Mystery / Thriller
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Plot: The author expertly weaves together multiple plots and sub-plots that strike a perfect balance between creating excitement and leaving the reader wanting more.
Prose: On par with high-profile mystery writers (like Anthony Horowitz or Richard Osman), the prose here is clear, engaging, and highly readable, and the dialogue between characters is especially strong.
Originality: Death No Stranger strikes a fine balance between the conventions of the genre that readers want in a detective novel (red herrings, a cop with a secret, conspiring spouse, well-intentioned citizen detective) and fresh twists that keep readers guessing.
Character/Execution: The characters were so believable and had so much depth to them, especially via their internal monologues and dialogue.
Blurb: Death No Stranger is fast-paced and engaging. Readers will be mesmerized by the mysteries that DI Shauna Holt encounters when trying to solve the murder of a respectable Cambridge attorney.
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Plot/Idea: Lastufka has composed a gripping book that is so compelling that the reader, much like the protagonist, may have trouble falling asleep until they've finished the read. Lastufka has intertwined a complex mix of stories, featuring perspectives from a wide range of diverse characters, and touching upon important topics, including racism, corruption in politics, single mothers, disability, and police violence. He does so subtly; each piece of the story is woven together expertly, hauntingly.
Prose: Despite the large cast of the novel, the reader will not find themselves lost, even when the story jumps around to different perspectives. The author does a fantastic job of reminding the reader about past events, character nuances, or specific locations, without having it interrupt the prose or storytelling.
Originality: Face the Night has some traditional horror tropes to it: the rookie cop who just wants to do a good job but is finding himself pulled into something bigger than himself; the suffering single mother who really wants to do her best but just can't seem to catch a break; the power-hungry politician who is a confusing mix of kindhearted, selfish, and oblivious. These tropes continue throughout the novel, but they work well and give it a delicious taste of nostalgia, a callback to previous stories of fear that have tickled the imagination for decades. Lastufka has taken these tropes and added his own unique spin.
Character Development/Execution: The book flows impeccably. It is storytelling at its best: a mixture of romance, addiction, fear, and mystery.
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Plot: Goldhammer is an exhilarating, action-packed thriller with a dash of Hollywood and a smidge of Vegas painted in the dazzling sheen of a James Bond adventure.
Prose: Action scenes are crafted with a deft hand, perfectly balancing suspense and momentum from start to finish.
Originality: Goldhammer unexpectedly mixes mental health facilities, elderly Hollywood stars, siblings with an unbreakable bond, dastardly evildoers, and a man convinced he’s part of Her Majesty’s Secret Service into an unforgettable story that James Bond fans will devour.
Character/Execution: James Flynn is an immediately likable main character, the sort of heroic figure readers can’t help but root for. Longstanding bonds between Flynn and Sancho Perez are very believable and evident through their interactions.
Blurb: Goldhammer is a fresh and thrilling adventure perfect for fans of James Bond.
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Plot: In this stellar addition to the Songs of Si’Empra saga, readers come to know detective Saskia van Essen as she investigates a dark web operation marketing images of abused children.
Prose: Verbeek's prose is deeply immersive and reads very much like a well-plotted police procedural. The more unique elements will spellbind readers and expand their expectations for the genre.
Originality: Verbeek's The Website is strikingly original in concept and scope. While the topic of sex-trafficked children is a familiar one, the author integrates fantasy elements into the story, beginning with the fictional island of Si'Empra, which is featured in her other titles.
Character/Execution: Essen's characterizations are vivid and immediately intriguing. Saskia more than carries the story, but side characters and the stirring setting also allow the work to shine.
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Plot/Idea: The Mirror Man is a sophisticated and high-energy book that ticks all the right boxes—suspenseful, engaging, and full of memorable characters. The action is nail-biting at times, and the storyline does not disappoint.
Prose: Manas is clearly a skillful writer and equally talented at crafting action, description, and dialogue. The pacing is perfect, and the story flows seamlessly, evoking the dirty secrets of politics that often underlie deadly crimes.
Originality: This high-speed novel won't disappoint, and the tension goes hand in hand with expert plotting.
