This year has had a little something for everyone when it comes to books — fans of romantasy, science fiction, horror, and young adult fiction have plenty to choose from every time they visit their local bookstores.
But mystery readers are really in for a treat. There has been a bumper crop of whodunits, thrillers, and crime novels for those who prefer to read on the edge of their seat. And the year’s not over yet — high-profile books from crime fiction titans Michael Connelly, Attica Locke, Richard Price, and Paula Hawkins are all on the horizon.
We’ve collected 20 promising books covering all types of mysteries and thrillers — some out now, some coming soon. If you’re looking for an engrossing read that might just scare you a little, check these out — just remember to lock your door if you’re reading at night.
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, “Angel of Vengeance”
Preston and Child have collaborated on more than 30 books ever since their debut novel, “Relic,” was published in 1995. Their latest sees the return of their popular character Aloysius Pendergast, an FBI agent who this time is on the trail of a New York serial killer — who happens to be Pendergast’s ancestor.
Scott Phillips, “The Devil Raises His Own”Phillips is best known for his historical noir fiction set in the American West, and his latest novel finds him training his eye on the Silent Era of Hollywood. The book follows an L.A. photographer in 1916 who finds himself entangled in the nascent porn industry; a series of murders complicates his life as well as that of his granddaughter, who has moved to the city from Kansas after killing her abusive husband.
Seishi Yokomizo, translated by Bryan Karetnyk, “The Little Sparrow Murders”
The British publisher Pushkin Press puts out some of the highest-quality crime fiction under its Pushkin Vertigo imprint. One of their latest comes from the late Japanese author Yokomizo, and tells the story of a detective summoned to a remote mountain town to investigate a (very) cold case, and who stays once he learns that a new series of slayings is taking place.
Hansen Shi, “The Expat”
Readers who love a good spy novel might want to reach for this one by venture capitalist Shi — it follows Michael Wang, a young Princeton graduate working a tech job at General Motors, who is headhunted by Vivian, a woman who invites him to come work in China. When Michael travels to Beijing, Vivian is nowhere to be found, and he realizes he might be entangled in something much bigger than he bargained for.
M.T. Anderson, “Nicked”
Anderson is best known for his novels for younger readers (“Feed,” “The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party”), but he has a grown-up audience in mind for this one. His latest book is a heist story, set in the 11th century and follows Nicephorus, a naive Italian monk who is talked into joining a plot to steal the bones of St. Nicholas.
P.J. Tracy, “City of Secrets”
Crime fiction fans have fallen for Margaret Nolan, the LAPD detective who starred in Tracy’s novels “Deep Into the Dark,” “Desolation Canyon,” and “The Devil You Know.” She returns in Tracy’s latest, which finds the detective investigating what looks to be a carjacking-turned-murder — but that’s just the tip of a very dark iceberg.
Leonie Swann, translated by Amy Bojang, “Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime”
German author Swann brings the cozy in this follow-up to her mystery novel “The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp.” This one sees the return of the titular woman and her fellow elderly housemates as they attempt to solve a possible murder in a fancy Cornwall hotel.
Kate Atkinson, “Death at the Sign of the Rook”
Literary novelist Atkinson is hard to pin down when it comes to genre, but her books featuring detective Jackson Brodie are unabashedly mysteries — and undeniably fun. In her latest, something of an homage to Agatha Christie, Brodie uncovers a series of art thefts in Yorkshire that leads him to something even more sinister.
Kwei Quartey, “The Whitewashed Tombs”
Emma Djan, the Ghanaian private investigator featured in three of Quartey’s previous novels, returns in his latest. This time, she’s investigating the murder of an LGBTQ+ activist in Accra; her investigation leads her to a group that is trying to make homosexuality illegal in several African countries.
