‘The Lottery Winner Widows Club’ by Elly Vine

Published by Wildfire,
26 March 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-0354-2850-2 (HB)

The main character in this funny and surreal novel is Paula who has just lost her husband in a car accident in Austria.  Two days after this tragic accident Paula discovers that she has won 21 million pounds on the Lottery (ticket bought by John her late husband).  Paula is struggling to come to terms with all that has happened to her when she is approached by a trio of women of various ages and types who are also Jackpot winners with dead husbands!  

They tell Paula that they understand what she is going through and clearly believe that Paula like them killed her husband.  Paula tries to convince them that she did not in fact kill her husband, but she finds it hard to resist their friendship and their lavish and thrilling worlds.  

Paula's jackpot win leads to difficulties with online trolls and loan sharks.  She also finds it difficult to relate to her two grown up children who can't really understand why Pauls does not appear unduly distraught by her husband's death.  

The novel leads us through some unbelievable but enticing events involving the group of unconventional friends who may or may not have murdered their husbands.  The friends help Paula come to terms with the emotional abuse she suffered for most of her marriage and allow her to reflect on how this has impacted on her life and her role as a mother.  

Although in many ways this appears to be a light-hearted novel there is in fact a really important message about the emotional and physical abuse many women experience in their marriages and how difficult is for them to acknowledge this abuse.  

I really enjoyed this book and was quite happy to suspend disbelief in much of the content simply because it is very well written and the author ensures the reader really cares about all the characters.  I'd love to hear more from this group of Lottery Widows!
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Reviewer: Toni Russell  

Elly Vine is the pseudonym of bestselling author Lucy Vine, who is a journalist and started working in magazines in 2005. Writing and editing for Cosmo, Stylist, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Look, The Mirror, The Sun, and The Telegraph. She also writes a weekly newsy column for Grazia Daily. Lucy lives in London. 

Toni Russell is a retired teacher who has lived in London all her life and loves the city.  She says, ‘I enjoy museums, galleries and the theatre but probably my favourite pastime is reading.  I found myself reading detective fiction almost for the first time during lockdown and have particularly enjoyed old fashioned detective fiction rather than the nordic noir variety.  She is a member of a book club at the local library and have previously attended literature classes at our local Adult Education Centre. 

Coming Soon: 'Murder at St Alfred's' by Julie Wassmer

 
Published by Constable

18 June 2026.

Book 11 in the Whitstable Pearl Mysteries.

For almost two centuries, St Alfred's Church in Whitstable, Kent, has held special significance in the lives of its parishioners - including for private detective, Pearl Nolan, owner of the Whitstable Pearl restaurant.

Pearl's son, Charlie, was christened in the church and her oyster fisherman father, Tommy Nolan, is buried in the old churchyard. Now, St Alfred's is about to play another part in Pearl's life as the setting for her wedding to Canterbury police detective, DCI Mike McGuire.

But two fateful events are about to threaten this happy occasion - the discovery of a body on hallowed ground and the return of a ghost from Pearl's own past.

Julie Wassmer is a television drama writer who contributed for almost twenty years to the popular BBC series EastEnders. She published her autobiography More Than Just Coincidence in 2010, in which she describes finding her long-lost daughter after an astonishing twist of fate. It was voted Mumsnet book of the year. The Whitstable Pearl Mystery was the first in her series of crime novels, involving multi-tasking private detective-come-restauranteur, Pearl Nolan. There are now eleven books in the series. Julie lives in Whitstable and is well known for her environmental campaigning. 

https://www.juliewassmer.com/ 

Caught Read Handed - Nation Invited to Take Part in National Crime Reading Month

June is the official month for (fictional)
murder and mayhem

Partners in crime, The Reading Agency and the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA), are plotting to get the nation reading.

Clues, crimes, and cliffhangers await this June as National Crime Reading Month (NCRM) ushers a month-long festival of reading, celebrating the UK’s obsession with crime fiction.

The month-long festival is hosted by the CWA in partnership with the national charity, The Reading Agency, with support from ambassadors, including bestselling authors Steve Cavanagh, Vaseem Khan, Robin Stevens, Victoria Selman and Penny Batchelor.

