Solving the puzzle

I still think our finest fiction writer of crime - which is not the same as crime fiction writer was Maurice Gee.

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See Loving Ways, In My Father's Den, Access Road, Going West, Blindsight, Meg and - of course - Crime Story. Gee's masterly studies of apparently conventional Kiwi lives and his taut, forensic prose were often counterpointed by jolting episodes of illegality, violence and death.

We also have our tradies. I use the word approvingly. They're the ones you can rely on to provide a crafted, competent-sometimesplus narrative, intriguing job details, plausibly flawed characters and a decent dollop of drama. Fiona Sussman is one.