TED FLANAGAN EVERY HIDDEN THING, of Worcester (Woosta) Mass,, and PAUL BURKE chat about some of their favourite crime novels of 2023 and gives us a couple of titles to look out for in 2024, Translation,

EVERY HIDDEN THING Big city politics, nasty secrets, a dirty cop, and a deranged sociopath set the stage for a riveting journey deep into the urban jungle. The last scion of a once-powerful political family, Worcester mayor John O'Toole has his sights set on vastly higher aspirations.
When night shift paramedic Thomas Archer uncovers a secret that could upend the mayor's career, O'Toole is set on silencing him, and sends Eamon Conroy, a brutal former cop, to ensure the truth remains under wraps. But O'Toole doesn't stop there. With bribes, buried secrets, and personal attacks, he wreaks havoc on Archer's life in an attempt to save himself. 
Archer's troubles continue to mount when domestic terrorist and militia member Gerald Knak, who blames Archer for his wife's recent death, sets in motion a deadly plan for revenge.
With two forces of evil aligned against him, Archer doesn't stand a chance. But things aren't always what they seem — and he may just have a few tricks up his sleeve in a last gambit to get out alive.
Reputations and lies unravel in this gripping tale of corruption, revenge and power.

Ted
Deepti Kapoor Age of Vice
Todd Goldberg Gangsters Don't Die
James Ellroy The Enchanters
Mick Herron The Secret Hours

Paul
The Sins of Our Fathers Åsa Larsson trans. Frank Perry (available in the US)
Force of Hate Graham Bartlett
Gaslight Femi Kayode
Everybody Knows Jordan Harper
A Line in the Sand Kevin Powers

2024:
Tim O'Brien America Fantastica, Joe Thomas Red Menace,  Don Winslow City in Ruins, Tess Gerritsen The Spy Coast, Say Hello to My Little Friend Jennine Capó Crucet, Edward Wilson Farewell Dinner for a Spy.

Mentions:
Hubert Selby Jr Last Exit to Brooklyn, Ted Lewis GBH & Jack's Return  Home, James Ellroy, David Peace 1974, Dashiell Hammett, Charles Willford, Ross Mcdonald, dirty realism, Elmore Leonard, Jim Thomson, John Vercher, Overstory Richard Powers, Lou Barney, Duane Swierczynski, David Benioff, Brash Books & Lee Goldberg, Mark Smith, Stark House Press, Nelson Algren, Vern Smith, John Grey, Jack O'Connell, EL Doctorow, South West Review - noir edition, SA Cosby, Colson Whitehead, Brazilian Psycho Joe Thomas, jean Claude Izzo Marseilles trilogy, Olga Tokarczuk.

Paul Burke writes for Crime Time, Crime Fiction Lover and the European Literature Network. He is also a CWA Historical Dagger Judge 2023.

Music courtesy of  Guy Hale author of The Comeback Trail trilogy, featuring Jimmy Wayne - KILLING ME SOFTLY - MIKE ZITO featuring Kid Anderson
GUY HALE 

Produced by Junkyard Dog

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