I think I'm quite late to the Denise Mina party.. I read Conviction last year and thought it was okay but was much more impressed by The Less Dead.

Mina writes the streets of Glasgow so well its like walking down them in person. The characterisation of her female characters is great as well, it felt like she had researched and spoken to sex workers in trying to really understand how things have been on the street during the time Susan, Nikki and Lizzie were working, as well as how sex work has changed. The Less Dead explores really complex issues surrounding sex work, adoption, and policing.

I think the important thing about crime novels is trying to get your reader to have figured out who the villain is so they keep reading to find out if they are right, and leading them there well. This is what Mina clearly does with ease. Easy to read despite its content, and really taught as a whip at key points.