Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: Crab Bait is a striking Mystery/Thriller set in 1888 London, where an infamous male escort has been murdered, and the suspects are many. Scotland Yard Detective Oscar Glass is under internal and external pressures to solve the case even as the body count increases, as does the killer's savagery.
Prose: Brennan's prose is lush, lyrical, and hard-hitting, and he wastes no time getting to it: "An away place from the gut-fuck of the New World’s Gilded Age." His descriptions are haunting and often, despite the brutal scenes, poetic.
Originality: As a mystery, Crab Bait is singular, not least because of its sinister title and all it implies. The victim, a "beautiful creature", looms large on every page, a good trick as he's dead before the book begins. Oscar Glass, too, isn't your stereotypical Scotland Yard detective, but a complicated man with very real demons. The author is fearless, pulls no punches, and shows the reader an intoxicating, filthy, gorgeous, world and all trapped in it.
Character/Execution: Brennan's characters are well-drawn, complicated, and distinct, almost to a fault; the reader knows so much about them, it's difficult to find heroes in this tale of sex, hustling, murder, and obsession.
Plot/Idea: In this alluring speculative thriller, Septuagenarian Mickey Cooper let life get away from him, but he’s offered a second chance when an eager pharmaceutical company offers to test its new drug on him—illicitly—promising to make him 23 years old again. But the fountain of youth comes at a price that could be too high to pay.
Prose: Henson has a gripping, straightforward prose style that touches on humanity’s wildest dreams and greatest challenges.
Originality: Henson hatches a unique concept. Touching on future technology and real-life research, as well as what a person would do with a second life, The Yamanaka Factors is a book readers won’t easily put down.
Character/Execution: Mickey’s journey from a homeless person at the end of his life to the subject of scrutiny from powerful forces is fascinating, as is the scientists’ rationale for what they do to him.
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: 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: Master of the Art of Detection is an adventurous and thrilling take on the Sherlock Holmes stories. Sherwood-Fabre's bold interpretation of an iconic literary character confidently broadens the possibilities of his unique personality and presents him with surprisingly well conceived new mysteries to solve.
Prose: Sherwood-Fabre's text is packed with humor and creativity, her magisterial attention to detail allowing her to take an intriguing look Holmes's fascinating trajectory. The storytelling oozes class, with well defined characters and intriguing mystery adventures ready to unravel.
Originality: Master of the Art of Detection is a book that is indebted to a well loved literary icon and Sherwood-Fabre pays excellent homage. She not only manages to diligently pay her respects to the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, but also expand and elaborate upon a character already rich in quality.
Character/Execution: Sherlock Holmes is one of the most celebrated detectives in literature, and here he is put to the test in a series of fascinating new adventures. Sherwood-Fabre eloquently evokes Conan Doyle's spirit while infusing the character with her own subtle flourishes.
Blurb: A brilliant homage to the Holmes universe.
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: Incident at Devil's Finger is a fantastic mystery thriller full of interesting, dynamic characters and a streamlined plot. The storytelling is succinct and convincing, masterfully combining art-world expertise, military insights and technological espionage with aplomb.
Prose: Witham's text is brilliantly realized with an excellent level of detail that enhances the drama and atmosphere of proceedings. His beautifully written language not only emphasizes the dramatic, sweeping Arizona landscapes, but also helps accentuate an excellent level of character depth.
Originality: Incident at Devil's Finger is a well orchestrated mystery thriller that is consistently gripping and dynamic. Witham's very accomplished and confident writing style displays great assurance and promise for future Julian Peale adventures.
Character/Execution: The central character of Julian Peale is brilliantly realized as he navigates the LA art scene and the San Francisco tech world. Peale is bolstered by a vast array of intriguing supporting characters including art patrons, gamblers, hackers, mobsters, millionaires and hippies in an all-encompassing and extremely worthwhile romp.
Blurb: An absorbing mystery thriller.
Plot/Idea: In book one of a series, readers are introduced to former DEA agent and current private investigator C.J. Cavanaugh as he’s drawn into what looks like a jewel heist gone bad, but might actually be murder. A number of possibilities for solving the case are laid out for readers, including corporate espionage, infidelity, jealousy, and revenge—but the ending remains a twisty surprise.