Character Development/Execution: Manas drops riveting clues that strengthen characterization for Blaine and Julian, and minor characters are both supportive to the plot and appealing in their own right.
Blurb: Brace yourself for a riveting ride that will keep you the edge of your seat.
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Plot/Idea: Pronko weaves a complex and engrossing plot with riveting twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. This is a high-energy story, focused on several unforgettable characters, and each divergent plot line is gripping.
Prose: Pronko is clearly a talented writer able to paint vivid pictures for readers. The story flows at a clipped but measured pace, with the perfect balance of detail and action—a critical component given its foreign setting and different cultural nuances.
Originality: From beginning to end, Azabu Getaway is an engaging and satisfying read, built from an intriguing premise and inundated with exceptional characters.
Character Development/Execution: Pronko is particularly skilled with the characterizations of Patrick and Hiroshi. Readers will be able to understand their motivations and weigh the various scenes in the book through each character's unique viewpoint.
Blurb: A superb combination of suspense, murder, and finance, Azabu Getaway will keep readers up way past their bedtimes.
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Plot/Idea: The Detail is an engaging read with solid characters and an intense story line. Although Wayne incorporates multiple elements into the book, a strong undercurrent of attraction between the two main characters runs throughout, lending the story more of a romance feel than a classic thriller.
Prose: Wayne is a skillful writer and achieves the perfect tone for the storyline. Dialogue, action, romance, and descriptions are well-balanced, conveying the right information at an ideal pace.
Originality: The combination of a memorable cast and compelling plot elevates the creativity, and Wayne's delivery of fierce action alongside explosive intimacy is spot-on.
Character Development/Execution: Wayne excels at characterization, producing two perceptive main players who will immediately draw readers in. Jessica and Seth—equally aware of their own desires and never hesitant to pursue them—become gradually more transparent, and Wayne subtly unwraps their transformation as the story advances.
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Plot/Idea: The author does a commendable job of crafting a refreshingly traditional-style mystery that will captivate the reader. The plot is smart, twisty, and complex, which keeps the reader engaged.
Prose: The author is a strong writer, demonstrating clear command of language and the ability to pace the story with a fine balance of action, dialogue, and description.
Originality: Lehman has created a rich, complex setting populated with well-defined and varied characters. This is a wholly original and very enjoyable read.
Character Development/Execution: The author has created numerous characters that are each distinctive. Due to the scope of the storyline, characters are numerous yet still richly developed and authentic.
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Plot: In a follow-up to Season of Waiting, Christopher weaves an elaborate but engaging fantasy-infused mystery. Twisty with a sense of ominous foreboding, the story takes readers on a wild adventure unlike any other.
Prose: The author is a fine writer and skilled storyteller. Action, dialogue, and description are all well balanced and keep the storyline moving at a steady clip. The author introduces a complex, dark, and fully realized world.
Originality: Sick as Our Secrets offers a distinctive and imaginative plot with seamless worldbuilding and a sense of urgency on the page.
Character/Execution: Christopher excels at subtle character development and brings the highly distinctive setting of a Texas marijuana farm to life.
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Plot/Idea: This is a clever and satisfying story that hits all the right notes with a gripping plot, memorable characters, and great writing. It is creative and suspenseful, with enough tension to keep the reader hooked.
Prose: This work is extremely well written, and the author is a very talented writer. The balance between action, dialogue, and detail feels nearly flawless. Centrae is a masterful storyteller who has a way with language that just sings.
Originality: This is a highly original work that will effortlessly capture and keep the reader's attention from beginning to end. Memorable characters, a twisty plot, and well-crafted writing make for an enjoyable reading experience.
Character Development/Execution: Centrae does a great job with characterization across the board, from the good guys to the bad guys and everyone in between.
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Plot/Idea: Catch .22 opens with a murder that sets the stage for gripping scenes to follow. Kowalyshyn presents a complex storyline, enhanced with several well-developed characters, that traverses multiple locations and settings.
