NZ Crime & Thriller

Fangs for Nothing is a cosy paranormal romance featuring a grumpy vampire and a sunshine human, a meddling book club, a compelling murder mystery – and endless cups of tea. Lord Alaric Valerian has a problem. His mother is visiting his castle for the first time, but she doesn’t know that Alaric has filled every room with centuries of his...

See How They Fall by Rachel Paris is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The novel masterfully weaves together suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists, creating a story that is impossible to put down. In the quiet town of Ashford, secrets begin to unravel when a mysterious stranger arrives. With each turn of the...

Two small-town booksellers (and their cowardly dog) solve a decades-old murder mystery in this witty debut novel, full of literary clues, sparkling dialogue, and comedic insights into the world of bookshops. "When we opened Sherlock Tomes, people warned us that we'd made a terrible mistake. People warned us that e-readers were taking over. People warned us that we'd never compete...

Another case to solve for the number-one bestselling Bookshop Detectives. When we opened Sherlock Tomes, people warned us that we'd made a terrible mistake . . . but the one thing they didn't warn us about was the murders . . . The Bookshop Detectives are on the case! In this rollicking new adventure, Garth and Eloise (and Stevie) must...

The second captivating novel featuring intrepid heroine Tatty Crowe and the fascinating world of Sydney's Victorian funeral business, from bestselling historical fiction author Deborah Challinor. Sydney, 1871. Twenty-five-year-old widow Tatty Crowe is the owner of a busy undertaking firm, Crowe Funerals. Life and business are good until Tatty notices how many women are dying after unlawful abortions. After a terrible...

Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz is an evocative and poignant debut novel that transforms the traditional crime narrative into a deeply human exploration of identity, connection, and the invisible threads that bind us together. The story is set against the gritty and vibrant backdrop of New York City, where two lives intersect in a haunting and unexpected...

Tenacious Māori investigator Hana Westerman returns in this stunning new thriller from the award-winning author of Better the Blood. In the depths of the bleak New Zealand winter comes the rising of Matariki – a sacred constellation in Māori culture, heralding a time of new beginnings. For former Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman, life is good: her work in her...

Jane Harper's Force of Nature meets the wild and atmospheric setting of The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah in this twisty, stay-up-all-night thriller about family, love, and loyalty, and the fight for survival in the most beautiful but dangerous New Zealand wilderness. On the remote West Coast of the South Island, vast forests stretch out between mountain ranges and rugged...

Eve Sylvester is young and broke and needs a job fast. After years of foster homes, backpacking, and a sailing trip across the Pacific Ocean, she has lost contact with friends and family. She is alone, desperate—and pregnant. Then she meets Julia and Christopher Hygate, a charming and glamorous couple who seem to have the perfect life: loads of money...

'There's no better storyteller in the thriller game than Pomare' HERALD SUN 'Shocking, twisty and impossible to put down' CHRISTIAN WHITE 'Pomare's gift for complex plots and drum-tight tension shines' BENJAMIN STEVENSON 'A raging river of twists and turns' WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN 'Flawlessly plotted . . . breathless suspense' ANNA DOWNES The violent slaughter of the Primrose family while they slept...

You can run from your past, but not from the girls left behind. Nineteen years ago, Ruth-Ann Baker's childhood friend was murdered by convicted killer Ethan Oswald. Haunted by what happened, Ruth has long been convinced Oswald had other victims. But no one has ever believed her. After dropping out of college and failing to prove her serial killer theory,...

Better the Blood is described as 'a compelling, atmospheric page turner with an authentic insight into Māori culture' by Val McDermid. A DETECTIVE IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH. A KILLER IN SEARCH OF RETRIBUTION. A CLASH BETWEEN CULTURE AND DUTY. THE PAST NEVER TRULY STAYS BURIED. WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF PARADISE. Detective Senior Sergeant Hana Westerman is a...

"There was this large world of rolling time and shifting spaces, and that small, stilled world of horror and unease - they fit inside each other, a sphere within a sphere." Set against the backdrop of New Zealand’s 1866 gold rush, The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton begins as young prospector Walter Moody arrives on the West Coast to seek his...

The page-turning third novel featuring intrepid heroine Tatty Crowe and the fascinating world of Sydney's Victorian funeral business, from bestselling historical fiction author Deborah Challinor. Sometimes death is just the beginning ... Late 1872. When twenty-five-year-old Sydney undertaker Tatiana Crowe travels to Auckland to embalm the body of Evan Hunter's father, events go horribly wrong, leaving Tatty stricken. Back at...

Two murders. Two decades apart. One chance to get justice. Hana Westerman has left Auckland and her career as a detective behind her. Settled in a quiet coastal town, all she wants is a fresh start. The discovery of a skeleton in the dunes near her house changes everything. The remains are those of a young Māori woman who went...

WINNER OF THE NGAIO MARSH AWARD BEST FIRST NOVEL 2019 SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA MATT RICHELL AWARD 2020 SHORTLISTED FOR THE NGAIO MARSH AWARD BEST NOVEL 2019 LONGLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD BEST FIRST FICTION 2019 LONGLISTED FOR THE ABIA GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020 'Almost nothing will turn out as it initially appears in this...

The Girl from Sarajevo Young and self-assured immigrant Katia will do anything to become a writer. When she encounters her neighbour, an aging novelist from the old country, she embarks on an audacious plan to represent Dragan’s new novel as her own. Weaponising her sexuality, she enters into a cynical, twisted affair with the elder wordsmith. But Dragan holds a...

Missing Persons by Steve Braunias is a compelling collection of twelve extraordinary tales of disappearance, showcasing the masterful true crime writing of New Zealand's award-winning author. Within its pages, you will encounter the chilling story of former journalist Murray Mason, found dead in the Auckland Domain. Delve into the mysterious death of Socksay Chansy, discovered lifeless in a graveyard by...

Hooked Up

You can run from your past, but not from the girls left behind. Nineteen years ago, Ruth-Ann Baker's childhood friend was murdered by convicted killer Ethan Oswald. Haunted by what happened, Ruth has long been convinced Oswald had other victims. But no one has ever believed her. After dropping out of college and failing to prove her serial killer theory,...

The Cleaner, the international bestseller and now a premium Sky Originals TV series, Dark City - The Cleaner, is a surprising and compelling novel that powerfully delves into the terrifyingly vivid mind of a serial killer. "Paul Cleave is an automatic must-read for me." - LEE CHILD Meet Joe. He's a nice guy out to catch a copycat killer. The...

True stories of death and desperation One survivor chooses loneliness. One chooses exile. One chooses oblivion. Some have violent tendencies, ruining lives indiscriminately. Some seal their own fate in slow motion; others do so in the blink of an eye. In The Survivors, award-winning true-crime writer Steve Braunias retells twelve mysteries of human nature—unusual stories of how people choose to...

There's a reason Pomare is called the king of the twist. You know from the outset this will be a twisty psychological thriller and it's all that, with the storyline taking a few left turns to keep the suspense tightly coiled. Herald Sun 'Ratchets up psychological suspense with a cleverly constructed plot that can be devoured in one go.' Sydney...

The novel that inspired the Disney+ Original series, The Clearing, featuring an all-star cast led by Teresa Palmer, Miranda Otto, and Guy Pearce. Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing. She knows what's expected of her. She knows what to do to please her elders, and how to make sure the community remains happy and calm. That is,...

The number-one bestselling thriller from the award-winning author of The Wrong Woman and The Last Guests. “There’s no doubt about it: Pomare is a master of the carefully constructed, impeccably paced psycho-thriller” - The Australian Psychologist Margot Scott has a picture-perfect life: a nice house in the suburbs, a husband, two children and a successful career. On a warm spring...

Wellington. The land dips and rolls, the wind has a life of its own. Dig a little deeper and the city is unforgiving and unrepentant. Forget the politicians, they're poor amateurs in deception and crime. It's Saturday night down on the wharf. Celebrations are in full swing for the Westons' fortieth wedding anniversary. Their daughter Stella has returned from London...

Cli-fi writer and climate activist Bella Goodfellow wants to save the world, but how can she do that when she can’t even save herself? Forced from her hideaway after a landslide swallows it whole, she finds temporary accommodation with her publisher’s elderly aunt on the Kāpiti Coast. But lilac-eyed Freyja is not what she seems, and soon Bella’s flung into...

Auckland city bars, 1996, when the click / whirr of a Polaroid 600 proved you were living your best life. Betty's is on repeat: waitress till late, drink till dawn, in bed to forget. But partying like there's no tomorrow is no fix for the problems crowding in. Her ex is back and drinking at her favourite haunts, her flat...

Who would you go back for? Lestari Aris is a woman on the edge. Her tattoo studio on Karangahape Road is hammered by burglaries; the hangers-on in her life, from a teenage runaway to a married cop, are bonded to her for reasons she can't fathom. And years after Lestari's father disappeared, her Indonesian mother is still lost in a...

Blood Matters by Renee is a gripping tale set in the aftermath of lockdown. Puti Derrell enjoys running at midnight, a habit that felt safe during lockdown. However, as normalcy resumes, the town of Porohiwi no longer feels secure, especially after Puti discovers her estranged grandfather has been murdered, found with a Judas mask on his face. Puti is facing...

