Jeff Popple
@murdermayhem.bsky.social
Long time book collector and crime fiction reviewer: Canberra Times, Canberra Weekly, Deadly Pleasures etc and judge for Ned Kelly, Ngaio Marsh and Barry Awards. Dachshund owner Blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Victor Canning has largely slipped from view but in his prime was a very popular British thriller writer of some terrific books in the 1950s to 80s. The Scorpio Letters is not his best, but is still a damn good read #coverart #thriller #1960s #thrillerclub murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/forgotten-th...
FORGOTTEN THRILLERS: THE SCORPIO LETTERS By VICTOR CANNING
The Scorpio Letters by Victor Canning (Thriller Club Edition, 1965) Victor Canning (1911-86) has largely slipped from modern view, but in his prime was a very popular British thriller writer who pr…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Victor Canning has largely slipped from view but in his prime was a very popular British thriller writer of some terrific books in the 1950s to 80s. The Scorpio Letters is not his best, but is still a damn good read #coverart #thriller #1960s #thrillerclub murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/forgotten-th...
Fans of Tartan Noir can look forward to two good new books by
Marion Todd and Eva Macrae (aka @lynnemcewanwriter.bsky.social) in 2026. Short review of Eva's A Death In Glasgow attached, plus preview of Marion's Watch Them Fall murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tartan-noir-...
Marion Todd and Eva Macrae (aka @lynnemcewanwriter.bsky.social) in 2026. Short review of Eva's A Death In Glasgow attached, plus preview of Marion's Watch Them Fall murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tartan-noir-...
TARTAN NOIR 2026: NEW BOOKS BY MARION TODD and EVA MACRAE
Tartan Noir certainly gets off to a good start in 2026 with books by two of the quietly performing champions of the genre. A Death In Glasgow by Eva Macrae (Century, 8 January 2026) Eva Macrae is b…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Fans of Tartan Noir can look forward to two good new books by
Marion Todd and Eva Macrae (aka @lynnemcewanwriter.bsky.social) in 2026. Short review of Eva's A Death In Glasgow attached, plus preview of Marion's Watch Them Fall murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tartan-noir-...
Marion Todd and Eva Macrae (aka @lynnemcewanwriter.bsky.social) in 2026. Short review of Eva's A Death In Glasgow attached, plus preview of Marion's Watch Them Fall murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tartan-noir-...
I have finally caught up with some entertaining books from earlier in the year by @charliekm.bsky.social, Matthew Blake Christopher Reich and a good festive tale by @lisaunger.bsky.social. Short reviews attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/november-202...
NOVEMBER 2025 CRIME ROUND-UP: NEW BOOKS BY MATTHEW BLAKE, CHRISTOPHER REICH, CHARLIE DONLEA and LISA UNGER
The end of the year is rapidly approaching and I have been trying to catch up on some books that I missed earlier in the year, plus a seasonal short story by the talented Lisa Unger. A Murder In Pa…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:11 AM
I have finally caught up with some entertaining books from earlier in the year by @charliekm.bsky.social, Matthew Blake Christopher Reich and a good festive tale by @lisaunger.bsky.social. Short reviews attached. murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/november-202...
My recent finds in the wild have mainly been in the darker underbelly of 1960s men adventure books: Nazis, Japanese POW stories and sexual perversion! But good covers! #pulp #paperbackcovers #cover #coverart #1960s murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...
TRASHY TUESDAY: 1960s EXPLOITATION PAPERBACKS – NAZIS, POWS, PERVERSION AND WHITE COOLIES
Paperback publishers, especially Horwitz in Australia, underpinned their usual output of crime, romance and westerns with less savoury books that sought to exploit serious issues with lurid covers …
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:15 PM
My recent finds in the wild have mainly been in the darker underbelly of 1960s men adventure books: Nazis, Japanese POW stories and sexual perversion! But good covers! #pulp #paperbackcovers #cover #coverart #1960s murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/trashy-tuesd...
This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three good, end of year crime novels by the Queen of Cold Case Crime @valmcdermid.bsky.social & Australian authors Alan Carter and Matthew Reilly. Good books and great potential Xmas presents murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...
CANBERRA WEEKLY 6 NOVEMBER 2025: NEW CRIME BY VAL McDERMID, ALAN CARTER and MATTHEW REILLY
This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three very different new thrillers about new and old crimes. Silent Bones by Val McDermid (Little, Brown, 23 October 2025) First up is Silent Bones, (Lit…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:32 AM
This week in the Canberra Weekly I reviewed three good, end of year crime novels by the Queen of Cold Case Crime @valmcdermid.bsky.social & Australian authors Alan Carter and Matthew Reilly. Good books and great potential Xmas presents murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/canberra-wee...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:05 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
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...
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/courtroom-th...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/courtroom-th...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:10 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:42 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:55 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
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...
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 …
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:27 AM
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...
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...
@deonmeyer.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social @michaelrobotham.bsky.social @anthonyhorowitz.com @adrianmckinty.bsky.social @alanparks.bsky.social 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 …
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:25 AM
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...
@deonmeyer.bsky.social @michaelconnelly.bsky.social @michaelrobotham.bsky.social @anthonyhorowitz.com @adrianmckinty.bsky.social @alanparks.bsky.social murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/mid-year-rev...
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...
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 …
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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...
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...
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 …
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:10 AM
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...
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
July 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/recent-readi...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 24, 2025 at 4:29 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:27 AM
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 19, 2025 at 5:44 AM
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...
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/long-dog-upd...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:46 AM
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...
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/long-dog-upd...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:46 AM
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...
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...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 7, 2025 at 2:43 AM
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...
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-...
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…
murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
June 1, 2025 at 12:16 AM
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-...