Skip to main content
Crime fiction with Mat Coward: August 26, 2024
As good a crime wave as any from southern England to Manhattan, New Orleans and then south London

THERE’S war between the classes and the generations in Our Holiday by Louise Candlish (HQ, £9.99). Pine Ridge is an idyllic little town on the south coast of England, but its loveliness is what’s led to its current problems.

With ever-increasing numbers of middle-aged London professionals buying second homes, there’s little hope of young locals getting their first place. And some of them are no longer willing to meekly accept the dictates of the free market.

For most of its length, this novel has the feel and pacing of a very superior beach read — lots of dangerous liaisons and shameful secrets — while the last quarter is a fast, suspenseful crime thriller. It sounds like an odd hybrid, but it really works: I was stuck to it like glue from first to last.

Take out shares in the People's Press
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
(L to R) the book cover; Labour Party election poster 1945;
Books / 3 December 2024
3 December 2024
MICHAL BONCZA recommends a compact volume that charts the art of propagating ideas across the 20th century
Cairokee play Telk Qadeya (That is a Cause)
Gig review / 5 May 2024
5 May 2024
MICHAL BONCZA reviews Cairokee gig at the London Barbican
PROUD HISTORY: (L to R) Living Wage Campaign by COSATU (The
Culture / 29 April 2024
29 April 2024
Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix; Rupert Garcia,
Opinion / 15 March 2024
15 March 2024
MICHAL BONCZA rounds up a series of images designed to inspire women
Similar stories
Crime fiction / 11 March 2025
11 March 2025
A no-nonsense ex-Garda female cop, Scandi-noir’s newest flawed hero, the lure of Aussie gold, and unexpected decency in Silicon valley
Crime Fiction / 7 January 2025
7 January 2025
A late Christmas cornucopia, a Canadian wolf, a dodgy motel and Peter Diamond’s last bow
Books / 25 June 2024
25 June 2024
Fatal fame, the deadly dinner party, fictitious husbands and Bangalore backstabbing
Crime / 21 May 2024
21 May 2024
Dodgy deals in Fife, trouble in Tinseltown, London Chinese, and traps for ex-pats