Mystery / Thriller
Model Wave, romance, boats, and bad business in the Wisconsin Northwoods
by TK SheffieldRating: 9.75
Plot/Idea: Tower’s first date in a long time, with a sheriff nonetheless, goes south when a body turns up—a body of a waiter Mel just happened to visit with earlier in the day. Of course, Mel quickly adopts the role of a small-town sleuth, determined to get to the bottom of the murder, and sweeps her blossoming romance with Sheriff Cole Lawrence along for the journey.
Prose: Sheffield’s writing is chock full of Midwest nostalgia, with cheese curds, sun, and pontoon boats strewn throughout the energetic plot. The zippy prose keeps pace with the narrative, bouncing in and out of Mel’s thoughts while driving home a surprising ending.
Originality: The appealing characters give this novel serious lift, making the mystery sing with a curious charm—while still providing enough suspense to keep readers guessing.
Character/Execution: Mel steals the spotlight throughout, with a down-home appeal that makes her relatable and genuine. Cole is a steady, warming influence, and together the pair make the perfect addition to this cozy mystery.[
Plot/Idea: A band of strong, capable women determined to take down a child sex trafficking ring with the aid of First Nations and other mystical wisdom is a powerful combination in this important story.
Prose: Lowrie’s sweeping natural imagery gives space for readers to process difficult subject matter. A light polish with tighter pacing would further bring out this gem’s luster.
Originality: While sex trafficking is an oft-explored topic, a seldom celebrated, fierce female presence lights up this book—an antidote to its brutal truths. The infusion of spirituality and its intersection with the natural world provides an impactful additional layer of meaning.
Character/Execution: Lowrie’s characters are vibrant and easy for readers to connect to, despite populating an uncommon, strikingly realized setting. Their backgrounds are fully examined and nicely inform the events unfolding in the present.
Plot/Idea: Ross weaves a mystery that will pull readers in. With all the elements of a timeless whodunnit, the novel offers a sophisticated modern edge via its integration of social media and true crime podcasts.
Prose: Ross's prose is consistently clear and inviting, effectively propelling the storyline and keeping readers guessing until the conclusion.
Originality: Murder in the Mangroves has all the elements of a classic murder mystery, which will appeal to readers of the genre. The plot twists exhibit a great balance between simplicity and surprise.
Character/Execution: Ross populates the novel with complex and interesting characters, while Pete serves as an endearing protagonist navigating the death of a social media influencer and impending coverage of the case via a popular true crime podcast.
Blurb: When the death of a social media influencer rocks a sleepy southern town, can Pete help find the killer before the arrival of a popular true-crime podcast shakes things up even more? Find out in Angie Ross' Murder in the Mangroves: A Pete Brown Mystery.
Plot/Idea: Draw a Hard Line is an unrelenting, hard-boiled investigative thriller that deals with issues related to racism, suicide, drug addiction, and sex trafficking. The consistently compelling storyline is expertly handled by Jimerson in an absorbing and tension-packed powder-keg of a novel.
Prose: Jimerson's text is fast-paced and gritty, his excellent use of language heightening the dramatic atmosphere. Full of carefully curated dramatic set pieces and intense stretches of dialogue, Draw a Hard Line is a powerful and engaging read.
Originality: Draw a Hard Line is a strong, well written thriller with brilliantly devised episodes of deftly orchestrated action and violence. The sharp, dynamic dialogue and excellently written characters make for a winning combination in Jimerson's impressive novel.
Character/Execution: The characters are sharply written by Jimerson, particularly E.J. Kane, who is not only dealing with the death of his son but his daughter's drug addiction too. Kane's intelligence and hard-edged attitude are the driving force of Draw a Hard Line, a bold novel that does not disappoint.
Blurb: An absorbing investigative thriller.
Plot/Idea: Charlie Goode returns home to regroup after a breakup when her school friend is murdered, kickstarting a long line of local small-town sleuths—including Charlie herself—who are all convinced they can successfully connect the dots and solve the whodunnit. The story is immediately appealing, and Comer deftly combines provincial conspiracies with humor, relatable interplay among old friends, and a healthy dose of suspense that make this a success.
Prose: Comer’s writing is polished and convincing, drawing readers into the story and keeping their attention until its thrilling conclusion.
Originality: The idea of too many amateur sleuths tripping up the main character freshens this murder mystery, transforming it into a sophisticated, riveting read.
Character/Execution: Comer has a masterful grasp of subtle character development, particularly in Charlie, who is likable, clever, and bolstered by an appealing supporting cast.
Plot/Idea: It’s college freshman CJ Jennings versus their university as they investigate the cover up of a missing girl. The premise would be made more powerful by exploring additional plausible theories, but Ori does a capable job of revealing CJ’s backstory.
Prose: While dialogue-heavy, Ori’s writing is strong and impactful. Readers may benefit from being better oriented to the circumstances early in the novel.
