Read Carrie Smith's exclusive guest post about her 5 favorite upcoming police procedurals, then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win a copy of her third Claire Codella Mystery, Unholy City!
If you love to read police procedurals, you’re going to have many new titles to choose from this fall and winter. I had a chance to preview some of them, and here are five that I’m wholeheartedly recommending.
A Season to Lie
by Emily Littlejohn
Readers first met small-town Colorado police detective Gemma Monroe in Littlejohn’s acclaimed series launch, Inherit the Bones. In this stellar follow-up, the detective is a new mother who has just returned from her maternity leave. The novel opens on a cold February night. A blizzard is raging. She and her partner, Finn, are called to the local private school where someone has reported a possible prowler. What they find is the dead body of a renowned author visiting the town, an ominous message stuffed into his mouth. The ensuing plot is strong, but the talented Littlejohn doesn’t stop there. In her hands, Gemma Monroe is a complex, honest, and flawed character struggling to balance her dual identities as a new mother and a detective. I loved the moment when she arrives home late at night from the murder scene, stares into the eyes of her infant, and admits, “She scared me more than all the murderers and rapists and thieves in the whole world.” Gemma is a character you want to follow from book to book.
Available November 14, 2017
The Shadow District
by Arnaldur Indriðason
This author is a master of the genre. I sat down to read a chapter or two of his new series launch, and I couldn’t stop. The writing is tight and economical. The mood is tense and suspenseful. The story is immediately consuming. In 1944, a young woman’s body is found in a trash heap in the dangerous “Shadow District” of Reykjavik. Decades later, a 90-year-old man appears to have died in his sleep—until the autopsy results come in. In his bedside drawer are clippings about the wartime murder. Following this intriguing beginning, the plot moves seamlessly between past and present, immersing readers in the country’s history and culture while building to a very satisfying conclusion. You won’t be disappointed.
Available November 7, 2018
A Cold Day in Hell
by Lissa Marie Redmond
Redmond is a retired cold-case homicide detective, and her debut novel is fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining. Lauren Riley is both a police detective and a licensed private investigator. When an 18-year-old teen is accused of murder, his uncle wants Riley’s help. This uncle is a bombastic defense attorney Riley doesn’t like, but she’s pretty sure the accused is innocent, so she agrees. Redmond brings her deep knowledge of investigative and court-room procedures to the pages. Her detective is a tough but likable 38-year-old. She has survived an abusive marriage, raised a child on her own, and takes pride in being self-sufficient and tenacious. But digging for answers in this case puts her in grave danger.
Available February 8, 2018
Nightblind
by Ragnar Jónasson
Jónasson is another immensely talented Icelandic author, and Nightblind is the second book in his Dark Iceland series. It’s definitely dark, in all the best of ways. We’re transported to a remote fishing village on the northernmost coast of the island. The sunless Arctic winter is coming. What better place could there be for noir fiction? Ari Thór is one of two police officers in the village. As the story opens, he’s a new father. His protective instincts are strong. He loves his family, but his marriage isn’t thriving. His wife is thinking of leaving him. On top of everything else, he’s sick with the flu. But when his senior officer’s wife calls to say her husband hasn’t come home, he crawls out of bed. The missing officer has been shot at point-blank range, and what follows is an engrossing murder investigation with a gripping pay off. Ari Thór is one of those crime novel characters who stick with you. He’s introspective, insecure, brooding, and compelling. This is a novel you shouldn’t pass up.
Available December 5, 2017
Bury the Past
by James L’Etoile
In his debut novel, At What Cost, L’Etoile introduced crime readers to Sacramento detectives John Penley and Paula Newberry. The pace of his book was breathtaking. The plot was original. And the stakes were high for the upright Penley, who had to face down his temptation to compromise ethics for the sake of his dying son. L’Etoile is a former assistant prison warden, and his criminal justice expertise shines through in his writing. In his second novel in the series, the details are authentic, the interplay between his law enforcement characters is engaging, and his complex, twisting plot keeps you guessing. At the heart of this novel are dirty cops and illegal drug trafficking, and this time, Detective Paula Newberry is in the criminals’ crosshairs.
Available December 12, 2017
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Carrie Smith is the author of Unholy City, the latest Detective Claire Codella mystery (November 7, 2017; Crooked Lane Books). Her previous books are Silent City, Forgotten City (Silver Falchion finalist), and the literary novel Forget Harry. She is the recipient of three Hopwood Awards from the University of Michigan, a fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, and Killer Nashville’s Readers’ Choice Award. Carrie is also senior vice president and publisher of Benchmark Education Company, a literacy publisher. She lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. You can find her online at www.carriesmith.nyc and @carriesmithnyc.
Having woked in law enforcement over 20 years it’s nice to see procedurals done right. Look forward to her newest novel!
interesting
I’m in. Thanks, for the offer.
I’m really looking forward to UNHOLY CITY and now I need to go check out the others on this list. They sound great. Thanks for including BURY THE PAST on your recommended list of procedurals.
The Icelandic book looks very film noir! I’ve looked at Reykjavik in detail with Google Streetview, and it certainly is, ooh, ultra-gritty! Towering skyscrapers, dark alleys, all of that stuff!
looks like a good bunch
I love to read procedurals, but they all too often recycle past plotlines, I need to be surprised, in a good way. Red herrings are fine but a suspect from out of nowhere irritates me. If you invest 3 to 4 hundred pages to a story I need the surprise. Thank you for the contest.