Nothing in Stan Andino's unremarkable life could prepare him for the day he discovers his wife in the living room, naked except for a black apron, bleaching out a stain in the carpet that only she can see. A CT scan one week later explains the seemingly inexplicable; Carmen Andino has a brain tumour. As Stan and their teenage sons...

Ever have the feeling you're being watched? A smart, unsettling, unputdownable literary thriller from the award-winning, critically acclaimed writer. Lina and Cain are doing their best to stay afloat. Money has been tight since Cain returned from active duty, and starting a family is proving harder than they thought. Putting Lina's inherited lake house up for rent at weekends seems...

In this chilling thriller from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh, a remote estate in the New Zealand Alps hosts a reunion no one will ever forget. Seven friends. One last weekend. A mansion half in ruins. No room for lies. Someone is going to confess. Because there should have been eight... They met when they were teenagers. Now...

Secrets of the Land by Kate Mahony tells the intriguing story of Imogen Maguire, who, in 2018, is bewildered when accosted in a Melbourne street by a mysterious stranger claiming her grandfather in New Zealand needs her help. But isn't her grandfather dead? A former journalist, Imogen decides to investigate and travels to Taranaki, where she discovers her grandfather is...

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF BETTER THE BLOOD COMES ANOTHER CASE FOR NEW ZEALAND'S BEST INVESTIGATOR, HANA WESTERMAN. ‘Another cracking, page-turning journey into another culture’ VAL McDERMID Two murders. Two decades apart.One chance to get justice. Hana Westerman has left Auckland and her career as a detective behind her. Settled in a quiet coastal town, all she wants is a...

DI Nyree Bradshaw and her team have their work cut out for them once again. Local woman Lizzy Bean has been found dead, garrotted with a piece of wire. Lizzy's property, a 1970s beach house overlooking a pristine Northland bay, is overflowing with rubbish. Inside, the house is even worse. As Nyree and her team delve into the case, clues...

The Water's Dead by Catherine Lea is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Detective Inspector Nyree Bradshaw is called to investigate a chilling case – a body is found floating in the river, face down. As Nyree delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a series of dark secrets that threaten to tear...

A narcotics pick-up at sea goes horribly wrong. A man is lost overboard. A dangerous series of events sends shockwaves through the local community. On a wintery day, a young woman is found dead at a local beach. Sergeant Bill Granger, the local policeman, is called in to investigate. He had hoped for a quiet off-season. Instead, what seems to...

Four friends, a shared past, a common enemy. In New Zealand's Martinborough, an ex-wine maker dies at the hands of an unknown assailant. The planning, execution, and pure enjoyment sets in motion a series of vile attacks. Meanwhile, north of Auckland, the long, hot summer is over and the tourists have left the Matakana wine country. A tranquil atmosphere descends,...

The Serenity Centre in Cambodia was full of secrets, of skeletons, bones in the closet, things unrevealed and undisclosed. You sensed it. There was an atmosphere. The discovery of a dead body only added to the tension and triggered in Rita painful memories of events in New Zealand five years earlier. A woman had been found dead at Rita's workplace,...

Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat by Rodney Strong Nicolette Briggs doesn't do humans. As Wellington's premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then...

A year after a brutal shootout left her lover dead, ex-police sergeant Honey Chalmers is a hot mess, drinking too much and eating too little, working casual gigs for a shady firm of private investigators — while holding conversations with a ghost. A desperate father asks her to investigate his missing son — a double-murder suspect last seen during the...

Scary stories are fun... until your life becomes one. When Alice was fifteen, her father killed Mia Heywood in their lakefront cottage before vanishing into the trees. At least that's what the locals think happened. Over a decade later, Alice has lost her job as a journalist, she's going through an expensive divorce and she desperately needs to sell the...

On the morning of her granddaughter's first day of school, DI Nyree Bradshaw receives a chilling call: there's been a double homicide on a private island in the Far North. One victim is the woman who inherited the island over her two brothers. The other victim is unknown. As Nyree and her team begin their investigation into the murky labyrinth...

When local cop Sean Devereaux, who enjoys skating close to the edge, does a favour for his attractive neighbour, he unwittingly exposes a web of deceit and corruption. As he investigates the murder of a 16-year-old Epsom 'princess' in his day job, his after-hours efforts have him stumbling into the aftermath of a scam involving senior colleagues, and he is...

A melting glacier gives up its secrets, a man is murdered in his ritzy beachside home, and the Christchurch detectives get to work. Two mysteries, two separate investigations... or are they? A handful of Christchurch rich listers start eyeing their assets and shaking in their Jimmy Choos, but the police are cold on the trail until once again Detective Jack...

When a failed witness protection operation ends in multiple homicides, evidence suggests the crime is linked to a series of violent robberies in Auckland City. For Detective Sergeant Sean Devereaux, solving the case is proving next to impossible. His own superiors in the police department are refusing to cooperate with his investigation. After Devereaux shoots a suspect in a botched...

