It has been an excellent month for reading crime fiction with not a dud amongst my books. I always expect October to be a fruitful month as publishers usually come up with something exiting for the autumn but I was genuinely pleased by the quality of the books that I picked up.
Three of the books that I read were by new-to-me authors and all were excellent. I particularly want to give a shout-out to Tom Grieves and RN Morris, who although writing completely different types of novel, are united by the talent for drawing the reader completely into the world that they have created.
For the first time since I started summing up my monthly reading, I dithered for a long time over what book to choose as my book of the month. However, a book that will stay with me for a long time was Elizabeth Hay’s Alone in the Classroom. It’s going to be impossible for me to sum it up in one sentence so read instead my review and more importantly buy or borrow the book. I’d love to hear what you think.
The seven books that I read for crimepieces were:
1. The Fire Engine that Disappeared by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
2. Autumn Killing by Mons Kallentoft
3. 7 Days by Deon Meyer
4. Sleepwalkers by Tom Grieves
5. The Bat by Jo Nesbo
6. Alone in the Classroom by Elizabeth Hay
7. Summon up the Blood by R N Morris
Kerrie from Mysteries in Paradise is hosting a monthly round-up of all the recommendations by crime fiction bloggers. Do pay the site a visit and see if you agree with the books that have been chosen.
Sarah Ward & Rhiannon Ward 
Sarah, you beat me to the punch, i’m still working on my October list! I think I had a more mixed bag than yourself, Colman
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Thanks Colman. Looking forward to your list.
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having been out of things for a little while I missed your review of the Elizabeth Hay book but you have made an excellent case for it – its not out here yet but I see there is a kindle version so can even get hold of it promptly
The only one of yours I’ve read is 7 Days which I liked but not quite as much as Trackers (though still very high quality)
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Thanks Bernadette. It’d good to have you back blogging. I have to finish the AWW2012 challenge so expect a couple of Australian books in November,
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You’ve convinced me I have to read Alone in the Classroom. And reminded me of how much I enjoy Deon Meyer’s books – I haven’t read 7 Days, or Trackers but I thoroughly enjoyed Thirteen Hours and also Blood Safari.
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Thanks Margaret – Deon Meyer is a recent find for me and an excellent writer. I love your choice for October too!
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Sarah – What excellent choices! I’m so very glad you had a good reading month. And Alone in the Classroom has gone on my TBR list based on your review of it. And I’m very glad too that you’ve discovered Deon Meyer. I think his books really so well-written!
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Thanks Margot. I’d love to hear what you think of the Hay book.
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I keep meaning to get around to discovering Deon Meyer as well…
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Always plenty to read!
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Sounds like a good mix – glad you enjoyed all of them. Not surprised you found it hard to choose among such books. I had more of a mixed bag myself – there was none that made me fall down on my back in amazement and awe, a few that were good, and a couple that were disappointing (and overhyped).
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Thanks Marina Sofia. I have months that contain a mixed bag and I know what you mean by overhyped books. I’m looking forward to your list.
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My list is up now and you can what I mean…
http://findingtimetowrite.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/top-reads-for-october/
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I keep discovering new authors and books but never get to them. For instance, Deon Meyer has been on my list for a while now and I hope to read at least one of his books by the end of this year.
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I’d be interested to hear what you think Pashant. I think you’ll like him.
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You read a nice group of books. Based on your review, I am planning to read Elizabeth Hay’s book for the Canadian Reading Challenge. I just went and read the review of the Mons Kallentoft book. I had missed that. I want to read more Scandinavian mysteries and this series sounds like one I should try. The narrative style sounds good to me.
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I’d love to hear what you have to say on the Elizabeth Hay book. Looking forward to your review.
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