Prose: Kowalyshyn is a clear and concise writer, able to craft suspenseful scenes that will garner reader attention. Catch .22 is a promising thriller, although some contradictory plot points and structure could use fine-tuning.
Originality: The highlight of Catch .22 is the engaging plot and noteworthy characters, alongside a healthy dose of action that keeps the story moving.
Character Development/Execution: The two main players, Sloan and Julia, are well-defined and memorable, although lesser players, such as Renee—whose death is a catalyst for the novel's blistering action—hold their own. Kowalyshyn is clearly skilled at characterization, a strong point for the novel across the board.
Plot: Part confessional, part twisty-turny flashback, part spy novel, Muir's Gambit is a psychological thriller focused on two men: Russell Aiken and Nathan Muir, both cogs in a larger system of government intrigue and deception, as well as characters who first appeared in Beckner's Hollywood script for the 2001 film Spy Game. Fans will be delighted to see the original characters reunited.
Prose: Beckner's prose is adept and navigates the back-and-forth between the two men beautifully as they try to best one another in a high-stakes game of one-upmanship.
Originality: Spy novels can be a dime a dozen; however, what elevates Muir's Gambit is the author's deft attention to suspense and overall storytelling.
Character/Execution: Russell and Nathan are the crux of the story and the gateway to the rest of the plot. Their dialogue and deep personal connection make this work a true page-turner.
Plot/Idea: Houston's novel is a thriller running on all four cylinders—a nonstop, action-packed story where desperate measures are the only chances for survival.
Prose: Houston's meticulously detailed prose launches at a pace as intense as the danger her characters find themselves in. She builds intrigue and anticipation from start to finish without being overly verbose.
Originality: This is truly a one-of-a-kind story. Thrillers centered on planes usually use conflict amongst the passengers or a malfunction of the plane to drive the plot, but Houston has created a story in which the danger is as multi-layered as the protagonists being used to save the day.
Character Development/Execution: Houston expertly executes the development of the protagonists' background stories as insight into their current state of mind in dealing with extraordinary challenges. Her cast of passengers is not treated as extras; instead, each person is given a clear voice and persona that shines through in the face of imminent death.
Plot/Idea: This is a heartwarming story that will engage and entertain readers. Nordstrom clearly showcases Dave's growth through the course of the book, as he evolves from an impatient and uncertain mentor to self-composed and capable. Readers will welcome the novel's sense of fellowship as they become more familiar with the campers in Dave's care.
Prose: Nordstrom's characterization skills are persuasive, and his writing captures the individuality of the cast, adding to the book's refreshing and upbeat themes.
Originality: Camping with Aliens offers memorable characters who will stick with readers long after the story is finished, and the book's premise is highly creative.
Character Development/Execution: Nordstrom shines in his character development. Dave is skillfully drawn, full of predetermined—and inaccurate—judgments about people with disabilities, and his eventual transformation is both entertaining and rewarding. The characters with developmental disabilities are believable, endearing, and a testament to resilience.
Plot: DMZ is a finely crafted, believable, and fast-paced thriller set in the near future. Holden maintains an engaging plot throughout the book.
Prose: Holden's straightforward writing style aids the excellent pacing and steady flow of the story's plot. With a steady-hand and clear-eyed descriptions, Holden delivers another winner.
Originality: In the large realm of combat-based thrillers, Holden's DMZ uses varying perspectives to add depth and substance to the story.
Character/Execution: The sheer number of characters can occasionally be overwhelming for readers, but Holden takes the time to explore the main players, making each feel essential to the circumstances.
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Plot/Idea: The author has created a witty and endearing mystery in the backdrop of wedding plans. The two sisters seem to always land in the midst of mystery as they embark on adventures around the world. Carefully plotted and paced, this story does not disappoint as it unravels.
Prose: Witty and well-written, the story includes enough information from previous volumes to help the reader understand who the sleuths are and the details of their relationship. The plot is carefully thought out and executed.
Originality: Travel and mystery is always a good combination and the author does not disappoint the reader. Fans of Murder, She Wrote will reminisce.
Character Development/Execution: The characters are wise and charming, and the deep conversations among them help them develop.
