Murder For Busy People by Tony Parsons

 

When Max Wolfe stumbles across a dead body while walking his dog he doesn't immediately realise that he is going to be dragged back to his early days as a police officer and one of the greatest unsolved crimes of the past twenty years.

I vividly remember reading Man And Boy by Tony Parsons back in the 1990s and to this day it still remains one of the most emotive books I've read. I've read a few others by the author but was very surprised when I realised I'd not read any of the Max Wolfe series, despite The Murder Bag having been on my TBR pile for years.

When I was given the opportunity to read and review Murder For Busy People it was the author's name, along with the quirky title, which persuaded me. There's always that moment when you realise you're about to embark on a book in a well-developed series, book 7 in this case, and you haven't read any of the previous books. You question whether you will get the best from the novel having no idea of the backstory. I'm pleased to report that the novel works well as a standalone and has enticed me to read the series from the beginning.

While walking his dog early one morning, Max discovers the body of another dog walker. He immediately recognises the man as a getaway driver who was involved in one of the biggest robberies of the past twenty years when a safe and its contents were stolen. What makes the case memorable for Max is that only a week out of his police training, he was the first officer on the scene. Max arrested a young woman, Emma Moon, the only person to be convicted of the robbery in which two men were killed. Sixteen years on, Emma Moon has been released from prison and those alleged to be involved in the crime alongside her begin to turn up dead.

Max Wolfe is definitely a maverick, so while he's a police officer this isn't a police procedural. Wolfe strikes out on his own to find out how the members of the gang are dying, particularly as many of them have given up their criminal past and settled down. He's tenacious, refusing to back down. When he stumbles across a group of corrupt officers we discover how relentless he truly is.

The novel covers some extremely timely themes such as police officers using their powers to arrest women and the challenges of being an armed officer. We also see Max struggling with his personal life. His ex-wife who walked out on her family ten years earlier has made contact with their daughter, Scout. As a pre-teen Scout is pushing the boundaries and Max is finding it difficult to balance allowing her some independence alongside protecting her.

The different threads within the novel work well together, allowing us to see the different sides of Wolfe. The characters and the setting really made you feel as if you were right there in the east end of London. Throughout the story, the big riddle is what was stolen from the safe? The conclusion gives us the answer, but it's a frustrating one.

Murder For Busy People by Tony Parsons will be published on 2nd January 2025. My thanks to NetGalley and Century Books for a review copy.

The Seven by Robyn Delvey

 

The trial of the century is taking place, seven individuals accused of the bombing of a theatre which killed forty-three people and injured many more. When the possibility of a mistrial looms, lawyer Eve Wren is tasked with examining the unused evidence to ensure nothing has been overlooked. What she finds is shocking and puts her own life in danger.

The Seven from Robyn Delvey really packs a punch with its explosive start as we join world-famous actress Madeleine Farmer, along with others connected to the world of theatre and film, being held hostage at a Gala dinner in the Novus Theatre. The people are being held hostage by Patrick Nye and his followers. Nye is a fanatic who leads a group called The Decorous who are opposed to wealth and greed.

After the shocking events of the hostage situation are revealed to us we jump forward fifteen months and meet our main character, Eve Wren. Eve is new to the CPS having previously lost her job with a private law firm because of her principles. This gives us an idea of her character, however, we see that she is also filled with doubt and uncertainty, particularly as she is trying to find her place in the CPS.

Eve's attention to detail and the fact that she refused to compromise her principles make her the ideal candidate to check the undisclosed evidence. As Eve interrogates the mass of evidence we are introduced to some of the survivors of the heinous event and learn that not all scars are visible.

As we get to know some of the other characters we are given a glimpse of their life now, dealing with disfigurement, loss and survivor guilt. The story also jumps back to the hostage situation itself and we see how each person was impacted at the time and how they handled the situation.

By focusing on the hostages we get an idea of the survivor's guilt they are living with and how each of them has handled the situation. Some seem to have handled their feelings better than others but all are struggling and the approach of the court case has caused many of them to disassemble. Author Robyn Delvey has avoided writing from the point of view of Patrick Nye and his followers. I think this is a clever tactic, refusing to give voice to the fanatics, particularly as this appears to be the primary motive for the seven surviving members of The Decorous to be tried together.

There is a real sense of menace as during Eve's investigation she uncovers the possibility of an eighth member of the group as a piece of evidence wasn't scrutinized. You begin to wonder if this was accidental or deliberate and question who can be trusted.

The Seven by Robyn Delvey will be published on 1st January 2025 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a review copy.