New to Carrie Smith!!! Can’t wait!
thanks for chance
Some really great recommendations. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of “Unholy City”.
Thanks for sharing your favorites and the opportunity to read
“Unholy City”.
Detective mysteries are the best escape!
love to read
WOW! This collection sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win them.
Would love a chance to win this – sounds intriguing!
I’m new to Carrie Smith and I’m grateful for this giveaway! I’m hoping to dive right into this one! It sounds phenomenal!!
Some interesting books on this list. Looking forward to Unholy City!
Great collection and I’m always looking for new and different authors.
I wish more women wrote procedurals.
Thanks for the chance to win Unholy City.
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
I am so grateful to the authors who keep me entertained…especially if you have had a personal disaster, house fire and mandatory evacuation from home. Even if I do not win….Thank You.
Would love to win!
UNHOLY CITY sounds like a wholly good read!
I am going to read this series and would love to win this book.
I’m in.
I haven’t read any of Carrie Smith’s books, but am ready to start!
Sounds like a great read and it’s a new author for me as well. I’d love a copy, thanks for the chance to win one.
I love police procedurals.
Looking forward to reading Unholy City.
Looking forward to reading this promising book!
Great books which are all fascinating and intriguing.
Sounds captivating.
her books sound awesome.
I like to see which books authors themselves read!
Can’t wait.
I prefer cozier mysteries in the dark of winter. But several of these intrique me, so I’ll add them to my tbr pile for spring.
Great mysteries which I would enjoy.
Always looking for a new author to follow. Detective stories I really enjoy.
looking forward to reading this book
I would love to read the books.
Great package of books!
Here’s hoping.
Here’s hoping.
The entire Claire Codella Series sounds like it will be very enjoyable. I will start reading it as soon as I finish the boxed set I’m currently reading. Thanks for the chance to win a free book!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a free book!! Am definitely going to add to my list of new authors to read!!
Appreciate these suggestions! Love discovering great new police procedurals, from near and far.
Love these police procedurals- R. Jonasson is one author I was not familiar with so I’ve just put an order in on BN for his first book and maybe I’ll win his 2nd
Thanks for the reviews – I’ll be adding some books to my list!
I love police mysteries and would like the chance to try a new one.
These sound interesting.
Looking for a new read, this would be great!
Would love to win! Count me in.
I love a good mystery
This book sounds interesting. I like the title. It needs to be in my library.
I’d love to read her book.
There are so many good books TBR!!!
Would love to win
It gives me a comforting feeling as soon as I read about a murder to know that the cops will be on the job.
I’d love to win this.
Lovely Christmas contest prizes!
Lovely Christmas contest prizes!
Count me in, please!
I love police proceedurals. Unholy City sounds so interesting.
all of these books look great
all of these books look great
Sounds like a good read.
You have presented a list of great recommendations of police procedurals that I would like to read. “Unholy City” sounds like one too.
Me! Yes!
Thank you for these reviews and recommendations. There are few gifts as great as good stories and good books.
Wow! The selections for this genre just keep getting better and better.
Wow! The selections for this genre just keep getting better and better.
Unholy City looks like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win it!
I’d love to read this book Unholy City
I’d love to read this book Unholy City
This is so cool, would love to win.
I’ve been hoping to get hold of a copy of “Unholy City” and welcome the opportunity to receive a copy from you. Thank you offering the chance.
I’ve been hoping to get hold of a copy of “Unholy City” and welcome the opportunity to receive a copy from you. Thank you offering the chance.
More interesting books to add to my To Read list.
book sounds good
can’t wait to read the latest
Ready for some crime.
I love all police stories! Hoping to win! Thanks 🙂
I love all police stories! Hoping to win! Thanks 🙂
Such a wide range of police stories. Will fill a void in my reading list.
Looking forward, especially, to A Season to Lie. I’ve put Unholy City on my wish list. Thanks for a chance to win.
Thank you for the chance to win this great book!
This sounds like a great new series. I would love to read it.
Sounds like a great crime novel to read.
Some good sounding books. Thanks for the recomendations!
I’d love to win a copy of the book and start a new series!
I would like this.
I love police procedurals. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Bury the Past is one of my favorites
I really enjoy procedurals and Carrie Smith has me adding to my To Read list – including her own books. Thanks.
great reads
thank you for the chance to win
I’m on board!
Sound like some great reading!
Oh this one sounds good!
Snow is here already. I need great books like this to pass the time.
Plus a large Irish Coffee)
Want!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m looking forward to another book in the series
looks like good read
looks like good read
looks like a very good read …the iceland book and even the fact of no sun sorta is scary enough lol
Great collection of books! Hope I win!
sounds good
interesting
I want to read these.
Winter comming, need some good books to get through!
Winter comming, need some good books to get through!
thank you for the chance
I would like to read the work of Carrie Smith.
Ohh! I would love to read this!
Oh My sounds great
I could use a new book to read.
Thanks for the giveaway!
sounds great sign me up
Looks like fun reading!
I love a good mystery!
always love to find new authors, thanks
Thank you.
I loved Carrie Smith’s first two books and would love to read this book also.
I loved Carrie Smith’s first two books and would love to read this book also.
[b]Just the facts, ma’am…[/b]
They sound great. Thanks.
Thank you for the chance to win!
An Unholy City sounds eerie …which I like!
Thanks for the chance to win