Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: Bahna sets this captivating mystery against the backdrop of the cut-throat business of thoroughbred horse racing. The author succeeds in intriguing even readers with little previous interest in racing with rich detail and vivid scene-building.
Prose: Bahna offers abundant description without sacrificing tension. The romantic elements provide an additional layer of interest to the storytelling.
Originality: The author's enthusiasm for thoroughbred racing is apparent throughout. Bahna offers a wealth of detail about the sport–including its dark side–while maintaining narrative momentum.
Character/Execution: Matt and Kristine are both intriguing, imperfect, and layered characters whose love for horses sings through the pages.
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Plot/Idea: Ex-Marine and FBI Agent Leah-Ann Sullivan is still ready to serve her country despite having a prosthetic leg, and is quickly dispatched to find the person responsible for a killing spree. But larger forces conspire to keep her from apprehending the murderer. Underneath the Blue Country explores the experiences of American veterans with empathy and awareness, while also delivering a satisfying mystery-thriller.
Prose: Sullivan's storytelling is well constructed, with fluid prose that carries the story forward at a clipped pace.
Originality: Underneath the Blue Country is an engaging thriller that features a unique protagonist.
Character/Execution: Special Agent Sullivan's determination and confidence shine through from page one. Her physical disability, rather than being a crutch, is portrayed as a part of her layered identity.
Plot/Idea: The Guest House is a well written psychological thriller featuring a simple storyline and well developed characters. The plot is densely layered as Allie, a deaf woman with a cochlear implant, inadvertently finds herself caught up in a web of mystery, betrayal and intrigue.
Prose: Bonnie Traymore's text is accessible and intriguing, benefitting from an acute attention to detail that helps build atmosphere and tension. The storyline is expertly crafted with plenty twists and turns that keep the reader guessing from start to finish.
Originality: The Guest House is a bold psychological thriller which adeptly incorporates some of the many challenges deaf people with cochlear implants face on a daily basis. Though there are some run of the mill plot points, Traymore's novel is sure to be a hit with those who like their mysteries served with a dose of chilling realism.
Character/Execution: Traymore's well crafted characters feature the protagonist Allie Dawson, who is a deaf woman navigating the world with a cochlear implant and smart glasses. The characters interact in a naturalistic and believable manner, adding a sense of tension to a spine-chillingly entertaining drama.
Blurb: A compelling psychological thriller.
Plot/Idea: Lawyers, Dogs, and Money is an accomplished mystery novel featuring believable and likeable characters. Carter's well-developed plot is harmless, yet entertaining, highlighting loyalty, durability and the beauty of canine companionship.
Prose: Carter's text is confidently written and maintains the reader's interest throughout with an intriguing and adventurous plot at its center. The second installment in the K-9 Mystery Series, Lawyers, Dogs, and Money is well organized, accessible, and leaves plenty scope for further entries.
Originality: Lawyers, Dogs, and Money is an above average mystery thriller, noteworthy for its well-written characters and entertaining plot. Carter's great passion for dogs shines through, with the bond forged between Veronica and Leda an undoubted highlight.
Character/Execution: Veronica Kildare and her dog, Leda, are the central protagonists of Lawyers, Dogs, and Money, and they extend their charming relationship in a well-written adventure mystery. Carter has a knack for making both humans and animals shine in this charming story.
Blurb: An entertaining mystery yarn.
Plot/Idea: Kendrick’s ambitious plot follows Katrina Winslow, an American living in 1990s Bosnia, as she struggles to take care of a group of refugee orphans following a raid that killed their caretakers—and Katrina’s fellow Americans. The novel takes off immediately, and Kendrick interjects numerous significant events into the storyline, but their development is more instant than gradual. As Katrina wades through the waters of war—and the accusation that she’s functioning as a spy—she must learn who she can and can’t trust, all while experiencing a personal metamorphosis from unfettered to driven by a special purpose.
Prose: Flashbacks add depth to the story, and Kendrick delivers plenty of background to structure the history behind the novel, though the buildup to pivotal scenes is often abrupt, sacrificing some tension at times.
Originality: Kendrick strikes a nice balance between historical perspectives and character-driven moments, allowing readers a glimpse into an important time period for Bosnia alongside a cast of deeply engaging, appealing characters who undergo believable transformations.
