My Crime Fiction 'Must Reads'

You may have noticed that I have a [slight] obsession with crime fiction novels and, despite having only posted two blog posts so far, I have talked about them a LOT. Typically, my go-to book [whether I'm reading on the plane, train or whilst sunbathing on a beach] will be of the crime or thriller genre. I find them gripping, exciting and, if they're doing their job right, I usually struggle to put them down at the end of the evening.

Following my resolution to read more, my boyfriend has also decided he would like to starting reading in his spare time [it has taken him 3 years to read the Game of Thrones series - he still hasn't finished!] and so it inspired me to right this post, to peak some of your interests in crime novels and hopefully recommend a few of my favourite books to you!

1 - Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 

Some of you may have seen the 2015 film of the same name and if you've seen the film and not read the book then YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. I've owned a copy of this novel for quite some time and, I have to admit, it did take me a few attempts to get through it. Set in Soviet Russia in the 1950s, Child 44 follows the protagonist Leo Demidov, an officer of the MGB [Ministry of State Security]. In a state where there is no crime, except crime against the state, Demidov finds himself under speculation from his colleagues when he begins investigating the serial murder of children across Russia.

Smith uses an array of well researched Russian references [which I struggled to get my head around on more than one attempt at reading the book] however, once you begin to understand these Russian phrases this novel is gripping, moving and like no other crime novel I have ever read. The Russian context behind the plot ignites the story and brings the characters to life; as though it were a telling account of Russia in its exactness.

The aspect of this book I loved the most was its ability to keep you second guessing. The majority of crime novels I have read throughout my lifetime allow some hints at what is about to happen yet Child 44 had me second guessing my hunches at each and every new chapter. I adored this book so much that I went on to watch the film but Daniel Espinosa has done it absolutely no justice. Trust me in what I say, if you liked the film you'll be besotted with the book!

2 - The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson 

I know many of you might avoid watching old films because of the clichéd acting and appalling special effect but, that is the beauty about reading an old book - no amateurish acting or gross graphics here! Written in 1952, The Killer Inside Me follows Lou Ford, a 29-year-old Deputy Sheriff of a small town in Texas. In a small town where almost everyone knows your name, Ford is the "ordinary" small town cop, a friendly face with a friendly profession. Yet, to a few unfortunate individuals Ford also introduces his cunning, depraved and sadistic sociopath alter ego.

The Killer Inside Me is one of the few novels I have read [so far] that presents the "bad guy" as its protagonist and this made for a welcome change. Thompson ably captures both sides of Ford's personality so vividly; a noteworthy feat for someone writing for a novel rather than a screen.

3 - Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land 

I honestly finished this book in two days because I could just NOT put it down. This novel is slightly disturbing as we meet Millie, a victim of child abuse from her own Mother who is now on trial for the murder of 9 children. Good Me Bad Me deals with the difficulties of a young girl coping with a new life and a new identify after a childhood of mental and physical torture. As a lover of all things crime [not just crime fiction] this book became very real for me, the story line is something we could so easily read in the newspaper; something we're fascinated by and tortured with at the same time.

Good Me Bad Me is definitely more of a psychological thriller as Millie deals with the voice in her head [her Mother] who tells her she's not good enough and wills her to commit crimes herself. As much as I hate the phrase, this novel is an absolute page turner and stunningly gripping from the very first line. Land's portrayal of Millie is fascinating and the suspense as both Miller and we [as the reader] lead up to her Mother's trial is captivating. Though we are only in February, I will put any amount of money on this novel being my favourite of the year!