‘An Extremely Unlikely Death’ by Hannah Hendy

Published by Canelo,
20 March 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-80436-474-1 (PB)

All is not well at Summerview Secondary School. The governors have called a meeting just before the start of term.  They announced that the headmaster, James Barrow has been replaced by a Mrs Cooper who has been parachuted in to sort out the school’s problems and bring the school up to standard. She has brought with her a Miss Martin who will be the new deputy much to the chagrin of Rose, James’ wife who had been the previous deputy.

 At the end of the meeting, a fierce argument develops between two of the governors and Mr Fitzgerald ends up with a bleeding nose. Later that night, the body of Mr Fitzgerald is discovered at the foot of the stairs in his antique shop. The policeman in charge of the case is keen to judge the situation as an unfortunate accident, but Officer Symon is not so certain. What is the explanation for the broken glass and, most telling of all, why was his beloved Jack Russell, Jason, locked up in a cupboard? 

Prevented from investigating the case further by his boss, Officer Symon must rely on dinner ladies Margery and Clementine to do the sleuthing. Much to their surprise, Mr Fitzgerald has left his shop to the two dinner ladies who now have the perfect opportunity to investigate the crime scene more thoroughly.

This is the sixth book in Hannah Henry’s The Dinner Lady Detectives series of cosy mysteries though it can be read as a standalone novel. This has the fastmoving plot with plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection that will delight all lovers of comic cozy-crime novels.

The characters may be somewhat excentric but remain credible. Dinner ladies Margery and Clementine Butcher-Baker are a delight. The new headmistress, with all her new regimes and the setting up of student-police to spy on all those who break the new rules, is a character you can’t wait to get her comeuppance.
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick   

Hannah Hendy is a professional chef by day and author by night. She has recently signed a three book deal with Canelo publishing and is the author of the upcoming novel, ‘The Dinner Lady Detectives’. Hannah lives with her brand new wife (covid wedding!) and two cats in South Wales, UK.  

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder. I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’ Her most recent book is Journey to Casablanca  

http://judithcranswick.co.uk/

‘No Precious Truth’ by Chris Nickson

Published by Severn House,
1 April 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-4483-1445-4 (HB)

The story is set in February 1941, when Britain is immersed in the horror and deprivation of war. Cathy Marsden is a police sergeant in Leeds who has been seconded to the SIB, the Special Investigation Branch that focuses on deserters and related crimes on the Home Front. Cathy is the only woman in a squad of tough ex-policemen, who are now part of the military, but she has proved herself and been accepted by all of the men, apart from one chauvinist, who will always snipe at her and try to undermine her. Cathy still feels that she continually needs to prove herself, and the last thing she needs is to find her older brother, Dan, standing in the SIB office. Dan has always been the clever one who put Cathy in the shade, however hard she worked. Cathy had felt pleased when he moved to London to take up a post with the Civil Service, while Cathy stayed on, living with her parents in their modest council house, and working her way up in the police force. Now Dan is back in Leeds and requiring the help of the SIB. He is now working for a new government department, known as the XX (the double cross) Committee, which is part of MI5. The role of this committee is to work on German agents that have been captured and turn them into double agents, then these agents are supposed to feed false information back to the Germans. Dan has returned to Leeds because a Dutch agent that they thought they had successfully ‘turned’ has fooled them. He has escaped from the agents who were monitoring him and has disappeared. MI5 has information that the spy, Jan Minuet, is heading to Leeds, a city he had visited before the war, and he has got maximum destruction on his mind.

MI5 are short of men, and they need the SIB to work with Dan, in order to catch Minuet before he causes irreparable destruction. They start by checking out the most likely targets for sabotage and use the army to increase their security. They also give out pictures of Minuet to all the places where he may be looking for somewhere to stay. Most taxing of all, they have to hunt down the criminals who are also traitors, who are aiding Minuet. The hunt is gruelling, dangerous, and is made even more exhausting because of nights broken by air raids, and the tension that continues to mount. Worst of all, it is bitterly frustrating, because Minuet always seems to be one step ahead of them, and his methods for dealing with anybody who gets in his way are ruthless and violent. For the first time in her life, Cathy begins to get to know her brother and understand the strain it has been for a working class boy from Leeds to try to fit in with his new public school colleagues. However, this crisis involves more desperate consequences than the destruction of Dan’s career. This dangerous and cunning spy could deal a serious blow to the British war effort, and Cathy and her colleagues must track him down and stop him, whatever the risk to their own lives.

