There is something about the untouched wilderness of New Zealand and Australia that lends itself to atmospheric and chilling thrillers. Perhaps it’s something about being at the end of the earth, miles and oceans away from anywhere else, or maybe it’s the vast and isolating backdrops, but there is definitely a uniquely suspenseful allure to Kiwi and Australian crime. There are so many authors from these two countries that I adore, but these are five of my favorites.
J P Pomare (NZ)
My favourite of the author’s books: In the Clearing
Pomare is the absolute master when it comes to the unexpected twist.
The intricate plot and atmospheric writing in In The Clearing make it a stand out novel. It is a haunting story about two women – one a teenage member of a cult and the other, a mother hiding from her past. The structure of Pomare’s novel is one of its most stunning strengths, adding a level of intelligence and creativity to the plot that makes you want to return to page one as soon as you have finished. Pomare weaves together the stories of two characters, Amy and Freya, in a way that is both compelling and fantastically creepy and which leaves you questioning the fundamental mechanics of the human mind. The strength of Pomare’s writing, combined with his terrifying insights into human behaviour, make for a compulsive page-turner thick with twists and complex characters.
Michael Robotham (Australia)
My favorite of the author’s books: Good Girl, Bad Girl
Robotham is one of my go-to reads when I want a page-turner. His books are addictive and his characters are spot-on.
Good Girl, Bad Girl is the first book in a phenomenal crime series. The two, equally damaged, main characters, Evie and Cyrus, have the most wonderfully dynamic chemistry, and the plot is dark and wickedly addictive. The characters are three-dimensional in every sense of the word, and I cared about Evie and Cyrus more than is probably normal. This is the type of book that you want to sit down and devour from cover to cover, then head to the shop to get the next one in the series. It is a propulsive series that follows the story of Evie, a young woman with a dark and traumatic past, and her evolving relationship with Cyrus, a forensic psychologist.
Charity Norman (NZ)
My favorite of the author’s books: The Secrets of Strangers
Her thrillers have so much heart. It is impossible not to fall in love with Norman’s characters.
The Secrets of Strangers remains one of my favourite reads. It is riveting, moving, and completely unputdownable! One weekday morning in London, a group of strangers find themselves held hostage by a seemingly unstable gunman. Norman manages to weave together depth, humanity, and edge-of-your-seat suspense in this story. But it is the ending of this book that hits the hardest and that will stay in your heart for a long time. Not only does Norman succeed at suspense, but she also drips in bits of humour. One gem that I loved from the book was – ‘Rapunzel, she now saw, was a total drip. All that golden hair, useful only as a kind of coiffured ladder for witches and men…….The old witch might be wicked but at least she got shit done.’
Rachel Paris (NZ)
My favorite of the author’s books: See How They Fall
A book to read in one sitting while you hold your breath.
Paris’ debut, about the ridiculously rich, kicks off at break-neck speed when a family tragedy threatens to collapse a powerful dynasty. It is the perfect anxiety-inducing, compulsive, psychological thriller. But, as well as being suspenseful and fast, it is also fun! Paris has created an entertaining maze of secrets, lies, and manipulations that will keep the reader guessing. I loved getting a peek into the glamorous lives of the mega-rich, and waiting for it all to come tumbling down. This is family drama meets money meets thriller.
Becky Manawatu (NZ)
My favorite of the author’s books: Auē
A raw and powerful insight into New Zealand that will shatter you in the best way.
When I was reading Auē, I could feel the story in my heart and stomach. It was a sort of all consuming ache, grown of sadness, anger, and tenderness. Manawatu has created an incredibly powerful story about intergenerational trauma, violence, and the search for redemption. The book focuses on two orphaned brothers, and their pain feels so raw and so real. But, despite the darkness, Manawatu has a way of painting moments that are filled with both sorrow and hope—light and dark. A perfect example of this hope shining in the shadows, is the striking line: “How is it you’re not a complete mess?” “I am, though. But I was loved. My mum and dad loved me. Sometimes it’s enough.” That line broke and mended my heart all at once. Manawatu tells this dark and harrowing story with the heart and tenderness that a parent might recite a bedtime fairytale. The perfect simplicity of her words is beautiful—almost poetic.
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