Originality: A college freshman, podcaster, and trauma survivor crusading for vulnerable kids is a winning and modern combo.
Character/Execution: Ori’s characters are rich, though their personalities and characteristics are somewhat slow to develop.
Plot/Idea: Moira Gallagher and her sisters have formed an unusual detective agency, thanks to Moira’s ability to converse with the dead. Moira uses that skill to solve mysteries from the beyond and the present, drawing on the clues given to her by the departed souls who visit her to string clues together. Park makes the sisters’ Irish heritage pulse throughout the novel, giving their crime-solving pursuits heightened appeal.
Prose: Park writes clear, strong prose that establishes a vivid setting for the novel, interlacing the past and present with ease. Suspense is crafted naturally and smoothly, allowing readers to experience the increased tension as the characters do.
Originality: The combination of mystery and historical context makes We Are Shadows both a gripping read and a dramatic testament to the power of family and perseverance. Park resolves the central mystery in a satisfying way, with an ending that will please mystery fans.
Character/Execution: Moira’s conversations with ghosts are intriguing and entertaining, and she makes a strong female lead who is resolved to do what’s right. Her family interactions—both with ancestors who have died and with her living sisters—add support to the plot and a sense of closeness to the story.
Plot/Idea: Blood and Mascara is a tense and gripping crime thriller focusing on two brilliantly named protagonists, Bronze Goldberg and Iris Margaryan. Well paced and engrossing, the contrast between Bronze's crime-riddled world and Margaryan's realm of romantic fiction proves to be a winning combination.
Prose: Krainin's text subtly blends mystery with poetic, lyrical and supernatural elements in a bold story of hard-boiled crime and touching romance. The acute attention to detail infuses the explosive storyline with an inspiring and magnetic intensity.
Originality: Blood and Mascara is a confidently written thriller which benefits from excellent literary description and an intriguing storyline. While not startlingly original, Krainin's text has enough chaos, drama and romance to keep readers glued to the page throughout.
Character/Execution: The protagonists of Blood and Mascara are extremely convincing; Bronze Goldberg is a grizzled private detective while Iris Margaryan is a talented romance novelist. Their singular voices complement each other well and make Krainin's storyline more rounded and enjoyable.
Blurb: An engrossing crime thriller.
Plot/Idea: Fortunate Son is a propulsive mystery suspense thriller with a densely layered and fascinating plot. Full of unexpected twists, Bridgeman's impressive novel neatly weaves a cohesive and explosive web of political intrigue and conspiracy.
Prose: Bridgeman's text is tight, fast-paced, and nuanced, featuring exquisite attention to detail and brilliant character development. Full of mystery and suspense, Bridgeman's writing style consistently impresses in a well-executed thriller that keeps readers on their toes throughout.
Originality: Fortunate Son is a confidently written crime thriller that is packed with family drama and thrilling action. Bridgeman also does an excellent job of keeping the reader enthralled with beautiful scenery descriptions and intense and absorbing plot developments.
Character/Execution: Bridgeman's well rounded protagonists include Special agent Emma Noble, a fresh FBI agent desperate to prove herself, and Ben Danvers, whose life is turned upside down by some startling revelations. The supporting cast of characters are equally impressive, rotundly enhanced by Bridgeman's effortless descriptions and dynamic passages of dialogue.
Blurb: An enthralling crime thriller.
Plot/Idea: Escape is the dynamic retelling of L.A. Davenport's debut novel, this time from the perspective of grief-stricken trauma doctor John Hunter. A powerful psychological thriller with well realized characters and a gripping plot, Escape is an absorbing and enthralling read.
Prose: Davenport's text is tense, involving, and well orchestrated with short, sharp chapters that pack a hefty punch. The author's keen eye for detail and acute observations really allow the reader to get deep inside Hunter's thought processes and state of mind.
Originality: Escape is a well observed psychological thriller with short, well-written chapters that are accessible and effective. Interspersed with captivating dream sequences, Davenport masterfully transports the reader into the tortured psyche of her self-destructive protagonist.
Character/Execution: John Hunter is a well rounded and convincing protagonist, with Davenport providing an intense, psychological character study. Hunter's descent into madness is coupled with believable, naturalistic dialogue to create a compelling and commendable read.
Blurb: A neatly observed psychological thriller.
Plot/Idea: Based on true events, Virts's engaging narrative delivers a stunning portrayal of dissociative identity disorder in 1870s Virginia, through the eyes of the troubled Emily Lloyd, accused of poisoning her young daughter Maud. Added to Emily's problems are the previous deaths of most of her family, save herself and Maud, placing her squarely in the crosshairs of a unsettling trial. Virts crafts realistic courtroom scenes, believable trauma depictions, and an ending that will surprise—though several clues are dropped along the way.
Prose: Virts writes convincing prose, bolstered by more traditional dialogue that fits the novel's 19th century setting.
