Jeff Popple

DOWNUNDER CRIME UPDATE, NOVEMBER 2025: REVIEWS, NEWS AND PREVIEWS It is getting down to the business end of the year with the final lot of 2025 books being released just in time for Christmas. It is also the time when reviewers around the world begin to reflect a…

2025 is almost over but books keep on coming! Here are 3 great new Aussie/Kiwi crime books by Alan Carter Jack Heath, Chris Blake & forthcoming titles by Natalie Conyer & @timayliffe.bsky.social and news @sularigentill.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

BLOCKBUSTERS FOR CHRISTMAS: NEW BOOKS BY LEE & ANDREW CHILD, HARLAN COBEN & REESE WITHERSPOON, PETER JAMES and MATTHEW REILLY Christmas is just around the corner and the big crime and thriller blockbusters are hitting the stores over the next week or two. I have done some short reviews of the four main ones. Gone Before G…

Xmas is just around the corner and the big crime and thriller blockbusters are hitting the stores - here are short reviews of the 4 main ones. @harlancoben.bsky.social @reesewitherspoonbr.bsky.social Matthew Reilly @peterjamesauthor.bsky.social Lee Child murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/blockbusters...

COURTROOM THRILLER 2025: THE PROVING GROUND by MICHAEL CONNELLY The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly (Allen & Unwin, 21 October 2025) Michael Connelly’s latest ‘Lincoln Lawyer’ novel, The Proving Ground (Allen & Unwin, 21 October 202…

Michael Connelly's new 'Lincoln Lawyer' novel, The Proving Ground, is out tomorrow and it is a gripping courtroom journey through the dangers of the AI tidal wave. Highly recommended. @michaelconnelly.bsky.social
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/courtroom-th...

OCTOBER 2025 READING: NEW BOOKS BY VAL McDERMID, VASEEM KHAN and DAVID WHISH-WILSON Three very different crime novels for your late October reading: a good cold case mystery, an interesting James Bond spin-off and a tough, gritty noir thriller by one of Australia’s best crim…

October brings 3 very good and very different crime novels, from cold case mystery to James Bond spin-off to gritty Aussie noir. All well worth reading. Short reviews @valmcdermid.bsky.social @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social @davidwhish-wilson.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/october-2025...

FORECAST FRIDAY: THE BEST NEW RELEASES OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2025 With just over two months to Christmas, the annual flood of new thriller and crime books is picking up momentum, with some great titles scheduled for release in the next few weeks. I have looked ov…

2 months to Xmas and here the 10 best crime titles coming our way @michaelconnelly.bsky.social Lee & Andrew Child, Jack Heath @peterjamesauthor.bsky.social @valmcdermid.bsky.social Jo Dixon, Matthew Reilly @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social @harlancoben.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/forecast-fri...

CANBERRA WEEKLY 2 OCTOBER 2025: NEW OUTBACK CRIME BY GARRY DISHER, ALEX DOOK and MICHAEL BRISSENDEN This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very good outback Australia crime novels by Garry Disher, Michael Brissenden and Alex Dook. Mischance Creek by Garry Disher (Text, 30 September 202…

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different, but equally good, outback Australian crime novels by Garry Disher, @mbrisso.bsky.social and Alex Dook. Some very good reading here. Short, spoiler-free reviews attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

OUTBACK NOIR 2025: MISCHANCE CREEK BY GARRY DISHER and LAST ONE OUT BY JANE HARPER October brings new books by two of the doyens of Australian outback crime. Mischance Creek by Garry Disher (Text, 30 September 2025) Few, if any, do outback noir consistently as well as Garry Dishe…

Fans of gritty outback Australian noir can rejoice with the release of new books by 2 doyens of the genre: Garry Disher & Jane Harper. Very different books, but both are good reads #JaneHarper #GarryDisher #booksky #outbacknoir @textpublishing.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/outback-noir...

Amazing place!

CANBERRA WEEKLY 24 JULY 2025: NEW CRIME FICTION BY D.V. BISHOP, MARGARET HICKEY and P. A. THOMAS This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three new crime novels by ‘Downunder’ authors P. A Thomas, D. V. Bishop and Margaret Hickey. Carnival Of Lies by D. V. Bishop (Macmillan, 1 J…

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different crime novels that moved from rural Victoria to sunny Byron Bay to Renaissance Venice. By Margaret Hickey, @pathomas.bsky.social & @dvbishop.com murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

MID YEAR REVIEW: THE BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOKS OF 2025 … SO FAR! I am about to head off on a seven week holiday, and thought it would be a good time to look back over the books I have read so far this year and sort through some of the main releases for the rest …

Here are my favourite crime and thriller books of 2025 so far - Part 2! @fionathehardy.bsky.social Matthew Spencer @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social @mbrisso.bsky.social @ronnisalt.bsky.social @angiefayemartin.bsky.social @aspyalone.bsky.social John Lawton murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/mid-year-rev...

