The weather in London has been pretty incredible lately, and there’s nothing nicer to do on a sunny day than find a nice park and settle down to read. We asked some of the Killer Reads team what they were looking forward to reading this summer and this is what they chose…
Sarah Hodgson
‘This summer I’ll mostly be reading the works of Julia Donaldson and Judith Kerr to my 3-year-old over and over again. As a result of which I’m woefully behind on my own reading, and the pile on my bedside table is seriously in danger of toppling over.
But I’m hoping to finally get around to A Foreign Country by Charles Cumming, which all my most trusted recommenders say is a brilliant and compelling spy novel, and Dominion by C J Samson, which looks like a fascinating imagining of Britain under Nazi rule.
On the work front, I’m lucky enough to already be reading the new Stuart MacBride, A Song for the Dying, out in Jan 2014, and can exclusively reveal that it’s an utterly engrossing read – by turns thrilling and heartbreaking.’
Kate Stephenson
‘This summer I’m looking forward to…
The Keeper, by Luke Delaney – the second in the DI Sean Corrigan series is exactly what you need for a holiday read – fast paced and gripping, you will race through with your heart in your throat, desperate to find out if Corrigan will get his man in time. Such a brilliant new series from an author who really has the credentials to back up his books.
Tigers in Red Weather, by Liza Klaussmann – Set against a backdrop of parties, cocktails, moonlight and jazz at an old mansion on Martha’s Vineyard, I want to read this book lying in the sun with an ice cold glass of gin & tonic to hand. It sounds like an intoxicating mix of lies, secrets, sex, passion, with a nod to Fitzgerald and Donna Tartt – can’t wait!
Bed of Nails, by Antonin Varenne – I went to this author’s panel at CrimeFest and was intrigued. Translated from the original French, and set in Paris (but not a Paris that tourists will recognise), this book introduces honest copper Richard Guérin, who is given the thankless and soul-destroying job of being in charge of suicides. Possibly a tad bleak for a summer read, but I can cheer myself up with cocktails as required.
The Jackal’s Share, by Chris Morgan Jones – spy fiction fix. I loved this author’s debut, An Agent of Deceit – his protagonist Ben Webster is a brilliant character, intelligent and complex, with his own moral code – so I’m looking forward to seeing where Webster’s next project takes him.’
Katie Sadler
‘I’m planning a week away in England this summer, so I can’t wait to relax in the countryside and read loads! The three books I can’t wait to get started on are…
The Keeper – it’s another vote for The Keeper from me. I absolutely loved Cold Killing (even though it genuinely gave me at least one nightmare) and I’ve heard The Keeper is even better. I have a proof copy on my desk – I can’t wait to get stuck in!
I also have Room by Emma Donoghue on my shelves waiting to be read. I’ve had it for such a long time now, and I think I’ve been putting it off because I’m quite claustrophobic and think this book is going to really scare the pants off me. But I’ve heard so many good things about it, I think this summer might be when I finally get down to read it!
On the complete other side of crime writing, I’m reading something at the minute which I definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for something really fun to read. On the Scent is a really fun caper/romance set in the US starring two pets that have inherited ten million dollars. It’s really fun – perfect light reading for a summer’s day.’
Helen Bolton
The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood: Ok, so technically this is last summer’s reading, but a huge pile of submissions means I haven’t yet been able to read this brilliant book. Just one look at the strapline, and I knew it was going straight to the top of my to-read pile. I’ve heard so many fantastic things about it and I can’t wait to read it myself at long last.
What are you planning to read this summer? Tell us your summer reading wishlist by 1st August and we’ll pick one lucky winner to receive three great thrillers to take away with you later on this summer.
