A Drop of Corruption, Robert Jackson Bennett

Fantasy blends with Sherlockian intrigue in the second of the Ana and Din mysteries. The pair are dispatched to the far flung Canton of Yarrow to investigate the abduction and subsequent murder of a treasury officer.

What began as an impossible crime -solved quickly by Ana - morphs into a battle of wits between Din, Ana and an opponent whose enhancements have rendered them quite brilliant; not to mention functionally insane. With the fate of Yarrow at stake, Din begins to worry that Ana has finally met her match.

Library Game Gigi Pandian

Team Secret Staircase are working on a bequest; The Harold Gray Library will be a treasure trove of classic mysteries for the public to enjoy but there are complications. Someone is sabotaging the project, a nosy neighbour has started a petition against the building ever opening, Ivy has fallen for Cameron, the newphew of the deceased and Tempest Raj? The former stage magician is having mixed feelings about the imminent departure of Gideon, who is headed to France for a stonemason's internship - this project will be his last - for now.

On the eve of Hidden Creek's Summer Stroll a rehearsal for the mystery play written by Tempest and Ivy is derailed by a murder but then the body doesn't seem to want to stay put. Tempest finally convinces Detective Blackburn to investigate, landing Sanjay (The Hindi Houdini) in the role of main suspect. Could Tempest's close friendship with Sanjay be clouding her judgment or is there a most ghostly explanation.

This is book 4 in the series (Christmas Caper is a Novella so I'm not counting it here.) If you are new to this series start with Under Lock and Skeleton Key.

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage, Asia Mackay

Haze and Fox are the perfect couple, think Mr. and Mrs. Smith just killing really bad men. Until Haze falls pregnant with Bibi and they get into a suburban rut of play dates and the straight jacket of nine to five.

A series of mistakes by Haze and Fox’s soulless parents trying to steal Bibi away could bring everything crashing down. Can their marriage survive without them killing each other?

The Collaborators, Michael Idov

A geopolitical thriller with a sly sense of humour and a touch of Slow Horses to it. Ari Falk is too young for burnout but the failed exfil of an anti-Kremlin blogger could be the last straw and anyone close to the CIA op is being systematically wiped out. 

Maya Obrendt’s financier father just drowned himself in the Med. Seeking answers the former actress gets entangled - with Falk. The combo of civilian and spy threatens to expose a U.S cabal that would rather stay hidden. It’s a wild ride you’ll root for Ari and Maya but I want an Operation Flea Collar book next!

Deadly Animals, Marie Tierney

Ava Bonney is a grittier version of Flavia De Luce. It’s the 1980s and fourteen year old Ava’s obsession with animal anatomy causes her to stumble across the body of a classmate.

Kids are going missing in her north England village and Ava is determined to investigate alongside the local police, even if it means phoning in tips and preserving evidence. Ava is convinced that a killer has been hiding in the village for years - a wolf in sheep’s clothing you might say.

The Last One at the Wedding, Jason Rekulak

It’s the wedding of the year and Frank Szatowski’s going to be walking his estranged daughter Maggie down the aisle in a lavish three day shindig as she weds the son of a tech billionaire. Frank, his sister Tammy and her foster child Abigail travel to New Hampshire where Osprey Cove - Maggie’s world - awaits.

But something feels off to Frank, alien, twisted. He’s worried for his daughter and he has good reason to be.

What Time The Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust, Alan Bradley

The daughter of Buckshaw returns to defend Mrs Mullet whom Inspector Hewitt believes poisoned - albeit accidentally- a local man.

Flavia, ignoring orders not to investigate uncovers means motive and opportunity - unfortunately all point to her housekeeper. With Dogger at her side and Undine hanging off her leg Flavia sets after who she believes to be the real culprit, Asterion.