Mystery, Suspense, Thriller Reviews
Dark, dangerous, gripping: Mystery, suspense and thriller fiction is known for its ability to heighten the tension and wrack the reader with expectation and anxiety.
Shadow of Power: A Paul Madriani Novel by Steve Martini
Steve Martini's ninth Paul Madriani legal thriller takes the defense attorney from a California courtroom to the pursuit of a missing Supreme court justice.
Steve Martini's ninth Paul Madriani legal thriller takes the defense attorney from a California courtroom to the pursuit of a missing Supreme court justice.
The Body in the Gallery by Katherine Hall Page
The latest in Katherine Hall Page's Fair Fairchild mystery series.
The latest in Katherine Hall Page's Fair Fairchild mystery series.
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
A community murder mystery with multiple points of view - a patchwork of tragically affected people connected to an incident of callousness and bad taste that festers into murder and suicide.
A community murder mystery with multiple points of view - a patchwork of tragically affected people connected to an incident of callousness and bad taste that festers into murder and suicide.
Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb
A small town main character tries to make sense of his best friend's murder-suicide, uncovering many secrets while facing his own troubled family life.
A small town main character tries to make sense of his best friend's murder-suicide, uncovering many secrets while facing his own troubled family life.
The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
Project yourself back to Victorian London, with its teeming thoroughfares and dark alleys. Into that evocative scene now place Edward Moon, a deft stage magician and detective, and his silent associate, the Somnambulist.
Project yourself back to Victorian London, with its teeming thoroughfares and dark alleys. Into that evocative scene now place Edward Moon, a deft stage magician and detective, and his silent associate, the Somnambulist.
The Devil's Bones by Jefferson Bass
Jefferson Bass has drawn from his five decades of work as the world's leading forensic anthropologist to tell this CSI-style mystery.
Jefferson Bass has drawn from his five decades of work as the world's leading forensic anthropologist to tell this CSI-style mystery.
An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear
A simple quest for psychologist and investigator Maisie to explore a rural town in Kent for a prospective land buyer turns up something far more sinister.
A simple quest for psychologist and investigator Maisie to explore a rural town in Kent for a prospective land buyer turns up something far more sinister.
Robert Ludlum's The Arctic Event by James H. Cobb
James H. Cobb's latest Covert-One international action thriller involves the discovery in the Arctic of a Soviet strategic bomber that disappeared with its crew more than fifty years ago while carrying two metric tons of weaponized anthrax.
James H. Cobb's latest Covert-One international action thriller involves the discovery in the Arctic of a Soviet strategic bomber that disappeared with its crew more than fifty years ago while carrying two metric tons of weaponized anthrax.
The Blue Door by David Fulmer
Fulmer's "The Blue Door" is a nicely linear investigative thriller with a whole new central character whose vocational trajectory isn't anyone's idea of the norm.
Fulmer's "The Blue Door" is a nicely linear investigative thriller with a whole new central character whose vocational trajectory isn't anyone's idea of the norm.
Try Dying by James Scott Bell
Ty Buchanan is a rising star in his L.A. law firm, until the suspicious death of his fiancee forces him into the underbelly of the city to discover the truth behind her death.
Ty Buchanan is a rising star in his L.A. law firm, until the suspicious death of his fiancee forces him into the underbelly of the city to discover the truth behind her death.
Blonde Faith by Walter Mosley
Easy Rawlins, L.A.'s most reluctant detective, comes home one day to find Easter, the daughter of his friend Chrismas Black, left on his doorstep.
Easy Rawlins, L.A.'s most reluctant detective, comes home one day to find Easter, the daughter of his friend Chrismas Black, left on his doorstep.
Family Secrets by Judith Henry Wall
After their father's death, sisters Vanessa, Ellie, and Georgiana are stunned to learn a well-kept family secret.
After their father's death, sisters Vanessa, Ellie, and Georgiana are stunned to learn a well-kept family secret.
Love Kills by Edna Buchanan
Bringing together intrepid journalist Britt Montero and the Cold Case Squad, the lead characters from Edna Buchanan's two successful mystery series, Love Kills is a satisfying, two-for-one deal of a thriller.
Bringing together intrepid journalist Britt Montero and the Cold Case Squad, the lead characters from Edna Buchanan's two successful mystery series, Love Kills is a satisfying, two-for-one deal of a thriller.
The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews
The newest installment in Donna Andrews' Meg Lanslow mystery series wraps suspense, humor, and a screwball cast of characters into a mystery novel with stand-up quality.
The newest installment in Donna Andrews' Meg Lanslow mystery series wraps suspense, humor, and a screwball cast of characters into a mystery novel with stand-up quality.