...a triumph of gritty, page-turning, good old crime writing ... M2 MAGAZINE Friday rush hour, Auckland city. A lone shooter fires across a packed street and kills a man. Detective Sergeant Sean Devereaux is assigned the case. He's not complaining—his Friday nights are seldom better spent. But the inquiry is not straightforward. Witness accounts are conflicting. The dead man appears...

Nick Harrieson's life takes an unexpected turn when he is accused of sexually harassing one of his female students. While awaiting the hearing of his case, he decides to investigate some family history regarding his grandfather. Some of his discoveries are heartbreaking and some are astounding: his grandfather's terrible death as a prisoner of war, and his links to Ernest...

For readers who enjoy Jo Nesbo and Ruth Rendell, this local thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. Within the small suburb of Birkenhead lurks a monster, one the local residents entrust with their recently departed loved ones. He has been inflicting his depraved atrocities unnoticed. But what happens when he turns his attentions to the living?...

In The Student Body, Simon Wyatt takes the reader on a thrilling journey to catch a killer through his eyes as a former police detective. A popular fifteen-year-old girl is strangled to death at a school camp on Auckland's west coast. The posing of the body suggests a sexual motive. Nick Knight, a week into his role as a newly...

The psychic had a curious message for Helena. She said: ‘You are not who you think you are.’ The Secrets They Kept is the story of a young woman’s quest to discover the truth about her mother’s unexplained death – and her own identity. Helena Anderson was three years old when she lost her mother in 1967. But her efforts...

BDTH! The Foveaux Fisherman Facebook page posts this acronym to advise Rakiura Stewart Islanders to ‘batten down the hatches’ before severe weather events. New Zealand’s southernmost librarian Maudie Sanderson reckons this warning could be applied to her life in general these days. Haunted by a parrot and falsely accused of soliciting dk pics, Maudie navigates a minefield of rabbit holes...

Another case to solve for the number-one bestselling Bookshop Detectives. When we opened Sherlock Tomes people warned us that we'd made a terrible mistake. The one thing they didn't warn us about was the murders . . . The Bookshop Detectives are on the case! In this rollicking new adventure, Garth and Eloise (and Stevie) must sniff out a prolific...

A brilliant debut crime novel centred on a 501 deportee gang, set in a remote coastal New Zealand town. The Call will likely be in contention for more awards as it is a deft and accomplished thriller debut. - Greg Fleming, New Zealand Listener A cracking crime thriller that has all the slick polish and depth you expect of a...

'A twisty small-town PI mystery with a protagonist I didn't want to let go' — IAN RANKIN 'The pay-off is criminally good . . . As always, Pomare keeps the best surprises until last. Prepare for a late night' — SYDNEY MORNING HERALD IT WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. WASN'T IT? A private investigator returning to the hometown he fled years...

Two small-town booksellers (and their cowardly dog) solve a decades-old murder-mystery in this witty debut novel, full of literary clues, sparkling dialogue, and comedic insights into the world of bookshops. "When we opened Sherlock Tomes people warned us that we'd made a terrible mistake. People warned us that e-readers were taking over. People warned us that we'd never compete with...

A reprint of Maurice Gee's latest novel about politics and personal secrets. It is set in 1930s Wellington. Joint runner-up of the Deutz Medal for Fiction at the 2004 Montana Book Awards. Wellington, 1935. James Tinling, a former cabinet minister, plans a political comeback, although a brash newcomer stands in his way. James has methods of dealing with people who...

As gripping as his first powerful novel, this fantastic crime and mystery novel keeps you guessing until the last page. The Killing Hour is a story that draws readers into a chilling nightmarish scenario: 'They come for me as I sleep. Their pale faces stare at me, their soft voices tell me to wake, to wake. They come to remind...

When Celia Inverarity, aged seventeen, is found brutally murdered in a secluded West Auckland park one Sunday afternoon, Paul Prior, her English teacher and mentor, is suspected of being her murderer. Celia's death and the violence which follows send Prior back to examine the past—a past that is as secret as his father's den in the old poison shed. Eventually,...

Barry Morton is hunting illegally on Lilybank, a large property in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. He seeks a unique trophy, a pure white bull Tahr. Upon returning to his well-concealed secret camp, he discovers a young woman bathing in the hot pool, a pool he believed was known only to members of his family. This is not all...

A sequel to Return to Lucifer Creek. Departing Lucifer Creek, Barry and Helen head for Tekapo with the intention of reporting the murder of Helen’s sister and their tramping companions to the authorities. Instead, following a confrontation on the way, they unexpectedly end up in the cells at Timaru Police Station. What’s more, they soon discover that not everyone is...