Thirteen Hours

Thirteen Hours
Deon Meyer

A South African crime novel which greatly impressed me! 'Thirteen Hours' is set in Cape Town, on the western coast of South Africa and the area is described impeccably. Police Detective Benny Griessel is trying to save an American tourist's life- her friend has already been murdered. Except he doesn't know where the girl is, or who her attackers are. Benny needs to find the girl before they do, otherwise the police force will be searching for a corpse. And this is a corpse which could greatly damage the South African tourism industry.

'Thirteen Hours' is a brilliant, gripping novel. It touches upon larger issues of bureaucracy and corruption while still containing the minutiae of everyday police life. The time frame of the novel means the plot races along and keeps you eagerly turning the pages right up until the dramatic climax. Griessel is a wonderful character, and again, a typical detective with a drinking problem and emotional baggage. The novel is a fantastic and accurate portrayal of the rainbow nation. If you're looking for a new crime writer, give Deon Meyer a go- you won't be disappointed.

Buy it from your local bookstore or here from www.waterstones.com

Case Histories

Case Histories
Kate Atkinson

'Case Histories' is Kate Atkinson's first crime novel. It is excellent; well written and absorbing. 'Case Histories' is the story of three seemingly unconnected crimes but as the plot unweaves it becomes more apparent that everything in this world is truly interlinked. The cunning private eye is a typical detective; ex-policeman with baggage (an ex-wife and murdered sister), a slight drinking problem, and a strong moral compass.

This is an involving novel and a fine example of "literary crime" (that's fine as in good, not as in okay). It's a detective story with an excellent, likeable, detective, and the other characters are correspondingly strong and well drawn. 'Case Histories' doesn't lose any of the thrill factor due it's distinctly high-brow origins, rather, it's enhanced by them.

I really enjoyed this book and have gone on to read others in the series and been similarly amused. I'd definitely recommend it for crime fiends who fancy something a little bit different!

Buy it from your local bookstore or here on www.waterstones.com

(Case Histories has just been adapted into a drama on the BBC. Check it out on iplayer!)

The Wasp Factory

The Wasp Factory
Iain Banks

Mr Iain Banks' debut novel exploded onto the scene when it was first published. Critics condemned it as "vile" "repellent" "unpleasant" "sadistic" and as "a silly gloatingly sadistic and grisly yarn". (Interested yet?) 'The Wasp Factory' is also brilliantly written and utterly absorbing. And it's just had it's twenty-five year anniversary- it's certainly stood the test of time.

'The Wasp Factory' tells the tale of murderous teenager Frank, who is deeply superstitious with a bizarre and overactive imagination. Frank is almost a serial killer, with three murders under his belt at just sixteen. This is a deeply addictive story which shows the inner workings of his macabre mind. 'Ware the twists and turns of the novel, it will shock and surprise you.

Give it a go.... You'll (probably) enjoy it!

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

(Plus, I've met Iain Banks (when he was being Iain M Banks) and he was very sweet! And patient with my gushing about how awesome his books are.)

Dracula

Dracula
Bram Stoker

'Dracula' signified the dawning of the vampire novel. 'Dracula' was first published in 1897 and became an instant hit. It has been shaping the vampire story ever since. Pretty much anything which is vamp related has been formed by the original vampire myth of 'Dracula'. But, a warning is attached, this isn't 'Twilight'. It's far better.

'Dracula' tells the tale of Jonathan Harker who unwittingly ends up working for Count Dracula himself. Harker eventually discovers Dracula's true identity as a murdering, blood-sucking fiend. He manages to escape the vampire's lair, but immediately falls into feverish delirium. Meanwhile, in England, Dracula has made his way into the homeland, and is preying on the beautiful Lucy and enslaving madmen. The plot thickens.

'Dracula' is definitely one of the easiest classics to read. It is also one of the classics that should be read. A decidedly Gothic story which is sure to thrill and excite.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

Unsticky

Unsticky
Sarra Manning

'Unsticky' tells the tale of Grace Reeves, a skint twenty something fashion journalist with an addiction to designer anything. The aforementioned shopping habit is the reason that Grace can't afford to eat anything but bananas and noodles, and is also responsible for the threatening letters from bailiffs. Grace thinks she's hit an all time low when she gets dumped (on her birthday) in the middle of her favourite shop. Then she meets Vaughn- older, sexy, and most importantly, filthy rich. After chocolate cake, and a Marc Jacobs handbag, Vaughn offers Grace a wage in return for her services as his mistress. Naturally, complications ensue.

'Unsticky' is Sarra Manning's first adult novel and it doesn't disappoint. It is grittier and more real than the average chick-lit novel with a believable, if slightly sulky, protagonist. 'Unsticky' is a light read, and it is a "girl's" book, but it's also funny and enjoyable. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.

I, Lucifer

I, Lucifer
Glen Duncan

So, the Devil has written a book. And it's a fucking good book too. Lucifer has been given a second chance at redemption- the catch being- that he has to live a virtuous life for a month in a human guise. (Fat chance of that.) Satan inhabits writer Declan Gunn's substandard body and partakes in every earthly delight available.

This is a book that reminds people that it's fun to be bad. 'I, Lucifer' is a book which shows people that actually, there's a reason most people don't follow the Christian dictates of morality, and that the Devil isn't that bad really... until he's overseeing your torture in the pits of hell. It's a novel of decadence including drugs and prostitutes, drinking and the pleasure of a 99 ice cream. It's funny, and clever, and a really good read.

Check it out.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookstore.

The Passage

The Passage
Justin Cronin

This isn't a book about vampires. Actually, it is a book about vampires, but not like we've ever seen them before. It's a book about a crazy US army experiment gone wrong, which creates a viral vampire disease, which leads to an apocalypse. We follow the few who survive the first wave of the disease. 'The Passage' is utterly addictive, and it's awesome, all eight hundred odd pages of it.

It's not a book which you can just put down. It's more of a book that someone has to tear out of your hands while you're trying to get to the end. 'The Passage' is a must read for those who like sci-fi, or epic novels, or conspiracy theories, or think the end of the world is nigh (due to us meddling humans). Anyway, my point is that you should give it a go as I'm pretty sure you would enjoy it.

Buy it here from www.waterstones.com or from your local bookshop.