This June is set to be the biggest yet as it coincides with the Department of Education initiative, the National Year of Reading.

The CWA, founded in 1953, is one of the UK’s oldest associations designed to support, promote and celebrate the genre and its authors.

Nadine Matheson, Chair of the CWA, said:  "Crime fiction is the world's most popular and best-selling genre and for good reason. From police procedurals to psychological thrillers, historical mysteries to cosy crime, Nordic noir to the Deep South, small town to vast cities, there is truly something for everyone. These are the stories that have given us unforgettable characters, such as Jack Reacher and Vera Stanhope, and brought them to our screens. National Crime Reading Month celebrates the full, expansive world of crime fiction, welcoming readers of every age, lifelong crime readers and inviting new readers to discover why this genre endures. There has never been a better time to pick up a crime novel.”

Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency said: “Crime fiction is a powerful gateway into reading, bringing together compelling storytelling, rich characters and page-turning suspense. Its breadth and diversity mean there is something for everyone, helping more people discover the joy and benefits of reading. At The Reading Agency, we know that reading can change lives - supporting wellbeing, confidence and connection. Crime fiction has a unique ability to draw people in, and through NCRM we hope to inspire more readers across the UK to pick up a book and experience those benefits for themselves through events in libraries and communities nationwide.”

The Reading Agency’s research* shows just 53% of UK adults consider themselves to be regular readers. Almost half of adults (46%) struggle to focus on reading due to distractions, while one in three multitask while reading.

The charity’s State of the Nation’s Adult Reading report found reading had a profound impact on wellbeing:

Compared to non-readers, regular readers are 86% more likely to report feeling a sense of belonging to their community, 58% more likely to report feeling generally happy, 51% more likely to report finding it easy to relax and 45% more likely to report sleeping well.

They are also 35% more likely to say they don’t feel lonely and 32% more likely say they don’t feel anxious or depressed.

An official launch event for NCRM is hosted on 30 May in York with Noir at the Bar at All Saint’s Church, hosted by the independent bookshop, Criminally Good Books, and the CWA. Nine authors including will read extracts from their books, and the event will feature author signings and a book stand.

London-bound crime fiction fans can attend a panel at Capital Crime on 20 June: ‘If You Don’t Read, You Can’t Write’. It will be chaired by author and CWA co-ordinator, Heather Fitt, with last year’s winner of the CWA’s John Creasey First Novel Dagger, Katy Massey, and authors, Luca Veste and Erin Young.

There will also be an online launch at 7pm on 7 June, hosted by the writer Emma Christie in conversation with authors from across the crime fiction genre, supported by the CWA and the Reading Agency.

Up and down the country throughout June, readers can join author Q& sessions, book groups, and workshops in bookshops, local libraries, museums, theatres, as well as free, accessible online sessions.

For NCRM events, visit: Events - National Crime Reading Month  #pickupapageturner

For logos and images for press use: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jqn6r7h5swv7df96ktqo3/AOc5LilO4xxsNJ1q97RTLgU?rlkey=hrypcd98iax47fy4pt1302q6g&st=3td2ja3c&dl=0   

‘Agnes Sharp and the Wedding To Die For’ by Leonie Swann

Published by Allison & Busby,
7 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-0-74903398-9 (HB)

Agnes Sharp had decided that she didn’t want to live in a care home, So, she turned her home Sunset Hall into a house share for unruly geriatrics. 

The opening of our story finds Agnes with a cup of tea and a piece of cake contemplating the blank sheet of paper in front of her. During her life Agnes has dealt professionally with many murders, firstly with the police, and later privately in her spare time. But this the first time she has planned a murder. 

The sight of housemate Edwina lying lifeless on the floor with red fluid oozing out the corner of her mouth causes Charlie to drop the washing basket in fright at the horrific sight. Not to mention the sight of the blood-smeared garden shears. Charlie stuck her finger in the pool of blood on the floor, tomato ketchup she said. Edwina opened one eye, ‘It’s a surprise to cheer Agnes up. 

