Five recently read and enjoyed crime fiction titles

You are especially fortunate if your favourite reading for relaxation is crime fiction because there is so much of it published and you can be very selective.

Here are five  I have read over the past couple of weeks, all enjoyed and all recommended if this is your genre of choice.

THE DOLL'S HOUSE by M.J.Arlidge - Penguin Books - $30.00

This is the third title in his new series featuring D.I.Helen Grace of the Southampton Police and I greatly enjoy the way he has two stories running though his novels - one the current case being investigated and two the story involving the private lives of the police officers based at the station.
Arlidge is one of Penguin's most successful, and prolific, crime writers and I am delighted to see there will be another Detective Inspector Grace title coming in September.


AFTER THE CRASH  by Michel Bussi - Weidenfeld & Nicolson - $37.99

Michel Bussi has won 15 literary awards making him one of France's most prestigious crime writers. Surprisingly this is his first title to be published in the UK  and I see on the cover blurb that it is to be translated inbto 26 languages. I'm not surprised, it is a superb read which I had trouble putting down.
In December 1980 a plane crashes on the Franco-Swiss border and among the 169 passengers there is only one survivir, a three month old baby girl. Two families, one rich, the othe poor, step forward to claim her.
Fast forward to 1998 when that survivor is now about to turn eighteen and the row over her family connection is about to be resolved thanks to new DNA techniques. 


THE STRANGER by Harlan Coben - Orion - $37.99

Global best-seller Harlan Coben was the first author to win all three major crime awards in the US. He is renowned for his superb characterisation and impeccable story-telling abilities.
This new one is right up to his usual high standard and is another I had difficulty putting down. Full of suspense with the usual plot twists to keep you on your toes.


THE SLAUGHTER MAN by Tony Parsons - Century - $37.00 
(Note publication not until 29 May 2015)

Tony Parsons is an award-winning journalist and best-selling author whose books have been widely translated. This one is the second in his new series launched last year featuring DC Max Wolfe. The first, The Murder Bag, was a number one best-seller and I have no doubt this one will be too. And the good news is that we are told that 3 three in the series will be published May 2016. These books shouldn't be read at night if you are alone !


NYPD RED 3 by James Patterson & Marshall Karp - Century -$36.99
The third title in the NYPD Red series and another cracker. No wonder this man is the selling thriller writer of all time.