The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup

In recent years, crime and thriller novels have continued to captivate readers worldwide. From espionage to murder mysteries, these stories keep us on the edge of our seats. Here are some of the best recent crime and thrillers to check out.

Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan is a James Bond spin-off that follows Q, a retired secret service agent, back to his market-town roots. The stakes are high as Q delves into the mysterious death of an old friend, which may have implications for global security. With its blend of nostalgia and new technology, this novel is both solidly plotted and entertaining.

Ann Cleeves' latest, The Killing Stones, brings back Jimmy Perez, a detective from her Shetland series. In this novel, Jimmy teams up with his partner DI Willow Reeves to solve a murder that took place at an archaeological dig on the Orkney Islands. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as simple as it seems, and the case takes a dark turn.

For those who enjoy dark and intense fiction, Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet is a must-read. Based on a true story from 1857, this novel tells the tale of Angus McPhee, a labourer who murdered his family in cold blood. The book is narrated by Angus's brother Malcolm, who slowly loses his grip on reason as he tries to explain the inexplicable.

In another gripping novel, The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer follows Matt, an unemployed bathroom salesman who finds himself entangled in a complex web of crime and relationships. With its surreal humour and preposterous plot twists, this book is not for everyone but will appeal to those who enjoy Mortimer's unique brand of comedy.

Finally, there's Benbecula, the latest from Graeme Macrae Burnet, which explores the true story of Angus McPhee, a labourer who murdered his family in 1857. The book is both dark and intense, with vivid descriptions that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If historical fiction is more to your taste, then The Winter Warriors by Olivier Norek might be just what you're looking for. This novel tells the story of the 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland from a Finnish sniper's perspective. With its gripping narrative and vivid descriptions, this book is not only a testament to bravery and resilience but also a powerful indictment of the cruelty and suffering that can result when ideology clashes with reality.

Overall, these novels offer something for everyone: espionage, murder mysteries, dark historical fiction, and complex plots. Whether you're a seasoned crime reader or just looking for something new to get hooked on, these recommendations are sure to deliver.

I'm loving the latest James Bond spin-off Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan . I think it's dope how Q gets to revisit his roots and still manages to bring the heat with some high-stakes espionage action . And can we talk about Ann Cleeves' Shetland series for a sec? Jimmy Perez is always my man when it comes to solving those tough cases, but I'm curious to see how he teams up with DI Willow Reeves in The Killing Stones .

Graeme Macrae Burnet's Benbecula though... that's some dark stuff . Narrated by Angus McPhee's brother Malcolm, it's like you're right there with him as he tries to unravel the mysteries of his family's brutal murder . And if you're looking for something a bit more light-hearted, Bob Mortimer's The Long Shoe is definitely worth a read - I mean, who wouldn't want to follow Matt on one of those wild adventures?

I'm so over the whole crime/thriller genre being saturated with every Tom, Dick & John trying to spin off from Bond... or even worse, rehashing old murders from history Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet tho is like, on another level. Angus McPhee's story is so haunting it'll keep you up at night The way the author weaves in & out of reality is pure genius And let's be real, if you're gonna tackle a dark historical event, do it justice! Norek's take on the 39 Soviet invasion of Finland is chilling It's like, you can almost smell the gunpowder & blood But honestly, what I love most about these books is how they keep me on edge... even when I know the "twists" coming

I JUST FINISHED READING THE WINTER WARRIORS BY OLIVIER NOREK AND I'M STILL SHAKING MY HEAD IN AMAZEMENT!!! IT'S SUCH A POWERFUL STORY THAT HITS YOU RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES, YOU KNOW? IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WAR AND IDEOLOGY, IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH IT. THE WRITING IS SO VIVID AND immersive, I FELT LIKE I WAS RIGHT THERE WITH THE FINNISH SNIPER.

I'm thoroughly enthralled by the resurgence of crime and thriller novels that's taken the literary world by storm. The diverse range of stories being told is truly captivating - from espionage to historical fiction, each one offers a unique twist on the genre.

