Best debut crime novels: 2009

Bill Ott named his ten best list of 2009 debut crime novels (defined as books reviewed in Booklist between May 1, 2008, and April 15, 2009).

One title on Ott's list:

Takeover. By Lisa Black. 2008. Morrow, $24.95 (9780061544453).

Corpse don’t frighten Cleveland forensic scientist Theresa MacLean. Living, breathing criminals do. So why does she agree to become a hostage in exchange for her fiancé, a police officer held at the Federal Reserve Building by two would-be robbers? A tightly plotted, relentlessly suspenseful thriller from a former fingerprint analyst with the Cleveland coroner’s office.

Read about another novel on Ott's list.

The Page 69 Test: Takeover.

My Book, The Movie: Takeover.

Also see: Best crime novels: 2009.

--Marshal Zeringue