Author Details

Robyn Delvey is the pseudonym for critically acclaimed and award-winning writer Michelle Davies. She is the author of six previously published crime fiction novels and has worked for some of the most successful brands in UK magazine publishing, including Grazia and Stylist. She trained in journalism and for a period was court reporter on an award-winning weekly newspaper in Buckinghamshire, covering trials at both magistrates’ and Crown court. She now lives in north London with her partner and their daughter.

November 2024 Reads

 

November has probably been my most consistent month this year. Nine books and three audiobooks and each of them was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Some months there is usually a book or two that doesn't quite match up to the rest but November has been brilliant. I would recommend every single book this month. Hopefully there's enough of a mixture that you'll find something you might be interested in reading.

Nobody’s Hero by M. W. Craven, the much-anticipated sequel to Fearless, lived up to expectations. Anti-hero Ben Koenig, whose neurological disorder means he doesn’t feel fear, comes out of hiding to help solve why academics and professionals have been murdered. Trying to prevent a cataclysmic event from happening results in some ingenious, and stomach-churning, stand-offs.

A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay is a satirical look at a failing suburban marriage. Serial killer duo Haze and Fox have agreed to stop their killing spree and settle down now that they have a child. Unfortunately, Haze is struggling to come to terms with being a stay-at-home mother and frustration, resentment and mistrust begin to fester. The situation isn’t helped when she accidentally kills a man while out jogging and tries to hide it from her husband.

A bittersweet, yet uplifting read was The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot by Marianne Cronin. Seventeen-year-old Lenni has just received the devastating news that her illness is terminal. During her enforced stay in hospital, she forms a strong bond with 83-year-old Margot. Together they start an art project, completing one hundred pictures based on their lives. While completing the project they share with each other stories of their lives.

The Stranger In The Room by Luca Veste is a psychological thriller. Three murders take place in a small town, while the police have no suspects everyone else is convinced they know who did it. Frustrated by the police’s inaction the mother of the most recent victim sets out to make the murderer confess. This is a story of grief and obsession, with a chilling conclusion.

How To Solve Murders Like A Lady by Hannah Dolby is the second book in a Victorian cosy crime series featuring Lady Violet Hamilton who is determined to push boundaries and become a lady detective. It is amusing to see what was once considered scandalous as Violet investigates the mysterious death of an outspoken member of society that may be linked to a doctor pushing dubious cures.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Fenney starts out as a missing person story when the wife of writer Grady Green disappears close to home. When Grady moves to a remote Scottish island a year later to overcome his writer’s block things become strange, almost surreal at times. There is definitely a sinister edge to this spooky tale.

Wanting to try something different I decided to read We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida, a magical story about how cats can be beneficial in treating mental health. Five individuals seek help from a clinic tucked away down a narrow alley, little do they expect the treatments offered and the amazing results.

Serial killer Kitty Collins returns in I Bet You’d Look Good In A Coffin by Katy Brent. Kitty has been good since settling down with her boyfriend and joining a support group for angry women. When a misogynistic influencer targets Kitty she decides to start dealing with deviant men again by ridding the world of a TV presenter who sexually assaults young women.

I rounded the month off with Every Move You Make by C. L. Taylor, a terrifying story of how a stalker can impact a person’s life. Five people, all victims of stalking, form a support group. When one of them is murdered by their stalker the remaining people decide to take action so that they can reclaim their lives. Not only do you get a glimpse of how frightening it is to be stalked, but we also see how manipulative stalkers can be.

Another good month for audiobooks began with A Most Malicious Messenger by Katherine Black. This is the second in The Most Unusual Mysteries series, a slightly darker take on cosy crime. Someone in the small village of Blackheath is sending cryptic malicious text messages. When the target of one of the messages is murdered thoughts turn not only to who is sending them but who is the next target.

In Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon Georgia tries to boost her friend Lydia’s confidence by creating a fake Twitter follower, Patricia, who adores Lydia’s artwork. The plan backfires spectacularly when Lydia starts confiding in Patricia that she knows Georgia’s husband is having an affair. I loved all the twists and turns in this story.

My final audiobook of the month was a return to Beth O’Leary with The Wake-Up Call. Lucas and Izzy are receptionists in a quaint but crumbling hotel. The pair are complete opposites and their hostility frequently shows. When the pair are forced to work together to try and save the hotel they begin to understand each other a little better. The conclusion is obvious but learning about all the characters and the misunderstandings made this an enjoyable listen.

Publication dates to watch out for:-

A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage by Asia Mackay will be published on 14/1/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Stranger in The Room by Luca Veste will be published on 16/1/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney will be published on 30/1/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

I Bet You’d Look Good In A Coffin by Katy Brent will be published on 30/1/25 in paperback, ebook and audio format.