2007 has been quite a year for the crime fiction reader. We've been lucky enough to experience many début crime novels, as the new develop on what has come before. The tried and tested takes on a new tangent with these brave authors and for that they should be commended. Originality is always welcome, as "same old, same old" is as boring as Christmas TV repeats ("Pass the bucket, dear!").
If I really thought I could get away saying this novel is crime fiction I would make it my crime pick of the year, but as I said here, it's the hardest in the series to make the fit.
John Lawton's Second Violin, the latest in his Troy series is simply a class act.
Second Violin brings wonderful writing; evocative, realistic setting in respect to time and places across Europe; the usual mix of eccentric characters and a story bursting with intelligence.
But to consider crime fiction in its pure form, there is one novel that particularly stays in my mind this year. And when I say "pure", I'm pushing the boat out a little here as it comes from the sub-genre of comic crime (not an easy one to make a success in).
L C Tyler's The Herring Seller's Apprentice is memorable because of its intelligent cracking comic prose, its believable and hilarious characters (especially from the world of publishing), and its ... er, nice line in red herrings.
In what has been a dark year for me for personal reasons, I read this novel at quite a pace and it provided a very welcome period of light relief, escapism and laughter. It's the first novel I've ever read out over the phone to friends. (Not the whole thing, just bits of it - I'm not attempting to kick start another career in the audio book world, you understand.)
Where Ethelred Tressider the writer was the protagonist in The Herring Seller's Apprentice, Elsie Thirkettle his literary agent side-kick was such a strong character with great potential for more development and storylines, I'd really love to be reading more of her in the future. I don't think this is the route that Len Tyler is taking, but I can dream. Whatever comes next from Len, the quality of the writing will be assured; this début did not read like one at all and its originality will have you sitting up and taking notice.
Now, for the honorable mentions:
During 2007, I've been pleased to read the latest offerings from authors I rate highly and always ensure I have the latest novel when it comes out. The Chameleon's Shadow from Minette Walters was a another class act. Michael Robotham went from strength to strength with his latest The Night Ferry.
Then I've discovered authors new to me, but who have been writing in the genre for a while. The Murder Bird from Joanna Hines has led to me to her backlist. Not posted here yet, but for Eurocrime I reviewed The Noble Outlaw from Bernard Knight and discovered why my mother loved his books so much.
And now for a few from the deck of débuts that simply beg attention:
R. N. Morris's (Roger's) A/The Gentle Axe (UK/US title) is the start of a series taking Dostoevsky's Porfiry Petrovich on to new cases. 1866 Tsarist Russia was a hard place in which to live and this makes for a great storyline. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series and will be doing so over the festive period.
Another new series of note comes from Brian McGilloway, the first novel being the wonderful Borderlands. How good to have a setting with a difference and a policeman whose major priority in his personal life is his family and not seeing the bottom of a bottle of spirits. Again, I'm looking forward to the next in the series and I certainly want to know how the "gooey eyed Frank" is getting on.
Donna Moore has certainly made satire on crime fiction her own with Go to Helena Handbasket. It will be great to read what she writes next. And I expect tears.
Chris Ewan's The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam also has a touch of comedy. This is a novel on the gentler side of crime fiction, more a classic mystery than a gorefest. 2008 will see Charlie Howard, our loveable rogue protagonist off to Paris. I can't wait.
That's the crime round up. A couple of non-crime books coming up soon.
Hope you have a nice Christmas with the gorgeous Oscar. Your first foray into Scandinavian crime fiction, hmm. Do try Jo Nesbo asap. Same translator as for Dahl. Plenty of crime events to keep us busy next year. All the best, Karen.
Posted by: Euro Crime (Karen M) | 23 December 2007 at 12:05