Wulf's Book Reviews

An Accidental Death: A Novel by Peter Grainger My rating: 4 of 5 stars Peter Grainger and Detective Sergeant Smith first came to my attention through the New York Times article “The Best Literary Detective You’ve Never Heard Of, and the Man Who Made Him” ( Gift link ). It made an excellent introduction to both author and character. In “An Accidental Death”, a young man drowns after a party, apparently leaving Kings Lake police with a routine investigation. Smith, newly back at work, is paired with trainee Christopher Waters, and the case gradually becomes more complicated than the initial explanation allows. I will keep the details there, because the pleasure lies in watching Smith work rather than in having the investigation pre-explained. Smith is an immediate winner for me. He is experienced, observant, stubborn, and quietly funny, but Grainger never turns him into a grandstanding super-detective. His appeal is much more understated. He notices what other people overlook, follows h...

Facets of Death by Michael Stanley My rating: 3 of 5 stars "Facets of Death" is a strange sort of prequel: useful if you already like Detective Kubu, but not quite alive enough to explain why you should. On paper, it has all the right ingredients. A huge diamond robbery in Botswana, an inside-job suspicion, cross-border violence, and young David “Kubu” Bengu entering the Criminal Investigation Department with more education than field experience. The opening has that procedural promise I usually enjoy: logistics, institutions, competence, and a crime whose mechanics matter. What works best is Kubu himself. Even in this younger version, he is recognisably the man I like in the later books: observant, stubborn, fundamentally decent, and already more interested in understanding people than in swaggering through a case. I enjoyed seeing the early shape of him, especially the way his intelligence has to push through resentment from colleagues who do not quite know what to do with...

The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan My rating: 3 of 5 stars There is a lot here that ought to work for me: a body lifted from a bog, the unsettling suggestion of ritual, and Cormac Reilly caught between a high-pressure investigation and a personal call for help. Dervla McTiernan still writes with that clean, brisk confidence that makes her Cormac books so readable, and, on a scene-by-scene level, I rarely felt bored. That slightly acid note of humour is something I usually enjoy in these novels, and it is here, too, tucked into conversations and reactions rather than delivered as showy one-liners. The problem is that the larger shape of the book never quite gels for me. The central case keeps switching gears in ways that feel more like plot-management than accumulation, and the tension leaks away whenever the narrative turns aside for threads that do not pay their weight. The bog-body premise has a fantastic, sickly pull, and I liked how the novel toys with the reader’s expectation...

Stolen Family by Lisa Regan My rating: 5 of 5 stars Lisa Regan’s “Stolen Family” hits like a heatwave and does not let up. Set against Denton’s Balloons and Tunes Festival, it opens with a tableau that is both theatrical and chilling: two bodies, mother and daughter, arranged beneath fairy lights, and marked with blood-red flowers. The case hooks on spectacle, but it tightens quickly into something far more unsettling - because the killer’s calling card is not just a flourish, it is a promise. » They're camellias. « From there, the novel sprints. Regan is excellent at drip-feeding information without ever letting it feel like stalling, and the heatwave setting adds a faint sense of delirium to the investigation; everything is bright, crowded, and slightly too loud, which makes the moments of quiet menace land harder. When the book swerves, it does so on the back of evidence, not authorial whim. The pacing keeps widening the circle without losing clarity. Each new lead feels like ...

Wicked Women by Angela Marsons My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Wicked Women” is one of those rare long-running-series instalments that makes you feel, within a handful of pages, that you have come home. As the twenty-third novel in the Detective Kim Stone series , it has every right to coast on familiar beats, but it does the opposite. Angela Marsons drops you straight back into Kim Stone’s world with that familiar, brisk authority - sharp observation, sharper dialogue, and a case that refuses to sit still. The premise flirts with witchcraft, but the book’s real trick is how elegantly it keeps the supernatural at arm’s length: present as culture, performance, fear, and suggestion, yet never allowed to bulldoze the procedural logic. Like Kim, I do not believe in witches, and I loved how the novel leans into that scepticism while staying delightfully ambiguous. » ‘But no one really believes in them,’ Kim stated. « That line sets the tone: we are here for evidence, motives, and human choices, ...

