4.02 avg rating — 1,427 ratings

"“The reader is taken on a poignant and disturbing ride through the ills of urban America and the racial tension that has always blighted America and led to continuing division and disparity…Few books move me to tears, but there was a definite’ oh there’s something in my eye’ moment at the close of this. Three-Fifths is astonishing, important, hugely poignant and very highly recommended.”"

4.15 avg rating — 2,086 ratings

"“Suffice to say as you sail along on a story that keeps you utterly gripped, there is an absolutely bobbydazzler of a reveal at the latter end of the book; unexpected, dark and beautifully done. Taking this in conjunction with the characterisation, location, and the wonderful fluidity of Wood’s writing, The Man On The Street is genuinely one of the most unusual and affecting books I have read for some time.”"

4.08 avg rating — 56,667 ratings

"“Heart -pounding and heart-wrenching this book totally deserves the huge amount of praise thrust upon it so far. S. A. Cosby, on the strength of this book, and his previous work which I have also gobbled up, is destined to be a standout name in American crime fiction for some time to come, and amen to that. A damn perfect read, and very highly recommended.”"

4.16 avg rating — 1,761 ratings

"“With its grim, unflinching plot, punctuated by moments of humour, and the acceptance of both the good and the bad, both in his characters, the period, the cultural references and the location itself, I would totally and completely recommend this, and the entire series to you all. Gritty, witty and an absolute must read.”"

3.92 avg rating — 2,330 ratings

"“It’s a rare thing indeed for a male author to so capture the real essence of what it is to be female, how we navigate life and relationships and the particular bonds that we form be it with those closest to us, and those that we encounter in other spheres of our lives.”

(I would also include the follow up- The Big Chill, in this position, which was equally as good!)"

4.43 avg rating — 56 ratings

"“The portrayal of Zaq’s community, and Zaq himself, with his ties of friendship and family, and the little bursts of humour that arise from this are a sheer delight, in what is overall an extremely well-plotted and meticulously planned thriller, that gathers a head of steam and ingenuity that’ll fair blow your socks off. I loved this book. Really loved it.”"

3.59 avg rating — 6,528 ratings

"“I thought that some of the more extended naturalistic writing was beautiful in its delivery, and afforded some time for the reader to have the grip of dark deeds loosened from time to time. When taken in unison with the sophisticated plotting, and more existential musing on truth and memory, this endeared me to this book even more, as I am always intrigued to how the crime genre can be stretched and manipulated to broaden its horizons.”"

4.22 avg rating — 758 ratings

"“Sometimes I will admit, reading predominantly crime fiction can become a bit of a chore, but this book hooked me from the start with its taut prose, an impending feel of dread and unease from the outset, and a nicely inventive killing to kick things off. Then it just got even better. And darker. And more inventively murderous.”"

3.97 avg rating — 601 ratings

"“All manner of human life is contained within it, with people behaving badly, bravely, stupidly or nobly. You will gasp, you will laugh, you will quizzically wrinkle your brow, you will ponder the dark inner workings of Carver’s brain, but I defy you not to be swept along by this twisty, intelligent, compelling and completely weird book.”"

4.01 avg rating — 6,715 ratings

"“Not only did To Cook A Bear read as a compelling tale of jealousy and murder, with its nods to early forensic techniques, but it expanded out to envelop a host of larger themes based on religion, morality, art and at its heart an enduring interconnectedness with the landscape and the changing of the seasons.”"