The Crying Cave Killings

by Wes Markin

Pub Date: Jul 23 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

Wes Markin delivers a gripping and tense police procedural in The Crying Cave Killings, the third instalment of his Yorkshire Murders series. DI Paul Riddick finds himself suspended after being found beside a murdered child—with eerie parallels to a case from his past. The narrative masterfully flips between present investigation and haunting backstory, creating a page-turner filled with moral ambiguity and rising suspense
The novel excels in character depth—Riddick is brooding and haunted, his instincts both a gift and a curse; DCI Emma Gardner is a compelling foil, determined to clear his name and keep the case on track. The Yorkshire setting, especially the atmospheric Mother Shipton’s Cave, adds vivid tension and a haunting sense of place
The Crying Cave Killings offers a dark, emotional ride with unexpected twists and a haunting conclusion that’ll linger. A must-read for fans of gritty, character-driven crime fiction.

 

Canticle Creek

by Adrian Hyland

Pub Date: Oct 05 2022

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

Adrian Hyland's Canticle Creek is a tense and atmospheric rural crime thriller set in drought- stricken Victorian Australia. When a young man dies under suspicious circumstances—blamed for murder before his death—Northern Territory cop Jesse Redpath senses something’s off and travels south to uncover the truth
What elevates this mystery is the vivid sense of place: scorching heat, the threat of bushfire, and the often hostile small-town terrain feel almost like their own characters . Jesse is a strong, relatable heroine whose determination and investigative grit drive the story forward. Supporting characters like the teenage Possum and Jesse’s artist father add emotional depth and authenticity
With a well-crafted plot, sharp prose, and a climatic blaze that brings everything to a head, this is a compelling standalone thriller—and a promising new series starter

 

A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun

by David Putnam

Pub Date: Oct 17 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

David Putnam’s A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun is a gritty, character-driven police thriller featuring homicide detective Dave Beckett—nicknamed “The Bone Dick” for his work on desert-cold-case bone discoveries. Drawing on Putnam’s real law-enforcement experience, the novel brings an authentic, harsh realism to the beat, blending procedural detail with emotional depth
The narrative is split between 1984, where we delve into Beckett’s unconventional methods and personal struggles, and 1988, when a bone discovery turns into a deeply personal case While some readers find the pacing slow early on, the story picks up momentum once the desert bone mystery kicks in, delivering satisfying twists and a compelling sense of place .
Beckett himself is a complex, rule-bending detective—both appealing and frustrating—which lends the story its moral complexity and emotional weight. Overall, this is a well-crafted procedural with layered characters and an atmospheric setting.

 

Leave No Trace

by MJ White

Pub Date: Apr 06 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

M.J. White’s Leave No Trace is a gripping, twist-laden detective thriller that marks the third installment in the Cora Lael series. Set fifteen years after a young footballer, Ewan Stokes— nicknamed “Stokesy”—disappears, the case resurfaces when mysterious sightings, violent acts, and an online cult all point toward his ominous return. Dr. Cora Lael, with her intuitive psychological insights, teams up with South Suffolk CID to unravel the mystery and protect Stokes’s ex-girlfriend from escalating danger
The novel strikes a compelling balance between police procedural pace and psychological depth, with short, suspenseful chapters that build tension steadily before a thrilling payoff .

Intense, character-driven crime fiction with a haunting atmosphere. A must-read for thriller fans looking for layered mysteries and unforgettable protagonists.

 

Her

by Mira V Shah

Pub Date: Nov 23 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

Mira V Shah’s Her is a taut, twisty psychological thriller exploring envy, friendship, and hidden truths. Told through alternating perspectives of Rani—a struggling mum living across the street— and Natalie, the seemingly perfect newcomer, the novel builds rising tension as Rani becomes obsessed with Natalie’s ideal life.
The writing is compelling and fast-paced, with sharp, short chapters that create a compelling, binge-read feel . The ending is a touch rushed, but a gripping debut that keeps you guessing

 

The Dead Don't Speak

by Claire Askew

Pub Date: Jun 08 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

Claire Askew’s The Dead Don’t Speak is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that hinges on a deeply unsettling concept: when a family member dies in suspicious circumstances, the only witness left is someone who can’t speak.
Askew weaves tension expertly, using subtle psychological chills rather than overt horror. Her prose is crisp and evocative, painting a chilling portrait of grief, guilt, and growing paranoia. The protagonist’s slow unraveling is compelling and believable, while the eerie, unspoken presence of the dead keeps the pages turning.
A lean, suspenseful debut with just the right amount of psychological depth—ideal for fans of quiet, character-driven chills

 

Blood Mothers

by Gaye Maguire

Pub Date: Feb 12 2023

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Review by

Emily B, Reviewer

Last updated on Jul 02 2025

Blood Mothers by Gaye Maguire is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of motherhood, trust, and betrayal. Set in a picturesque North Wales village, the

story centers on Jess, a stay-at-home mum who believes she’s found friendship and support among the other local mothers... until she starts to question how well she really knows them.
Gaye Maguire expertly builds tension through a carefully paced storyline, punctuated by subtle but unsettling moments that make you second-guess every interaction. The close-knit community setting adds an eerie sense of surveillance and pressure, escalating the suspense with each passing chapter.
Jess is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist whose maternal instincts—in both her young son and her own mother—drive much of the emotional depth in the novel. The supporting cast of mothers is varied and well-drawn; each woman carries a secret, and Maguire peels these layers away skillfully.
Blood Mothers is a compelling domestic thriller that explores the darker side of family and friendship. With its richly realized characters and building tension, it’s a perfect pick for readers who enjoy unsettling, character-driven suspense.