If you're looking for a gripping read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then it's time to dive into some of the best recent crime and thrillers that have hit the shelves.
One such book is Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up", which marks Rilke's third outing as an auctioneer turned amateur sleuth. The story begins with a gruesome discovery - Rodney Manderson's lifeless body, stabbed to death outside a London auction house. As Rilke tries to piece together the events leading up to Manderson's demise, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that goes far beyond his wildest imagination.
Welsh is known for her sharp observations and humane portrayal of her characters, and this book is no exception. With its tightly wound plot and intricate characters, "The Cut Up" is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. It's a testament to Welsh's skill as a writer that she can craft a story that's both gripping and emotionally resonant.
If you're in the mood for something a bit different, then David McCloskey's "The Persian" might be just what you need. This spy thriller follows Kam Esfahani, a Jewish Iranian dentist who becomes embroiled in a complex web of espionage and counter-intelligence. As he navigates the treacherous world of international intrigue, Kam must confront his own demons and make impossible choices that will test his loyalty and morality.
What sets "The Persian" apart from other spy thrillers is its nuanced exploration of the complexities of cultural identity and the blurred lines between good and evil. McCloskey's writing is masterful, weaving together a narrative that's both intellectually stimulating and viscerally thrilling.
For something a bit more lighthearted, but still packed with tension and suspense, you might want to try Anna Maloney's "The 10:12". This gripping debut novel follows Claire Fitzroy, an art lecturer who finds herself at the centre of a terrorist plot on a commuter train. As she fights back against her attackers, Claire must confront her own biases and preconceptions about the people around her.
Maloney's writing is razor-sharp, crafting a narrative that's both fast-paced and thought-provoking. "The 10:12" is a timely exploration of how we stereotype and underestimate others, making it a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
If you're looking for something a bit more offbeat, then Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" might be just what you need. This tense and pacy debut novel follows the Evans family as they spiral into financial ruin and personal chaos. When they receive mysterious cheques from an unknown source, their lives take a dramatic turn - but at what cost?
Schott's writing is clever and witty, crafting a narrative that's both humorous and unsettling. "Very Slowly All At Once" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living beyond our means, and it's a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Finally, there's CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again", a witty and innovative mystery that follows Vivian Slade as she becomes embroiled in a series of events that lead her to question everything about her life. With its clever plot twists and snappy dialogue, this book is a must-read for fans of comedy and crime fiction.
Overall, these books are just a few examples of the best recent crime and thrillers out there. Whether you're in the mood for something gritty and realistic or something more lighthearted and humorous, there's something on this list that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
One such book is Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up", which marks Rilke's third outing as an auctioneer turned amateur sleuth. The story begins with a gruesome discovery - Rodney Manderson's lifeless body, stabbed to death outside a London auction house. As Rilke tries to piece together the events leading up to Manderson's demise, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that goes far beyond his wildest imagination.
Welsh is known for her sharp observations and humane portrayal of her characters, and this book is no exception. With its tightly wound plot and intricate characters, "The Cut Up" is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. It's a testament to Welsh's skill as a writer that she can craft a story that's both gripping and emotionally resonant.
If you're in the mood for something a bit different, then David McCloskey's "The Persian" might be just what you need. This spy thriller follows Kam Esfahani, a Jewish Iranian dentist who becomes embroiled in a complex web of espionage and counter-intelligence. As he navigates the treacherous world of international intrigue, Kam must confront his own demons and make impossible choices that will test his loyalty and morality.
What sets "The Persian" apart from other spy thrillers is its nuanced exploration of the complexities of cultural identity and the blurred lines between good and evil. McCloskey's writing is masterful, weaving together a narrative that's both intellectually stimulating and viscerally thrilling.
For something a bit more lighthearted, but still packed with tension and suspense, you might want to try Anna Maloney's "The 10:12". This gripping debut novel follows Claire Fitzroy, an art lecturer who finds herself at the centre of a terrorist plot on a commuter train. As she fights back against her attackers, Claire must confront her own biases and preconceptions about the people around her.
Maloney's writing is razor-sharp, crafting a narrative that's both fast-paced and thought-provoking. "The 10:12" is a timely exploration of how we stereotype and underestimate others, making it a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
If you're looking for something a bit more offbeat, then Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" might be just what you need. This tense and pacy debut novel follows the Evans family as they spiral into financial ruin and personal chaos. When they receive mysterious cheques from an unknown source, their lives take a dramatic turn - but at what cost?
Schott's writing is clever and witty, crafting a narrative that's both humorous and unsettling. "Very Slowly All At Once" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living beyond our means, and it's a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Finally, there's CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again", a witty and innovative mystery that follows Vivian Slade as she becomes embroiled in a series of events that lead her to question everything about her life. With its clever plot twists and snappy dialogue, this book is a must-read for fans of comedy and crime fiction.
Overall, these books are just a few examples of the best recent crime and thrillers out there. Whether you're in the mood for something gritty and realistic or something more lighthearted and humorous, there's something on this list that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
These books sound so good! I'm already adding them to my reading list. The twists and turns in "The Cut Up" have me curious 
her writing is like magic! "The Cut Up" is literally my fave book of the year so far, I mean who wouldn't want to read about a murder investigation with Rilke as the lead? 
The way she weaves together all these complex plot twists and characters is just masterful. And can we talk about how great her writing style is? Like, it's so smooth and immersive you'll forget you're even reading 
. I need to find out what Rilke does next ASAP! 
But honestly, I think a lot of them are overrated. Louise Welsh's writing style is just too same-old, same-old for me - it's always the "tortured soul with a dark past" trope. And David McCloskey's book sounds like it's trying way too hard to be deep and nuanced 
Give me something with more edge and attitude any day.
. I mean, what's with all these spy thrillers? Are we just being fed a bunch of propaganda about the "good guys" vs "bad guys"? And don't even get me started on how convenient these plots are... like, what are the odds that everyone in these stories just happens to have the perfect skills for saving the day? 
she has a way of crafting stories that are both super dark and utterly captivating at the same time. I mean, "The Cut Up" is like a puzzle that you can't stop trying to solve once you start reading it 
And Rilke's character is just so fascinating - he's got this awkward charm thing going on that makes him feel totally relatable 
It's like, we're all caught up in these narratives where good vs evil is just so black and white, but what about when it gets messy? 
And Kam Esfahani's character is just so multi-faceted - I love how he's got these contradictions that make him feel like a real person 
And CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" is just a riot 
I mean, who wouldn't want to read a book where the main character is a clumsy, accident-prone mess? 
! And I love how David McCloskey explores the complexities of cultural identity in "The Persian", it's really thought-provoking 
. Anna Maloney's "The 10:12" is also super gripping, I loved how she tackled themes of stereotypes & biases 
, and CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" is just pure comedic genius 
I'm so down for some page-turning crime fiction 
! Louise Welsh is a genius 
. The way she explores the human condition 
and our darker impulses 
is truly mesmerizing 
.
! From spy thrillers to lighthearted mysteries, there's something for everyone 
. David McCloskey's exploration of cultural identity 
and Anna Maloney's thought-provoking portrayal of bias and stereotypes 
are particularly standout features.
Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" is also on my radar 
! Who doesn't love a good cautionary tale about living beyond our means 
Overall, I'm excited to dive into these books and discover more hidden gems