MID YEAR REVIEW: THE BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOKS OF 2025 … SO FAR! I am about to head off on a seven week holiday, and thought it would be a good time to look back over the books I have read so far this year and sort through some of the main releases for the rest …

Here are my favourite crime novels of 2025 so far (part 1):
@deonmeyer.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social @michaelrobotham.bsky.social @anthonyhorowitz.com @adrianmckinty.bsky.social @alanparks.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/mid-year-rev...

DEADLY TWISTS AND TURNS: NEW AUGUST 2025 CRIME FICTION BY STEVE CAVANAGH AND KERRY WILKINSON August brings two really good suspense thrillers to keep you happily reading well into the night! Two Kinds Of Strangers by Steve Cavanagh (Headline, 29 July 2025) Steve Cavanagh’s books about New …

Early August delivers two good thrillers: including a new Eddie Flynn novel by @stevecavanagh.bsky.social and a clever psychological novel by @kerrywilkinson.bsky.social - The Tapes. Both books are very enjoyable. Short spoiler-free reviews here: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/deadly-twist...

NEW AUSTRALIAN RURAL CRIME: BROKE ROAD by MATTHEW SPENCER Broke Road by Matthew Spencer (Allen & Unwin, 1 July 2025 Matthew Spencer’s Black River stood out as one of the best Australian debuts of 2022, and he has now followed it up with the …

After a good police detective novel in which the detective is not consumed by addiction or dark past secrets? Then try Broke Road by Matthew Spencer. Good plot, briskly paced and nice local Australian rural background. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-australi...

RECENT READING: NEW BOOKS BY LISA JEWELL, TOM MEAD, RILEY SAGER and ALAN PARKS My recent reading has been a real mix of styles and criminal approaches, with three of them exploring different historical periods and places. Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (Century, 1 July…

My recent reading has been very mixed and includes new novels by @tommeadauthor.bsky.social, Lisa Jewell, @alanparks.bsky.social & Riley Sager. Park's Gunner was my favourite, but there is almost something for everyone! Short, spoiler-free reviews attached
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...

MICHAEL ROBOTHAM IN CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS HAMMER: WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2025 at 6:00 pm (AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY) Two times Gold Dagger winning, and twice Edgar short-listed author , Michael Robotham will be in conversation with Chris Hammer on 2 July 2025 on Michael’s new PC Phil McCarthy crime novel Th…

If you are in Canberra: two times Gold Dagger winning author @michaelrobotham.bsky.social will be in conversation with fellow crime writer Chris Hammer on 2 July 2025 at the ANU to discuss Michael’s new novel The White Crow. Should be a great night: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/michael-robo...

CANBERRA WEEKLY 19 JUNE 2025: NEW BOOKS BY A. A. DHAND, ANGIE FAYE MARTIN AND ALEX NORTH This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed two very good new crime novels by veteran authors Alex North and A. A. Dhand, and an exciting rural crime debut by Australian author Angie Faye Martin. M…

In the Canberra Weekly I reviewed 2 very good crime novels by veteran authors @alexnorth.co.uk & #AADhand & an exciting rural noir debut by Australian Indigenous author Angie Faye Martin murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

Multiple award winner @michaelrobotham.bsky.social is in good form with his latest one The White Crow. Featuring PC Philomena McCarthy from When You Were Mine, it is a gripping read and one of the best books that Michael has done @hachetteaus.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-white-cr...

Hi. Thanks. Yes it is poor Layla. Toby has had 2 operations, but we thought that Layla would be okay as she has a different body shape (Toby is really long). But not to be. Anyhow the operation went well and she recovering well. Stitches out tomorrow! It is very stressful! Thanks for your wishes. :)

LONG DOG UPDATE: LAYLA’S SPINAL SURGERY The middle Long Dog assistant, Layla, had to go in for spinal surgery last week for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). It was a worrying time, but the good news is that she seems to have come thro…

Our second eldest Long Dog had to go in for spinal surgery for IVDD. She is recovering well but long way to go!
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/long-dog-upd...

DOWNUNDER CRIME UPDATE, JUNE 2025: NEWS, REVIEWS AND PREVIEWS Welcome to the June 2025 update of things happening in Australian and New Zealand crime fiction. There are a couple of reviews, previews of forthcoming books and some news. Firstly some short revie…

In my latest round up of Aussie & Kiwi crime fiction, I review new books by Joan Sauers, @neilawhite.bsky.social & Angie Faye Martin. Foreshadow books by Gabriel Bergmoser, Michael Brissenden, Benjamin Stevenson, Zoe Rankin & Ashley Kalagian Blunt. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-cr...

