#ATwistintheRiver #NetGalley
A Twist in the River is the fourth book in Stig Abell’s series about a former London detective who now lives pretty much off the grid. I have enjoyed all four. The earlier titles are Death Under a Little Sky, Death in a Lonely Place and, The Burial Place. (the three earlier titles are reviewed on my blog).
A bit of background: a relative left Jake a property in the country. It is large enough that it has many physical features, all of which are named for fictional detective characters. For example, there are the Agatha (Christie) Wood and (Raymond) Chandler Lake and (Nero) Wolfe Orchard. Other literary and crime fiction references also appear in the book. Jake is meant to not use modern technology as a condition of having the property. He does listen to a lot of music though and readers will find a helpful playlist at the end of the story.
Now that he is in Book Four, there are many characters to get to know or to welcome back. There are Livia and her daughter, a local detective, Aletheia and Martha whom Jake knows from his former work in the police and many others.
This time, young women are being found dead in the water. What connects them? Were they murdered or could it have been accidental? (Readers can guess the answer). All is revealed in a long and satisfying good read that also has some subplots.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 23 June 2026 or 24 March 2026. The dates conflict but it is out now so the March date is probably correct.
Post first published on 11 May 2026.
Five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
351 pages
Note: At the time of this posting, this title is available on Kindle Unlimited for those who subscribe.
Description:
from the publisher
Former London detective Jake Jackson finds his new life in the country threatened when women start disappearing in this beautifully written and deeply immersive novel that will challenge even the most diehard mystery lover’s deductive skills.
A beautiful summer’s day
When young nurse Claire Davidson goes missing on the riverbank, the only clues left behind are her phone and shoes.
A mystery that sweeps the nation
People disappear all the time, but this case sparks an online frenzy. Amateur investigators descend on the rural idyll. Everyone has a theory. Is Claire Davidson just the story of a swim that went wrong, or could there be truth to the conspiracies?
A killer growing bolder
But when another woman is discovered dead in the river, signs point to murder. Jake Jackson, a former detective who came to the countryside searching for peace, must investigate before more lives are taken.
Editorial Reviews and author info:
from Amazon
“A leisurely whodunit wrapped in a loving homage to the bucolic life.” ⎯ Kirkus Reviews
“What a gorgeous read. It has the halo of an instant classic. This is a deep, searching novel, as preoccupied with human nature and ordinary evil as it is with detection.” – AJ Finn, #1 bestselling author of The Woman in the Window, on Death Under a Little Sky
“What a joy to spend time with these characters again! An immersive, intelligent delight with huge atmosphere and heart. My favourite new crime series.” – Lucy Foley on Death in a Lonely Place
About the Author:
Stig Abell believes that discovering a crime fiction series to enjoy is one of the great pleasures in life. His first novel, Death Under A Little Sky, introduced Jake Jackson and his attempt to get away from his former life in the beautiful area around Little Sky, followed by Death in a Lonely Place and The Burial Place. Stig is absolutely delighted that there are more on the way. Away from books, he presents the breakfast show on Times Radio, a station he helped to launch in 2020. Before that he was a regular presenter on Radio 4’s Front Row and was the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement. He lives in London with his wife, three children and two independent-minded cats called Boo and Ninja (his children named them, obviously).
From the Publisher:
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 