The other residents of Sunset Hall, Agnes, Winston, Marshall, the tortoise, Brexit the wolfhound, and Oberon, the house boa constrictor, were in the lounge trying to coax the smoky fire to be a fire. Charlie opened the door and dramatically announced Edwina’s dead. What again? Said Agnes. Stabbed in the utility room, said Charlie. Agnes struggled out of her chair. The house mates are aware that Agnes has not been herself since finding the verger hanging in the church bell tower a while back. But Agnes comes clean and says it’s not the verger, it’s this stupid wedding of their housemate, Bernadette

Bernadette was marrying her old flame, Jack. In Agnes’s opinion it was a holiday romance gone horribly wrong. But worse news was to come. The corner-shop owner’s daughter has done a runner with her riding instructor, which means that Foxhole Manor have a date free at short notice. The requirement is a minimum number of guests in order to use the champagne fountain. So, all they have to do is turn up in fourteen days with twenty guests. Twenty guests!! They don’t know twenty people to invite. The residents of Sunset House add up the list for the wedding, five house mates, one tortoise, a boa constrictor and Brexit the wolfhound.  Can they invite some distant acquaintances and even some strangers to attend?  As Jack’s previous career was as a hitman, he doesn’t have any former customers to invite. Then an anonymous letter arrives suggesting sabotage on their happy day.

There are plots and sub-plots. Even Charlie’s idea of online dating to find a beau for Agnes. Will the wedding go ahead or will disaster befall the happy couple?

A marvellous tale, with the most unexpected ending that was an incredible shock. I was not prepared for it. Don’t miss this one.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett  

Leonie Swann is the nom de plume of a German crime writer. She was born in Germany in 1975. She studied philosophy, psychology and English literature in Munich, and now lives in Berlin.

‘Guilt’ by Kiego Higashino

Published by Abacus,
9 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-0-34914861-8 (PB)

Contemporary Japan, and Tokyo detective Tsutomu Godai and his sergeant Nakamatchi are investigating the murder of Kensuke Shiraishi, who was found dead in his car. Shirashi was a lawyer with his own firm, and no known grudges held against him. Soon, Godai has his suspect, and even a confession – but is his case too good to be true? 

This police procedural is written in the third person, and from multiple points of view, so that we come to sympathise with all the people affected by Shiraishi’s death. At first the novel focuses on Godai, and we follow his growing suspicions of Tatsuro Kuraki, who comes across as suspiciously confident, and who’s obviously telling lies about his connection with the place the lawyer was last seen. Then there’s the gradually uncovered link to an old murder case in 1984. Kuraki’s son Kazuma comes into prominence after the arrest, and we see both the reactions of others to him and his own feelings about his father. The victim’s daughter, Mirei, also finds it hard to believe Kuraki’s account of events.

The story moves quickly, and the ending is totally unexpected. One particularly interesting aspect of this novel was the “victim participation system” in Japanese courts, where the dead man’s family are allowed to be part of the trial, and to have an advocate to question witnesses on their behalf. 

A cleverly plotted Japanese police procedural which also looked at the effect on the families of both victim and killer.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor 

Keigo Higashino was born 4 February 1958 in Osaka. He started writing novels while still working as an engineer at Nippon Denso Co. He won the Edogawa Rampo prize for writing at 27, and subsequently quit his job to start a career as a writer in Tokyo. He served as the 13th President of Mystery Writers of Japan from 2009 to 2013. 

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. 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.  

Click on the title to read a review of her recent book
An Imposter in Shetland

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk 

'Coming Soon' : Mystery at the Wedding' by Clare Chase

 
Published by Bookouture
1st June 2026

Book 16 in the Eve Mallow series

The Dennings and the Cadys have been at war for years – ever since Russell Cady and Marcus Denning fell out and the business they built together fell apart. But now Russell’s daughter and Marcus’s son are tying the knot… and hopefully bringing peace.

Except that someone’s sent Eve Mallow a warning along with her wedding invitation: watch out for trouble. But even she didn’t expect to find the father of the bride dead in his bed before he can walk his daughter down the aisle. So who’s ruined the big day? Is it Marcus, his former enemy? His two older children, who fought with him before he died? Or the woman Eve saw weeping, who swears they never met?