No Precious Truth is the first book in a new series featuring Cathy Marsden. It is a compelling read, with a perfectly paced, tense plot, and engaging, believable characters. The historical details are beautifully observed and skilfully inserted, bringing alive the deprivation and tension of the Second World War. This is a page-turner, which I thoroughly recommend.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron

 

Chris Nickson was born and raised in Leeds. He is the author of historical mysteries set in Leeds. The Richard Nottingham books are set in the 1730’s. The books are about more than murder. They're about the people of Leeds and the way life was - which mean full of grinding poverty for all but the wealthy. They're also about families, Nottingham and his and Sedgwick, and the way relationships grow and change, as well as the politics, when there was one law for the rich, and another, much more brutal, for everyone else. Chris has penned a further six series, and to date has published 37 books. For full details visit his web site. In addition to this Chris is also a music journalist, reviewing for magazines and online outlets

http://chrisnickson.co.uk/  

Carol Westron is a Golden Age expert who has written many articles on the subject and given papers at several conferences. She is the author of several series: contemporary detective stories and police procedurals, comedy crime and Victorian Murder Mysteries. Her most recent publications are Paddling in the Dead Sea and Delivering Lazarus, books 2 and 3 of the Galmouth Mysteries, the series which began with The Fragility of Poppies. 

www.carolwestron.com 

‘The Other Fiancé by Ali Blood

Published by Avon,
15 February2024.
 ISBN: 978-0-00852719-9 (PB)

Three years after her fiancé was murdered, walking his dog in a London park, journalist Gemma Morgan is starting to move on with her life – except that her new date isn’t all he seems... Meanwhile, an informer has phoned the paper to say Met DCI Elias Cain is in the pay of one of London’s criminal gangs – Gemma has investigated Cain before, when his wife disappeared. Can she nail him at last?

Against a background of increasing violence, the dangers of online dating are clearly demonstrated: Gemma’s danger from her new date, John Jackman, Alice’s controlling husband, Sean Kelly and Martin’s top-model wife – all three couples met on-line. It’s easy for Jackman to find out where Gemma lives, and the chapters focused on him and show the man behind the pleasant facade, and heighten the tension as Gemma continues to meet him in spite of her instinctive misgivings.

Most of the novel is narrated by Gemma, drawing us into her increasing fear. I enjoyed the vividly drawn South London background, and the authenticity of the newsroom scenes (Blood is a journalist), which also showed some decent men, particularly Gemma’s friend Martin, as a counterpoint to the violence displayed by others in the book: Jackman, Kellly, and possible wife-murderer DCI Cain, now in the anti-corruption squad. The story builds to a gripping climax.

A fast-paced ‘woman in danger’ thriller with good characterisation, a well-created background and a serious message about the dangers facing women today.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Ali Blood, a pseudonym used by James Raven, has been a journalist for most of his working life. After reporting for local, regional and national newspapers he moved into television as a news scriptwriter. He then worked his way up to become Director of a UK News Division. He now runs his own TV production company. James spends much of his time writing and travelling. He is also an accomplished magician. He is the author of a number of books including After the Execution, Malicious, Rollover, Stark Warning, Urban Myth, Red Blitz and Arctic Blood.