The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke
As James Lee Burke's new novel is a mystery set amidst the anarchy that is New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
As James Lee Burke's new novel is a mystery set amidst the anarchy that is New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
Exposure by Kurt Wenzel
In this sometimes bizarre look into the future, Kurt Wenzel seems to be telling us that he has something against society's commercialization, the Hollywood system, media advertising overload...
In this sometimes bizarre look into the future, Kurt Wenzel seems to be telling us that he has something against society's commercialization, the Hollywood system, media advertising overload...
Dead Connection by Alafair Burke
A rookie detective goes undercover on the Internet dating scene to draw out a serial killer targeting single women in Manhattan.
A rookie detective goes undercover on the Internet dating scene to draw out a serial killer targeting single women in Manhattan.
I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark takes the reader deep into the mysteries of the human mind, where memories may be the most dangerous things of all.
Mary Higgins Clark takes the reader deep into the mysteries of the human mind, where memories may be the most dangerous things of all.
Shell Game by Sarah Shaber
Good things do come in small packages. In only 210 pages Sarah Shaber has created a tightly woven murder mystery, the fifth in the Simon Shaw series.
Good things do come in small packages. In only 210 pages Sarah Shaber has created a tightly woven murder mystery, the fifth in the Simon Shaw series.
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
Meet Isabel "Izzy" Spellman, private investigator; she may be addicted to Get Smart reruns and prefer entering homes through windows rather than doors - but she's a good P.I. with her family's firm, Spellman Investigations.
Meet Isabel "Izzy" Spellman, private investigator; she may be addicted to Get Smart reruns and prefer entering homes through windows rather than doors - but she's a good P.I. with her family's firm, Spellman Investigations.
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black
In Christine Falls, the debut crime novel from Booker-winning author, John Banville (aka Benjamin Black), a Dublin pathologist follows the corpse of a mysterious woman into the heart of a conspiracy among the city’s high Catholic society.
In Christine Falls, the debut crime novel from Booker-winning author, John Banville (aka Benjamin Black), a Dublin pathologist follows the corpse of a mysterious woman into the heart of a conspiracy among the city’s high Catholic society.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Readers who enjoy frightening themselves will enjoy Joe Hill's debut novel, Heart-Shaped Box.
Readers who enjoy frightening themselves will enjoy Joe Hill's debut novel, Heart-Shaped Box.
Step On a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge introduce Detective Michael Bennett, an NYPD homicide detective thrust into the middle of a mass kidnapping.
James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge introduce Detective Michael Bennett, an NYPD homicide detective thrust into the middle of a mass kidnapping.
The Collectors by David Baldacci
Four aging misfit crime solvers attempt to solve the mystery of a murder at the Library of Congress while simultaneiously trying to foil a con artist in Atlantic City.
Four aging misfit crime solvers attempt to solve the mystery of a murder at the Library of Congress while simultaneiously trying to foil a con artist in Atlantic City.
Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich
Alexandra "Barney" Barnaby, first introduced in the #1 New York Times bestseller Metro Girl, returns in Motor Mouth, another wild and crazy ride.
Alexandra "Barney" Barnaby, first introduced in the #1 New York Times bestseller Metro Girl, returns in Motor Mouth, another wild and crazy ride.
The Mephisto Club
PECCAVI - The Latin is scrawled in blood at the scene of a young woman's brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It's a chilling Christmas greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli.
PECCAVI - The Latin is scrawled in blood at the scene of a young woman's brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It's a chilling Christmas greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli.
The Mission Song by John le Carre
The Mission Song is John le Carre's 20th novel, and even without its eye towards controversy on the world stage, is a compelling addition to the well known espionage author's body of work.
The Mission Song is John le Carre's 20th novel, and even without its eye towards controversy on the world stage, is a compelling addition to the well known espionage author's body of work.
Lisey's Story by Stephen King
To his widow, best-selling horror novelist Scott Landon has left a literary legacy and the scary secret world that was the source of his literary magic.
To his widow, best-selling horror novelist Scott Landon has left a literary legacy and the scary secret world that was the source of his literary magic.
One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
Two years after the events of Case Histories left him a retired millionaire, former detective Jackson Brodie has followed Julia to Edinburgh for its famous summer arts festival...
Two years after the events of Case Histories left him a retired millionaire, former detective Jackson Brodie has followed Julia to Edinburgh for its famous summer arts festival...
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum sets out on her latest rounds to haul in bonds-jumping "skips."
New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum sets out on her latest rounds to haul in bonds-jumping "skips."
The Husband by Dean Koontz
An ordinary man must act to save his abducted wife in Dean Koontz's gripping thriller that's got more twists than Chubby Checker.
An ordinary man must act to save his abducted wife in Dean Koontz's gripping thriller that's got more twists than Chubby Checker.
Death Dance by Linda Fairstein
World famous dancer, Natalya Galinova has disappeared at the Metropolitan Opera House during intermission of a performance. Death Dance is the eighth in a series of murder mysteries which feature Alexandra Cooper.
World famous dancer, Natalya Galinova has disappeared at the Metropolitan Opera House during intermission of a performance. Death Dance is the eighth in a series of murder mysteries which feature Alexandra Cooper.
Mary, Mary by James Patterson
FBI agent Alex Cross gets a call from the Director. A well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. The killer, known as Mary Smith, has done this before and plans to kill again.
FBI agent Alex Cross gets a call from the Director. A well-known actress was shot outside her home in Beverly Hills. The killer, known as Mary Smith, has done this before and plans to kill again.
The Old Wine Shades by Martha Grimes
A stranger who sits down next to Richard Jury in a London pub called the Old Wine Shades. Over three nights Harry spins a story about a friend whose wife and son (and dog) disappeared one day in Surrey.
A stranger who sits down next to Richard Jury in a London pub called the Old Wine Shades. Over three nights Harry spins a story about a friend whose wife and son (and dog) disappeared one day in Surrey.
5th Horseman by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
A hospital and courtroom thriller, the February 2006 addition to The Women's Murder Club series.
A hospital and courtroom thriller, the February 2006 addition to The Women's Murder Club series.
Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow
A son is plunged into the mystery of his family's secret history and driven to uncover the truth about a father who'd always refused to talk about his war.
A son is plunged into the mystery of his family's secret history and driven to uncover the truth about a father who'd always refused to talk about his war.
The Monsters of Gramercy Park by Danny Leigh
Although neither a typical thriller nor a traditional mystery, The Monsters of Grammercy Park is a perfectly paced work of suspense that keeps you guessing until--and, in some ways, beyond--the end.
Although neither a typical thriller nor a traditional mystery, The Monsters of Grammercy Park is a perfectly paced work of suspense that keeps you guessing until--and, in some ways, beyond--the end.
The Camel Club by David Baldacci
In The Camel Club, David Baldacci paints a frightening portrait of a world that could be our own soon.
In The Camel Club, David Baldacci paints a frightening portrait of a world that could be our own soon.
Bangkok Tattoo by John Burdett
Bangkok Tattoo, the 2005 sequel to Bangkok 8, chronicles the further adventures of Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a police detective in District 8 of the Royal Thai Police.
Bangkok Tattoo, the 2005 sequel to Bangkok 8, chronicles the further adventures of Sonchai Jitpleecheep, a police detective in District 8 of the Royal Thai Police.
Close Case by Alafair Burke
For Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid's thirty-second birthday, she gets an unusual gift: a homicide call out. The victim: hotshot investigative reporter Percy Crenshaw, who has been bludgeoned to death in his carport.
For Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid's thirty-second birthday, she gets an unusual gift: a homicide call out. The victim: hotshot investigative reporter Percy Crenshaw, who has been bludgeoned to death in his carport.
The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard
With tommy guns, hot cars, speakeasies, cops and robbers, and a former lawman who believes in vigilante justice, The Hot Kid is exactly what you want from an Elmore Leonard novel.
With tommy guns, hot cars, speakeasies, cops and robbers, and a former lawman who believes in vigilante justice, The Hot Kid is exactly what you want from an Elmore Leonard novel.
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you'll ever encounter—sometimes all at once.
Twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you'll ever encounter—sometimes all at once.
Rosa by Jonathan Rabb
Jonathan Rabb's novel is at once an historical novel and a mystery. Rosa Luxemburg was actually a socialist revolutionary whose body was found under mysterious circumstances in 1919.
Jonathan Rabb's novel is at once an historical novel and a mystery. Rosa Luxemburg was actually a socialist revolutionary whose body was found under mysterious circumstances in 1919.
Silverfin by Charlie Higson
What does it take to become James Bond, the greatest secret agent the world has ever known? British writer Charlie Higson has written a tale that uncovers the story of a boy who became one of the most iconic figures of our time.
What does it take to become James Bond, the greatest secret agent the world has ever known? British writer Charlie Higson has written a tale that uncovers the story of a boy who became one of the most iconic figures of our time.
The Final Solution: A Story of Detection by Michael Chabon
In the English countryside, an 89-year old, once-famous detective is roused by a nine year old mute, who has escaped from Nazi Germany with his sole companion: an African grey parrot.
In the English countryside, an 89-year old, once-famous detective is roused by a nine year old mute, who has escaped from Nazi Germany with his sole companion: an African grey parrot.
State of Fear by Michael Crichton
En route to another riveting techno-thriller, Michael Crichton gets mired in polemic.
En route to another riveting techno-thriller, Michael Crichton gets mired in polemic.
Absolute Friends by John LeCarre
In Absolute Friends, John le Carre delivers an epic tale of loyalty and betrayal that spans the lives of two friends from the riot-torn West Berlin of the 1960s to the present day of terrorism and new alliances.
