Steve Hamilton, THE SECOND LIFE OF NICK MASON
Steve Hamilton has received numerous awards for his mystery novels. This book is the beginning of a new series. Nick Mason is in federal prison serving a ten-year sentence for robbery and murder when he is summoned to the cell of Darius Cole, the criminal mastermind who virtually runs the prison. Mason is offered his freedom in exchange for agreeing to be Cole’s man on the outside for the rest of his life. Wanting to see his ex-wife and daughter again, Mason agrees, and so he embarks on his second life as a free man.
The story takes many interesting twists and turns as Mason learns what will be expected of him, and he soon finds himself embroiled in a conflict between Cole and the dirty cops running an elite unit. At times violent and at times touching, this is a novel you will remember. You will also look forward to reading the next in the series.
Ian Rankin, EVEN DOGS IN THE WILD
What does an author do when his police detective gets old enough to retire? If you’re Ian Rankin, you have retired detective John Rebus come out of retirement, but you also tell the story from the perspectives of two younger detectives, Malcolm Fox and Siobhan Clarke. Having three separate viewpoints strengthens this book and allows for a breadth of plot that would not otherwise have been possible.
This is a developed plot about a revenge killer whose motives and identity remain murky up until the end. There are also several subplots involving an undercover police investigation and the death of Fox’s father.
I think this one of Rankin’s better outings in recent years, and anyone who enjoys Scottish noir will find this well worth the time.
Max Wirestone, THE UNFORTUNATE DECISIONS OF DAHLIA MOSS
This is a mystery novel written about a millennial and for millennials, but even those of us too old to catch all of the references will find this book a fun read. There is a clever plot with an exciting and funny final confrontation between Dahlia and the murderer that will leave you laughing. The story is also a sometimes touching story of a twenty something trying to make her way in the world. A world which happens to include those fanatically dedicated to internet games.
If you would like to read a well-written book with humor on every page, this is the book for you – even if your twenties are only a dim memory.