http://www.james-raven.com/

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

‘The Case of the Unfortunate Fortune Teller’ by Cathy Ace

Published by Four Tails Publishing,
31 March 2025.
ASIN: ‎ B0DW6LD9VN

Henry Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is one of nature’s worriers, and he has several reasons for anxiety: he is the head of the family, the owner of a large, historic house, which is constantly in need of renovation and repair, and also the owner of the surrounding estate, including many properties in the local village of Anwen-by-Wye. Added to this are his concerns about being a good husband to his adored wife, Stephanie, and a doting father to his one-year-old son, and this is both a joy and burden to a man of sixty. At the moment, Henry’s main cause for concern is that his recently acquired brother-in-law has announced that he wants to consult him. Henry’s relationship with his sister, Clementine, has always been difficult. Henry gave up his life as an artist in order to do his duty when he unexpectedly inherited the Dukedom, but Clementine has always been fickle, taking up interests and people and then abandoning them. Henry fears that his brother-in-law is about to confide in him that, after just a few months, Clementine is bored with her marriage.

All of this is very worrying for a man who is naturally indecisive and easily confused. To add to his troubles, while he is distracted, his headstrong mother, Althea, the Dowager Duchess, involves him in painting the backdrops for the local Christmas pantomime she is organising. Despite being in her eighties, Althea is a whirlwind of energy and determination, and soon it seems as if preparations for the Tale of Mother Goose will engulf the whole Chellingworth estate and the small village of Anwen-by-Wye.

Unlike most of the villagers, the four women of the WISE Enquiries Agency have little time to spend on the pantomime. They are fully occupied with their busy personal lives and have just acquired a new client. However, Mabel, the oldest of the WISE women, lives at the Dower House with Althea, and she is concerned that Althea is over-exhausting herself by immersing herself in the pantomime preparations. Before she married the seventeenth Duke of Chellingworth, Althea had been a dancer, and she has invited a colleague from that time to stay at the Dower House and is paying him to adapt and produce the pantomime. Mabel has finely honed instincts from both her previous career as an army nurse, and her present job as an enquiry agent, and these tell her to distrust Oswald Featherington. However, she doesn’t want to spoil Althea’s pleasure and accepts that her friend has the right to spend her money as she wishes, so apart from a few discreet enquiries, Mabel’s hands are tied.

The WISE women’s new client is Pauline Thomas, a fortune teller who has been suffering a series of mishaps, which have left her with several injuries. Pauline suspects that somebody is targeting her and is sure that they are pushing or tripping her. Apart from her personal safety, she is aware that many potential clients feel unwilling to trust a fortune teller who cannot foresee her own accidents. She has also been receiving an unusual number of extremely bad reviews for her business, which is having a serious impact. The WISE women are divided in their opinions regarding whether Pauline can really foretell the future, but they agree to take Pauline’s case. This is very time-consuming, as it involves both electronic and personal surveillance. Matters take a serious and sinister turn when a fatality occurs and neither means of surveillance spots it.

At around the same time, another suspicious death occurs some distance away, which the team feel sure is related to the local crime. The case is now in the hands of the local police, which means the WISE women have to rethink how they can contribute to the investigation without risking their good reputation and livelihood by annoying senior police officers, who feel that such matters should be left to the professionals.

The Case of the Unfortunate Fortune Teller is the eleventh book in the series featuring the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency and the other inhabitants of Anwen-by-Wye, and it is an excellent addition to a warm, enjoyable series. The book has an interesting, multi-faceted plot and is filled with lively, eccentric and engaging characters. This is a delightful read, which I thoroughly recommend.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron

Cathy Ace was born and raised in Swansea, South Wales. With a successful career in marketing having given her the chance to write training courses and textbooks, Cathy has now finally turned her attention to her real passion: crime fiction. Her short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies. Two of her works, Dear George and Domestic Violence, have also been produced by Jarvis & Ayres Productions as ‘Afternoon Reading’ broadcasts for BBC Radio 4. Cathy now writes two series of traditional mysteries: The Cait Morgan Mysteries (TouchWood Editions) and The WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries (Severn House Publishers) 

http://cathyace.com 

Carol Westron is a Golden Age expert who has written many articles on the subject and given papers at several conferences. She is the author of several series: contemporary detective stories and police procedurals, comedy crime and Victorian Murder Mysteries. Her most recent publications are Paddling in the Dead Sea and Delivering Lazarus, books 2 and 3 of the Galmouth Mysteries.

www.carolwestron.com 

‘Gone To Earth’ by Jane Jesmond

Published by Verve Books,
23 January 2025.
ISBN: 978-0-85730-871-9 (PBO)

Daredevil climber Jen Shaw is still reeling from events in Calais, where she and her undercover lover, Nick, rescued two girls from people-traffickers. However, the gang is still intact, and now they’re after her...

