Who doesn’t love a good crime caper? From dark family dramas to corporate espionage, there’s nothing quite like embroiling yourself in the twists and turns and nefarious goings on of a good crime novel – especially on holiday. So without further ado, here is Ultimate Library’s pick of the crop – from Colsem Whitehead’s masterful Harlem Shuffle to Oyinkan Braithwaite’s Lagos set My Sister the Serial Killer and Saima Mir’s reimagining of the Godfather set within the UK’s Pakistani community. Pure catnip for crime!
1. The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo
Originally published in Japan in 1946 as a serial, Yokomizo’s masterful Honkaku (locked-room) mystery, unfolds in the buzzing village of Okamura, as they prepare for a wedding in the prominent Ichiyanagi family. However, a troubling rumour cuts through the excitement—a masked man has been seen questioning villagers about the grand family. On the night of the wedding, a chilling scream pierces the air, and the corpses of the bride and groom are found in the locked house alongside a bloody samurai sword. The police are baffled by a series of puzzling clues and dead ends, leaving the determined amateur detective, Kosuke Kindaichi, as the only one capable of solving the case.
2. Queen K by Sarah Thomas
On a superyacht moored in the Maldives, an oligarch’s wife hosts a party bursting with beige, the name cards of celebrities, champagne and priceless art. Welcome to Kata’s world of the super rich. But Kata wants more, she longs for the acceptance of English high society, a dream that will be fulfilled through her daughter Alex. Its Melaine’s job as a private tutor to use her insider knowledge of the English boarding school system to navigate Alex through the unspoken rules of privilege. In this compulsive tragedy of capitalist greed, material desire is a tragic flaw and trust a vehicle to be exploited.
3. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
The character and culture of Lagos city are lovingly captured in this funny and brutal novel which, at its core, is more than a crime thriller as Braithwaite tests the ties of familial bonds. When Korede’s quiet dinner is disrupted by a frantic call from her sister, Ayoola—it’s the third time she’s been summoned to clean up the bloody aftermath of Ayoola’s lethal love affairs. Korede’s sense of duty to her sister keeps her from informing the police, but this loyalty is tested when the gorgeous Ayoola sets her sights on Dr. Tade, Korede’s long-time crush. In a love triangle so sharp someone must bleed, Korede faces an impossible dilemma: protect her sister or the man she loves.
4. Five Nights Before the Summit by Mukuka Chipanta
In 1979, Zambia is abuzz with preparations for hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit. However, just days before the event, the nation is shaken by the brutal murder of a British couple, Henry and Laura Hinckley, at their farm near Lusaka. Detective Maxwell Chanda, head of the Special Crimes Investigative Unit, is tasked with solving the case and averting a potential diplomatic crisis. Chipanta deftly combines the suspense and mystery of a crime thriller with the historical context of Zambia’s emerging independence creating a captivating narrative of courage, corruption and colonial legacy.
5. The Khan by Saima Mir
In this bold Asian reinterpretation of The Godfather, London lawyer Jia Khan has left behind the northern streets she once called home. Her father, a prominent figure in the Pakistani community, rules the local organised crime syndicate with a violent and bloody hand, dispensing his own brand of justice. After his murder, Jia is drawn back to her roots, compelled to step into his shoes and restore order, no matter the cost. Mir’s fearless crime thriller delves into a world rarely seen, tackling challenging themes such as addiction, corruption, misogyny, and racism.
6. The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
As Emily and Chess navigate the complexities of adulthood, their once inseparable bond begins to fray. Seizing the chance to mend their strained friendship, Chess proposes a getaway to Italy, and Emily eagerly agrees. Their destination: Villa Aestas in Orvieto, a beautiful retreat with an ominous history. Back in 1974, a notorious rock star, accompanied by rising musician Pierce Sheldon and his girlfriend Mari, stayed at the villa and tragically not everyone returned. As Emily digs into the mystery, she begins to suspect there’s more to the story than a rock and roll mishap. With summer unfolding and the truth tantalisingly close, one question looms large: will the villa claim another victim?
7. Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro
When Elena’s daughter Rita is discovered hanging in a church bell tower, she refuses to accept the police’s conclusion of suicide. Despite grappling with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, Elena must traverse Buenos Aires conducting a solitary investigation into her daughter’s death. Through her compelling protagonist, Claudia Piñeiro examines the relationship between a mother and daughter, carer and patient while courageously addressing the issue of a woman’s right to autonomy over her own body.