What resonates with me most is the way these novels expertly weave together elements of nostalgia and innovation. Vaseem Khan's Quantum of Menace is a masterclass in blending old-school spy thrillers with modern technological advancements. Meanwhile, Ann Cleeves' The Killing Stones is a testament to her ability to craft compelling characters and intricate plots.

I'm also intrigued by the choice of historical fiction novels like Benbecula and The Winter Warriors, which offer a nuanced exploration of complex themes such as family dynamics, ideology clashes, and human resilience.

The inclusion of Bob Mortimer's The Long Shoe, with its surreal humour and preposterous plot twists, is a great reminder that not all thrillers have to be dark and intense. Ultimately, these novels cater to diverse tastes and preferences, making them an excellent resource for readers looking to expand their literary horizons

I'm so excited about these new reads ! I mean, who doesn't love a good whodunit? Quantum of Menace is like the spy novel version of Indiana Jones - minus the fedora and whip, but with more gadgets and less hair . And Ann Cleeves' latest has me hooked - Shetland vibes for life! Jimmy Perez's a total detective dreamboat... I mean, not literally, but you get the idea .

Benbecula's like the literary equivalent of a slow-burning fire - it'll sear itself into your brain and make you question everything . And then there's The Long Shoe... what can I say? Bob Mortimer's comedy skills are like a superpower . Not for everyone, but if you're a fan of his brand of zany humor, this is the book for you .

I'm also intrigued by The Winter Warriors - who knew sniping could be so thrilling? And historical fiction with a side of espionage and murder mysteries? Sold!

I'm obsessed with true crime stories, but I also love reading thrillers that keep me guessing till the end! Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan sounds so cool, I mean who wouldn't want to read about James Bond's past? And Ann Cleeves' latest, The Killing Stones, has got me intrigued - an archaeological dig gone wrong? Sounds like a recipe for disaster! Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet is also on my radar, the true story behind it is so dark and intense. I'm not sure if I'd want to read about someone who murdered their whole family, but at the same time, I need to know what happened!

I'm so obsessed with those spy thriller books right now! I mean, who wouldn't want to be Q from the James Bond series? But seriously, Quantum of Menace is so underrated - it's like Vaseem Khan is trying to bring back some of that old-school espionage vibes. And Ann Cleeves' latest, The Killing Stones, is giving me all the Shetland feels ! But what's really got me hooked is Benbecula - it's like Graeme Macrae Burnet took a true crime story and turned it into this dark, twisted masterpiece . And have you guys read The Long Shoe? It's just so... surreal . Anyway, I'm totally adding all these to my reading list ASAP!

I'm loving the resurgence of crime thrillers lately ! It's like our minds are wired to love a good mystery . I mean, who doesn't want to be transported into a world of espionage and murder mysteries? Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan is definitely one of my top picks – it's got that perfect blend of nostalgia and high-stakes action .

But what I love most about these recommendations is how they cater to different tastes. From Benbecula's dark historical fiction to The Long Shoe's surreal comedy, there's something for everyone . And let's not forget Ann Cleeves' latest, which brings back Jimmy Perez in all his detective glory .

What I find really interesting is how these novels tap into our collective fascination with the human psyche . We're drawn to stories about complex characters and morally ambiguous themes because they reflect our own fears and desires . So whether you're a seasoned crime reader or just looking for something new, there's always going to be a good thriller out there waiting for you .

I'm so over the thrillers that try to pass off colonialism as neutral history It's like Graeme Macrae Burnet is romanticizing the brutal murder of his own family in Benbecula His writing is dark and intense, but it feels like a sanitized take on a true crime story. I wish he'd done more research to put the violence into context

I'm not buying all this hype around quantum tech . I mean, have we really thought through the implications of AI-powered detectives solving crimes? It sounds like a lot of science fiction nonsense to me . And don't even get me started on the whole "quantum computing" thing - it's just a bunch of fancy words for "we're not sure what we're doing yet ". Mark my words, these new-fangled gadgets are going to cause more problems than they solve .

these books all seem so different from one another but i think that's what makes them great? idk about the james bond spin-off tho...q is literally my fave character but seriously though, ann cleeves never disappoints with her shetland series. and benbecula is such a dark book, like, it's hard to look away from the madness in there

I heard from a reliable source that Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet is actually going to be adapted into a series, and it's not just one of those "we'll see" deals . Apparently, the production team has already cast the lead role, and they're planning to film on location in Scotland . I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll get picked up by a major network – this book is too good to pass up!

