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. 

We Solve Murders, Richard Osman

If you google ‘who is Francois Loubert’ the results will range from ‘international money smuggler’ to ‘scary killer who uses ChatGPT in emails’ Loubert is using influencers as mules and then having them killed. He/she is also trying to pin these murders on Amy Wheeler, whose current assignment is bodyguard to a famous novelist who used a Russian mobster as a character in her latest book and didn’t bother disguising him. After an attempt on her life. Amy, with colourful client in tow ropes in her widower father-in-law Steve. He’s a retired copper who has buried himself in the tiny hamlet of Axley, deep in the New Forrest.

The world is about to come knocking and it’s armed and dangerous and full of private jets and Van Halen fans.

If you loved the Thursday Murder Club’s quartet you’re going to fall for Amy and Steve, hard.

The Wrong Hands: The Next Detective Miller Novel, Mark Billingham

DS Declan Miller returns, still partnered with Xiu, unorthodox as ever, his foxtrot could use some work and five months on Dec’s no closer to solving his wife Alex’s murder although Alex’s ghost still pops in for a chat in the evenings.

But life goes on and at Blackpool station an undercover police operation is derailed when the target’s briefcase is stolen from the gents loos. It does result in crime boss Wayne Cutler receiving a concussion so, that's a plus.

Miller is enjoying the fallout from ‘Toiletgate’ when Alex’s daughter Finn asks him for a favour, involving some stolen goods which turn out to be rather er perishable.

If you missed the first Miller novel The Last Dance go and grab it in paperback.

Assassins Anonymous, Rob Hart

Mark was ‘The Pale Horse’ a real-life John Wick, his god-like status a drug; until he quit and joined a twelve step program in New York City for recovering assassins.

He’s nearing his first year of non lethality when the past comes calling. Now he has to bounce from Singapore to London and back to home whilst attempting to find out who wants him dead and without killing anybody else in the process.

Will he slip?

Note - this thing moves like an express train and the reason for Mark entering AA is truly heart breaking. Also you'll learn box breathing - which is a very useful skill.