Prose: The Gem Connection is rendered in an easy and natural style that will keep readers turning pages.
Originality: The Gem Connection hits some standard detective fiction beats, but layers on the plot twists and intriguing subterfuge.
Character/Execution: Lane does an admirable job of animating private investigator C.J. Cavanaugh as a vehicle for readers to experience the story. Detective Destini Pendleton is believable as Cavanaugh’s love interest questioning the motives of his alluring partner, Renita Harris.
Plot/Idea: A River of Crows is an absorbing and well paced mystery thriller. Gluhm's finesse for storytelling is clear, with the dark secrets of the Hatfield family at its core.
Prose: Gluhm's text is gripping and intense, with the author weaving two stories together to set up an incredible finale. Her excellent attention to detail, particularly in the cleverly written twists and turns, more than maintains the reader's attention throughout.
Originality: A River of Crows is a well crafted mystery thriller that is confidently written and impactful. Consistently pulsating and haunting, Gluhm's writing is dense, demonstrating a nuanced mastery of mystery literature.
Character/Execution: The family dynamics presented by Gluhm are dark and convincing, and in Sloan Hatfield, she demonstrates a knack for crafting well defined and believable characters.
Blurb: A stark and riveting mystery thriller.
Plot/Idea: This art-centered political thriller intrigues from page one, as specialists Julian Peale and Grace Ho race across the globe to track stolen cultural treasures, in the process stumbling onto a greater conspiracy that threatens not only their own lives but international relations as a whole.
Prose: Witham weaves many moving parts into a seamless adventure, interlacing a modern China with its imperial history while delivering nail-biting tension, international art collecting, and plenty of boots-on-the-ground action.
Originality: Witham's deep dive into the global agencies that track the heists of art and antiquities provides an entertaining backdrop for this thriller.
Character/Execution: Witham is adept at revealing characters and their development, driving the story with the easy camaraderie between the engaging Peale and Ho. Their mission is definitely high stakes, but Witham never sacrifices character for plot tension.
Plot/Idea: The characters serve as the vehicle for Henkel-Aislinn's plot in this lively novel. The central mystery resolves in a satisfying manner, and Henkel-Aislinn is a skillful storyteller who creates thoughtful personalities rich with both charm and playful banter.
Prose: Henkel-Aislinn's polished writing is entertaining and smart, and their skill at using character's thoughts and actions adds appeal to the plot—and will keep readers invested from the start.
Originality: The idea of a cozy mystery transformed into a series is enjoyable, and Pancakes & Handguns has a charming feel that highlights character interiority as much as the primary mystery.
Character/Execution: Sarcastic and witty, main character Lena Kozek develops quickly, her thoughts organically revealed as the action unfolds. Her determination is impressive, and Henkel-Aislinn's portrayal of secondary characters is consistent and steady.
Plot/Idea: Paine immediately sets the scene for the novel's overarching plot without diving in too quickly, creating a compelling buildup that propels the plot forward. Emma's desperation to advance in her career is palpable, and the trials she faces because of that drive rich with suspense.
Prose: While there are times where details meld into one another, making it hard to discern the bigger picture, Paine generally writes with decisive, energetic prose.
Originality: The twists here feel organic, and Paine excels at building edgy tension. That skill, combined with the story's intriguing premise, makes this stand out.
Character/Execution: Fashioning Emma and Trey as the two protagonists is a clever choice, and Paine portrays their personalities in vivid strokes. The ending is brutal for both of them, but crafted in a way that will grip readers.
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: 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: Two very different points of view anchor this chilling glimpse into longstanding institutional abuse and the occult. When Evie Day stumbles onto her grandfather's secrets, they fling her into a dark, twisty path, rich with frenzied suspense. Vancise matches that energy with a truly shocking finale.
Prose: Stunning action and crisp dialogue propel this story forward from the opening pages, and Vancise never lets up, spinning knife-edge tension throughout.
Originality: Hidden In the Shadows layers horrors of satanic rituals involving child sacrifice back into main character Evie's own family, packing this nerve-wracking read with chilling suspense.
Character/Execution: Evie is a compelling, mysterious protagonist, and readers will be transfixed by her journey into the past—while wishing for more insight upfront into her anger at her mother and her hometown.
