Why am I passionate about this?
Growing up, most books seemed to feature strong and adventurous boys but rarely were the female characters cast in the same roles. Remember Anne in the Famous Five? Bless her. Even non-gendered animal characters in books were almost always called ‘he.’ And, as I look for books to empower my daughter, I’m so happy to see that things are moving in the right direction. Nowadays, I actively seek out books that feature strong female leads, which, thankfully, are many in the crime fiction world. These are just five of my favorites, but there are so many to choose from!
Roxie's book list on strong kick ass female lead characters
Why did Roxie love this book?
I was thrilled to stumble upon another brilliant female detective series, and I zipped through this twisty little number in two days! When a woman is found hanging in her Dublin home, all signs point to suicide. Enter DCS Frankie Sheehan, a detective with a sharp eye, a potty mouth, and an innate ability to climb inside the heads of the victims. She’s brilliant!
Suffering from PTSD driven by a vicious attack during a previous investigation, Frankie soon learns that the lines between killer and victim are becoming increasingly blurred. This atmospheric and immersive police procedural just blew me away. Olivia's writing style is compelling and absorbing, with a strong sense of setting and characters I will never forget.
1 author picked Play Dead for Me as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
This novel was previously published as Too Close to Breathe.
Perfect for fans of Tana French, Jane Casey and Gillian Flynn
'Truly first class. Just knock-out' C. J Tudor, author of The Chalk Man
'Fantastic . . . Compelling, chilling and brilliant' Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend
'Mesmerizing . . . murder, betrayal, and secret lives . . . Everything you need in a great thriller' Lisa Gardner, author When You See Me
Respected scientist Dr Eleanor Costello is found hanged in her immaculate home: the scene the very picture of a suicide.
DCS Frankie Sheehan is handed…