In Absolute Friends, John le Carre delivers an epic tale of loyalty and betrayal that spans the lives of two friends from the riot-torn West Berlin of the 1960s to the present day of terrorism and new alliances.
Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson
New York Times bestselling author Diane Mott Davidson whips up another rich soufflé of murder and mischief starring caterer and amateur sleuth, Goldy Schulz.
New York Times bestselling author Diane Mott Davidson whips up another rich soufflé of murder and mischief starring caterer and amateur sleuth, Goldy Schulz.
Prey by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton's compelling novel yet tells the story of a mechanical plague - nanotechnology - and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop it.
Michael Crichton's compelling novel yet tells the story of a mechanical plague - nanotechnology - and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop it.
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
High stakes, hot nights, cold-blooded murder, sunken treasure, and NASCAR.
High stakes, hot nights, cold-blooded murder, sunken treasure, and NASCAR.
Improbable by Adam Fawer
David Caine is a gambler. He gambles at cards and life, always with the belief that his almost savant ability to determine probabilities will keep him afloat.
David Caine is a gambler. He gambles at cards and life, always with the belief that his almost savant ability to determine probabilities will keep him afloat.
Tearjerker by Daniel Hayes
In Daniel Hayes' darkly humorous debut novel, Evan Ulmer takes matters into his own hands after his writerly dreams of fame and recognition have stalled. He kidnaps renowned editor Robert Partnow and cages him in a basement.
In Daniel Hayes' darkly humorous debut novel, Evan Ulmer takes matters into his own hands after his writerly dreams of fame and recognition have stalled. He kidnaps renowned editor Robert Partnow and cages him in a basement.
High Country Fall by Margaret Maron
Read without knowledge of the music and you will enjoy a perfectly fine mystery. Add knowledge of the music and you will find a literary basis seldom if ever achieved in the mystery genre...
Read without knowledge of the music and you will enjoy a perfectly fine mystery. Add knowledge of the music and you will find a literary basis seldom if ever achieved in the mystery genre...
The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon
Compelled by his book club to choke down The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon, this reviewer finds his patience in the face of sophomoric and choppy prose rewarded generously with gripping plot and intriguing characters.
Compelled by his book club to choke down The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon, this reviewer finds his patience in the face of sophomoric and choppy prose rewarded generously with gripping plot and intriguing characters.
Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
Monday Mourning is Kathy Reichs' seventh Temperance Brennan novel. It is as chillingly good as her first, Deja Dead, a NY Times bestseller which won the 1997 Edgar Award for best first novel. One of the book blurbs for Monday Mourning says she is as "good as Patricia Cornwell at her best." Wrong. Reichs is consistently better.
Monday Mourning is Kathy Reichs' seventh Temperance Brennan novel. It is as chillingly good as her first, Deja Dead, a NY Times bestseller which won the 1997 Edgar Award for best first novel. One of the book blurbs for Monday Mourning says she is as "good as Patricia Cornwell at her best." Wrong. Reichs is consistently better.
Mr. Paradise by Elmore Leonard
Elmore Leonard’s Mr. Paradise is a roller coaster ride of a murder investigation that shows us the seedier sides of people and places usually only seen by cops and their quarry. This master storyteller’s latest suspense thriller does not fail to surprise and delight as we stumble along with his star detective down the road to the truth, and maybe even a little justice.
Elmore Leonard’s Mr. Paradise is a roller coaster ride of a murder investigation that shows us the seedier sides of people and places usually only seen by cops and their quarry. This master storyteller’s latest suspense thriller does not fail to surprise and delight as we stumble along with his star detective down the road to the truth, and maybe even a little justice.
Burning Garbo by Robert Eversz
So what's the state of the new wave, contemporary mystery? It's niddy-gritty. It's stripped-down, moving fast, landing neat. It's fueled by the ghost of Chandler, shooting straight for the glitzy heart of LaLa Land and the megabuck big screen.
So what's the state of the new wave, contemporary mystery? It's niddy-gritty. It's stripped-down, moving fast, landing neat. It's fueled by the ghost of Chandler, shooting straight for the glitzy heart of LaLa Land and the megabuck big screen.
The Woman Who Found Grace by Bett Reece Johnson
Johnson's third novel in The Woman Who series, The Woman Who Found Grace, strikes me as a book straddling the line between genre mystery and literary whodunit. That's a tough line to straddle, no doubt about it...
Johnson's third novel in The Woman Who series, The Woman Who Found Grace, strikes me as a book straddling the line between genre mystery and literary whodunit. That's a tough line to straddle, no doubt about it...
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown combines a murder mystery with a religious historical thriller to create a record-breaking best-seller.
In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown combines a murder mystery with a religious historical thriller to create a record-breaking best-seller.