Eve is left with a bouquet of mismatched clues to piece together: the umbrellas left out on a sunny day, Russell’s missing camera, and his threat to change his will. And when a second mysterious death puts the icing on the cake, Eve makes her own vow – death will not part the happy couple. But can she track down the killer, or will the wedding bells ring for her funeral instead?

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations. Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium. As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.

www.clarechase.com

‘No Women Were Harmed’ by Heather Mottershead

Published by Sphere,
18 September 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-40873093-5 (HB)

The 1880s, and Lily has been in an asylum for nearly eight years – the length of her sentence for murder. Now she has a chance to get out: a young woman doctor is keen to test her Freudian theories of key early life events on Lily’s story ... but what was the truth behind her killing, and can she convince the doctor of her sanity? 

I was gripped by this novel right from the start. It’s narrated by Lily, and she takes us straight into the world of a Victorian asylum: the sights, the sounds, the smells, the repressive regime and the effect it has on its inhabitants, like raving Maggie, and silent Elise. I am mad after all, Lily announces right at the start, but we don’t believe her; she’s far too rational in the way she describes how she’s living now. 

When she’s given a session each month with Dr Fairchild in a room outside the asylum’s wards, we revel in her enjoyment of polished furniture, curtains, a fire, tea and cakes, but we’re also shown how she manipulates her attendants and gives Dr Fairchild an edited version of her life story. She then recalls the truth of each episode, and we come to sympathise with her behaviour, given the way she has been treated by the men in her life, and the difficulty of making a living as a woman in that era. We’re shown other Victorian worlds; the farm she grew up in, the factory, the theatre she worked in, and the well-heeled family of the most important man in her life, Titus.

Her story twists and turns, with several excellent shocks along the way. Victorian society condemned her, but the male behaviour that drives her to crime could still happen today, and with as little protection for the woman. 

A superb historical crime novel, with a vividly created protagonist, and a Victorian world that felt like time-travel. Once I’d started reading, I didn’t want to put it down.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Heather Mottershead was born in Shropshire. She was the winner of the 2023 Daily Mail First Novel competition. She took a degree in English and History at the age of forty-five. Her debut novel, No Women Were Harmed, was published Autumn 2025.

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. 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.  

Click on the title to read a review of her recent book
An Imposter in Shetland 
www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

Bloody Scotland 2026 Programme Launch with JD Kirk

 Excuse us for jumping into your inbox early this month, but we wanted to share some brilliant news... All tickets for Bloody Scotland 2026 will be on sale on the 4th of June and to celebrate, we've planned a fantastic 

Programme Launch Event with crime writing sensation JD Kirk.

JD Kirk will join broadcaster Nicola Meighan on stage at 1.30pm on Thursday 4th June in the Golden Lion Ballroom, Stirling. But what's even more thrilling is the news that the multi-award-winning novelist will be there to talk about his latest DCI Logan book, Better the Devil AND in a pre-release exclusive, there will be copies of the book available to buy at the event, even though the novel doesn't officially hit the shelves until the 30th of July! 

We've got such an exciting Bloody Scotland this year with Guest Programmer Denise Mina at the helm. We cannot wait to celebrate the launch of this stellar programme with you this June. Please do grab your tickets while you can. 

 

Buy Tickets to Bloody Scotland's Launch Event with JD Kirk

The Scapegoat by Daphne Du Maurier

The setting of The Scapegoat is post WW2. John is a historian, fluent in French, who gives lectures on France. A man with no family, he is now homeward bound from his solitary holiday touring France making notes for his forthcoming series of lectures. Depression has settled on him as he drives into Le Mans. In a crowded bar he turns to apologise for jogging the elbow of a neighbouring drinker and comes face to face with himself.

 Jean de Gué is as shocked as he is, and after introducing himself asks where in France he comes from. John is gratified that Jean has taken him for a Frenchman. Fascinated by their remarkable likeness they drink together. Jean de Gué is interested in every aspect of John’s life. When the morning comes, John is awoken by a banging on his hotel room door as well as in his head. The chauffeur respectfully asking when Monsieur le Comte will be ready to return to the chateau? Frantically John searches for his clothes, but the only things in his hotel room are the clothes and papers of Jean de Gué. John’s passport and papers are gone, along with his suitcase and anything that can prove his identity. And so, John, the historian expert in everything French, despite protesting he is not Jean de Gué, finds himself on route to the home of Jean de Gué.  