Character/Execution: Katrina’s musings and reflections on how her world changes are engaging and intuitive, speaking to a larger context of destructive hate and discrimination. Her gradual understanding of the motivations driving the war in Bosnia is mirrored in the way her relationship with Lucien Brezak changes throughout the novel, and readers will be swept into their story as their mission merges into one.
Plot/Idea: Billed as a "language app parody and whodunit," Toys in Babylon does exactly what it says on the tin. Brilliantly eccentric and packed with a colorful and unforgettable cast of characters, readers will instantly lap up Finegan's effervescent and mindbogglingly enjoyable journey.
Prose: Finegan's fresh and vibrant text is humorous, well written, and consistently entertaining. His sharp and witty observations are infectious, lending the book a vivacious and charismatic spirit.
Originality: Toys in Babylon is a bold and jocular novel that shares a close affinity with the madcap world of Douglas Adams. Finegan's undoubted love of language and language learning shines through and although the story teeters on the edge of being too clever for its own good, it eventually wins through with its compulsive energy and boundless wit.
Character/Execution: Finegan's characters are affable and well crafted, particularly the array of digital cartoon characters. These altogether creative and imaginative characters perfectly illustrate Finegan's insatiable thirst for the eccentric and bizarre.
Blurb: A curious and compelling murder mystery parody.
Plot/Idea: Park entertains with this collection of four mysteries following a sister detective team that specializes in resolving spirits' unfinished business on Earth, to allow them closure and eternal peace. The mysteries build instinctively, with plenty of interesting developments to puzzle out along the way, and readers will be engaged throughout.
Prose: Park is clearly a skilled writer, delivering clear, concise prose that favors a straightforward, unfussy style to drive home the novel's plot.
Originality: Solving mysteries by way of a supernatural ability to commune with dead spirits is unique and makes this novel entertaining as well as dynamic.
Character/Execution: Park constructs characters who readers will relate to and admire, particularly in detective lead Moira, whose paranormal abilities lead to some diverting moments between the story's ghosts and the central cast.
Plot/Idea: Near Death, a Raney/Daye investigation, is a paranormal mystery novel which is briskly paced and consistently engaging. Its impressive cast of characters, spearheaded by the odd couple of Raney and Daye, are well orchestrated and the storyline is dynamic and involving.
Prose: The text is a collaborative effort between Hosek, Rudnick and Auerbach, and their skills combine well, providing great attention to detail in the crime scenes in particular. The world of paranormal investigations is convincingly realized, with sharp, naturalistic dialogue and a keen eye for plot development to boot.
Originality: Near Death is a gripping paranormal mystery thriller littered with tangible elements of psychic phenomena. The writing team has a knack for effortlessly creating tension-filled drama, with promise of further entries in the Raney/Daye series to come.
Character/Execution: The bizarre investigative pairing of Jennifer Daye, a parapsychologist, and Nate Raney, a police detective, is extremely effective and gives the book a sharp and dynamic focus. Furthermore, the often intricate character descriptions help transmit personality traits very successfully.
Blurb: A dynamic paranormal mystery thriller.
Plot/Idea: After divorced parents experience the unthinkable—losing their young son to a drunk driver—they begin an intricate plan to exact revenge on the heartless killer, who is the son of a mafia boss. When they join a support group to throw suspicion off of themselves, the therapy might just save them from a deadly decision. Hosek keeps readers intricately embroiled in the plot, as it hurtles towards an unseen—but satisfying—ending.
Prose: Hosek’s stark writing style mirrors the splintered existence of grief, unfurling the story of two bereaved parents with nothing to lose in short, grinding spurts.
Originality: Exploring the parents’ moral journey, peppered with a series of support group confessions, keeps this introspective story in motion, and the intimacy Hosek crafts between readers and characters is jolting.
Character/Execution: The two central leads are powerfully wrought, their anguish both haunting and galvanizing. Their therapy gently nudges them onto an unexpected path, and Hosek tenderly airs their motivations, trauma, and healing.
Plot/Idea: Trust No One, the fourth book in the Conor Thorn series, is a well-conceived historical thriller set in the WWII era.
Prose: The prose is rich but dense, and clearly displays the author's knowledge of the era. Suspenseful and engaging, Trust No One packs a punch while also offering a striking portrayal of international conflicts, political turmoil, and the human tolls of war.
Originality: Dyer's focus on WWII-era espionage pulls in familiar elements, but the novel is uplifted via clearly extensive research and attention to detail that brings the historical circumstances to life.
