Books That Kill the Crime Game

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right book. Maybe you’re just coming out of a book-hangover or in the midst of a severe book slump, and nothing seems to be catching your attention. We’ve all been there and understand first-hand that it’s no place to be. Therefore, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of crime books to lose yourself in. It’s a killer list, if we do say so ourselves. Positively lethal.

Omens of Death by Nicholas Rhea

People have never looked at birds the same way after Alfred Hitchcock decided to spoil us with his movie, The Birds. Detective Inspector Montague Pluke is no different, and his superstitious nature lets him no that something deadly is to come when he sees an ominous crow cross his path. Of course, the whole body of a murdered young woman thought to be the result of human sacrifice really solidify the truth behind Pluke’s superstition.

Death Stops the Frolic by George Bellairs

Superintendent Nankivell is solely looking for a good time when he shows up at Zion Chapel’s Anniversary Tea Party, fully prepared to drown all his demons in tea and cakes, only to find himself at the helm of an investigation into the murder of a rather unloved Alderman Harbuttle. It’s not everyday that a game of Follow-My-Leader ends amidst a murder, in the chapel, with a bread knife. Though, if you ever find the game less than exciting, this just might be the version for you.

Death on a Quiet Day by Michael Innes

A certain David Henchman just wanted some alone time when he set out on a hike across Dartmoor only to stumble across a dead body. David is not sure how the dead man came to be in his certain state, but what he also doesn’t know is that the crime scene is still active. Therefore, when another person joins the scene and a gunfight breaks out, David is in over his head. Luckily, Detective Appleby is on the case and all for a waiting game.

Left-Handed Death by Richard Hull

Confessing to murders isn’t on most people’s agendas, guilty or not. However, Guy Reeves felt compelled to confess to the murder of a certain Barry Foster. His confession does not ring as the most believable, especially given his inability to correctly spell the word ‘murdered.’ Slightly embarrassing, but the nerves one must be feeling when confessing to a murder may obstruct the capacity to accurately spell. Detective Hardwick is on the case and he, all capacities intact, believes he is looking for someone other than Reeves.

Death of a Doll by Hilda Lawrence

Most people will agree that dolls are one of the creepiest things to have been invented. The Twilight Zone’s Talking Tina did nothing to help the situation. Which is why this particular mystery, housed in a boarding home for women with hot chocolate and paranoia galore, will lead you through a delightfully suspenseful investigation into the death of tenant Ruth Miller. She took an unfortunate nose-dive from her window, and the once happy boarding home becomes a playground for scandal.

The Worm of Death by Nicholas Blake

What’s a fun night out without a little disappearing act? Nigel Strangeways and Clare had dined with Dr Piers Loudron one evening, laying witness to a very painful show of favourites with his children. Naturally, Dr Piers Loudron goes missing soon thereafter right when a body is retrieved from the Thames. Dangerous family affairs come to a head as Nigel finds himself drowning in motives and clues.

As always, thank you for reading and be sure to tweet us @AgoraBooksLDN with your favourite crime novels!