The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan My rating: 4 of 5 stars Dervla McTiernan’s "The Good Turn" is, for me, the point where the Cormac Reilly series stops being “a case” and becomes properly his (and, to a lesser degree, Peter’s) story. Book three feels like the culmination of the internal conflicts he’s been dragging around since “The Ruin”: loyalty versus integrity, ambition versus decency, and the nagging sense that the job will always ask for more than it gives back. It’s a page-turner in the straightforward, genre-satisfying way you want from contemporary crime fiction. What makes “The Good Turn” stand out, though, is that the case is almost the excuse. The real investigation is internal: what Cormac will tolerate, what he’ll sacrifice, and what it costs to keep choosing the “good” option when everyone around you has a spreadsheet of compromises. » ”I don’t think you would, Emma, and I wouldn’t blame you because the truth is I wouldn’t be happy. That isn’t what I want.” ...

The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan My rating: 5 of 5 stars I flew through “The Scholar”, and it felt like McTiernan sharpened everything that already worked in " The Ruin ", the pacing, the mounting pressure, and the uneasy sense that every answer creates a worse question. Cormac Reilly is pulled into the death of a young woman linked to Galway University and a pharmaceutical dynasty with money, influence, and far too many reasons to want the truth managed. The investigation is the kind I love, official interest, media heat, colleagues second-guessing every move, and the creeping suspicion that the system is designed to protect itself first. What really sells the suspense is how personal it becomes. Cormac’s relationship with Emma Sweeney adds an edge of emotional risk to every decision, and the novel keeps nudging you into uncomfortable questions about bias, loyalty, and what “objectivity” looks like when the stakes are human. The atmosphere is crisp and chilly, even when the...

The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I picked up Dervla McTiernan's “ The Ruin ” wanting a modern police procedural that actually feels like police work, rather than a string of convenient revelations, and this one delivered. It’s set in Galway, it’s wintry, it’s quietly grim without being gratuitous, and it has that satisfying sense of a case tightening like a screw. Better still, it reads like a complete novel, not a “series pilot” padded with placeholders. It’s dark, yes, but it never slides into misery tourism. » I haven't seen Garda Reilly in twenty years.' And somehow that simple truth sounded more like a lie than anything else. « Cormac Reilly is a solid centre of gravity: competent, dogged, and self-aware enough to notice when the institution is trying to steer him towards the easy answer. As the “new man” in Galway (transferred from Dublin), he’s both insider and outsider, which gives the story some welcome tension. People talk to him because he’...

Talking to the Dead by Harry Bingham My rating: 3 of 5 stars This was an odd, sometimes compelling, sometimes exasperating mix of police procedural and psychological thriller, and it never quite decides which one it wants to be. The result, for me, is a book that kept pulling me along, then tripping itself up. The premise is undeniably strong: a "damaged", hyper-observant detective-in-training, a grim Welsh setting, a dead girl who does not stay neatly dead (at least, not in the way the narrative wants her to), and a mystery with enough hooks to keep the pages turning. When Bingham focuses on the investigation, the novel has that familiar genre satisfaction: clues, reversals, institutional friction - albeit with a slightly skewed angle that separates it from the more straightforward, momentum-first crime writing I usually enjoy. » I tell him that there’s one man dead, and four others, who might or might not be dead by the time help arrives. « My main problem with this novel...

First Blood by Angela Marsons My rating: 4 of 5 stars Every legend starts somewhere — and Kim Stone’s begins in blood. After finishing all “regular” entries of Angela Marsons' Kim Stone series , I remembered reading about a prequel. “ First Blood ” was quickly discovered and read with glee. It’s the story of how Kim meets her new team for the first time and gets thrown quickly into a gruesome murder. As can be expected from a Kim Stone novel, the mystery was engaging, relevant, and full of suspense. We also get a closer look at all of the team members much earlier in their careers: Stacey has just moved to CID and is rather insecure but quickly discovering her most important skills. She is far from the self-confident, married woman she becomes but already very likeable. » Stacey was proud of her Nigerian heritage even though she had never stepped foot outside England and was equally proud to be British. « Dawson, at this point, is an insufferable arse: he prefers sleeping in his ...