Richard Osman, “We Solve Murders”
British author Osman scored a series of bestsellers with his cozy “Thursday Murder Club” series of novels (the first of which is headed to the big screen, courtesy of Steven Spielberg). He’s kicking off a new series with this novel, about a retired detective who works with his security officer daughter-in-law after she learns that she’s been targeted for murder.
M. Waggoner, “The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society” (Sept. 24)
Readers who enjoy a little paranormal mixed in with their mysteries should take a look at this novel, which follows a small-town librarian who realizes that a string of murders in her village might be the result of something demonic. (The possession of her cat, Lord Thomas Crowell, also clues her into the malevolent spirits.) She enlists a priest and a group of townspeople to investigate what’s really going on
Marissa Stapley, “The Lightning Bottles” (Sept. 24)
The latest from “The Last Resort” and “Lucky” author takes readers back to the 1990s grunge era. The novel follows Jane Pyre, who founded the titular band with her then partner Elijah Hart, who has since disappeared. Jane moves to Germany, where a teenage fan insists that Elijah is still alive and waiting to be found. Mystery fans who also love Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “Daisy Jones & the Six” will find much to admire here.
Ramona Emerson, “Exposure” (Oct. 1)
Emerson was longlisted for the National Book Award for her debut “Shutter,” which introduced readers to the New Mexico forensic photographer Rita Todacheene. In this follow-up, Rita is called in to help with the investigation of a serial killer who is targeting Native victims in the city of Gallup.
Lauren Ling Brown, “Society of Lies” (Oct. 1)
Brown, a film editor living in L.A., makes her literary debut with this suspense novel about Maya, who returns to her alma mater of Princeton to see Naomi, her little sister, graduate. When Naomi turns up dead, Maya suspects a secret society at the Ivy League school might have something to do with it.
Sarah Sawyer, “The Undercurrent” (Oct. 8)
In Sawyer’s debut novel, a Maine woman named Bee is trying to navigate her postpartum depression when a childhood friend makes a reappearance and leads her to travel back to her Texas home, where she becomes obsessed with the disappearance of a girl from her town. “Gone Girl” author Gillian Flynn calls this one “stunning.”
Delilah S. Dawson, “It Will Only Hurt for a Moment” (Oct. 22)
Arriving just in time for Halloween — yes, spooky season is coming soon — Dawson’s novel follows Sarah Carpenter, a woman who leaves behind her ex-boyfriend and mother to make pottery at an artists’ colony. Things get dicey when she discovers a body of a young woman, and her fellow artists start acting unusually.
Sydney Graves, “The Arizona Triangle” (Oct. 22)
Kate Christensen is well known to literary fiction fans as the author of well-received novels like “In the Drink” and “The Great Man.” Now she’s turning her talents to crime fiction — her new novel, written under the pseudonym Sydney Graves, follows a Tucson, Arizona, detective looking for her missing, estranged best friend from childhood.
Tod Goldberg, editor, “Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir” (Oct. 29)
Indio-based author Goldberg is one of the best (and funniest) crime writers working today, so it makes sense that publisher Soho put him in charge of this Hanukkah-themed short story anthology. Contributors include authors Ivy Pochoda, David L. Ulin, Jim Ruland, Gabino Iglesias, Liska Jacobs and Goldberg’s novelist brother Lee, all of whom are likely to serve up thrills alongside your latkes.
Christina Lynch, “Pony Confidential” (Nov. 5)
Champing at the bit for a mystery with an equine hero? Look no further than the latest from College of the Sequoias professor Lynch, which tells the story of a pony determined to prove that her old (human) friend Penny didn’t commit a murder that she’s been accused of. With Penny languishing in jail, Pony can’t afford to horse around.
Lou Berney, “Double Barrel Bluff” (Nov. 5)
The sixth book from award-winning author Berney (“Gutshot Straight,” “November Road,” “Dark Ride”) brings back his character Shake Bouchon. In this latest one, the former L.A. mob wheelman has moved to Indiana, but he agrees to travel to Cambodia to track down a mob boss who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend.
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