Five amazing crime series I've discovered in 2015

I love crime novels and six series have really stood out for me this year. The books in the first series on my list weren't all published in 2015, but I discovered this forensic crime series this year and read them in order. I look forward to seeing how all these series continue to grow in 2016.

Jen J Danna with Ann Vanderlaan - Abbott & Lowell series (Published by Five Star Publishing)

Dead, Without a Stone to Tell it (28 August 2013)

A taster of my review: It took me just one day to read this book. I loved it. It is an amazing debut. I enjoyed the descriptions and background of the forensic science, as well as the well-rounded characters and fascinating storyline. It makes me realise how some other best-selling series in a similar vein have become tired over time, with complicated stories and not much else. These books are perfect for fans of Kathy Reich and Patricia Cornwell.

Click here to read my full review.

No One Sees Me 'Til I Fall (24 November 2013)

A taster of my review: I read this in one sitting - taking me only around an hour - as I couldn't actually put it down. It was just as good as Jen J Danna's first book, although a mini version as it's a novella rather than a novel. Still, it had all the same components - enjoyable storyline, forensic explanations and good characters.

Click here to read my full review.

A Flame in the Wind of Death (18 April 2014)

A taster of my review: The prologue sucked me into the story straight away with its vivid description of a fire set by an arsonist... This has become a new series for me to follow, and I look forward to the fourth book, which is being published next month (18 February 2015).

Click here for my full review

Two Parts Bloody Murder (18 February 2015)

A taster of my review: A wonderful mixture of historical information, a well-written plotline, forensics and romance. I like the way each chapter starts with a historical fact and how the authors describe the forensics in layperson's terms.

Click here for my full review.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY INTERVIEW WITH JEN J DANNA.

Caroline Mitchell's Jennifer Knight series
(published by Bookouture)

Don't Turn Around (24 April 2015 )

A taster of my review: Don't Turn Around is exactly as it describes itself - a supernatural thriller. It's certainly not run-of-the mill. The book is creepy, intriguing and an enjoyable read.

Click here for my full review


Time to Die (24 September 2015)

A taster of my review: Time to Die is even better than Caroline Mitchell's first novel. You could read it as a standalone, but you will probably enjoy it more if you read Don't Turn Around first... The descriptions tackle all of your senses. It's just as well I don't get nightmares as this certainly keeps your heart racing. I would say it's perfect bedtime reading, but maybe not for the faint-hearted (read it with the lights on)!

Click here to read my full review.

Angela Marsons' Kim Stone series 
(published by Bookouture)

Silent Scream  (20th February 2015)

Snippet of my review: It's highly unusual for me to find a book that leads me to put my life on hold. But Angela Marson's Silent Scream has led me to virtually abandon work for the last day, even with deadlines looming, leaving my house a mess and the ironing pile untouched.

Click here to read my whole review.

Evil Games (29 May 2015)

Snippet from my review: Yet again Angela Marsons has written a 5* crime novel. I loved Silent Scream and was so excited to be given the opportunity to read the next one before publication. Evil Games is certainly as good as the first, if not better, and I wish I could give it a higher rating than 5/5.

Click here to read my whole review.

Lost Girls (6 November 2015)

Snippet from my review: Angela Marsons' books get better and better. I love her style of writing, her believable flawed characters and her plot development. Lost Girls is very cleverly constructed and tackles a highly emotional issue ... This is gripping and addictive reading, hard to put down.

Click here to read my full review.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY INTERVIEW WITH ANGELA MARSONS.



Marnie Riches' The Girl Who series
(published by Maze/Avon)

The Girl Who Wouldn't Die (2 April 2015)

A taster of my review: This thriller is a great debut. You can tell that the author has had direct experience of the two main locations, with lovely descriptions and insights into both Cambridge and Amsterdam. George is a great character - she's feisty, intelligent and curious, but also has a vulnerable side. And she seems to have a habit of getting heavily involved in difficult situations.

Click here for my full review.

The Girl Who Broke The Rules (20 August 2015)

A taster of my review: I think this book is even better than the first in the series. The writing is fast-paced and highly readable with some graphic and gory descriptions. As the story progresses, the tension builds up and the body count rises. I had no idea about the identity of the murderer, and the culprit was a complete surprise.

Click here for my full review.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT MARNIE RICHES' PATHWAY TO PUBLICATION.

Alexandra Sokoloff's Huntress Moon series
(published by Thomas & Mercer)

Huntress Moon  (27 January 2015)

A taster of my review: The book dives straight into the action and doesn't stop, with its fast-paced descriptions and snappy dialogue.  For me, the characters really came alive as the Huntress and Roarke pit their wits against each other. The tension builds up and the two characters get closer to colliding - and when they do, it's quite explosive.

