Five crime novels explore murder, secrecy, family and recovery
This review roundup considers five recent crime and thriller novels, from Ian Rankin’s London-set investigation in a luxury tower block to historical mysteries and a family saga built around criminality. Together, the books use murder and suspense to explore secrecy, wealth, family loyalty, recovery and the lasting effects of past events.
Rankin’s *The Heights* follows DS Gillian Gish as she investigates the death of a security guard at an 18-storey block overlooking Hyde Park, where residents and the developer have reasons to stay silent. Other titles include *The Mortons*, about a crime family whose heir begins to question its values; *Murder Most Cryptic*, in which people in recovery pursue a puzzle linked to a death; and AJ West’s mystery, inspired by a real 1897 killing and set in 1917. The roundup also includes Gillian Slovo’s *Inheritance*.
- Ian Rankin’s new thriller centres on a suspicious death in a luxury London tower.
- Five novels explore crime through family, recovery and historical mystery.
- The roundup praises strong storytelling while noting some books’ flaws.
New here? Start with this
Crime novels use investigations and suspense to examine what people hide and how past choices shape their lives. In these stories, murder sits alongside themes of wealth, family loyalty, recovery and the lasting effects of earlier events.
The settings and characters vary: Ian Rankin’s detective, DS Gillian Gish, investigates a death in a luxury London block, while The Mortons centres on a family involved in crime. Other novels bring together people in recovery, a historical mystery inspired by a real killing, and Gillian Slovo’s Inheritance.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “The best recent crime and thrillers – review roundup”.