CHASING SHADOWS BY ROBERT BRYNDZA Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza (Raven Street, 5 June 2025) I have tended to prefer Robert Bryndza’s series about PI Kate Marshall over his books about Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster, but…

I have tended to prefer Robert Bryndza’s series about PI Kate Marshall over his books about DCI Erika Foster, but I have to say that his latest Foster book, Chasing Shadows, is probably the best thing he has done in recent years. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/chasing-shad...

NEW BRITISH CRIME JUNE 2025: MARK BILLINGHAM, MARK ELLIS and A. A. DHAND Three very different British crime novels to start your June 2025 reading off with. Death Of An Officer by Mark Ellis (Headline, 29 May 2025) Mark Ellis’ series about World War II detective F…

Here are three strong British crime novels to get your June reading off to a good start. Short reviews of Mark Ellis' The Death Of An Officer, Mark Billingham's What The Night Brings and A A Dhand's The Chemist: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/new-british-...

JUDGEMENT IN JUNE: CRIME NOVELS THAT I AM LOOKING TO READING IN JUNE 2025 There are some real treats coming out for crime and thriller aficionados in June, including new books by leading figures in the genre such as Michael Robotham, Mark Billingham, S. A. Crosby and Ril…

Here are my picks of the best new crime fiction coming in June 2025 @michaelrobotham.bsky.social Riley Sager, Robert Bryndza, @blacktopkid.bsky.social, Mark Billingham, Mark Ellis, C L Taylor @julieclarkauthor.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/judgement-in...

RECENT READING MAY 2025: NEW BOOKS BY JOHN CONNOLLY, ALEX NORTH, JOHN McMAHON AND PRESTON & CHILD My early May 2025 reading has been dominated by four very different books, three of which have a touch of otherness about them. Head Cases by John McMahon (Harper Collins, February 2025) John McMah…

My recent crime reading has been mixed & has ranged across two creepy tales by @jconnollybooks.bsky.social & Alex North, serial killer thriller by John McMahon & great escapism by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...

CANBERRA WEEKLY 8 MAY 2025: NEW BOOKS BY ANTHONY HOROWITZ, DARCY TINDALE AND MICHAEL BENNETT This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very good new crime novels by Anthony Horowitz, Darcy Tindale and Michael Bennett. Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Century, 8 April 2025) …

This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different crime novels, both geographically and thematically, by @anthonyhorowitz.com, Michael Bennett & Darcy Tindale. All are well worth reading. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...

SPANISH COVER ARTISTS: GUNS, BIKINIS, LARRY KENT AND STEVE McQUEEN In the late 1960s/early 1970s Spanish syndicated artwork became a common feature of generally lower end book covers across the globe. These syndicated covers, which were presumably cheaper for publ…

Spanish syndicated artwork can be found globally on hundreds of pulp paperbacks in late 1960s/70s, with the same artwork often being re-used multiple times on different books in different countries. I have recently added a couple to my collection. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/spanish-cove...

OUTBACK NOIR MAY 2025: VANISH By SHELLEY BURR and BURNING MOUNTAIN By DARCY TINDALE Small rural towns continue to be the crime centres of Australia, at least in terms of locally produced crime fiction. The enthusiasm of writers and publishers for outback Aussie noir seems to show …

For fans of Australian outback noir, here are two good, recent examples by @shelleyburr.bsky.social & Darcy Tindale that take you into the dangerous rural areas of New South Wales where the murder rate seems to be on the rise! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/outback-noir...

LOOKING FORWARD FRIDAY: NIGHTSHADE By MICHAEL CONNELLY Nightshade by Michael Connelly (Michael Connelly, 20 May 2025) A new Michael Connelly novel is always a reason to celebrate, and this year we have two! Coming out later in the year (October), we ha…

@michaelconnelly.bsky.social has two books coming out this year. There is a new Lincoln Lawyer book in Oct, but more immediate is Nightshade (May). Featuring a new detective in the form of Detective Stilwell based on Catalina Island, it is a top notch read murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/looking-forw...

SPIES AND LIES: MY RECENT MAY 2025 READING – SIMON MASON, GERALD SEYMOUR, JOHN LAWTON and CHARLES BEAUMONT Spies, lies and a missing person finder have dominated my recent reading. All are good reads, even if the Gerald Seymour and the John Lawton books have strangely similar cover designs and images! A…

Spies and lies! My recent reading has been dominated by 3 very good spy novels by Gerald Seymour, John Lawton @charlesbeaumont.bsky.social and a new Finder novel by Simon Mason murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/spies-and-li...

THE UNQUIET GRAVE By DERVLA McTIERNAN The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan (Harper Collins, 30 April 2025) After a five year break, Dervla McTiernan returns to her popular series about Galway detective DS Cormac Reilly with a fourth b…

After a five year break, @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social returns to her popular series about Irish detective DS Cormac Reilly with a new book - The Unquiet Grave. Highly entertaining! murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-unquiet-...