Books by Orenda – Literary crime fiction from around the world

Orenda always publishes unique books and this year has been no exception. Translated fiction is something they always excel at, and their literary fiction has been varied, insightful and gripping. Books by Orenda – Literary crime fiction from around the world take you to some amazing literary landscapes..

The Orenda Three

A mini world tour of Orenda Books

attend West Camel

Attend by West Camel

Deptford, London

A debut novel and a very special one at that. Set in Deptford, London, this focuses on a unique set of characters and one in particular who floats through the novel like a thread, tieing everything up and linking everyone in some way. It’s very assured writing for a first novel. From the hands of Orenda’s editor no less, and it’s lovely to see his own words come to life off the page. I will never forget Deborah who must be one of the most memorable characters in fiction I’ve read in a long while. And you feel a frisson when you allow the magical realism to flow over you.

Overkill Vanda Symon

Overkill by Vanda Symon

New Zealand

An exciting new start to a new series set in New Zealand. Sam Shephard, is a young police constable in Mataura with a lot on her plate.  A young mother in the town is brutally murdered ( and it seems to be a professional job), so she is part of the team who will find the killer. But what is Sam’s past relationship with the dead woman’s husband? Oh this just got twistier and twistier as I read. Evocative and memorable are not the words. Sam is a strong character and headstrong at times. She is very headstrong and stubborn which I liked. In a small town where everyone knows everyone else, it’s going to be hard for her to get the results she needs. But that is the kind of challenge she thrives upon.

The cover of this book really made the whole reading experience more vivid. The flashes of red, the heat, the dark shadows, all wonderfully evoking time and place and mood in the novel. Bring on the next one!

Dead of Night Michael Stanley

Dead of Night by Michael Stanley

South Africa

A heartbreaking story of rhino poaching and the harsh reality of African politics.

Crystal Nguyen is a freelance journalist who is plunged into a nightmare when her close friend Michael Davidson goes missing inthe African bush. He was there researching a story on rhino poaching so she has reason to be worried. This is a controversial and potentially deadly topic. Those who make money from the trade go to any lengths to protect it.

And the setting is just as dramatic and far reaching as the plot itself – South Africa, Minnesota, Vietnam and then back to South Africa. It’s in Africa where most of the book is set and where the novel truly shines though.

IT’s Noir, very Noir, but with hints of an African kaleidoscope of colour and depth

Books by Orenda – Literary crime fiction from around the world

Plenty more where they came from. Watch out for more fantastic Orenda Booktrails next year!