Summer's here and the UK's literary scene is sizzling with a fresh batch of crime and thriller novels that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. From mind-bending puzzles to heart-pumping espionage, this season's releases promise something for every reader – whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the genre.
Scarlett Thomas takes centre stage with her gripping novel 'The Runner' (£16.99, Scribner), which hurtles readers into the life of Jay, a 34-year-old in Cyprus who's constantly running for his life from assassins. With a twist that began during his university days and a contract on his life traded in Bitcoin, this is one thrilling tale you won't want to put down – even as Thomas expertly rewinds the clock to reveal the complex reasons behind Jay's precarious existence, weaving together elements of exorcism, dictators, high finance, and marathons into an unforgettable adventure.
This summer also marks a significant literary event: the English publication of Henning Mankell's 'The Madman' (£25, translated by George Goulding and Sarah de Senarclens). Written in the 1970s but now making its way onto UK shelves, this novel plunges readers into a Swedish town in the late 1940s still grappling with the nation's wartime neutrality. As Bertil Kras's life unravels amidst accusations of stirring resentment and a devastating sawmill fire, Mankell masterfully builds towards disaster, exposing themes of 'othering' that remain starkly relevant today.
Bestselling author Jane Casey delivers another cracking read with her standalone novel 'Everything She Didn't Say' (£16.99, Hemlock), set in the breathtaking landscapes of Mayo, Ireland – a far cry from her usual London haunts. As a woman wakes to find her companion vanished and their cottage covered in blood, Dublin detectives Ben Butler and Liam Farrell are hot on the case, uncovering inconsistencies and a potential link to the past in this thrilling tale that will keep you guessing till the very end.
For spy fiction fans, MJ Robotham's 'The Spy and the Snake' (£18.99, Aria) is the perfect fix – Maggie Flynn's second outing sees her navigating 1960s Budapest on an unofficial mission to retrieve former defector Fitzroy Carver, who holds vital information about a traitor. With its lighthearted take on the spy genre and plenty of lucky breaks along the way, this is one delightful read that will have you smiling from start to finish.
And finally, Japanese author Akane Araki makes an electrifying debut with 'Murder at the End of the World' (£14.99, Pushkin), set in a world thrown into chaos by a devastating asteroid. With its unique blend of mystery and sci-fi elements, this is one novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish – as our reviewer puts it, "a real page-turner"!