Britain's best crime and thrillers have been unveiled by The Guardian's reviewers, who've rounded up some of the year's most gripping novels.
Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up" takes its cue from her earlier novels about Rilke, a gay Glaswegian auctioneer with an unsettling knack for observing life. In this new outing, Rilke is on the hunt for justice after his friend Rodney Manderson, a jewellery dealer, turns up dead. As Rilke unravels the tangled threads of Rodney's past, he discovers dark secrets linked to a notorious reform school and finds himself in the midst of a treacherous game.
David McCloskey's "The Persian" is another standout novel that brings together espionage, identity, and deceit. Kam Esfahani, an Iranian dentist with connections to Mossad, finds himself caught up in a web of double agents and conspiracies after being recruited by the Israeli intelligence agency. As he fights for survival in Tehran, Kam's sarcastic tone underscores the absurdity of his situation.
Anna Maloney's "The 10:12" delivers on its promise as a tense thriller about how stereotypes and misconceptions can lead us down the wrong path. Claire Fitzroy, an art lecturer, boards a train to Manchester just as it's hijacked by angry passengers seeking revenge against society. As she fights for survival, Claire finds herself embroiled in a court of public opinion where truth is hard-won.
Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" paints a vivid picture of suburban despair and the dangers of living beyond one's means. The Evans family - Hailey the lawyer, Mack her husband, and their young daughters - find themselves at the mercy of mysterious cheques that seem to hold secrets and demands. As their lives spiral out of control, paranoia sets in.
CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" follows the erratic Vivian Slade as she navigates a world where time seems fixed but her own life is a fluid mess. After being pushed off a balcony at a family gathering, Vivian finds herself caught in a timeloop of her own murder - with one ally: an exhausted waiter who's stuck with her. As they unravel the web of clues and confronts the past, Vivian learns to face the hard truths she's always dodged.
Each of these novels delivers on its promise as a gripping page-turner that raises questions about identity, loyalty, and survival - all while challenging our perceptions of what it means to be human.
Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up" takes its cue from her earlier novels about Rilke, a gay Glaswegian auctioneer with an unsettling knack for observing life. In this new outing, Rilke is on the hunt for justice after his friend Rodney Manderson, a jewellery dealer, turns up dead. As Rilke unravels the tangled threads of Rodney's past, he discovers dark secrets linked to a notorious reform school and finds himself in the midst of a treacherous game.
David McCloskey's "The Persian" is another standout novel that brings together espionage, identity, and deceit. Kam Esfahani, an Iranian dentist with connections to Mossad, finds himself caught up in a web of double agents and conspiracies after being recruited by the Israeli intelligence agency. As he fights for survival in Tehran, Kam's sarcastic tone underscores the absurdity of his situation.
Anna Maloney's "The 10:12" delivers on its promise as a tense thriller about how stereotypes and misconceptions can lead us down the wrong path. Claire Fitzroy, an art lecturer, boards a train to Manchester just as it's hijacked by angry passengers seeking revenge against society. As she fights for survival, Claire finds herself embroiled in a court of public opinion where truth is hard-won.
Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" paints a vivid picture of suburban despair and the dangers of living beyond one's means. The Evans family - Hailey the lawyer, Mack her husband, and their young daughters - find themselves at the mercy of mysterious cheques that seem to hold secrets and demands. As their lives spiral out of control, paranoia sets in.
CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" follows the erratic Vivian Slade as she navigates a world where time seems fixed but her own life is a fluid mess. After being pushed off a balcony at a family gathering, Vivian finds herself caught in a timeloop of her own murder - with one ally: an exhausted waiter who's stuck with her. As they unravel the web of clues and confronts the past, Vivian learns to face the hard truths she's always dodged.
Each of these novels delivers on its promise as a gripping page-turner that raises questions about identity, loyalty, and survival - all while challenging our perceptions of what it means to be human.
The diversity in authors and styles is really impressive. I think what stands out most is how they tackle complex themes like identity, loyalty, and survival without being too heavy-handed 
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. It's clear that each book has its own unique voice, which makes it even more engaging for readers.
. It's great to see authors exploring different cultures and environments to create a richer narrative experience.
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. And Anna Maloney's "The 10:12" is just so timely - it highlights how easily stereotypes can lead us astray 
. The Evans family in Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" sounds like they're living a nightmare, and CE Hulse's Vivian Slade is such an interesting protagonist in "Vivian Dies Again"... I need to read this one ASAP 
Like "The Cut Up" by Louise Welsh has me hella invested in Rilke's investigation, the way he unravels this web of secrets is so intense! And don't even get me started on David McCloskey's "The Persian", Kam's sarcasm is everything 
That guy Rilke is so complex I feel like I need a flowchart to keep track of his emotions. But for real though, the way she weaves together dark secrets and conspiracies had me on the edge of my seat. I mean, who else but a Glaswegian auctioneer with an "unsettling knack for observing life" could uncover something so sinister? 
David McCloskey's "The Persian" is another one that caught my eye - Kam's sarcastic tone had me laughing but also feeling so anxious for him 
Anna Maloney's "The 10:12" is like the ultimate thriller - how can u not love a story about train hijacking? 
These novels are def worth the read, especially if u're a fan of crime & thrillers like me 
. But what really caught my eye was Anna Maloney's "The 10:12", how can a train hijacking just happen? That sounds like the ultimate thriller ride 
Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" also got me, I mean who hasn't been there with those mysterious cheques and suburban despair? CE Hulse's Vivian Dies Again is so intriguing too, timeloop murder? yes please! 
and I love how Rilke's character is so complex - you can't help but feel for him. And David McCloskey's "The Persian" is like a wild ride through espionage and identity, with Kam Esfahani's sassiness being the highlight 
. And CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" has this really trippy timeloop vibe that keeps me guessing till the very end 
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Lauren Schott's "Very Slowly All At Once" seems like a real nail-biter, I mean, who doesn't love a good mystery about some weird cheques? 
And CE Hulse's "Vivian Dies Again" has got me curious - a timeloop of murder? sign me up! 
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. Kam Esfahani's sarcastic tone really added a lot to the story for me - I loved how he'd make these wry observations about his situation even as he was fighting to stay alive.
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. Each one of their novels delivers on its promise as a gripping page-turner that'll keep you guessing till the very end 
this lineup sounds insane! I'm low-key obsessed with Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up" already - the whole Rilke character just seems so fascinating & dark... 
The way Louise Welsh's "The Cut Up" weaves together dark secrets and mystery is giving me major Edgar Allan Poe vibes 
. Overall these novels look like page-turners for the win! 