Philip Kerr obituary
Writer best known for his crime fiction books featuring the Berlin private detective Bernie Gunther
Philip Kerr, author of Bernie Gunther novels, dies aged 62
Literary world mourns versatile author of historical thrillers, children’s books and non-fiction
Money in the Morgue by Ngaio Marsh and Stella Duffy review – Inspector Alleyn returns
This skilfully completed ‘continuation novel’, set in a New Zealand hospital, is an exquisite reminder of the brilliance of Marsh’s London detective
Top 10 runaway mothers in fiction
From Nancy Mitford’s ‘the Bolter’ – so named for her serial monogamy – to the mother of Kramer vs Kramer, here are the best mums on the run
Val McDermid: ‘I probably have too great an appetite for cheese’
The crime writer, 62, talks about spending too much time gaming, having a sense of her worth and why she fasts for two weeks every year
The best recent crime novels – review roundup
Our House by Louise Candlish, The Fire Court by Andrew Taylor, Tangerine by Christine Mangan, House of Beauty by Melba Escobar and Ragnar Jónasson’s The Darkness
Browse a bookshop: No Alibis, Belfast
Top sellers and recommended reads from the Northern Ireland capital
Force of Nature by Jane Harper review – five go feral in the outback
One missing, four traumatised … In this gripping follow-up to The Dry, police detective Aaron Falk investigates an office trip that loses its way in the bush
The Fountain in the Forest by Tony White review – alternative social history
An avant-garde take on the pulp crime genre becomes a paean to liberty and a secret history of the 1980s
Daniel Mallory: ‘Without Gone Girl I’d never have written this book’
Having written his debut novel in total secrecy and published it under a pseudonym, Daniel Mallory has been astounded that The Woman in the Window has created a worldwide bidding frenzy. Tim Adams meets novelist as he steps out of the shadows
Helen Garner: ‘I used to feel spiteful because I never won prizes. Now I can die happy’
The unclassifiable Australian writer on true crime and sexual harassment
Literary fiction in crisis as sales drop dramatically, Arts Council England reports
New figures show that fewer UK writers earn enough to live on, as ACE blames falling sales of literary fiction on the recession and the rise of smartphones
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz review – fiendish whodunnit
Horowitz channels Agatha Christie, with a rustic English setting, a tricksy book-within-a-book, and red herrings aplenty
Horrors and heart-warmers: Sarah Waters, Mel Giedroyc and more pick great winter’s tales
Mel Giedroyc chooses a Christmas pud whodunnit, Sarah Waters a ghostly spinetingler. Andrew O’Hagan reads a psychic shocker – and Penelope Wilton nabs Winnie the Pooh. But what will Emeli Sandé and Tom Hollander choose?
On my radar: Craig Charles’s cultural highlights
The actor and DJ on Jean-Michel Basquiat, horror film Mother!, John Bishop’s chatshow, the magic of Altrincham Market and rising funksters the Allergies