On arrival at the chateau, he discovers he has a pregnant wife, a daughter obsessed by the saints, a sister to whom he has not spoken for years, a brother and sister-in-law, a mother who has taken to her bed, and an extended (for want of a better word), family of people who for generations have relied for work on the de Gué family. It quickly becomes apparent that Jean de Gué had been on what was expected to be a fruitless mission to secure a continuing contract for the glass works, to guarantee future work for the company and its employees.  

The strength and power of the book is in the relationships within the family. And the hostilities stretch back to the war. But although his mirror image, John, is not Jean. Whilst John’s blunders are initially catastrophic, his innate decency as a person begins to make a difference. It is this that is so fascinating, being just himself, he begins to make changes in the dysfunctional family. Despite the hopelessness of the business, which in his ignorance he has made worse, he begins to see ways it might be improved. But fails to take into account the hostilities that have festered since the war. Only one person guesses that he is not Jean de Gué, but even that is in itself is a surprise. And, yes, there is intrigue and death, but it is the effect of John as a catalyst that marks the book so exceptional. Not forgetting the incredible power of the writer, a storyteller who for me remains unsurpassed.

Daphne du Maurier wrote many books, but is remembered mainly for Rebecca, which is up there with Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice when it comes to famous first lines. But Daphne du Maurier wrote many brilliant books, and with many great first lines. All her books are good, but The Scapegoat, The House on the Strand and Rebecca, remain my favourites. If you get a chance read The Scapegoat. It will not disappoint. 

‘Rough Justice’ by Simon Dinsdale

Published by Sharpe Books,
24 July 2024.
ISBN: 979-833392490-2 (PB)

Detective Superintendent Christian Dane was in a meeting called by Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Wix when he receives a call from Sergeant Bob Soanes that he has been called to the Florida Motel on the A12, as the management have found the body of a guest tied up in his room. It looks as though he strangled himself for sexual gratification.  But Soanes says ‘It doesn’t look right’.  He is booked in under the name of ‘Smith’. But the car parked outside belongs to Detective Chief Superintendent Parr, who retired a few years ago. 

Pauline Rose, forensic crime scene manager, says that Parr is trussed up in away that caused him to seemingly strangle himself, but leaving him no safe way of releasing himself.  This looks like murder. 

The death of Colin Parr unlocks a huge investigation into sexual abuse of young children in a state home.  

The team that Dane finds himself leading in Essex is disorganised and possibly corrupt. Coupled with the problems he in encountering with Assistant Chief Constable Caroline Wix, a willowy blonde fiercely ambitious, who had arrived recently from the Met, and had taken an instant dislike to Dane. 

Dane soon finds that he has problems within his new team.  One officer appears to be leaking information to Angus Boyd, a tabloid journalist. But which of his team is doing it? The only person Dane can totally trust is Detective Constable Hayley Cross; a skilled detective he brings in to help and watch his back.

As the investigation digs deeper into the life of Colin Parr more comes to light, and Dane realises that the abuse of young children is widespread. Meanwhile four more men have been found murdered in the same way as Parr.

Dane realises he is hunting a killer who is targeting people linked to Parr and a defunct children’s home. Following a trail leads Dane to France and from there he realises just how widespread the poison is.

On happier note he and his partner Chief Superintendent Vicky Needham are now living together, although she is currently commuting to her job in Cambridge. 

This is an intense novel, that explores a difficult subject. A compelling read.
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Reviewer Lizzie Sirett 

Simon Dinsdale served twelve years with the British army in the 1970’s before joining Essex police in 1980. He spent 30 years in the police eventually achieving the rank of Detective Superintendent. Over his career he led over a hundred major investigations. He now writes, travels and speaks about his experiences. He lives in Essex. 

Coming Soon: 'Truth To Tell' by Aline Templeton

 
Published by Alison & Busby

21 May 2026.

The 7th book in the DI Kelson Strang series.

