THRILLERS & CRIME  | Daily Mail Online

THRILLERS & CRIME

THE SCARLET PAPERS 

by Matthew Richardson (Michael Joseph £14.99, 592pp)

This hugely impressive espionage debut focuses on a former spymaster, Scarlet King, who specialised in Russia. Now in her 90s, she has decided to tell the story of her work since her recruitment at the end of World War II.

She enlists an academic to help her do so. But the intriguing question is — was she also a double agent, working for the Russians as well as the British? Intricate and fast moving, it weaves a thrilling spell.

ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS 

by Stacy Willingham (HarperCollins £14.99, 336pp)

One of the most memorable thrillers of the year so far, this tells the story of the disappearance of Isabelle Drake’s infant son, Mason, from his bedroom one night.

That was a year ago, and since then her life has fallen apart.

Her husband has left and the police have stopped investigating, but she has become ever more obsessed and has recruited a true crime podcaster to help her find out what really happened.

Serpentine and compelling, it haunts the memory.

THE LAST DANCE 

by Mark Billingham (Sphere £22, 400pp)

One of the most memorable thrillers of the year so far, this tells the story of the disappearance of Isabelle Drake’s infant son, Mason, from his bedroom one night

This captivating story features a new Billingham character — DI Declan Miller, who is nothing if not eccentric

Written by a black barrister who worked in crime and is now a part-time Crown Court judge, this compelling story focuses on Lee Mitchell, a fictional black barrister who is persuaded to defend a notoriously corrupt, racist white Met police sergeant

This captivating story features a new Billingham character — DI Declan Miller, who is nothing if not eccentric.

He loves ballroom dancing and keeps two pet rats named Fred and Ginger. But he’s also gripped with grief as his detective wife was murdered recently.

As he returns to work he finds himself investigating the death of two men, apparently unconnected, in adjacent rooms in a local seaside hotel. Superbly constructed, it underlines just how good a crime writer he is.

UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT 

by Nicola Williams (Hamish Hamilton £14.99, 320pp)

Written by a black barrister who worked in crime and is now a part-time Crown Court judge, this compelling story focuses on Lee Mitchell, a fictional black barrister who is persuaded to defend a notoriously corrupt, racist white Met police sergeant.

He is accused of killing a black pastor’s son. But nothing is what it seems — for it emerges that the pastor’s other son is a drug dealer. Gritty and authentic, the story never loses its grip.