This was a rattling good yarn. It was narrated throughout by Jen, a wonderfully complex character with her own demons to fight, but who’s determined, quick-thinking and resourceful. I also enjoyed her hippy mother, Morwenna, and felt for the two rescued children.

The opening Cornwall sequence was vividly described. Most of the book was set in Glasgow, and there was a wonderful sense of place, particularly the atmosphere of the underground tunnels used in the page-turning climactic episode. The plotting was clever, with unexpected twists that kept me reading on – once I’d started, I didn’t want to put the novel down.

A cleverly-plotted, fast moving undercover agent thriller with real-feeling characters and a moving finish. This is the third in a trilogy, and though it can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with On the Edge. I enjoyed Gone to Earth so much that I went straight onto Amazon to order On the Edge and the sequel Cut Adrift.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Jane Jesmond was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, although she was raised on Liverpool, and considers herself northern through and through.   On The Edge is Jane's debut novel and the first in a series featuring dynamic, daredevil protagonist Jen Shaw. Jane's family comes from Cornwall, and her lifelong love of the Cornish landscape and culture inspired the setting of On The Edge. Jane has spent the last thirty years living and working in France. She began writing steadily six or seven years ago and writes every morning in between staring out at the sea and making cups of tea.  

http://jane-jesmond.com 

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.  

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

CAPITAL CRIME ANNOUNCES FULL PROGRAMME

with Michael Connelly, Steph Mcgovern, Jeremy Vine And Vaseem Khan, Joining

Previously Announced Headliners

Linwood Barclay, Karin Slaughter, Richard Armitage, Dorothy Koomson And Ruth Ware

The 2025 festival to return to the Leonardo Royal Hotel, on
13th and 14th June,
and Fingerprint Awards on 12th June

Newly confirmed authors also include
Adele Parks, Andrew Child, Clare Mackintosh, Louise Minchin and Virdee creator AA Dhand

Fingerprint Awards shortlists also announced with
 Jennie Godfrey, Lisa Jewell, Stuart Turton, Janice Hallett, Abir Mukherjee and Chris Whitaker
amongst those nominated
Adele Parks, Mark Billingham and Karin Slaughter
will be celebrating 25 years of writing

Michael Connelly, Adele Parks, Vaseem Khan, Andrew Child, Steph McGovern, Louise Minchin and AA Dhand
are amongst the authors today (27th March)
 announced to take part in Capital Crime,
London’s largest celebration of crime and thriller writing,
which returns 12th-13th June.
They will be joining the previously announced headliners
Linwood Barclay, Karin Slaughter, Richard Armitage, Dorothy Koomson, Ruth Ware, Chris Chibnall, Lisa Jewell and Nick Harkaway,
for conversations around moral dilemmas in crime fiction; contemporary spy thrillers creating Golden Age stories in the modern era; and the appeal of unlikeable characters.

 Also announced are the shortlists for the Fingerprint Awards, which allow crime and thriller lovers to select the winner of five categories, including Crime Novel of the Year; Thriller Novel of the Year; and Historical Crime Novel of the Year.
Shortlisted authors include Jennie Godfrey, debut author of #1 bestseller The List of Suspicious Things; British Book Award Crime and Thriller winner and previous Fingerprint winner Lisa Jewell; Janice Hallett, the bestselling author of The Examiner; Abir Mukherjee for his critically acclaimed thriller Hunted, written in a departure from his previous historical crime; and
Chris Whitaker, author of the literary thriller sensation All the Colours of the Dark. The winners will be announced on the evening of
Thursday 12th June in a ceremony at
the Leonardo Royal Hotel
hosted by broadcaster and writer Steph McGovern.

