Still Midnight

This is John Creasey Dagger Award winner Mina's (www.denisemina.co.uk) eighth crime novel, following Slip of the Knife (2008), also available from BBC Audiobooks America and read by Glasgow-born actress/musician Jane MacFarlane. In it, an elderly shop owner is kidnapped during what appears to be a botched home invasion. Alex Morrow should have been lead on the case, but a supporting role lands her in the middle of a political morass at least as complicated as the crime. Mina's gritty, precise prose contains some enviably poetic imagery. The working-class characters of Glasgow are enlivened by MacFarlane's versatile accents and husky tones. Though not Mina's strongest novel, this police procedural is still a worthy addition to the current crop of international mysteries. Frequent vulgar language may offend some. [The Reagan Arthur: Little, Brown hc was recommended for "fans of Ian Rankin and anyone who enjoys a good police procedural," LJ 3/1/10.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC