My Review (5 stars out of 5) In October 1846, as part of the last wagon train making the westward migration towards California, the group that became known as the Donner Party were forced to dig in at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Unable to make the arduous climb to finish their journey…
‘Laidlaw’ by William McIlvanney
My Review (5 stars out of 5) The murder of a young woman in Kelvingrove Park brings rebel detective Jack Laidlaw onto the streets of Glasgow. Laidlaw’s unconventional approach unsettles his new sidekick but the pair gradually begin to track the killer down. Trouble is, the cops aren’t the only ones looking for justice… This…
‘The Legacy of the Pan Book of Horror Stories’ by Johnny Mains
My Review (3 stars out of 5) The series known as the Pan Book of Horror Stories ran for 30 volumes between 1959 and 1989. In this latest version, editor Johnny Mains has collected a host of new stories along with several from the original series. As a teenager, this series was one of…
‘Poetic Justice’ by Mark Tilbury
My Review (5 stars out of 5) In this new assortment of stories, thriller writer Mark Tilbury presents five twisted tales of murder and revenge. As with all short story collections, there are those that stand out and others that don’t quite hit the spot. For me, the first two are the best: In ‘Last…
‘Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair’ by MK Wiseman
My Review (5 out of 5 stars) Long before partnering up with Doctor Watson, Sherlock Holmes fulfils the role of the world’s only consulting detective from his apartment at 59 Montague. When a client arrives claiming that her fiancé is not her fiancé, Holmes initially sees the case as of being little interest to him.…
‘Telling Tales’ by Ann Cleeves
My Review (5 stars out of 5) When fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel is murdered, her own father’s girlfriend is jailed for the crime. Ten years later, evidence comes to light proving Jeanie Long’s innocence—which means Abigail’s killer is still on the loose. Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is sent to the village of Elvet to look at…
‘When the Children Return’ by Barry Kirwan
My Review (4 stars out of 5) Ten years on from the invasion of Earth by the Axleth, Nathan, Sally and the others, along with their AI pilot Ares, are heading for home. Intending to take back their planet whatever the cost, they soon encounter problems when they find the Athena is being tracked by…
‘The Boy Who Wasn’t There’ by Kristi Helvig
My Review (5 stars out of 5) In this short story, when Max the thief and sex-worker Skye, bump into each other in a café, it seems they’re being pursued by the same man. However, in their attempt to escape, things go awry and the two become separated. The story moves along at a good…
‘The Dublin Railway Murder’ by Thomas Morris
My Review (5 stars out of 5) (Audiobook) Dublin, November 1856: When the chief cashier of the Broadstone railway terminus is found dead in his office, his colleagues assume he must have committed suicide. But further investigation uncovers the truth – George Little has been murdered. Most baffling is the fact that Little’s office door…
‘Ring’ by Koji Suzuki
My Review (3 stars out of 5) Journalist Asakawa writes for his newspaper’s weekly magazine and is keen to seek out great news stories. Hearing about a series of weird deaths, he realises they may be linked. Discovering the deaths occurred after the four teenagers spent a night in the same log cabin, he books…
Colin Garrow 