8. House of Beauty by Melba Escobar
Karen is a top beautician at House of Beauty, Bogota’s most upscale salon. Beyond her cosmetic skills, she’s a trusted confidante to her clients, learning their secrets—from surgeries and jet-setting trips to their deepest personal issues. However, Karen’s own life is far from perfect. Plagued by financial woes, she finds herself in desperate need of money. Adding to her troubles is a haunting dilemma: a teenage girl’s tragic death. Karen, one of the last people to see her alive, becomes ensnared in the tragedy. The girl’s heartbroken mother seeks solace and answers from Karen, pulling her deeper into a web of intrigue and sorrow.
9. Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
During the sweltering summer of 1974, Boston is suffocating under a relentless heatwave. Amidst this oppressive atmosphere, Mary Pat Fennessey, a fierce “project chick southie,” from the Irish American enclave is evading bill collectors. Dennis Lehane’s narrative plunges readers into Mary Pat’s turbulent life, which hits a pivotal moment when her 17-year-old daughter, Jules, fails to return home after a night out. This disappearance coincides with the discovery of a young black man’s body. Determined to find her daughter, Mary Pat begins asking questions that the Irish mob’s chief, Marty Butler, would prefer to leave unanswered. Lehane’s gripping thriller offers an unflinching exploration of American racism, criminality, and power.
10. Harlem Shuffle by Colston Whitehead
Colson Whitehead’s homage to Harlem, New York City, centers on Ray, a furniture salesman with a checkered past. As Ray tries to lead a reformed life as a family man, his cousin Freddie ropes him into a scheme to rob the Hotel Theresa, the famed “Waldorf of Harlem.” When the heist goes awry and Ray’s clientele shifts to include Harlem lowlifes, he grapples with internal conflict. Will he succumb to his crooked roots or strive for the American dream? Set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1960s, Whitehead crafts a compelling narrative that blends tropes of thriller and crime with family saga and a morality play.
11. The Broken Shore by Peter Temple
Homicide detective Joe Cashin returns to his coastal hometown of Port Monro, Western Victoria, to escape the haunting memories of his last case. Taking charge of the small, four-officer police station, he longs for a peaceful life, focusing on rebuilding his family home and finding solace in the quiet routine. However, his plans for tranquility are shattered when a local billionaire is savagely attacked and left for dead. Suddenly, Cashin is plunged into a relentless fight against corruption and prejudice, forcing him to confront the very demons he sought to leave behind.
12. Scrublands by Chris Hammer
Set in the fictional town of Riversend, New South Wales, Scrublands introduces the reader to Martin Scarsden, a journalist haunted by the traumas of war. A year after a beloved local priest, Byron Swift, shocked the community by inexplicably gunning down five parishioners and a responding police officer, Scarsden is sent to investigate. As Scarsden interviews the townspeople, he begins to unravel a narrative that contradicts the official reports. Battling the sweltering heat and conflicting stories, he realises there is more to this town than he once believed.
13. Lean Fall Stand By Jon Mcgregor
Amidst the brutal Antarctic ice storm, three researchers find themselves stranded, while Dr. Robert Wright, a veteran of three decades, suffers a debilitating stroke. Trapped within his own thoughts, Robert possesses crucial answers to their predicament but is rendered speechless. Now Anna, his wife, must assume the role of caregiver as Robert adapts to his altered existence. In this gripping tale of survival and resilience, McGregor’s narrative of literary puzzles, faltering words, and intricate riddles explores the delicate balance between sacrifice and selfishness, and the courage required to face each new day.
14. The Dark by Emma Haughton
After a devastating personal loss, A&E doctor Kate North seeks solace by accepting an emergency assignment at a remote UN research station in Antarctica. The vacancy arises tragically when the previous doctor, Jean-Luc, perishes in what appeared to be a fatal accident on the ice. For Kate, this opportunity represents a fresh start away from scrutiny and judgment. However, as the long Antarctic winter plunges everything into darkness, Kate’s initial relief gives way to a chilling suspicion: could Jean-Luc’s death have been deliberate?
