Gothic novel, psychological thriller, dark crime fiction, wild investigations, gripping plots, false leads, and unexpected twists... We snuggle under a blanket and devour the latest dark novels. A gritty crime novel set in a Glasgow plagued by corruption, an ultra-modern identity quest during the Victorian era, a new psychological thriller by Lisa Gardner... Let’s zoom in on three authentically terrifying investigations that will turn your brain upside down in no time.
The Return of the Queen of Cold Cases
The Book: Dernière soirée by Lisa Gardner
The Pitch: Timothy O'Day was a hiking pro. Yet that didn't stop him from vanishing without a trace during his bachelor party weekend, leaving behind two inconsolable parents, a desperate fiancée, and four bewildered groomsmen. Every year, his father combs the mountains in hopes of finding his son's remains. Five years have passed, the searches have yielded nothing, and guilt eats away at those left behind.
Frankie Elkin has made it her mission to find missing persons whom the police and loved ones have given up on. She joins the search team as they prepare for one final sweep. Tim’s four friends, his grief-stricken father, and the investigator set out across the harsh Wyoming mountains. The dangers of the climb, grizzlies, and other seasoned predators pale in comparison to the unexplained incidents that arise each time a clue is found… and the investigation starts to progress.
Why You’ll Love It: Lisa Gardner has long been a master of tightly woven crime fiction. The author of Sauver sa peau and La Maison d'à côté knows how to craft ultra-badass female protagonists. Following Commandant D.D. Warren and private detective Tessa Leoni, Frankie Elkin makes a comeback as an amateur sleuth specializing in cold cases. The oppressive atmosphere of the mountains, the intensifying suspense, false leads, and twists all make for a perfectly orchestrated plot. One thing's certain: Lisa Gardner masters the art of manipulation!
A Gothic Novel in the Heart of the Scottish Moorlands
The Book: Fayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Pitch: We are in Fayne, a vast estate surrounded by marshes, on the border between Scotland and England at the end of the 19th century. Charlotte leads an isolated life due to a mysterious illness but enjoys intellectual stimulation alongside her beloved father, Lord Henry Bell. With a sharp mind and insatiable curiosity, she delights in the mysteries of the surrounding moorland, shares knowledge with an old handyman, develops a passion for ornithology, and explores the world through the many encyclopedias in the family library.
The only shadow on the horizon is the sudden disappearance of her mother, who died in childbirth, and her brother Charles, the long-awaited heir who died at two years old. Her world is upended the day after her twelfth birthday. She is declared cured and urged to become a proper lady, complete with corset, girdle, and skirts, as she prepares to move to Edinburgh. Her dreams of the future fade as her past becomes increasingly muddled. Her thirst for knowledge and adventure will lead her to uncover the secrets of the Bell family and her own identity mysteries.
Why You’ll Love It: Nearly two decades after Un parfum de cèdre, winner of prestigious awards, and Le Vol du corbeau, Ann-Marie MacDonald makes a grand comeback on the literary scene. The Canadian author delivers an extraordinary historical novel set in the Victorian era. This wonderfully crafted gothic novel, ambitious in its narrative scope and modernity, oscillates between Brontë sisters and Jane Austen, blending identity quests with crime fiction. It tackles timeless themes such as gender equality, female emancipation, and identity. A rare and epic literary masterpiece!
In the Heart of a Christian Cult
The Book: Mourir en juin by Alan Parks
The Pitch: Glasgow, in the heart of the 70s. It all begins with the discovery of the body of a homeless man, "Govan Jamie." Shortly after, a distressed woman reports her 9-year-old son missing. The problem? Her story is riddled with inconsistencies, and upon investigation, no trace of the boy's existence can be found. Fortunately, Inspector Harry McCoy is no rookie. He soon discovers that the family belongs to a Christian cult that equates suffering with piety, with the father as pastor claiming that he and his wife have no child.
In a city governed by violence, misery, and disillusionment, the inspector faces troubling disappearances and suspicious deaths. Among them is the poisoning of a group of lonely, marginalized elderly people, possibly including Harry’s own father, a long-time alcoholic who lived on the streets. Between false leads, buried secrets, and a tense social backdrop, the author weaves a gripping plot that keeps readers on edge until the final page.
Why You’ll Love It: Evocative descriptions, direct writing, incisive dialogues… Alan Parks' pen, known for Janvier noir, the first in a series of 12 thrillers set in Glasgow, is unmistakable. Inspector Harry McCoy is a pleasure to follow—he perfectly embodies the anti-hero of the "Tartan Noir," a typically Scottish crime genre, rough yet profoundly human, wrestling with his own demons. The city itself becomes a character, both oppressive and fascinating, described with striking precision.
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