Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: Lawrence’s action-packed novel is a thrill ride from the start. Readers will be enthralled, desperate to discover how the main character redeems himself—and finds love. Fans of mafia stories and cagey characters will enjoy this deep plunge into battling organized crime while falling in love.
Prose: The story's mobster vibe is cleverly sketched, through guarded conversations and polished graphic scenes. Protagonist Hardgrave's deep-seated desire to be the stereotypical bad guy as well as reform himself is subtly portrayed throughout.
Originality: Lawrence's use of poetry to introduce each chapter is creative and gives readers a profound glimpse into the inner workings of the main character's mind.
Character/Execution: The characters are relatable, despite their sometimes criminal thought processes. Hardgrave is skillfully developed as he plays conflicting roles with ease—a dynamic character who eventually changes for the better, and readers will find themselves inadvertently rooting for him.
Plot/Idea: The novel reads like a film script, heavy on action, intrigue, and drama. There are certain plot points that lack nuance, and though George—depicted as something of a super spy—lends the book plenty of energy, there are some moments in which his skills, foresight, and invincibility feel over-the-top.
Prose: The prose is clear and engaging, making this novel a real page turner. Some readers may wish for a trigger warning given the book's sensitive themes of sexual trafficking and violence against women and girls.
Originality: While there are elements of this storyline that echo other spy dramas set in the Middle East, the cast's diversity is welcoming and refreshing.
Character/Execution: Both Nika and George are complex, dynamic characters, though there are dissonant moments in their development: George sometimes struggles to view Nika as an equal, and although Nika's bravery and ingenuity ultimately save the day, along the way her character is primarily associated with her past as a sexually trafficked, abused woman. Several minor characters reflect stereotypes that, while serving a clear purpose within the novel, ultimately feel almost interchangeable with each other.
Blurb: The Midnight Secret of the Mullahs is an action-packed spy thriller in which an unlikely but dynamic duo team up to keep a nuclear bomb safe from enemy hands.
Plot/Idea: Revelation, the third installment in Casey's Devolution Trilogy, continues the adventures of professor/CIA agent Michael Dolan. After successfully thwarting a large-scale terrorist attack with his SCALPEL colleagues, Dolan is now heading up a new unit (REVENANT). Casey's plot finds Dolan and his team unwittingly stumbling onto a vast and intricate plan to wreak havoc on the entire world in a series of potentially catastrophic events. The storyline stays twisty throughout, though the ending feels somewhat anti-climactic.
Prose: Detailed and action-packed prose are the heartbeat of this psychological thriller. Casey is an exceptional writer who knows how to captivate his readers while sweeping them into a clever, breakneck ride.
Originality: Geopolitical spy thrillers with a psychological aspect are common. However, Casey's intricate, well-researched plot is modern, mysterious, and well-told—elevating it beyond the average dime store thriller.
Character/Execution: Despite the presence of many recurring characters from earlier installments, Casey thoughtfully develops the main cast, especially Dolan and his fellow team members. The characters are engaging and appealing—so much so that readers unfamiliar with the series will want to read the first two books.
The Stepfamily: A Psychological Thriller (Silicon Valley Series Book 1)
by Bonnie TraymoreRating: 7.25
Plot/Idea: Narrating from the perspective of the two main characters, Traymore set up the plot in a way that effectively interweaves the present and the past, making the mystery part engaging. However, a few perspectives from the supporting characters influence the naturalness and consistency of the story.
Prose: Traymore's writing is quite neat, with well-detailed descriptions in dialogues, characters' thoughts, and settings, which makes the story vivid and easy to visualize.
Originality: Compared to other mystery/thriller novels, this story is focused on a small setting and incorporates additional elements of building relationships among stepfamily members, which adds a unique touch, though the ending or resolution of the puzzle is similar to that of other thrillers.
Character/Execution: The main characters are well developed, enriching the theme of the story by exploring the doubts that arise among family members. Some of the supporting characters serve as tools the author uses to push the plot forward, lacking logical development and naturalness.
Plot/Idea: Boyle's plot is propulsive and engaging, just what a mystery ought to be. There are many elements at play here—the Vietnam War, discrimination against Indigenous people, the nuclear plant's impending dump, a father-daughter relationship, and a romance—but because it is well paced, these elements never seem overwhelming or disjointed.
Prose: The prose is smooth and feels realistic, and Boyle's descriptive text is simple in a pleasing way.
Originality: This hits all the hallmarks in mystery/thriller novels, and, though similar stories have been done throughout the genre, it's immensely satisfying. Good tension, intriguing mystery, and interesting character development make this a solid novel.