It is a bitterly cold night, with rain falling and an edge of snow. Under the sickly yellow lighting in the lorry park, three men are looting precious cargo from the tarpaulined trailers – but the crack of a gunshot pierces the night, and everything changes.

Six months on and a key witness at the subsequent murder trial finds herself under police protection in the remote ancient highlands around Loch Torridon. She is determined to find out what happened to her beloved Callan, one of the three looters, but everything becomes more complicated by another local murder, and the arrival of DCI Kelso Strang.

The local dramatic peaks form the uncompromising backdrop of the police investigation, and Strang must contend with seismic events that will change many lives to get to the truth.

 

Aline Templeton grew up in the fishing village of Anstruther, on the east coast of Scotland not far from St Andrews.  The memories of beautiful scenery and a close community inspired her to set the Marjory Fleming series in a place very like that – rural Galloway, in the south-west of Scotland. After attending Cambridge University to read English she taught for a few years.  She now writes full-time.  Her most recent series features DCI Kelso Strang, officer in charge of Police Scotland’s Serious Rural Crime Squad. There are now seven books in the series. 

http://www.alinetempleton.co.uk 

‘Vengeance Day’ by Simon Dinsdale

Published by Sharpe Books,
12 December 2023. 
ISBN: 979-887160735-0 (PB)

The story opens in Derry, November 1998.  Liam Rafferty is 11 years old and idolises his elder brother Martin who is 15.  When Liam spots a guy, he knows doesn’t belong in their area, he alerts his brother.  Martin turned to his friends, ‘he must be a Brit spy. Hugh told us to keep watch’, Martin said. Things escalate and Martin is shot in the head. Liam stares into Hugh’s eyes. I will find them. I swear I will kill them all.’ 

After Martin’s death, Hugh Murphy took Liam in, and he became a fully-fledged volunteer dedicated to a united Ireland. Move forward 25 years and Liam discovered that Hugh and the three senior commanders had betrayed everyone’s trust using funds to purchase hard drugs. So, Liam set about with the munitions they had stolen recruiting his own band of fighters. Liam and his group then disappeared. Hugh and his organisation have been hunting him ever since. 

Liam had made a vow to find and kill the men responsible for Martin’s death. Years passed but when he least expected it the British Press exposed a police officer in Essex as Martin’s killer. 

Detective Christian Dane works on major crimes and has long been on the trail of a network of drug dealers. The man who organises the ring of dealers has cleverly managed to avoid being identified but eventually Dane discovers that he worked with him during his time in the British Army. 

When Karen Teller, a veteran MI5 officer, receives a warning of an imminent terrorist attack, by an unknown dissident group, Dane is called in to investigate.

Still seeking to avenge his brother Martin’s death. Liam Rafferty and Mary Sullivan both Irish Republican dissidents. plan is to bring terror to the British mainland to avenge Liam's brother’s murder. 

While Dane is determined to find and stop what he believes could be multiple killings he is having to work around hindrance from Chief Superintendent Brown of the Met Counter Terrorism Command.  They knew each other in the army and Brown nearly got Dane killed. Dane isolates and arrests some of the gang and confirms that the threat is real.

Unbeknown to Dane, Liam is determined to take everything from him including his family and loved ones.  Can Dane protect them from Rafferty’s vengeance?

This is a thrilling read. An action-packed book you really cannot put down. What is called a heart in your mouth book. Most highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett

Simon Dinsdale served twelve years with the British army in the 1970’s before joining Essex police in 1980. He spent 30 years in the police eventually achieving the rank of Detective Superintendent. Over his career he led over a hundred major investigations. He now writes, travels and speaks about his experiences. He lives in Essex.

Coming Soon: 'Grave Intent' by Sarah Ward

Published by Canelo Crime

11 June 2026. 

Book 3 in the Carla James series.

Foul deeds lie buried under campus grounds.
Jericho College is closed for the summer break. But professor Carla James is busy teaching a short course to a small group of archaeology enthusiasts.

Keen to get involved with local history, the newcomers become fixated on the century-old grave of Meg Woodthorpe.
Killed for being a witch. A single stone sits on the burial site supposedly to prevent her rising again.