I gotta say, I've been hearing rumors about this Benbecula book by Graeme Macrae Burnet and now I'm stoked it's getting some love . Like, I knew it was based on a true story from 1857 but I didn't know the full extent of what went down. The fact that it's narrated by Angus's brother Malcolm is genius - I mean, can you imagine how messed up his head must've been? And the surreal humour in Mortimer's book, man... I loved how dark and twisted it was. It's like Burnet took all these real-life events and just amplified them on steroids .

just read this list of crime thrillers and i'm kinda surprised there's not more british authors involved they do some amazing work in that genre but apparently vaseem khan is the one who came up with a james bond spin-off? q sounds like a cool character though. also ann cleaves is back as jimmy perez, which is awesome for shetland fans benbecula by graeme macrae burnet sounds super dark and intense, not sure if i'd be into that but it's definitely got my interest

I've been reading a lot of thrillers lately and I gotta say, some of this stuff is CRAZY! Like, Quantum of Menace - Q as James Bond? What's next? But at the same time, it sounds kinda interesting... I mean, who doesn't love a good spy story?

And then there's Benbecula, which is basically just a really dark retelling of a true crime story. Like, what's up with that? It's like watching trainwreck footage - you don't want to look, but you can't help yourself .

But honestly, I'm more of a light read kinda person myself... give me some easy mysteries and thriller novels over super dark stuff any day .

Ugh, I'm so over the whole thriller scene rn I mean, can't people just read some romance novels or somethin' for once? These books all sound super dark and depressing... who wants to read about murders and crime all day? I'd much rather pick up a book that's gonna make me laugh and feel good. And what's with the James Bond spin-off? Q is so not my guy, give me someone more relatable like, idk, a normal person or somethin'. And don't even get me started on the historical fiction stuff... I mean, I guess it's cool that there are books about the 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland and all that, but can't we just focus on something more modern?

I'm thoroughly enthralled by the proliferation of crime and thriller novels in recent years . The way authors have managed to captivate readers worldwide with their intricate plots and suspenseful storylines is truly remarkable. From espionage thrillers like Vaseem Khan's Quantum of Menace to dark historical fiction such as Olivier Norek's The Winter Warriors, there's something for every taste.

I'm particularly fascinated by the use of atmospheric settings in these novels - be it the Orkney Islands' rugged landscape or the eerie atmosphere of Benbecula. These settings not only add to the tension but also provide a rich backdrop for the characters to navigate their complex web of relationships and moral dilemmas .

One thing that strikes me is the versatility of crime fiction as a genre - it can tackle everything from global security threats to personal identity crises, making it an incredibly broad and engaging spectrum of possibilities. Whether you're in the mood for a light-hearted thriller like Bob Mortimer's The Long Shoe or something more intense like Graeme Macrae Burnet's Benbecula, there's bound to be something that piques your interest .

Overall, I'm convinced that these novels will continue to captivate readers and provide endless entertainment - so if you're looking for a new read, take a look at one of these titles and see what all the fuss is about!

I'm loving the resurgence of crime and thriller novels ! It's like we've finally caught up with our inner detectives and want to solve some real-life mysteries . But what I find really interesting is how these stories tap into our collective anxiety about security, power, and the human condition . These books aren't just page-turners, they're also mirrors reflecting our own fears and hopes. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good spy story or murder mystery? It's like we've been conditioned to crave that rush of adrenaline when we're on the edge of our seats. Anyway, I'm definitely adding these books to my list... any recommendations from fellow readers out there?