As a reader who loves a good mystery, picking 5 of my top favs to share with you was difficult. But adding the parameter of “mind blowing” made it a little easier.

Here are my choices:

#1. GLASS HOUSES by Louise Penny — anyone who stops by here regularly knows I’m a huge Louise Penny fan, and love the Three Pines mysteries featuring Chief Superintendent Armand Gamache. GLASS HOUSES was (for me at least) an outstanding read. To quote my own review it was:

“Gripping, suspenseful, powerful and, by the end, shocking!”

#2. RESURRECTION BAY by Emma Viskic — It’s not often I pick up a debut novel by a new (to me) author, and am totally blown away on just about every level, not just by good writing, but thoroughly absorbing characters. Viskic has crafted a really excellent read that, on the surface, is a familiar one. But then? Adds so many layers to it with her characters, but also twists in the plot that even I didn’t see coming. Refreshing, to say the least!

#3. THE DRY by Jane Harper — If you haven’t heard about Jane Harper you’ve either been living under a rock, don’t read mysteries, or don’t read full stop. I would like to nominate all three books she’s written so far. But have to say the first, THE DRY, is still my favourite because, again, it was such a surprise for a debut novel. There’s only so many times you can use the word ‘outstanding’ before it loses its potency. But like Louise Penny, Jane Harper is master storyteller. You should also check out THE LOST MAN which, like The Dry, had an award-winning formula.

#4. THE DEFENCE by Steve Cavanagh — This is the first outing in Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series and, IMHO, the best. With plenty of twists, mis-directs, heart-pounding action, and adept sleigh of hand, The Defence has something for everyone, including a great story!

#5. THE SILENCED by Anders de la Motte — Swedish novelist Anders de la Motte has crafted an action-packed thriller—set in the majestic city of Stockholm—which is the ultimate story of power, corruption, betrayal and deceit at the highest levels of government, and within the police.

So there you have it. Those were my top choices now, over to you. What would be your recommendations?

There’s no contest between my top 5 favourite male characters of recent years, they’re all outstanding for different reasons.

Here, in reverse order, are my choices:

#5. ASHWIN CHOPRA — Insp. (Retd.) is another gem of a character originating from the fertile mind of Vaseem Khan. This erstwhile reluctant hero, aided and abetted by a baby elephant, Ganesh, finds himself going up against Mumbai’s criminal underbelly, and shining through with his integrity, clever tenacity, and dry observational wit.

#4. CALIB ZELIC — from Resurrection Bay and, And The Fire Came Down, by Emma Viskic, is shaping up to be a character I want more of. And, so far, has been a really interesting find among MCs: he’s deaf and works as a security consultant, in between solving murders. Viskic does a wonderful job with her character really giving us a sense of what it’s like to live in a world without sound.

#3. EDDIE FLYNN — from Steve Cavanagh’s series of novels, ex-conman turned slick lawyer, is more than you expect. And, as a character, has taken his shady past, is trying to create a better future for not only himself, but his estranged family. Flawed, Eddie Flynn still, nonetheless, manages to rise to the occasion and do what’s right (in the end) even if the means are a tad dubious and involve more than a bit of sleight of hand to get the job done: Eddie’s heart is in the right place.

#2. GEORGE SMILEY — One of the originals written by John Le Carré. In Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Smiley is no longer a young man, but an MI6 Intelligence Officer with the “Circus,” on the cusp of retirement. He’s the ultimate opposite, if you like, of Fleming’s James Bond. He short, bolding, and overweight and under-estimated by everyone, including his superiors. Cunning, clever, and a wily fox, he outwits, outplays, and outlasts them all. While a tad shabby in appearance, the one thing you know for certain is, that his morals are without question.

And coming in at number one—

#1. ARMAND GAMACHE — from Louise Penny’s Three Pines series of books, Chief Insp. Armand Gamache has come a long way in terms of characterization and growth, as well as rising through the fictional ranks of the regional police, the Sûreté du Québec. Gamache, though Louise Penny deft writing, exemplifies all the best qualities you could hope for in a human being, let alone a man. Honest, true, good, gallant, strong, courageous, and yes, astute and shrewd too. Here’s a character you truly wish were real, and more, you would want as an uncle or father-figure.

So, there you have it. Who would be your choices of top male characters?