Capital Crime co-founder and Goldsboro Books
managing director David Headley said:

‘I can’t believe that this is our fifth festival. When we launched Capital Crime, our aim was to create not just a festival but a community that celebrates the love of storytelling. Some attendees have told us that Capital Crime is the highlight of their year, a space where they can fully indulge their love of mystery and thriller novels while connecting with others who share their enthusiasm. This response and this passion drive us to continue innovating, ensuring that every event delivers something unique and memorable for our audience – from quizzes and panels, to world-famous authors like Linwood Barclay and Karin Slaughter and exciting emerging talent.’

The panels and events begin on
 Friday 13th June
with Chris Carter, Erin E. Adams, Jessie Elland and Andrea Carter speaking about social injustice in horror and high concept thrillers; and experts turned novelists Duncan Harding, Graham Bartlett, Nicola Williams and Ruth Mancini discussing drawing on their fields in fiction. Friday will also see Belinda Bauer, Charlotte Philby, Charlotte Vassell and Holly Watt exploring our fascination with wealthy people doing horrible things; a celebration of Australian crime with Chris Hammer, Hayley Scrivenor, Kate Kemp and Craig Sisterson; and a panel of exciting new translated fiction with
Jon Atli Jonasson, Lex Noteboom, Johana Gustawsson, Thomas Enger and Quentin Bates.

The day will close with panels on modern spy fiction with
Ava Glass, Charles Cumming, Nick Harkaway and Vaseem Khan; criminal minds through history, from Nero to Dr Crippen with Conn Iggulden, Kate Williams and Hallie Rubenhold; and multi-million international bestsellers Linwood Barclay and Andrew Child, speaking about writing thrillers that keep you awake with Nadine Matheson.
The final event of the day is the festival’s regular highlight
 Crime Quiz, hosted by AJ West.

On Saturday 14th June,
crime fiction fans will have the chance to see international bestsellers Adele Parks, Mark Billingham and Karin Slaughter celebrating 25 years of writing; as well as Richard Armitage, Lisa Jewell and Steph McGovern discussing the appeal of unlikeable characters and Harry Bosch creator Michael Connelly interviewed by award-winning thriller writer M.W. Craven.

Other panel highlights from the day include a debut panel made up of Ram Murali, Kelly Mullen, Jeremy Vine and Rob Rinder discussing their Agatha Christie-inspirations for the Knives Out era; Suk Pannu, Rev Richard Coles, Blake Mara and Tim Sullivan will speak about creating communities in their novels; and international bestsellers Ruth Ware and Dorothy Koomson will explore how psychological thrillers are the perfect vehicle for examining the human mind with Anna Sharpe.

There will be also be exciting public events throughout the festival, including an industry talk and Q&A hosted by Sphere, a networking event for authors and publishers and a launch party for Beth Lewis’ new historical epic The Rush.

Now in its fifth year, Capital Crime is proud to be a part of and contributor to the vibrant culture scene with the city, and has quickly established itself as one of the biggest festivals in the UK, with a reputation for originality, innovation, and a focus on creating an incredible reader experience with creatively curated and inclusive panels. Co-founded by Goldsboro Books MD David Headley, it has welcomed readers from around the country to see British authors such as Robert Harris, Anthony Horowitz and Paula Hawkins appearing alongside international talent including Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and US bestsellers
Jeffrey Deaver and Chris Carter.

 Headley and his team at Goldsboro Books have helped launch the careers of so many authors since it opened almost 25 years ago, by uniting incredible writing with their loyal, ever-growing community of passionate readers. Renowned for their thoughtful and impactful new initiatives to engage communities of readers, Capital Crime is a brilliant extension of this vision with an outstanding programme of over 40 entertaining, accessible events that explore all corners of the genre, and the opportunity to meet your literary heroes.

