Crime Cymru newsletter. October 2025
As we have a gap in the scheduled posts this week I’m posting the Autumn 2025 Crime Cymru Newsletter. If you’ve already read and enjoyed it there’s nothing new here, but if not you’ll find all the news below.
Thank you for all those members who sent details of their events and upcoming publications.
In case you didn’t see the message on Facebook David Penny is now membership secretary and will update author pages on the Crime Cymru website. You will need to email him with details of any new publications or news you would like shared on there.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?
Quite a few new books were published in October. Some great reads await.
Publications
October
On October 2nd Sarah Ward’s latest book in her West Wales series was published by Canelo Crime. Featuring Mallory Dawson ‘The Death Lesson’ is about a murder set in an exclusive girls’ school in Tregaron.
The blurb says:
The sins of the past have not been forgotten…
Pippa Evans had been a teacher at Penbryn Hall for just one week when her body was found alongside evidence of a pill overdose. Going undercover at the private school, investigator Mallory Dawson senses something rotten behind the wealth and privilege. Someone is leaving her coded messages: but do they want to help or harm the case?
Mallory soon finds links to the Solstice Sisterhood: a religious cult that believed punishment was cleansing. When a pupil is savagely attacked on school grounds, there is suddenly no time to lose in finding the killer.
A taut and twisty crime thriller set in the wilds of West Wales, perfect for fans of Clare Mackintosh and Fiona Cummins.
Here is Sarah signing copies in her local bookshop Gwisgo Bookworm.
The 13th of October saw the launch of Alis Hawkins novel ‘The Hunters Club’. The Oxford Mysteries Book 3. Another publication from Canelo Crime.
The Blurb says:
If you’re not with them… you’re against them.
Oxford, 1883. Young men are being found bound, gagged and hooded at the gates of their colleges in the small hours.
Basil Rice, Jesus College fellow, is asked by the senior proctor to investigate. But matters of sexual purity are dangerous, as it lays Basil open to unwelcome scrutiny of his own private life.
Meanwhile, the University Vice Chancellor’s Court has wrongly imprisoned a young shopgirl from the town, and she seeks the services of young academic and budding journalist, Non Vaughan, to clear her name.
The uncovering by Basil of a secret society, The Venatores, and the murder of a student, cause Non and Basil to join forces. But is justice possible in a world so unjust and dangerous?
A scintillating historical mystery from the author of CWA Historical Dagger shortlisted A Bitter Remedy.
Graham Miller published ‘Sinister Inheritance’ on the 16th of October. It is the third in the Jonah Greene Mysteries series.
The blurb says:
Melinda Lewis was the sole survivor when her family was murdered twelve years ago. She went on to die four years later. Which leaves Jonah Greene wondering why he’s seen her in a cafe in France.
Anthony Bailey appears to have died in his sleep. But he leaves behind a property empire, and a widow that no-one in his family has ever met.
These are two of the cases that Jonah Greene must wrestle with when he returns from a break in France, while the powers that be try to shut both cases down. As the politics get more complicated, Jonah must use all his skill to investigate under the radar, and ensure justice is done.
The 19th October saw publication, by Boldwood Books of ‘The Surgeon’ by John Nicholl. Described as a twisty crime thriller.
The blurb says:
Your life is in his hands… Exactly where he wants it
When an eminent surgeon is arrested for murder, he knows he didn’t do it. He knows what it’s like to feel a person die on his operating table, but he didn’t inflict the wounds that ended the life of the girl they say he killed.
So, when the real perpetrator comes forward, and he is released, he feels vindicated.
What nobody knows – not the officer who arrested him, nor the influencer who petitioned for his freedom, nor the girl who escaped a killer years before – is that while he was incarcerated, he was making a plan.
Because revenge is sweet. But murder is sweeter…
A totally twisty, unhinged and gripping suspense thriller that fans of Daniel Hurst, TM Logan and Frieda McFadden won’t be able to put down.
Gail Williams (G. B. Williams) releases book 2 of the Atkins and Palmer Psychic Mysteries on 25th October. Called ‘The Hanging Man Investigation’ it is available in ebook and paperback.
Gail also had a Sci-fi short story published, link here, Journey of Disasters
The Blurb says:
A suspicious suicide. A psychic whisper. Can this detective duo uncover the truth in a lack of evidence?
South Wales. Worry gnaws at Detective Sergeant Madoc Palmer’s mind as he struggles to hide his supernatural abilities. His balancing act teeters precariously when a riding instructor is found hanged in her barn, and the dead man in his head claims it’s murder.
Detective Inspector Ruth Atkins is dragged in on her day off, juggling hidden health concerns, the victim’s crime boss cousin, and a case with no clues. Stretched to the limit, she must decide how much to trust her partner—and herself.
As danger closes in, Palmer risks exposure by using his otherworldly gifts to prevent further tragedy. While Atkins is pushed to the limits of endurance, she must decide how much to trust her partner—and herself.
Publications
November
Diamond Crime is delighted to publish The Llyn Llwydiarth Killer by Sion Hughes on 3rd November in both English and Welsh. This is the fourth novel in the series by the maverick detective from Anglesey, DI John (following Y Milwr Coll, Y Fimed Drws and Plant Magdeburg).
Two launch events will take place in November. One in Cardiff, Canton on the 8th November. The other in Penmyndd on 19th. Further details from Diamond Books UK.