Character/Execution: Boyle introduces a striking cast of characters. Readers will root for James and Molly's blossoming connection as father and daughter, and characters like Kay and Wayne are equally easy to connect with. Supporting cast members Gloria, the Codys family, and Dale provide additional intrigue.
Plot/Idea: Despite a myriad of subplots, Bach Underwater's story—following Jasmine Goo's career promotion that changes the course of her life—offers readers a slice of mystery, romance, and even some supernatural moments.
Prose: The prose at times is poetic, especially when the characters are playing and discussing music. The story is heavy on plot points, which can make the dialogue confusing and hard to follow.
Originality: The story feels overcrowded, but the premise is highly original. Jasmine's work to uncover the truth behind her predecessor's death is compelling.
Character/Execution: The busy plot interferes with character development in places, but the author provides hints at background stories that will intrigue readers. Many questions are left unanswered, and Jasmine's role at her company is never fully clarified, but readers will find the novel attention-grabbing.
Plot/Idea: When friends who have fallen out of touch since graduate school reunite, events take a sinister turn. Mullin's premise is a ripe one and he maintains a sense of uncertainty and suspense as the novel leads to a shocking denouement.
Prose: Mullin's prose is polished and propulsive, while dialogue effectively amplifies the storytelling.
Originality: While the set-up for the story (old friends reconnecting under peculiar circumstances--in this case, at the request of a particularly enigmatic member of their social circle), Mullin keeps readers invested, consistently raising questions about the undercurrents of their relationships.
Character/Execution: By introducing each of the characters through distinct chapters, Mullin gives readers a clear sense of their personalities and insecurities. Especially intriguing is the exploration of the characters' creative endeavors and the inevitable tendency to compare one's own achievements to those of one's peers.
Plot/Idea: Death Mask immediately drops readers into a fast-paced, twisty plot with loads of action. As Zoe's past comes back to haunt her—and her family—the stakes escalate, and, despite some moments where the story feels contrived, the novel takes off with a bang and keeps that momentum until its staggering conclusion.
Prose: The prose is simple and straightforward, but the jumps between first and third person narration feel choppy at times. Zoe's viewpoint is riveting, though the choice to italicize the entirety of her perspective interferes with the flow.
Originality: The plot's AI component is interesting, elevating the book above much of the action and twists that feel derivative of similar secret identity dramas.
Character/Execution: As Death Mask relies heavily on action, there is little opportunity for character development, despite the fact that Zoe's first-person narration is extensive. The story's events occur without much feedback on the characters' inner reactions and emotions, but Zoe is a tough, worthy hero.
Blurb: A secret agent, death threats, and intense action all combine to make this a riveting thrill ride.
Plot/Idea: A fictional reality show serves as a perfect dramatic backdrop for this somewhat cozy mystery. Yet the final twists add a welcome element of surprise.
Prose: Clear, appealing prose moves the plot along at a rapid yet easy clip.
Originality: While maintaining mystery tropes, the reveal of the killer is immensely satisfying and surprising.
Character/Execution: Although background characters could have received more depth, the main character of Fiona Schmidt will easily draw readers in.
Plot/Idea: With a dramatic hook, Pote unfolds the story smoothly and engagingly. The romance subplot adds an exciting edge, gradually progressing as the story unfolds.
Prose: Pote's meticulously detailed settings and powerful descriptions bring life to the story. The writing style not only captivates, but also imparts knowledge, resulting in a reading journey that is both enjoyable and educational.
Originality: Burning Water bears similarities to others in the genre, which somewhat diminishes the story's quality of suspense. However, the Amazon forest setting breathes freshness into the novel.
Character/Execution: The characterization is effective, particularly the development of Ethan and Lana's relationship. Pote chooses to portray the antagonist in a more stereotypical manner, curtailing their uniqueness.
Plot/Idea: Unethical is a compelling medical/legal thriller with an entertaining and fast-paced plot. When Jo Rinaldi's father's Alzheimer's begins to rapidly deteriorate, she finds herself struggling to balance both her professional and personal lives as she struggles to maintain his care. However, when she discovers the Kessler Institute—run by the dedicated (and somewhat obsessive) Dr. Kessler—she gets more than she bargained for, as the institute and its practices straddle the boundaries between advanced medical research and unethical, life-threatening experimentation.
Prose: Anderson's style is engaging and action-packed—carefully balancing medical and legal jargon in a way that's approachable and easy to follow. Her prose is further highlighted by her skill as a storyteller, as she deals with the devastating impact of Alzheimer's with both empathy and aplomb.
