Smoke in Berlin
A beautiful, atmospheric detective story set in Berlin during the Second World War. Smoke in Berlin is a celebration of the unquenchable flame of hope and humanity that persists even in the face of evil acts and dark times.
Reviews
Sisters in Crime Australia is dedicated to promoting women who write crime. Here are reviews of crime books (fiction and true crime) written by women.
If you wish to submit a book for review or be a reviewer, see the Contacts page for information.
What You Don’t Know
What You Don’t Know is the perfect title for this serpentine novel, where it becomes increasingly difficult to untangle the underlying truth from the knot of strange and sinister events that surround the main character. What You Don’t Know is well plotted, with all the various strands pulling tightly to a tense and ultimately satisfying conclusion.
Flashlight
“Flashlight is an epic journey that will hold you fascinated every step of the way” says our reviewer. Not a conventional crime novel, it’s more literary fiction, which unfolds like a complex jigsaw puzzle. What happened to her father all those years ago?
No One is Safe
Ellie Marney’s first adult fiction novel, and her thirteenth published novel, No One is Safe was high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2026. Highly recommended reading.
Death of a Diplomat: Fiji Islands Mysteries 6
Crime fiction is a genre that’s especially suited to offering the reader an armchair tour of a town or country, and for anyone who’s interested in spending time in an exotic location, B.M. Allsopp has written a series of novels set in the tropical islands of Fiji. This is a gentle novel — despite the murder — told at a gentle pace and with a light touch (no heavy descriptions of violence or gore). The reader is left feeling entertained and relaxed, and hopeful that there are still heroes like Joe Horseman in the world.
On The Edge
Kate Horan’s skills create a compelling read and this reviewer says the book is phenomenal. A woman returns to her home town after Something Happened many years ago… and secrets begin to be revealed.
The Washup
Can you index this as Outback Noir when the setting is a lush tropical island off the coast of Queensland? Why not! Small community, ‘accidental deaths’ and a protagonist who won’t take no for an answer, and ends up uncovering secrets that are long, long buried.
Death at Booroomba
Death at Booroomba is a historical murder mystery set in rural Australia, but also a war story. It’s a tale about the consequences of a split second decision to save a man’s life. Sounds like a good decision? And it was… except… it also wasn’t.
A Murder is Going Down
What do you do when you’re stuck in a lift with a stranger? If you’re the main character of Kate Emery’s latest YA mystery, A Murder is going Down, you launch into a retelling of your brother’s possibly accidental, though probably very deliberate, death. A Murder is Going Down is an enjoyable read with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and turning the page to uncover all the facts. Recommended for fans of Kate’s earlier work and anyone wanting to read a ‘gentler’ murder mystery.
Old Games
Second in Fiona Hardy’s Teddy and Alice series and it’s a ripper. The ashes of a celebrity go missing from their husband’s mantlepiece. Teddy and Alice are on the case. Engrossing and flummoxing as the reader has to decide who to believe in a blizzard of truths and half truths.