Six crime novels you won’t be able to put down — from a cold case in Kings Cross to Charlie Parker’s darkest investigation yet

Read This Next with Emily Darlow

There is nothing quite like a good crime novel to keep you turning pages late into the night. This week’s selection features cold cases, courtroom battles, high-profile investigations and dangerous conspiracies, with stories that span from the streets of Sydney and London to the forests of Maine and the coastline of Victoria.

Ironwood by Michael Connelly
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Detective Sergeant Stilwell returns in Michael Connelly’s latest crime thriller set on California’s Catalina Island. After a drug operation goes wrong, Stilwell finds himself under scrutiny, but the case soon leads him towards a mystery that reaches far beyond the immediate investigation. As he digs deeper, old secrets and unanswered questions begin to surface, forcing him to navigate both professional pressure and a complex criminal puzzle. Connelly once again delivers the careful detective work and slow-burning suspense that have made him one of the world’s most popular crime writers.

Verdict: A smart and satisfying mystery from a master of modern crime fiction.

Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
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Leila Reynolds is preparing for her first murder trial when she is approached by a man accused of killing a respected judge. The case is already attracting intense public attention, but things become even more complicated when Leila discovers the prosecutor is her husband. As the trial unfolds, secrets, conflicting loyalties and unanswered questions threaten to derail both the case and Leila’s personal life. Jo Murray uses the courtroom setting to build suspense while exploring the difficult line between justice, truth and personal relationships.

Verdict: An engrossing legal thriller packed with tension, secrets and courtroom drama.

Where Truth Ends by Mark Smith
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Meg Maher believes she is standing up for a cause she believes in when she joins a peaceful climate protest. Everything changes when the demonstration ends in a violent explosion that is quickly declared a terrorist attack. Suddenly Meg and her fellow activists are suspects, and she finds herself on the run while trying to work out who can be trusted. As the investigation closes in, Meg seeks refuge with her father, Luke, but every answer seems to raise more questions. Was the activist group infiltrated from the beginning, or has someone manipulated their mission for their own purposes? Mark Smith delivers a timely thriller that explores family, loyalty and the consequences of fighting for change.

Verdict: A tense and thought-provoking thriller that combines family drama with a fast-moving manhunt.

Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer
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In 1980s Kings Cross, Belle Fitzgerald becomes involved in a campaign to stop the demolition of her neighbourhood. Her fight against developers, corrupt police and organised crime eventually leads her into a dangerous relationship with Sergeant Stanton Rose before she disappears without a trace, becoming one of Australia’s great unsolved mysteries. Decades later, Belle’s remains are discovered and homicide detective Jackie Rose, Stanton’s daughter, is handed the high-profile cold case. As Jackie investigates what happened all those years ago, she uncovers secrets that threaten not only her career but also the people she loves most.

Verdict: A compelling Australian crime novel that blends a fascinating cold case with corruption, family loyalty and long-hidden secrets.

A River Red with Blood by John Connolly
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The latest Charlie Parker novel begins with two troubling cases: the discovery of a teenager’s body in Maine’s Kennebec Valley and the disappearance of a young woman from a rural town. As private investigator Charlie Parker searches for answers, he finds himself drawn into a dangerous world governed by a brutal set of rules known only as The Game. When those rules are broken, Parker must confront a group of men who have little regard for morality or loyalty while a growing threat emerges from the shadows seeking revenge. As always, Connolly combines crime, mystery and an atmosphere of creeping menace that keeps readers guessing.

Verdict: A dark and atmospheric thriller filled with mystery, danger and the promise of revenge.

End Game by Jeffrey Archer
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Jeffrey Archer brings his William Warwick series to a close against the backdrop of the 2012 London Olympic Games. While the world celebrates one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, a shadowy organisation sees an opportunity to strike, placing millions of people at risk. Warwick and his elite Scotland Yard team must race against time to stop a catastrophic attack before triumph turns into tragedy. The investigation takes them from London’s streets to the corridors of power in a high-stakes battle where every decision matters.

Verdict: A fast-paced finale packed with suspense, international intrigue and high-stakes action.

Whether you prefer courtroom battles, psychological suspense or classic detective work, these six novels offer plenty of reasons to stay up past your bedtime this month.