Character/Execution: Characters Conor and Emily emerge as the most complete characters, but the author capably populates the novel with convincing figures, providing historical verisimilitude.
Plot/Idea: Circus Train at Sunrise is a tense and gripping suspense thriller that sees Denning spinning a convincing yarn with well crafted characters in a colorful and inspiring circus setting. The characters' natural and authentic dialogue combines well with the overall sense of tension to create a compelling and consistently entertaining story.
Prose: Circus Train at Sunrise is dense with lyrical prose that helps create a devilishly intense atmosphere. Denning cleverly draws the reader into the world of performance, effortlessly capturing the essence of circus life while dramatic events unfold all around.
Originality: Circus Train at Sunrise is a convincingly written thriller that excellently evokes early 20th century America and the world of circus performance. Denning's keen eye for detail elevates her novel above other like-minded mystery thrillers.
Character/Execution: The central relationship that develops between Charlotte Baxter and Jay Edwards is at the heart of Circus Train at Sunrise. The characters are well written, with convincing, naturalistic dialogue, and a real understanding of human emotion.
Blurb: A bold and intoxicating circus-set thriller.
Plot/Idea: In a follow-up to All About Annie, Miller creates an engaging, cozy mystery set against the backdrop of Execution Rocks on Long Island Sound. Bringing characters to a common meeting place draws the reader in quickly and sets the stage for romance to blossom, personalities to develop, and secrets to be uncovered. Miller adds enough atmosphere and unexpected twists to keep readers turning the pages.
Prose: Well-written, the author engages the reader with fast pacing and astute characters. As the action relaxes, a satisfying discovery is made. Conversations between characters are natural and allow personalities to develop and shine.
Originality: The author blends mystery, history, and the possibility of the supernatural into a layered and entertaining story.
Character/Execution: Miller's protagonist is smart, witty, and experienced in her field. Her eventual love interest may strike readers as overconfident and unlikable. Ultimately, the slow burn between them comes to a gratifying conclusion.
Plot/Idea: On her way to her final performance, musician Sky Black stumbles over a teenage addict named Sam who reminds her of herself. In order to save them both, she makes a difficult choice that affects everyone in her life.
Prose: Knudsen spins a well-crafted story anchored in authentic emotion and the protagonist's relationship with her art.
Originality: One Night Only leads readers through a unique examination of the difference between what you should want, and what you actually want.
Character/Execution: Sky Black’s journey reveals a strong, complex main character and demonstrates the author’s insight about conflicting desires.
Plot/Idea: Calm. Down. Dear. is a thoughtful and affecting story that exposes a society quivering with power imbalances.
Prose: Stacy Walsh's text is simplistic and direct. The author confidently captures the tension and drama of a difficult and testing relationship despite an occasionally repetitive and labored approach.
Originality: Calm. Down. Dear. is a fine drama that bravely attempts to tackle issues surrounding mental health in relationships.
Character/Execution: Sam and Casey are the protagonists of Walsh's drama and the raw, emotional depth of these characters seeps off the pages. The tension that develops in their relationship is astutely realized and profoundly affecting.
Plot/Idea: Overmatched is a suspenseful and thought-provoking techno-thriller that centers around the bond between a feminine AI and a female fighter.
Prose: Chandler writes with forward momentum and builds tension as the nature and identity of Molly is revealed. While there are dry sections, the tone is a solid match for the genre and circumstances.
Originality: Chandler explores the ethical boundaries of advanced AI while developing a cohesive storyline and focusing on an AI's quest for agency.
Character/Execution: Molly, the AI at the center of the story, is the most compelling of the characters. The fierce relationship between Riley and Molly provides a dramatic and emotional hook to the narrative.
Plot/Idea: Thorn City, a multilayered and tense thriller, follows two troubled young women–Lisa and Jamie–as they partner with local authority members in order to unravel one of Portland's rampant drug dealerships. As Lisa and Jamie are dragged deeper into the city's spreading shadows, they are forced to confront past trauma regarding broken relationships and a boarding school for troubled teens.
Prose: Statz has a strong awareness of literary craft and intentionally creates engaging, relatable, and entertaining characters, all of which deepens the novel's complexity. The author strikes a fine balance between drama and humor, which will keep readers turning the pages.
Originality: Statz brings originality to the circumstances via an insider's perspective on Portland's weirder side.
Character/Execution: Statz infuses her multiple characters with energy, life, and substance. Each has a distinct personality and applicable background which, as a result, invigorates their relationships with one another.