by Angela Marsons My rating: 5 of 5 stars Kim Stone #12 to #21 I went down a rabbit hole with Kim Stone . After eleven novels starring Angela Marsons' brilliant, abrasive, sympathetic Detective Inspector, I was so enamoured with these characters, the mysteries, and all the other greatness that make these novels, I just couldn’t get enough of them. Every waking minute that could be spent on the novels, would be. Ok, a few times I would start to despair at the loss of the rule of law in the USA, witnessing how people like you and me are impacted by what that despicable orange person does. And then I would immediately return to Kim Stone and her team. Penn, Stacey, Bryant (whose given name I now finally know!), Frost, and, interestingly, Leanne - they all have their moments. The stories always address relevant contemporary issues, they’re believable, suspenseful and thrilling. I cannot review those novels individually anymore because once I had finished one (without taking the time f...

Dead Memories by Angela Marsons My rating: 5 of 5 stars A clever and chilling thriller that blends psychological depth, intense suspense, and emotional storytelling as Kim Stone’s past is dragged back into the present. “ Dead Memories ”, the 10th instalment in Angela Marsons' brilliant “D.I. Kim Stone” series , was yet another great read. As I state so often in these reviews - this one is the best one yet. This time, Kim is brutally haunted by her past: A murderer is recreating the traumas of Kim’s time in the child care system. Many of these have already been featured in earlier novels but some of them are new to the reader and truly horrible. While this novel is not as dark as some of its predecessors, there is one scene of sexualised violence against a child. You have been warned. Marsons wouldn’t be Marsons, though, if she didn’t manage to create an extremely well-balanced, suspenseful, and, at its core, very humane novel out of this. Apart from the well-established team by n...

Fatal Promise by Angela Marsons My rating: 4 of 5 stars Back to reviewing after a nasty encounter with the flu or something. Angela Marsons “ Fatal Promise ” is another solid entry in the D.I. Kim Stone series , though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of its predecessors. One of the standout aspects of this instalment is the introduction of a new team member, Penn, who brings a different dynamic to the group. Marsons handles this addition well, allowing the character to integrate naturally into the existing team while also providing enough backstory to make him feel fully realised. The novel also delves deeper into Kim Stone’s personal struggles, particularly how she deals with loss and grief. Marsons has always excelled at balancing the professional and personal lives of her characters, and “Fatal Promise” is no exception. Kim’s growth as a character is evident, and her resilience in the face of adversity continues to make her one of the most compelling protagonists in cr...

Dying Truth by Angela Marsons My rating: 5 of 5 stars Murder at an elite British boarding school where secret societies wield immense influence and control over practically every single pupil—for their entire life. A shady principal, a counselor with secrets, and Joanna Wade, still coming on to Kim. » The Spades filed silently into the candle room. « Now imagine Kim “invading” the venerable halls of the school, disrupting the supposed peace and, in her usual manner, penetrating the complex interconnections against all resistance by celebrities, school officials, pupils, and pretty much everyone - with unexpected exceptions… This is the premise of " Dying Truth ", Angela Marsons' eighth instalment in her Kim Stone series and it plays out just as brilliantly as it sounds. I know I also wrote about the previous novel but it’s true for this one as well: It’s the best novel of this series so far. From the outset, the boarding school provides a gothic, almost claustrophobic...

Broken Bones by Angela Marsons My rating: 4 of 5 stars Not as sharp as before, but Kim Stone’s grit keeps me hooked. Angela Marsons' “ Broken Bones ” follows Kim Stone and her tireless team as they delve into a network of crimes that expose the darkest corners of society. While its predecessor left me enthralled, this one felt like a slight step back in terms of sheer suspense, character development, and immediacy of action. “Broken Bones” deals with issues of desperation, abuse, and exploitation, exploring the ways marginalised people navigate a world indifferent to their suffering. Among the novel’s many strengths, Detective Kim Stone continues to stand out. Her tenacity, resilience, and willingness to challenge perceptions radiate in every chapter. » He turned to look at her. ‘You’re advising me on positivity?’ ‘Oh, the irony,’ she observed. « The novel also examines the complexity of human behaviour. In a powerful scene, Kim reflects on the limitations of stereotyping: » ’A ...

