Mystery / 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: 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: 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: When international crime invades his family, Dr. Zack Winston is willing to do what the authorities are not. But he must find the line between protecting his family and succumbing to bloodlust in this robust crime thriller. In book three of the Dr. Zach Winston series, Krentz catches up with the titular character, hitting the ground running while also establishing enough of the past circumstances to catch up new readers.
Prose: Krentz’s writing is confident, effectively detailed, and displays a clear knowledgeable about medicine.
Originality: Doctors and hospitals are assumed to be safe, but Death Agent chillingly turns that idea on its head.
Character/Execution: Dr. Winston is the imperfect antihero fans of medical thrillers crave. Krentz is an accomplished storyteller who delivers a tightly wound mystery that subverts expectations.
Plot/Idea: Shulkin's plot is complex, with multiple story lines that will keep readers on their toes as the book progresses. The circumstances surrounding military pathologist Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Englehart are incredibly high-risk and fraught with danger, but Shulkin builds tension organically, immediately digging into the central conflict: soldiers' bodies are miraculously healing themselves from mortal wounds, bodies are turning up for autopsies with strange implants in their brains, and the powers-that-be are cryptic about what's going on. Shulkin keeps the story moving with an even, welcome pace, scattering in plenty of shocks to keep readers engaged.
Prose: Shulkin crafts viscerally raw action scenes, rife with the gore and violence expected for the novel's premise, but the prose is just as smooth and convincing as the action.
Originality: The well-connected plot in Heroic Measures makes it stand out, as does Shulkin's skill at setting a chilling, suspenseful scene.
Character/Execution: Every character in Shulkin's book plays an important role, and each is developed with care and attention to detail. Stephen, tormented by flashbacks and past regret, stands out as a conflicted man desperate to make the right step, even when that means great personal sacrifice. Major Sharon Englehart is also distinctive, a quick-thinking Special Forces Green Beret who holds her own throughout the story.
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: 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.
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: 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: No One Left is a tense and involving crime thriller that boldly explores the disregard for the Indian Child Welfare Act. Boyle displays great storytelling abilities as she manages to orchestrate her plot and characters perfectly, creating an immersive and consistently engaging web of intrigue.
Prose: Boyle's text displays a real gift for bright and intelligent crime writing with a forensic eye for detail. The writing is bold, succinct, and engrossing, with chapters dedicated to individual characters, allowing her creations to grow and develop naturally into the story.
Originality: No One Left is the second book in the Pinter P. I. series and it offers great promise for future entries to come. The writing is sharp and detailed, the Native American background is well researched, and Boyle demonstrates a real talent for keeping readers invested in the story.
Character/Execution: Boyle's protagonist, the likeable James Pinter, is a private investigator working on a double homicide case close to home. The character development is sharp, realistic, and believable, particularly George Morris, who is suspected of murdering an Albuquerque judge and his wife.
Blurb: A perfectly pitched crime thriller.