And excavations reveal she may have. Meg's body is no longer there. She has been replaced by a modern victim.
With no one missing, Carla must work out who this is and where Meg has gone.

Sarah Ward the author of four DC Childs novels set in the Derbyshire Peak District where she lives. She is also writes gothic historical thrillers as Rhiannon Ward. The Birthday Girl, is the first book in her new Welsh based series, published 6th April 2023. She has also written Doctor Who audio dramas. Sarah is on Board of the Crime Writers Association and Friends of Buxton Festival, is a member of Crime Cymru, and a Royal Literary Fund fellow at Sheffield University.  

www.crimepieces.com 

‘The Counting Game’ by Sinéad Nolan

Published by HarperCollins,
23 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-0-00866901-0 (PB)

Sinéad Nolan’s first novel is set in rural Ireland during 1995. Nine-year-old Jack is playing in woods near his home in Drumsuin with his sister Saoirse (who is 13) when she goes missing. The village goes once again into mourning as this is not the first time that a girl has disappeared from the forest. No traces of these previous girls have been found, and there are no clues as to what has happened to Saoirse. 

The children come from a broken home. Their father left to live in Dublin some time previously, their troubled mother died more recently and they are looked after by their older sister Kate. Their father’s disabled sister Aunt Bronagh lives close by, but she has her own problems which can make her appear unsympathetic and is away when Saoirse goes missing. Kate has a history of self-harming. There are secrets between Jack and Saoirse. The family is looked on with suspicion by the locals. 

One-eyed Garda Walter Morris heads the investigation, and Freya Hemmings is summoned from Dublin. She is a former journalist and semi-pro singer who has retrained as a psychotherapist and who has, in the way of contemporary crime novels, her own back story, including the loss of a daughter and a failed relationship which led her to the bottle. She is needed because Jack, the one person who was present when his sister went missing, has been traumatized by his mother’s death and finds it difficult to talk to anyone. He knows things but doesn’t – or can’t - tell. The word ‘erase’ crops up many times when Jack’s memories come to the surface. He finds it easier to express his emotions by painting pictures. 

The forest, in which the children play their counting game (it appears to be like hide and seek), looms malevolently over the whole story. It was the site of one of the infamous Magdalene laundries and is a source of terror for some people. Kate says: ‘Everyone in the village knows the forest makes people pay for disrespecting it. The evil forces in that forest stem from the Magdalene Laundry and the horrors back then – the forest felt desecrated by these atrocities – so that’s why we don’t mistreat the forest now. You mess with that forest and you’ll end up involved. ..... The game ... it’s not just a game, it’s a curse you can’t escape.’ And later: ‘People think the rumours about that forest are a joke, but they’re not. The forest knows how to punish people who don’t respect it.’ As a consequence Freya is reluctant to enter the forest when curiosity gets the better of her. There are also claims that an intimidating figure, ‘The Creature’, lives there. 

There are a number of inter-personal relations which add to the problems encountered by the investigation into what has happened to Saoirse, but the story opens up as time goes by, particularly after the remains of one of the earlier missing girls are found. The plot moves swiftly and keeps us guessing. The characters are well-drawn and the conclusion is convincing. It is a welcome and impressive debut.
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Reviewer: David Whittle 

Sinéad Nolan grew up playing between the forests and beaches of leafy County Dublin, Ireland. She holds a degree in Creative Writing from University of Derby and a Masters in Newspaper Journalism from Nottingham Trent University. She has been a regular freelance feature writer for the Sunday World, the Irish Independent and has had short stories shortlisted for the Momaya Press Awards and the Francis McManus awards for RTE Radio. Apart from writing, her other profession is Counselling and Psychotherapy. She works in private practice as a BACP Registered Counsellor in central London. In the moments she is not writing, she enjoys watching true crime documentaries, travelling and reading. She lives with her husband in London. 

David Whittle is firstly a musician (he is an organist and was Director of Music at Leicester Grammar School for over 30 years) but has always enjoyed crime fiction. This led him to write a biography of the composer Bruce Montgomery who is better known to lovers of crime fiction as Edmund Crispin, about whom he gives talks now and then.