North East England, and it’s hard to believe the series that began with Holy Island has now reached its 18th novel. When the body of a young woman is found on the shore at Marsden Rock, DCI Ryan is called in to investigate. It turns out a vessel carrying human cargo has been wrecked and the death of the woman was anything but accidental. This leads him to the Tyneside underworld, where organised gangs have been preying on the less fortunate. Can Ryan put an end to these dark dealings? Find out from 28 April.
Pre-order now on Amazon
Every Little Breath by Keri Beevis
A radio presenter discovers there’s more to the job than just picking the playlist in Keri Beavis’ new psychological thriller, Every Little Breath, which is out on 28 April. Casey Fallon is on air when she gets an obvious prank call – “Only you can save her. If she dies, it is your fault…” Then a woman’s body is discovered and the words ring chillingly true. There’s a cruel and calculating killer out there – and he wants Casey to find his victims before they take their last breath. Is she up to the challenge?
Pre-order now on Amazon
Nighthawking by Russ Thomas
This author hit the ground running with his debut novel, Firewatching, now Russ Thomas’s creation, DS Adam Tyler, is back on 29 April, in Nighthawking. We return to Sheffield, where a body is found in a quiet corner of the city’s Botanical Gardens. But as the police start to investigate, they learn the body has been there for months and would likely have gone unnoticed for years – but someone dug it up… Why? And what’s the significance of the Roman coins covering her eyes? To learn the truth, Tyler must enter the shadowy world of the nighthawkers, treasure hunters who will stop at nothing to find precious treasure and keep it for themselves.
Pre-order now on Amazon
Bone Rattle by Marc Cameron
Number three in the Arliss Cutter series by Marc Cameron is out on 27 April, and Bone Rattle finds the Alaska-based Deputy US Marshall tackling a case with its roots deep within the ancient sites and precious mines of this isolated land – and those who would kill to hide its secrets. A young archaeologist disappears, and the mutilated body of a woman washes up at Anchorage, meanwhile Cutter and Deputy Lola Teariki are tasked with keeping track of sequestered jurors in a high-profile drug trial – until the prosecuting attorney is murdered. Plenty to be going on with, then.
Pre-order now on Amazon