Reading books from a country that you are going to visit can be an excellent way to get acquaintanced with it. Or afterwards, to reminiscence about what you have experienced. We like to read crime novels from the countries we visit.
New Zealand is hardly known for its crime writers. Perhaps that is an oversight due to the country’s distance from… everything. In fact, one of the most prominent crime writers in history was from New Zealand, often mentioned in the company of other crime-writing greats such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham. Together they are sometimes called the four “queens of crime”. Her name was Ngaio March. She was born and died in Christchurch but most of her 32 detective novels are set in London, starring Chief Inspector Alleyn.
But back to more recent thriller writers, here are some recommendations (NB: the titles mentioned are just examples, look for the name of the author):
Michael Bennet: Better the Blood, about police officer Hana Westerman who becomes involved with her daughter in a murder mystery with a hundred-year history. Also interesting with its connection to the Māori people.
Jacqueline Bublitz: Before You Knew My Name was one of the strangest books I’ve read (the story is told by the murdered, i.e. dead, woman), but excellent.
Rose Carlyle: The Girl in the Mirror, About two (visually) identical twins where one stands to inherit a family fortune. Very clever.
Alan Carter is actually from Australia but his book “Marlborough Man” about an undercover British policeman who finds refuge (or not) in New Zealand is brilliant.
Paul Cleaves’ books are sometimes quite gruesome and certainly with a lot of suspense. His Trust No One about a person with Alzheimer’s is one of the most gripping and eerie stories I have read.
The only book I have read by Trish McCormack (Assigned to Murder) was largely carried by its descriptions of the country and the atmosphere, and the personalities. A more low-key book.
J.P. Pomare: In The Clearing, a creepy story about how bad things can get with a sect that wants to save the world, with an equally creepy ending
Vanda Symond’s books are more light-hearted, for example about a murdered elephant (The Ringmaster) or a story that asks the question of the value of murder (Overkill).
Peter Temple: He is from New Zealand but writes about Peter Temple, a private detective in Australia. Classic, entertaining noir.
Paul Thomas writes about Tito Ihaka, a not-quite-conformist policeman in Auckland. Very good. Has written a number of books.
Some more suggestions, which I haven’t read yet:
- Tom Baragwanath
- Nikki Crutchley
- Anne Harré
- Fiona Kidman
- Becky Manawatu
- Charity Norman
- Ben Sanders
and many more.
The books I mention above, and many more, are reviewed on our crime book review site DeckareMM.se.
The reviews for crime books and thrillers by New Zealand authors can be found here.
And if that makes you tempted to discover more of New Zealand and in particular their wines:
Travel: Come on a wine tour to New Zealand with BKWine.
See: See pictures and videos from New Zealand 2024 in the wine tour’s Facebook group.