Originality: Virts's interpretation of dissociative identity disorder during a time in history when the diagnosis was virtually unknown is evocative, giving this historical mystery—built around a real person—a decided edge.
Character/Execution: The characters are well-drawn, with subtle depth and intricacy. Emily Lloyd is fascinating: at times empathic, at times moody, forgetful, and scatter-brained. Powell Harrison, her primary lawyer, is perhaps the most fully drawn of the cast, a good man driven by a need for justice, who continually fights the balance of his home life with his demanding court schedule.
Plot/Idea: Book III of the Ages of Malice series, Embers of Shadow is a fast paced and well written fantasy adventure story. Its striking storyline carefully weaves together plot developments from different locations (the US and the Middle East) in a skillful and intelligent manner.
Prose: Jeffries's text is tense and thrilling, showcasing his adept use of language and thirst for detail. The tense and dramatic action scenes are nicely balanced with interesting stretches of dialogue that help aid character development.
Originality: Embers of Shadow features well choreographed action set pieces and finely crafted worlds. Jeffries's confidently written novel is not only a fine addition to the Ages of Malice series, but a noteworthy fantasy adventure novel in its own right.
Character/Execution: The characters in Embers of Shadow are interesting and well developed, particularly the central pairing of Rhyme Carter and Emery Merrick. Jeffries's fresh and dynamic dialogue helps accelerate the plot at an electrifying pace and infuses his characters with depth and complexity.
Blurb: An entertaining fantasy page-turner.
Plot/Idea: Humming Bridge, a sequel to The Paper Route, is a solidly constructed mystery-thriller with confidently written characters and an immersive storyline. McDonald cleverly builds tension and drama throughout with the central relationship between Jackie and Detective Dennis Dahm being a sparkling highlight. Readers new to the series may initially wish for additional context, as the storytelling hits the ground running.
Prose: McDonald's text is instantly likable with an absorbing plot, convincing characters, and an endearingly old-fashioned sensibility. Humming Bridge is written with assurance and well-structured, although the appendix of vintage Franco-American recipes tagged on at the end is a little incongruous.
Originality: Humming Bridge is a warmhearted, mature, and captivating novel that calls to mind works of classic mystery. The Lowell, Massachusetts setting further uplifts the storytelling.
Character/Execution: The central relationship between young Jackie and her mentor, Detective Dennis Dahm, is among the most memorable features of this accomplished and captivating thriller. The dialogue is sharp and believable and there is undoubted promise here for further entries in the series.
Plot/Idea: Blanchard pens a though-provoking story of resilience, centered on Emma, now an office manager and bookkeeper for her family’s art center. Emma’s years-long struggle to recover from a devastating vehicle accident that left several people dead is heartbreaking to watch, as is her tumultuous relationship with her cousin, Lucy—a wild card who pops back into her life unexpectedly, renaming herself Lyssa, but for all the wrong reasons.
Prose: The prose is efficient and convincing, subtly hinting at the currents that underlie Emma’s fractious relationship with her cousin—and, in many ways, herself.
Originality: Blanchard's finesse for teasing out the complexity of human relationships is a highlight and makes this novel compelling, suffusing the writing with profound depth.
Character/Execution: Emma is a penetrating character, rich with contrast: she is broken and flawed, but at the same time intensely resolute and tenacious. The supporting characters, particularly Jonah and Chaz, are easy to connect with and afford Emma the well-rounded support she so deserves.
Plot/Idea: The Shutdown List integrates elements of a traditional thriller with a timely commentary on climate change, leading to a smart and riveting narrative.
Prose: Dukett writes fluidly, maintaining tension while providing additional levels of interest concerning activism and the unfolding threats of climate destruction.
Originality: Though The Shutdown List has familiar beats, the examination of current political issues, corruption, climate change, and their impact on the primary characters, is sparklingly fresh.
Character/Execution: Distinct characters and some solid, unexpected twists abound in Dukett's The Shutdown List. Protagonist Anita serves as an emotional anchor for the story, and it's through her struggles and quest that the wider plot unfolds.
Plot/Idea: Stone Coat Man, the fourth in a series, hatches a rich, inventive, and unexpected premise that combines mystery with mythology. The storyline unfolds rapidly, which places readers immediately into the surreal events. While somewhat more buildup to the discovery of a cadaver and the creature seemingly responsible might be warranted, readers will nevertheless be glued to the page from the get-go.
Prose: Hagan's prose is easy flowing, pleasingly descriptive, and evocative.
Originality: Hagan stages a murder mystery against the backdrop of a fictional New York town. The legend of Genoska provides a deeply intriguing and fresh element to the storytelling.
Character/Execution: This mystery has a clear social justice element to it as it is rooted in white supremacist targeting of an indigenous community. The diverse residents of Cadence, New York (some of whom readers will recognize from previous installments) enliven the text, with Marian serving as a warm and inviting narrator. The author has created a fascinating mystery that weaves together traditions, myth, and crime.