Click here to read my full review.

Blood Moon (27 January 2015)

A taster of my review: Yet again Alexandra Sokoloff has written a great crime thriller. Blood Moon flows at a fast pace with plenty of action to keep the story moving. The plot is cleverly planned and executed and grabbed my attention all the way through.

Click here for my full review.

Cold Moon (5 May 2015)

A taster of my review: Cold Moon is a great crime thriller, with a fascinating story, snappy dialogue and writing that moves at a cracking pace. The book is highly descriptive and filled with suspense and intrigue. I love the cat and mouse 'game' between Roarke and Cara. Plus there are some other great female characters in this book, especially Jade and Rachel.

Click here for my full review.

CLICK HERE TO READ MY INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRA SOKOLOFF.

I must also mention some other crime authors I've discovered too, but I haven't yet managed to read all of their books: Mel Sherratt, Jane Casey, Kate Rhodes, Sarah Hilary, Neil White, Rob Sinclair, Helen Cadbury, Emma Kavanagh and Jane Isaac.

Time to Die by Caroline Mitchell

Time to Die
By Caroline Mitchell
Published by Bookouture (24 September 2015)
ISBN: 978-1910751428

Publisher's description

He will predict your life… and your death.

Don’t ever cross his palm with silver.

He will reveal your most shameful secrets.

He will predict your death.

He is hiding a secret.

He is hiding a monster.

And all his predictions come true.

Investigating a series of chilling murders, Detective Jennifer Knight finds herself tracking a mysterious tarot card reader known only as The Raven.

As the death toll rises, Jennifer and her team build a picture of a serial killer on the edge of sanity, driven by dark forces. But these are not random killings. And the method behind the madness could be the most terrifying thing of all …

Especially when it seems the death of one of their own is on the cards.

My verdict
Time to Die is even better than Caroline Mitchell's first novel. You could read it as a standalone, but you will probably enjoy it more if you read Don't Turn Around first.

A tarot card reader calling himself 'The Raven' is correctly predicting people's deaths, and the body count is rising. But are these deaths driven by supernatural forces or is an evil serial killer on the loose? DC Jennifer Knight investigates as The Raven closes in and the victim choices become more personal.

In Time to Die, it was a pleasure to return to familiar characters - Jennifer and her police partner Will. They're well-developed, likeable and believable, which makes the book so easy to read.  There's also a love interest, which provides some humour and a softer side to Jennifer's character, but I won't give away any spoilers here. The Raven is suitably creepy.

I love the supernatural angle. Jennifer has psychic abilities herself and soon develops a link with The Raven. This becomes a gripping cat and mouse game that's full of surprises. What could be a standard crime novel turns into something quite dark. Caroline Mitchell is certainly knowledgeable about police procedures, but also has first-hand experience of the paranormal too (see her book Paranormal Intruder).

The descriptions tackle all of your senses. It's just as well I don't get nightmares as this certainly keeps your heart racing. I would say it's perfect bedtime reading, but maybe not for the faint-hearted (read it with the lights on)!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Don't Turn Around by Caroline Mitchell

Don't Turn Around
By Caroline Mitchell
Published by Bookouture (24 April 2015 )
ISBN: 978-1909490970

Publisher's description
As D.C. Jennifer Knight investigates a routine stabbing in the quiet town of Haven, she is shocked at what seems like a personal message from beyond the grave.

When more bodies are found, Jennifer is convinced the killings are somehow linked.

What she discovers is more chilling than she could possibly imagine. The murders mirror those of the notorious Grim Reaper - from over twenty years ago. A killer her mother helped convict.

Jennifer can no longer ignore the personal connection. Is there a copycat killer at work? Was the wrong man convicted? Or is there something more sinister at play …

With her mother's terrifying legacy spiralling out of control, Jennifer must look into her own dark past in a fight not only to stop a killer - but to save herself and those she loves.

My verdict
Don't Turn Around is exactly as it describes itself - a supernatural thriller. It's certainly not run-of-the mill. The book is creepy, intriguing and an enjoyable read.

The story focuses on DC Jennifer Knight and her mother Elizabeth, who was also in the police force. A series of murders in the present day bear a startling resemblance to a series of killings in the past, and Jennifer is convinced that there is a link between the two.

Jennifer is a great character, trying to keep herself together as she becomes plagued by voices from beyond the grave. She has a special connection with her partner Will, and there's good banter between them, which brings some humour into the story.

The book flows well, with powerful descriptive language, and builds up to a terrifying conclusion. I love how the link between the past and the present grows more obvious as the book progresses but still keeps you guessing until the end.

Without giving away any spoilers, the ending of the book sets itself up very well as the start of a series, so I look forward to seeing how the characters and stories develop over time.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.