The full programme can be found here from 10am today (Thursday 27th March): 

https://www.capitalcrime.org/schedule

 The Fingerprint Award Shortlists are:

 1. Crime AudioBook of the Year

Holmes, Margaret and Poe by James Patterson

Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz

The Dream Home by TM Logan

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas

 

2. True Crime Book of the Year

The Siege by Ben Macintyre

The Murder of Judith Roberts: The Mark Of Peter Sutcliffe by Chris Clark & Tanita Matthews

Getting Away With Murder by Lynda La Plante

The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale

The Umbrella Murder by Ulrik Skotte

 

3. Debut Crime Book of the Year

The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

Isolation Island by Louise Minchin

Five By Five by Claire Wilson

 

4. Historical Crime Book of the Year

Holmes and Moriarty by Gareth Rubin

House of Shades by Lianne Dillsworth

The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal

City Of Destruction by Vaseem Khan

White City by Dominic Nolan

 

5. Genre-Busting Crime Book of the Year

Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

The Examiner by Janice Hallett

The Gathering by CJ Tudor

 

6.  Thriller Book of the Year

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

A Violent Heart by David Fennell

The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini

Hunted by Abir Mukherjee

The Missing Family by Tim Weaver

 

7. Overall Best Crime Book of the Year

Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle

All The Colours of The Dark by Chris Whitaker

Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

The Mercy Chair by MW Craven

Nightwatching by Tracey Sierra

 

8. Publisher of the Year for best crime campaign

Simon & Schuster UK for One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware -
(marketing) Rich Vlietstra and Gen Barratt; (publicity) Sabah Khan

Orion for All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

HQ for Our Holiday by Louise Candlish

PRH Transworld for Someone in the Attic by Andrea Mara

PRH Cornerstone for The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey 

New Anthology Published as Legacy for CrimeFest

 

To mark the end of Britain’s long-standing crime fiction convention, CrimeFest, organisers have compiled a new anthology, with proceeds of its sale going the
Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) library.

The anthology ‘CrimeFest: Leaving the Scene’ is published by
No Exit Press and features authors who have had a close relationship with CrimeFest over the years.

The book features a story from the acclaimed American author Jeffrey Deaver, also a long-standing, and regular face, at CrimeFest.

Contributing authors include the historical novelist
Lindsey Davis, the playwright, author and producer
Simon Brett, CWA Diamond Dagger winner
Martin Edwards,  and Canadian-Welsh crime writer,
 Cathy Ace.

Also featured are the current chair of the
Crime Writers’ Association - Vaseem Khan - and the renowned editor, author and critic, Maxim Jakubowski, who is also advising editor of the anthology.

The co-host of CrimeFest, the author Donna Moore,
contributes a short story, and her fellow

CrimeFest co-host Adrian Muller contributes an Afterword.

The book will be available for general sale on 28 August 2025, with an early copy exclusively gifted to each of the first 450 registered Full Pass Holders at the final CrimeFest, which is hosted in Bristol from 15 to 18 May.

Adrian Muller said: “The final CrimeFest this May will be a big celebration. We wanted to do the anthology as a way to thank our delegates – authors, readers, sponsors, and those in the publishing industry - who make up our CrimeFest family.”

Donna Moore said: “CrimeFest has been a real labour of love over the years and it's wonderful to be able to go out in celebratory fashion with this anthology. I'm delighted to have a story of mine included amongst authors whose writing has kept me entertained, whose work I admire and who I'm delighted to be able to call friends, thanks to CrimeFest.”

The anthology features a foreword by Lee Child, who attended the very first convention, and was a Featured Guest at the fifth and tenth anniversaries of CrimeFest.

Lee writes that CrimeFest is ‘one of the best’ conventions: “I have been many times, and always come away with my spirits lifted, and with new enthusiasm for my chosen trade - plus a little apprehension, given the tsunami of new talent chasing after me.”

Lee continued: “Sadly, May 2025 will see the last Bristol CrimeFest. To honour the occasion, readers and writers from around the world will gather for one last great weekend extravaganza.  And to mark the occasion, those kind, generous writers have donated their talents to this anthology, designed to benefit the Royal National Institute for the Blind.”

