Again with the Tasmanian Crime Fiction 🕵️ The last round up was Australian Outback Noir in general (with some really good examples of this intriguing genre!), and we’re back to Tasmania-specific novels in this post, because apparently “Tasmanian Gothic” is a thing. (First post is here — showcasing some wonderful books). This is all in […]
Detective
More Outback Noir (4 reviews in one!)
As mentioned on my previous post on the subject, I’ve been somewhat binging Outback Noir (crime fiction set in rural Australia) with a view to writing a Magical-Realism novel along similar lines. Below are condensed reviews of two novels and a TV show, all being excellent examples of the genre. Quick aside: did you know […]
Book Review: Thraxas and the Warrior Monks, by Martin Scott
It’s, err… been a while since I read the first Thraxas novel. I did enjoy it, but didn’t get to the rest of the series till now. Still, the time is right for a quick and fun read. What to Expect Another case – actually several, interconnected – for our grumpy investigator. He just wants […]
Hard-boiled detectives: Then and Now (a philosophical review of The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler)
It’s been a while since I read the classic hard-boiled detectives, and felt like revisiting the pillars of the genre. The Big Sleep is one of those genre-defining works, but a lot has changed in the 80+ years since its publication. Following is a review of the novel, with a summary that is waxing philosophical […]
TV Series Review: Miss (and Ms) Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
Double whammy (and a half): review of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the sequel series Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, and a note about the book series that sparked them. First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Yes, I’ve watched the TV series before reading the books. However, that is how I found out about […]
Book Review: A Hag Rises from the Abyss, by Douglas Lumsden
I adored the previous Alex Southerland novels, so when I got the ARC for this one I practically squealed with joy. It was worth the wait! What to Expect Another paranormal case in the wonderful urban fantasy series of Alex Southerland, PI. This time time he gets hired (coerced, more like) into helping the mayor […]
Book Review: Sweet Silver Blues, by Glen Cook
As a lover of fantasy and detectives I’ve long had Glen Cook’s Garrett Files on my TBR. This review is for the first in the series, but I expect to read through it this year. What to Expect A private detective of sorts, set in an interesting fantasy world. The tone isn’t quite a noir […]
Book Review: The King’s Gambit (SPQR #1), by John Maddox Roberts
I’ve long had Maddox Roberts’ SPQR series on my TBR list (ever since I started reading Roman whodunits — Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, et al), but it took some time to get to this series. What to Expect A political mystery set in 70 BCE, as a young official is looking into the murders of […]
Book Review: Dead Men’s Sandals, by David Wishart
I love the Corvinus mysteries, so was excited to see a new one out. What to Expect Straight off the boat on his return from the last case in Carthage, Corvinus’ is summoned by a gangster boss (a favourite recurring character) and a favour he owes is called. Now he finds himself going to Brundisium, […]
Book Review: Something More Than Night, by Ian Tregillis
I’ve heard good things about Tregillis’ works and their historical-fantasy settings and vibes, and given that this book is a standalone (often my preference) and a noir detective to boot I was drawn. What to Expect Read the blurb, and then notch it up several degrees… sideways. Tregillis goes for high-intensity literary devices, where the […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 