The blurb says:
The Lake Llwydiarth Killer
A few weeks before the outbreak of the Second World War, the peace of the rural village of Penmynydd in Anglesey is shattered by the disappearance of a local woman.
A finger of suspicion turns to one of the local men but D.I. John believes that much darker forces are afoot.
Sion Hughes is a Welsh writer specialising in twentieth-century historical novels. Caryl Lewis described his first novel, Llythyrau yn y Llwch, as Epic.
Sion works for the BBC and has a number of credits including a BAFTA nomination for Producing the S4C feature documentary in the Welsh language Face Glyndŵr.
Publications
December
If you like Tudor Mysteries then David Penny will be releasing the 5th in the Thomas Berrington series in December.
The blurb says:
Sevilla, 1502: When Thomas Berrington is sent to southern Spain by King Henry, he expects diplomacy—but instead finds danger, deceit, and death. Can Thomas uncover a killer’s identity before he becomes the next victim?
Accompanied by his trusted companion, the eunuch Jorge, Thomas’s mission is to aid marriage negotiations between Catherine of Aragon and Prince Harry. But their task turns deadly when one of Queen Isabel’s closest advisors is murdered. Amid Sevilla’s bustling trade in exotic flora, fauna, and riches from the New World, Thomas confronts a maze of suspects whose motives are buried beneath secrets as deep as the ocean.
To navigate this perilous web, Thomas enlists the help of Rosa, a resourceful herbalist, and Baracoa, a freed Native American whose intimate knowledge of the New World proves invaluable. Together, they uncover a trail of corruption and greed, discovering how seeds brought from distant shores have taken root in Spanish hearts, poisoning even the noblest intentions.
As Thomas and Jorge close in on the murderer, they realise the stakes are higher than they imagined. They must race against time to thwart a conspiracy threatening not only the marriage alliance but the very future of Spain. Yet, with every revelation, the question remains—are they already too late?
A surfeit of Grief is the latest thrilling entry in the Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery series, weaving danger, deception, and betrayal through a world poised on the brink of transformation.
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EVENTS
Sarah Bax Horton recorded a second podcast with Most Notorious about her second book Arm of Eve: Investigating the Thames Torso Murders. Interviewer Erik Rivenes observed that the Thames is represented as a character or accomplice to the author’s new prime suspect, waterman James Crick. This podcast is widely available and is free on YouTube.
Preview YouTube video The Thames Torso Murders w/ Sarah Bax Horton
Alis Hawkins has been busy since the summer. Here’s a roundup.
Having spent the summer doing proof drops all over England, Alis finished off with an early September visit to Bath where she was asked to contribute a pen to Mr B’s Emporium’s ceiling display of authors’ writing implements.
Later in September she had the pleasure of chairing a launch event with Janice Hallett for her new novel The Killer Question, at Book-ish bookshop in Crickhowell
…before finishing the month at the Literature Wales writing centre, Tŷ Newydd in Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd teaching a week’s course on Writing a Killer Crime Novel with ex-CWA chair Vaseem Khan.
Once that was done, Alis was into a list of launch events and appearances to publicise her new book, The Hunters Club which included events in Crickhowell, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, Haverfordwest, Carmarthen, Neath, Coleford, Rhoose, Ledbury, Llangyfelach and Maesteg.
At the time of writing, Alis is still looking forward to many of these as they go on throughout October and November. Alis was/will be lucky enough to be joined in several of these events by other Crime Cymru members – huge thanks to Chris Lloyd, Gail Williams, Gwenllian Williams, Morgan Greene and John Nicholl.
Meanwhile, she’s working hard on her next novel – the fourth in the Oxford Mysteries series which is due for publication in 2027. Working title ‘Divided’, though she’s under no impression that her publisher will let that stand!
Phil Gwynne Jones has been busy plugging “The Magus of Sicily” and working away on next year’s Venice novel, but the last few months have really been taken up with promoting this year’s Venice Noir festival.
At the launch event in Harrogate :
(Left to right – David Hewson, Essie Fox, Barbara Nadel, DV Bishop, Philip Gwynne Jones)
Phil says: The festival itself will be held from the 14-16th November. Most of the events are free, and we’ve got a line up of the best in international and Italian crime writing. If you’re in Venice in November, check us out!!
G. B. Williams is doing several talks in November.
She will be in USW in Newport, 9:30 on 1st November.
On 11th November, she will be at Pencoed Library at 3pm. Several members are doing events in Bridgend County this month. Details here.
The next day, she is doing a talk at Swansea and District Writers’ Circle.
The meeting will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Everyone is welcome.
The meeting venue is the Taliesin Arts Centre (downstairs from the main auditorium), Swansea University Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8QD. There will also be a zoom link for those who can’t attend in person.
Then in December, on 13th she will be at Pontypridd Book Fair.
Authors, illustrators and poets helping you to celebrate Christmas.
That’s all the information I have to hand so if I have missed out some news you wanted to share then please make sure you let me know in time for the next newsletter in January 2026.
Thank you again for those people who took time to send in the information especially those who sent photographs. A huge thank you to Alis.
It may seem a little early, but Christmas is just around the corner so here’s wishing everyone a Very Happy Christmas and a healthy and happy 2026.
Crime Cymru 