We are already halfway through the year and there have been an amazing array of crime novels released and our stats reflect that they are being discovered by readers and shared with all of us.

I’m feeling quite introverted and have little to say today so I’m going to get straight into sharing what our wonderful band of reviewers have discovered over the last couple of months.

Stats are not looking quite as impressive as the last round-up but we still have some fantastic numbers. 82 reviews were recorded of 47 books by 45 authors, I do see some duplicates but they’re still not bad numbers, and I’m sure there are more that have been read… because I know I’ve read a couple and not reviewed them yet.

Let’s start with some of the top reviews, which is still going to be quite the list. None of the books stand out with an impressive list of reviews, but there’s more than a handful with at least 4.

Two brand new releases were logged 6 times, Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz and Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart.

Reviews for Before You Knew My Name are quite varied but overwhelmingly positive, it stands out as an accomplished debut with some heavy subject matter.

Jemimah – Underground Writers closes her review with: This is not a light read, and it should not – and I’d argue could not – be taken lightly. It is, instead, vastly important; a strong, brilliant next step in conversations about feminism and dismantling rape culture from the smallest – seemingly innocuous – moments of asserted power to the inevitable endpoint of that entitlement. Before You Knew My Name is a must-read to educate and encourage forwarding thinking about rape and murder against women and how it is dwelt upon in mainstream culture. However, please note that it is heavy going at times and should be approached with mental and emotional preparation for the difficult subject matter. It is not an easy read, but an essential one.

Tracey at Carpe Librum says: Before You Knew My Name is not a whodunnit or a whydunnit and doesn’t focus on the perpetrator at all. Instead, Jacqueline Bublitz offers a refreshingly unique premise that kept me engaged and is recommended for crime and thriller readers – both new and seasoned – looking for a new perspective.

Before You Knew My Name was also reviewed by Theresa Smith Writes, Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out, Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Cloggie Downunder (on Goodreads).

Digging Up Dirt by Pamela Hart is the first in a new Cozy Mystery series by the accomplished author and it has garnered some great reviews since it’s release earlier this month.

On Goodreads Brenda says: Digging Up Dirt is the first in the Poppy McGowen Mysteries by Aussie author Pamela Hart, and also her first foray into cozy mysteries. I’ve loved her work as a historical fiction writer, and also her children’s books as Pamela Freeman. In my opinion she has nailed the cozy mystery genre also. With plenty of twists; Poppy doing all she can to find the ‘bad guy’; great characters; intrigue and more, Digging Up Dirt is one I recommend highly. I’m keen for the second in the series

Ashleigh – The Book Muse says: Pamela Hart’s new book is sure to capture her current fans and crime lovers. Sydney and all its diversity – the people, the places, the sights and the sounds just leap off the page and create a world so full of life that it feels as though it is happening right next to you as you read the book. I loved all the characters and I loved that they could just be who they were – be it male, female, gay, straight, Muslim, Indigenous – everyone who appeared on the page felt genuine, even those Poppy disagreed with.

Digging Up Dirt is also reviewed by Helen and Cloggie Downunder on Goodreads, Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out and Denise Newton Writes.

The Chase by Candice Fox garnered 5 reviews, by some of our regular reviewers.

Theresa Smith Writes is quite a fan of Candice Fox and her review, part of the blog tour, contains this paragraph: I love the way Candice creates her characters, all shades of grey; good, bad, and in-between. The story was funny, shocking, horrific, thrilling, moving, and above all, entertaining. I hesitate to say that this is Candice Fox at her best because I love all of her novels but suffice to say, she is in top form and it doesn’t get much better than this.

Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out says: There are obviously a lot of moving parts to The Chase given the multiple characters and story threads, but Fox deftly integrates them into a compelling whole. The story unfurls at a fast pace, offering plenty of action, suspense and drama. The author’s quirky sense of humour is evident throughout, helping to balance the the impact of the violence.

Gripping, exciting and entertaining, I recommend you pursue a copy of The Chase at your earliest convenience.

The Chase was also reviewed by Mrs B’s Book Reviews as well as Carolyn and Jennifer on Goodreads.

Four reviews came in for four different books and I will share a little here from each of them, a couple of which I have actually read.

The Girl Remains by Katherine Firkin was reviewed by Kate – Underground Writers, Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out, Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Jo @ Booklover Book Reviews.

Jo @ Booklover Book Reviews enjoyed the novel but did have some issues: Less effective though was Firkin’s characterisation. And, while her conscientious depiction of the real-world delays and vast number of people involved in such an investigation was admirable, it perhaps exacerbated this weakness at times. Lacking a depth and continuity of investment in any particular character, it was the author’s judicious unwrapping of the puzzle and toying with her audience’s moral compass and inner sleuth that maintained my engagement.

 

Widow’s island by L.A. Larkin was a hit with Brenda on Goodreads:
Wow! Widow’s Island by Aussie author L.A. Larkin is another gripping, chilling and intense thriller which I loved. I have thoroughly enjoyed all this author’s books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. The tension had my heart racing, especially as I came close to the end. Murder, serial killers, troll farms, the dark web – what a brilliant mix! Loved it! Highly recommended.

Widow’s Island was also reviewed by Carolyn and Jennifer on Goodreeads, and Tracey @ Carpe Librum.

 

Something to Hide is back in this review period with 2 reviews and 2 interviews.

Helen reviewed on Goodreads an is a definite fan: This is a page turner of a story it was really hard to put down even for a short amount of time, I think Dave is one of the best characters that I have read he is true and honest and there to help and he never gives up, I have not read all of Fleur McDonalds’s books but what I have read I have loved and I am determined to read them all. This is a story that I highly recommend, I loved it, action packed and fabulous. Thank you MS McDonald for hours of reading pleasure.

Fleur was interviewed by me at Mic Loves Books and Mrs B’s Book Reviews as well as being reviewed by Veronica @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf.

 

You Need to Know by Nicola Moriarty is a book I have recently read and I really enjoyed it, am yet to get to a full review though. it was reviewed this round-up by Denise Newton Writes, Jennifer on Goodreads, Mrs B’s Book Reviews and Ktbookbingo on Instagram.

Ktbookbingo reviewed on Instagram and I have to say I’m pretty impressed with a full review as an Instagram post because I can’t write long posts for Instagram, even comments do me in some days. She was a definite fan of the novel and says this in her review: Moriarty always spoils us with interesting and well developed characters and You Need To Know is no exception. What I particularly appreciated in this book was the manner in which she took some very serious subjects but dealt with them in a realistic, sensitive and relatable manner through her exceptional characters.

 

That’s probably enough for today but there are so many other great crime novels reviewed and if you want to check out all of the crime novels that have been reviewed you can head to the AWW Books Reviewed page and search by Genre. It will put all of the reviews at your fingertips.

We would love to hear about the great crime reads you have enjoyed recently, and those that you are looking forward to. As with every round-up I write I found more to add to my towering pile of books to read, and my even longer wishlist.

Have a great evening and a reading filled weekend.