Fave Reads Of The Year?

[Daniel Hatadi]

It's not quite the end of the year yet, but close enough (and far enough away so I get to ask this question again in December) for me to ask everybody to share their favourite reads of the year.
There are two books that stand out for me so far. One I read a number of months ago and the other I finished last week.

First up is Ray Banks' SATURDAY'S CHILD. It's the defining book of the cricket bat wielding PI sub-sub-genre. Chances are if you're on Crimespace, you've already read it, but if not, sort it out quick, fellas.

The other book that blew me away is Don Winslow's THE WINTER OF FRANKIE MACHINE. Although I enjoyed the movie The Matador, this book takes the premise of that film and pulls it up more than a few notches, making for a belt that's tight enough to be used as a garrotte.

If I could steal genetic material from Ray, Don and Sara Gran (I'm thinking COME CLOSER), I would shove a needle-full of it in me and finish the novel I'm trying to write before the effects wore off.

Anyone else feel like sharing their faves (or warped fantasies like mine)?

Disclaimer: This post in no way condones the use of drugs by injection. Nothing wrong with imbibing something with a suitable mixer though.

[Laura Root]

In no particular order of preference:-
1. Mr Clarinet by Nick Stone
2. Vixen by Ken Bruen
3. The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin
4. The Attack by Yasmina Khadra
5. Snakeskin Shamisen by Crimespace's own Naomi Hirahara
6. Borderlands by Brian McGillowray
7. Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
8. The Rabbit Factory by Marshall Karp
9. The Dragon Man by Gary Disher
10. The Fugitive by Massimo Carlotto

non-crime
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie