6 books for crime fiction lovers

From classic murder mystery to twisted family drama, explore our list of gritty crime fictional reads

If you enjoyed the twists and turns of Paul French’s Midnight in Peking, we’ve got some great reads for you. From psychological thriller A Simple Favor to the surreal Man Tiger, there’s something for everyone.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Photo: Raven Books/Amazon

Kicking us off and quite close to Midnight in Peking is The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. With twists and turns like you wouldn’t believe, this book breathes life back into the classic murder mystery, turning the genre on its head using time loops, tension and repetition. It’s Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day meets Inception. This breath-taking book will keep you guessing until the very end.

I am not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells

Photo: Headlines/Amazon

The first installment of a trilogy following potential sociopath John Wayne Cleaver is set in a sleepy town where John knows he’s the most dangerous thing around. Believing he could do some serious harm; John holds himself to a strict moral code. But life is about to take a turn when a demon starts killing people and leaving gruesome crime scenes in its wake. Will this crime spree unravel John’s self-control as he investigates or will he stop the murders?

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McReight

Photo: Harper Collins/Amazon

This story will tug at heart strings across the board, during one of the biggest meetings of her career single mother Kate receives a call from her daughter’s school informing her that Amelia has been suspended. Between leaving the office and arriving at school and disaster strikes and Kate is devastated to find out that Amelia has committed suicide. Absolutely blindsided by the sudden and unfathomable nature of Amelia’s death, Kate’s maternal instinct tells her there’s more to her daughter’s untimely end than meets the eye. Diving into the life of the girl she thought she knew, Kate vows to get to the bottom of what really happened to Amelia. Filled with suspense, this book is a real page turner.

Man Tiger by Eka Kurniawan

Photo: Verso Books/Amazon

Indonesian novelist Eka Kurniawan has been a break out star since his debut novel Beauty is a Wound earning him comparisons to literary giants Gabriel García Márquez and Salman Rushdie. Man Tiger is set in a remote village in Java and opens in the aftermath of the murder of Anwar Sadat, infamous womanizer and wannabe artist, at the hands of local lad, Margio. The story continues Kurniawan’s exploration of the supernatural as the crime is not what it seems. A tale of family secrets, folk lore and the intricacies of village life, this book is not to be missed.

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Photo: Penguin Random House/Amazon

A book club sensation the world over, My Sister the Serial Killer isn’t your average crime novel. Oyinkan Braithwaite’s debut was a smash hit at the start of the year. The story follows sisters Korede and Ayoola, polar opposites but tied together by love and a dark secret, Ayoola is incredibly skilled at dispatching her boyfriends in the name of ‘self-defense’ and Korede is her long-suffering but obliging cleaner. Opening with the third murder and its subsequent clean up, Korede debates the merits of protecting her sister again, but decides that family comes first. However, Ayoola is a wild card and the girls’ bond is put under strain when she starts to chase the doctor Korede has loved from afar. Will Korede choose to save the doctor and sacrifice her sister or will family always win?

A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

Photo: Harper/Amazon

This thriller was Darcey Bell’s debut novel and its success reached new heights when it was adapted for the big screen featuring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. The novel follows ‘mom blogger’ Stephanie and her desperate search for what happened to her best-friend Emily in the wake of her disappearance. It begins with Emily asking Stephanie to do her a favour and pick her son up from school. The plot thickens when Emily still hasn’t collected Nicky after three days and nobody knows where she is. From the police suspecting Emily’s husband of murder to Stephanie becoming more and more paranoid, something isn’t right and Stephanie vows to find out exactly what it is. This book will have you on the edge of your seat.

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