Briar Patch Books

Category: Detective fiction

  • D.C. cop takes on small-town murder

    Anytime you need a recommendation for a good crime/detective/mystery novel,  look up reviews by Bob Moyer. He knows and reads books by more authors in that world than anyone I know. Actually, he’s reviewed at least one David Swinson book on this blog  before – a quick search took to me to Bob’s review of…

  • One last, big case

    Bob Moyer has followed Arkady Renko, a Moscow police detective,  through 10 impressive mystery novels. Now he is ready to share his thoughts about what we are told is the last book in the series. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer HOTEL UKRAINE: The Final Arkady Renko Novel. By Martin Cruz Smith. Simon & Schuster. 273…

  • When evil invades the bayous

    James Lee Burke’s Dave Robicheaux crime/ Southern noir novels are one of Bob Moyer’s favorite series. Here’s his take on the latest. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer THE HADACOL BOOGIE: A Dave Robicheaux Novel. By James Lee Burke. Atlantic Crime. 477 pages. $30, hardcover. This is a big book, but then it takes a big…

  • Mystery and history

    If you want to find a new, enjoyable mystery series, ask Bob Moyer. He is the expert. Here’s his review of No. 21 in what sounds like a good series set in Paris. Another one to add to my list… Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer HUGUETTE. By Cara Black. Soho Crime. 336 pages. $29.95, hardcover.…

  • Police work – and so much more

    Bob Moyer and I are both fans of Martin Walker’s Bruno, Chief of Police novels, but lately he always manages to get the new one first. Here he reviews the 2025 addition to the series – No. 18. There’s already a 2026 book in the works. One of us will keep you posted. As Bob…

  • A good story, a troubling history

    Lucky Bob Moyer: He’s already read No. 17 in the Easy Rawlins mystery series. And lucky us: He’s written a review for the rest of us. Reviewed  by Robert P. Moyer GRAY DAWN. By Walter Mosley. Mulholland Books. 336 pages. $29. They’re all here. In this 17th episode in the life of Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins,…

  • Murder most foul – yet again – in that Scottish village

    I’ve enjoyed many of the books in the Hamish Macbeth series, and now that Bob Moyer has let me know about this latest, I will be looking for it. I have two questions: What would I do without Bob? and How does he get hold of these books before I do? Reviewed by Robert P.…

  • One corpse after another

    Are you a fan of Alex Delaware books? Bob Moyer is, and he’s just read No. 40 in the series. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer OPEN SEASON. By Jonathan Kellerman. Penguin Random House. 273 pages. $30. Possible to probable to resolution. That’s how most mysteries proceed, from the moment the crime comes to the attention…

  • A detective in island exile

    Michael Connelly introduces a new detective, and reviewer Bob Moyer is on the case. Reviewed by Robert P. Moyer NIGHTSHADE. By Michael Connelly. Little, Brown. 241 pages. $30. He’s not like Harry Bosch, Michael Connelly”s hard-boiled, hard-bitten ex-LAPD detective, who drives an old jeep around, drives women away and lives on a downtown hillside. Los…

  • More murder and mystery in the desert Southwest

    Bob Moyer and I are both loyal fans of the late Tony Hillerman and his mysteries featuring the Navajo Nation Police. I have read one or two of the mysteries added to the series since Hillerman’s daughter Anne since her father died, but Bob beat me to this latest one. I will have to catch…