Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Mystery & Crime Book Reviews Available Now (page 7)


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Cover art for GOOD BAIT
FICTION
Released: Jan. 9, 2013

"The remarkable output of Harvey, whose 100-plus titles (Far Cry, 2010, etc.) have earned him the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, represents the best of British crime writing."
Forget what you had planned for today; the new Harvey comes first. Read full book review >
Cover art for A STUDY IN REVENGE
FICTION
Released: Jan. 8, 2013

"Erudite, mysterious and exciting, with a brooding, brilliant Sherlock-ian detective. The denouement is just as surprising as in Grey's first case."
1893. A deputy and a private detective in Portland, Maine, investigate a murder with some very unusual features indeed. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE MIDWIFE'S TALE
FICTION
Released: Jan. 8, 2013

"Historian Thomas' fiction debut is packed with fascinating information about a midwife's skills and life during the English civil war. The ingenious, fast-paced mystery is a bonus."
A determined midwife must solve a murder to save a friend from a horrible end. Read full book review >
Cover art for UNNATURAL HABITS
FICTION
Released: Jan. 1, 2013

"Among Phryne's pleasantly dashing adventures (Dead Man's Chest, 2010, etc.), this one stands out for its emphasis on sexual orientation and institutional coverups."
Australia's answer to Lord Peter Wimsey takes on white slavers and the Catholic Church. Read full book review >
Cover art for AN INCH OF TIME
FICTION
Released: Jan. 1, 2013

"Who wouldn't want to spend a fortnight in Corfu with the droll Honeysett and his chums? Helton, who divides his writing time between two series, the noir (Four Below, 2012, etc.) and the wry (Rainstone Fall, 2008, etc.), is a great traveling companion."
Tiny cups of coffee strong enough to pave potholes and glasses of cheap, terrible Greek red wine introduce a desultory private eye to life on Corfu. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SERENITY MURDERS
FICTION
Released: Dec. 24, 2012

"If you can get past some difficult translations from the Turkish, Somer's hero/heroine and clan (The Gigolo Murder, 2009, etc.) will delight and dazzle you."
A classy cross-dresser has to catch a murderous man determined to derail her otherwise fabulous life. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SIGN OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN
FICTION
Released: Dec. 19, 2012

"One hopes that White's clever tale, meticulously researched and pleasingly written, is the first in a series that will bring Florence and its many famous denizens to life."
A Florentine lawyer must solve a murder to keep his city from imploding. Read full book review >
Cover art for VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
FICTION
Released: Dec. 11, 2012

"Dunn's third Cornish adventure (Manna From Hades, 2009, etc.) offers strong female characters, a double helping of tension and the revival of some largely forgotten history."
A Cornish cliff walk involves some impromptu investigators in a life-and-death situation. Read full book review >
Cover art for GOOD JUNK
FICTION
Released: Dec. 11, 2012

"With so many twists and turns, even the most devoted noir fans may wish they had a map. But it's well worth trying to find the way."
More hangs in the balance than he imagines when a private eye signs on to help a police friend solve her latest case. Read full book review >
Cover art for SMOKE ALARM
FICTION
Released: Dec. 1, 2012

"A tasty combination of police procedural and forensics, with a touch of romance."
When three people die in a tragic fire, is it an accident or murder? That's a question for DI Alex Randall and coroner Martha Gunn. Read full book review >
Cover art for MANDARIN GATE
FICTION
Released: Nov. 27, 2012

"Casual readers be warned: Pattison's seventh Inspector Shan thriller is another hypnotic immersion in a fascinating culture."
A brutal killing in Tibet draws a veteran investigator out of the safety of his new bureaucratic job and into a complicated tangle of political interests and deadly alliances. Read full book review >
Cover art for Murder, al fresco
INDIE
Released: Nov. 20, 2012

"An exciting murder mystery replete with humor, romance and intrigue."
A captivating tale of murder, secrets and switched identity. Read full book review >