Dead Souls by Angela Marsons My rating: 5 of 5 stars I've followed Angela Marsons' Kim Stone series from the beginning, and " Dead Souls " was, so far, its best instalment. What sets this entry apart is the fascinating dynamic created by forcing Kim Stone to work alongside her long-standing nemesis, Tom Travis, and his team. This unexpected partnership generates tension throughout the story, while Kim's own team tackles separate cases that eventually interweave.The culmination, involving the abduction of one of Kim's team members, had me perched on the edge of my seat. Marsons has always excelled at pacing, but here she's outdone herself. The narrative flows with the precision of a well-oiled machine, never feeling rushed yet maintaining a constant sense of urgency. While the subject matter is undeniably dark—dealing with xenophobia, racism, and hate crimes—it doesn't descend into the gratuitous territory that sometimes plagues contemporary crime fi...

The Closers by Michael Connelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars My expectations were naturally high as I ventured back alongside Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch as he re-joins the force in " The Closers ". This novel does bring a different tempo, quite unlike the whirlwind of suspense we often associate with Bosch's live-wire cases. Instead, he delves into a cold case, bringing a slower, perhaps more methodical, feel to this venture. Initially, my excitement ebbed slightly as the urgency I’m familiar with in Bosch novels was subdued due to the nature of a cold case. However, as Bosch's intricate world unfurled, the story's pace began to pick up, rendering my initial reservations (mostly) moot. Detours from urgency can indeed provide new spaces for character exploration and narrative depth. This novel proved that slow-burning embers could have the potential to ignite an inferno. The inclusion, perhaps reintroduction, of Irvin Irving added a nuanced blend ...

The Narrows by Michael Connelly My rating: 4 of 5 stars Having read multiple entries from Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series , I approached "The Narrows" with high expectations, and for the most part, it didn’t disappoint. As one of the later books in the series, the tone is darker, more introspective, and delves into an older Bosch trying to adjust to life after the LAPD, all while being drawn into a chilling case involving a serial killer. The plot kicks off with Bosch investigating the death of a friend’s husband, which also links FBI agent Rachel Walling to the resurgence of a notorious killer. Connelly’s deft plotting shines through, as the story unspools with a quiet, steady tension that kept me flipping pages. There's a masterful blend of investigation and emotional weight, particularly as we see Bosch juggle the demands of the case with his tangled personal life, especially his fractured relationship with his daughter. What elevates The Narrow...

Lost Light by Michael Connelly My rating: 5 of 5 stars Lost Light , the ninth entry in Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series , carries the familiar grittiness and deep introspection that long-time readers have come to expect. Bosch, now retired, finds himself entangled in another case, this time a cold one that starts just as the reader expects: with a murder shrouded in mystery and Bosch's relentless determination pushing it forward. However, like in Angels Flight , what makes "Lost Light" stand out isn’t just the mystery itself, but Bosch's internal journey as he grapples with his own complex emotions. » I’m a believer in the single-bullet theory… What I do know is that Eleanor Wish had been my bullet. She had pierced me through and through… I was still bleeding and I knew I would always bleed for her. That was just the way it had to be. There is no end of things in the heart. « This passage encapsulates the essence of Bosch's emotional state i...

Her Dying Secret by Lisa Regan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoy Lisa Regan's Josie Quinn novels . Regan almost always succeeds in crafting intricate plots and compelling characters. After the previous instalment’s short departure from Josie’s usual haunts, I wondered where “ Her Dying Secret ” would take us. Thankfully, it is firmly set in the familiar world of Josie Quinn and her friends and colleagues in Denton. As for her friends, most of them are absent: Misty and her son, Harris, are mentioned a few times but play no role. The same is true for her parents and her twin sister, which is slightly sad but doesn’t detract much from the novel’s overall appeal. Regan’s prose continues to channel an atmosphere thick with suspense and emotional tension. This is especially the case since the story opens with a car accident, the body of a murdered woman in the car, and a child in danger. A recurring issue in Regan's works, however, is the narrative ending way bef...