Other contributing authors are: Mike Ripley, Samantha Lee Howe, Dolores Gordon-Smith, Jørn Lier Horst, Leigh Russell, Peter Gutridge, David Penny, Jane Petersen-Burfield,
Ruth Dudley-Edwards, Nadine Matheson, Zoë Sharp,
John Lawton, and Sarah Ward.

Despite on-going support from its headline sponsor, Specsavers, alongside sponsors Free@Last TV and HW Fisher, organisers felt it was time to end the convention, which has been hosted in Bristolfor the last 16 years, on a high.

Dame Mary Perkins, a long-time fan and supporter of CrimeFest, praised the event as a “big family, connected by a love of books, and reading.”

CrimeFest began in 2008 as a spin-off to the American crime fiction convention, Left Coast Crime.

It is famed as the most inclusive and friendliest of crime fiction events, thanks to its democratic set up, where all published UK authors register to participate.

CrimeFest leaves a lasting legacy too, as it has gifted thousands of books over the years to inner city schools and libraries across Bristol and the UK.

The anthology is being supported by benefactor Jane Burfield, who supported the convention’s last published anthology, Ten Year Stretch (published by No Exit Press) to mark its tenth anniversary.

Profits from the book and its annual raffles have raised thousands of pounds for the Royal National Institute of Blind (RNIB) library.

Adrian added: “We’d like to give our heartfelt thanks to
Jane Burfield and the team at No Exit Press, including Ion Mills and Jamie Hodder-Williams, who have returned to support our farewell anthology.”

No Exit Press is an award-winning crime imprint of Bedford Square Publishers with a 30-year history and impressive roster of quality authors, including multiple CWA Dagger Award recipients.

Jamie Hodder-Williams, CEO of Bedford Square Publishers, said:
“No Exit Press is excited to collaborate with CrimeFest to celebrate its16th anniversary and mark its final meeting. This special collection of brand-new stories brings together a prestigious group of crime and thriller writers who have all had significant involvement with the festival – a fitting tribute to CrimeFest’s legacy and lasting influence on the crime fiction world.”

The final CrimeFest takes place 15-18 May at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel featuring Lee and Andrew Child, Simon Brett, Lindsey Davis, Martin Edwards, Felix Francis, 
Yrsa Sigurdardottir and John Harvey, as well as Ghost of Honour John le Carré (represented by his two sons).

http://www.crimefest.com/

‘Battle Mountain’ by C. J. Box

Published by Head of Zeus,
6^th March 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-03591633-7 (HB)

Joe Pickett, Wyoming Game Warden and his close friend Nate Romenouski are determined on seeking out Axel Soledad and killing him. They hold Axel responsible for the death of Liv, Nate’s wife and also wreaking havoc for Joe and his family. However, as yet have no idea of his whereabouts.

In the meantime, Joe is contacted by Governor Spencer Rulon. He is concerned, his son-in-law has gone missing, out learning falconry with expert “Spike” Rankin. Their last known whereabouts were on Battle Mountain. He wants Joe to go and search for them.

We then learn of a plot by Axel Soledad to destroy important members of the government and army. Every year there is a secret large gathering of top people in Warm Springs in Battle Mountain country. They call themselves the Centurions and meet in the B-Lazy-U Ranch. An ideal time for him to carry out his diabolical plot.

Joe enlists the help of local game warden Susanne Kany to find Mark Eisle, the Governor’s son-in-law and his companion “Spike”. This leads them to the area of the Ranch, where they were last seen. At the same time Nate has traced Axel to the same region, they meet up and join forces.

It becomes obvious to them as they observe the activities at the ranch, that something big is about to go down, but they have no idea what. Nothing can really prepare them for what they are about to discover.

Together will they manage to prevent Soledad carrying out his dire plot? Plus, what about the governor’s son-in-law, can he be found? Is he even still alive?