Originality: Medical dramas dealing with complex ethical issues are a dime a dozen. However, Anderson's larger story of a medical research institute and its head driven to extreme lengths to find a cure—coupled with the more personal story of Jo and her father—is so well told that readers are swept away nonetheless.
Character/Execution: Jo is well-developed, complex, and relatable—a strong lead character who drives the story. Similarly, supporting characters are equally multi-dimensional and add necessary depth to an already strong and well-established plot. The most admirable aspect of Anderson's character execution is her skill at straddling the line: while there are clear villains, the overall complexity of the secondary characters only adds to their humanity.
Plot/Idea: In the successful sequel to Killer Motives, Traymore delivers a well-plotted mystery that provides depth through exploration of relationship dynamics, betrayals, and emotional upheavals. Though there are a number of unexpected developments and twists throughout, the work may benefit from some additional tension and buildup to the reveal of the culprit. Readers will benefit from having read the first title in the series, though Traymore establishes the previous circumstances for new readers.
Prose: The prose is solidly constructed and highly readable.
Originality: Traymore develops a unique and intriguing premise through the focus on a serial stalker. Perhaps most compelling are the relationships at the story's center and the emotional impact of the characters' struggles.
Character/Execution: The two female protagonists are clearly portrayed, with Victoria emerging as the more complex and nuanced of the pair. Side characters provide texture and additional narrative substance.
Plot/Idea: The Girl in the Blue Blazer is an addictive page-turner with an engaging plot that moves swiftly from one dramatic scene to the next. The novel switches between the past and present, which is initially effective but loses impact and begins to drag in the final third of the book. While the reader can buy into most plot points, some reveals (such as Vanessa Burrell's immediate reveal of Tara's rape) feel somewhat too manufactured.
Prose: Thomas's narrative writing is clear and informative, but her dialogue often feels too formal and stiff. In proper mystery form, Thomas plants clues for the reader throughout the scenes but has a tendency to over-explain these references in their reveals.
Originality: While the central mystery is recognizable from the beginning, Thomas incorporates many other juicy reveals along the way to keep the reader excited and guessing.
Character/Execution: Thomas's characters are generally well-rounded and engaging. Her two protagonists are easy to root for and feel adequately unique from each other. The villainous Andrew is genuinely evil but frequently erratic in his reactions, making him the least convincing character.
Plot/Idea: The Eagle Speaks offers a timely and riveting mystery that has plenty of gripping moments. Hagan builds tension well, delivering an ending with a satisfying twist.
Prose: Hagan’s prose is straightforward and easy to follow, with effective pacing and gratifying storytelling. The underlying social themes at times come across as too conspicuous to feel natural.
Originality: There’s plenty of edginess to The Eagle Speaks, and the narrative is rich with diversity, but the storyline doesn’t entirely keep up with the plot’s twists.
Character/Execution: Hagan’s characters can struggle to rise above their stereotypes, though their more charged interactions are wrought with skill and a sense of narrative urgency.
Plot/Idea: This small-town crime thriller presents an interesting premise with a sardonic tone, discomforting encounters, and a fresh twist. Though the pacing can be somewhat sluggish, readers will be invested in the sinister circumstances and the world-weary protagonist.
Prose: The prose is strong, with a fine balance struck between exposition, dialogue, and the protagonist's introspection. Dialogue is energetic and snappy. Moments of uncomfortable humor may jolt some potential readers out of the story.
Originality: Although stories of outsiders encountering danger or potential salvation in an eccentric small town are familiar, Berney brings a unique sensibility to the story, filling the setting and circumstances with visceral unease.
Character/Execution: Jimmy, a decent man who finds himself thrust into unfamiliar circumstances, is a largely relatable character. The environs of Eden, Missouri are decidedly unsavory and peopled with a cast of deeply flawed individuals. While the primary characters are well-established, some slip into small-town stereotypes, while several female characters may strike readers as oversexualized.
Plot/Idea: Millman's The Empty Kayak offers an intriguing setup: a thunderstorm over the Hudson River capsizes a couple--and only one makes it back to shore. But is there more to the accident than meets the eye? Millman raises the stakes of the mystery through Detective Ebony Jones's own connection to the victim.
Prose: Millman's narrative is evenly paced and gracefully rendered, with suspense sustained throughout. The author's knowledge of the criminal justice system is clear and provides a welcome level of verisimilitude to the storytelling.
Originality: The Empty Kayak utilizes familiar mystery elements to strong effect. Millman keeps readers guessing with potential leads, red herrings, and dead ends. While the motive ultimately revealed falls somewhat flat, the buildup is satisfying.
Character/Execution: Millman skillfully develops the characters and leaves readers uncertain of who to trust.