A terrific story all set in the beauty and majestic wilderness of the mountains, wonderfully brought to life by the author. Very highly recommended.
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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

C J Box is a Wyoming native and has worked as a ranch hand, surveyor, fishing guide, a small-town newspaper reporter and editor, and he owned an international tourism marketing firm with his wife Laurie. In 2008, Box was awarded the "BIG WYO" Award from the state tourism industry. In 2009 he won the Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Novel (Blue Heaven, 2009) as well as the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and the 2010 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Award for fiction. An avid outdoorsman, Box has hunted, fished, hiked, ridden, and skied throughout Wyoming and the Mountain West. He served on the Board of Directors for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. They have three daughters. He lives in Wyoming

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.

 

‘Lady First’ by Lea O’Harra

Published Independently,
24 January 2023.
ISBN: 979-837486143-3 (PB)

Lady First is set in Fujikawa, a small town in present day rural Japan. After missing her train, Mayumi Ikeuchi, an adventurous young lady, unwisely shares a taxi home with a stranger.  She is killed and her body left in a small park near the home she shared with her older sister, Misio.

Because Mayumi’s attacker had been careful to keep his face covered, the taxi driver who brought them back to Fujikawa could only give a vague impression of her killer. The description of a softly spoken, plumpish male could have applied to innumerable people and made it difficult for Chief Inspector Inoue, Inspector Kubo, Sergeant Ando, and the two other young policemen assigned to the case, to know where to start looking. Enquiries at the nightclub where Mayumi worked drew a blank.  Her boss, who had received an incriminating scratch on his face after making a pass at her late that evening, was soon eliminated from their enquiries.

When the Fujikawa detectives failed to make an arrest, Superintendent Takenaka, Inoue’s boss and nemesis, pulled rank and moved the investigation over to a team in Ishizaki where he is based.  Inoue and his detectives were completely demoralized. The middle-aged Inoue accepts Takenaka’s intervention, but Inspector Kubo and Sergeant Ando who were much younger weren’t so compliant. They continued to investigate the murder behind Inoue’s back.  Weeks later, having failed to find the killer, Tukenaka returned the investigation to Inoue and his team.

Yui Taniguchi is Inspector Kubo’s sister. When she married Atsushi Taniguchi she unfortunately joined the army of Japanese women subjected to domestic abuse. Sadly, because she lived in a system where male superiority and entitlement meant that if a woman fails to obey her husband, she brings shame to both their families, Yui kept her plight secret. Eventually, when Yui’s mother finally extracts the truth from her, a disastrous chain of events is set off.

Lady First is the third installment in the Inspector Inoue Series. For me the book’s standout feature is the assortment of meticulously portrayed characters, both native Japanese and the foreign incomers who tend to be regarded with distain by the locals, that Lea O’Harra has assembled in the text. Both a stickler for rules, and traditional in outlook, Inoue is still a very humane man.  He adores his two young children and loves his American wife Ellie who talks to her husband in Japanese and adheres to the pattern of deferential behavior exhibited by Japanese wives.

Overall, this book builds on knowledge we gained in Imperfect Strangers, the first book in the series. It expands our knowledge of everyday life, attitudes and customs in rural Japan and provides another interesting, informative and enjoyable read.
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Reviewer: Angela Crowther

Lea O’Harra has previously published four crime fiction novels: Imperfect Strangers, originally published in 2015 by Endeavour Press, republished in 2022 by Sharpe books; Progeny, originally published in 2016 by Endeavour Press, republished in 2022 by Sharpe books; Lady First, originally published in 2017 by Endeavour Press, republished in 2022 by Sharpe Books, and Dead Reckoning, published in 2022 by Sharpe Books. The first three books comprise the so-called ‘Inspector Inoue murder mystery series’ and are set in Japan. The fourth book is a standalone in small-town America. In autumn 2017 Lady First was awarded finalist status in the crime fiction section of the Beverly Hills Books Awards. It was also a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards in 2018. Dead Reckoning was selected as a Book Excellence Award Finalist in 2023 in the thriller category.  

http://leaoharra.com 

Angela Crowther is a retired scientist.  She has published many scientific papers but, as yet, no crime fiction.  In her spare time Angela belongs to a Handbell Ringing group, goes country dancing and enjoys listening to music, particularly the operas of Verdi and Wagner.