2024 was an incredible year for reading! Here are my top picks: a captivating mix of crime fiction, police procedurals, and psychological thrillers. Each of these books is a 4+ star read that left a lasting impression—I find myself raving about them to anyone who’ll listen. While some were published in earlier years, these are the standout books I enjoyed most in 2024. I look forward to the adventures 2025 will bring. Happy reading, book friends!
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The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton Angels
Read more: The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton AngelsMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is a gripping crime fiction suspense novel that took me by surprise in all the best ways. With its intricate plot, complex layers, multiple timelines, and a cast of compelling characters, it presents a tantalizing puzzle waiting to be unraveled. Hallett…
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The Last Murder At The End Of The World
Read more: The Last Murder At The End Of The WorldMy rating: 4/5 stars. The Last Murder At The End Of The World is the first book I’ve read by Stuart Turton. This novel blends post-apocalyptic science fiction with a crime thriller – a cross-genre mix I absolutely love – and after reading the synopsis, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The story is a…
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The Last House on Needless Street
Read more: The Last House on Needless StreetMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Last House On Needless Street, a chilling psychological thriller by Catriona Ward, is a uniquely strange, gripping, and engrossing read. Early on, I developed a theory about where it was going—soon to realize I only had part of the picture. I’ll refrain from sharing too much of the plot since…
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Nuclear War
Read more: Nuclear WarMy rating: 5/5 stars. Nuclear War is absolutely terrifying! Jacobsen makes it clear—there’s no such thing as a limited or winnable nuclear war. Just one misunderstanding, one malfunction, one madman, or one mistake could trigger the end. While I’m glad I read it, this is a story that will haunt me for a long time.
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This Book Will Bury Me
Read more: This Book Will Bury MeMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead is an incredible, multi-layered story about a young woman who becomes entangled in true crime after the loss of her father. Following his death, Jane joins a true crime community and finds herself deeply involved in several cases. As her small group of…
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Look Closer
Read more: Look CloserMy rating: 4/5 stars. The psychological thriller, Look Closer, is the first book I’ve read by David Ellis. It was a wickedly entertaining read! The story is packed with unreliable, scheming, and backstabbing characters, all caught in a web of deceit. Ellis’s sharp writing and cleverly executed twists, paired with scandalous moments, made for an…
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Bright Young Women
Read more: Bright Young WomenMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll is a gripping and immersive crime fiction novel that effectively strips away the glamor often associated with one of America’s most notorious serial killers. It also serves as an empowering manifesto, following a courageous, intelligent, and resilient group of women determined to confront their deepest…
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The Gone World
Read more: The Gone WorldMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch is a mesmerizing, addictive, extraordinary story that very successfully blends elements of science fiction, crime fiction, and apocalyptic genres. The storyline is intricate and so mind-bending that at times, it felt like a challenge to fully wrap my mind around it. The book left me…
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All The Colors Of The Dark
Read more: All The Colors Of The DarkMy rating: 5/5 stars. All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker is a remarkable and beautifully crafted story that spans decades. It weaves a tale of love, loss, courage, determination, sacrifice, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of passion and justice. Rather than delivering a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat experience, this novel offers a nuanced, character-driven…
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The God Of The Woods
Read more: The God Of The WoodsMy rating: 5/5 stars. God Of The Woods by Liz Moore is an exceptional, emotionally charged, character-driven story that masterfully weaves elements of crime fiction and police procedural into the narrative. While the plot revolves around two central mysteries, it’s not what I’d categorize as a thriller. If you’re expecting an intense, edge-of-your-seat experience, you…
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Listen for The Lie
Read more: Listen for The LieMy rating: 4/5 stars. Listen For The Lie by Amy Tintera is an incredibly entertaining psychological thriller! While I usually gravitate toward dark crime fiction, there are times when I crave something lighter, and this book was just the right choice. It’s a straightforward, engaging, and delightfully fun read, with enough human elements to keep…
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All The Sinners Bleed
Read more: All The Sinners BleedMy rating: 5/5 stars. All The Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby is a fantastic crime thriller! This novel is a provocative and riveting journey, showcasing Cosby’s talent for storytelling right from the first page. With powerful writing, an intriguing plot, and compelling characters, All The Sinners Bleed delivers a gritty and intense story that…
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The Mercy Chair – Washington Poe Series Book #6
Read more: The Mercy Chair – Washington Poe Series Book #6My rating: 4.5/5 stars. M. W. Craven is one of my favorite British crime fiction writers. I’ve been following Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw for years and this series is always at the top of my reading list. I couldn’t wait for the hardback release in September, so I happily paid for the ebook. Craven’s…
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The Border – The Cartel Trilogy #3
Read more: The Border – The Cartel Trilogy #3My rating: 5/5 stars. Wow! The Border is the stunning conclusion to the brilliant Cartel trilogy by Don Winslow. Thank you, Mr. Winslow for using fiction to tell this important, horrifying, and powerful story. It was endlessly engaging and one of the most exciting, disturbing, and informative reads for me this year. The Border is…
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The Cartel – The Cartel Trilogy #2
Read more: The Cartel – The Cartel Trilogy #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Cartel by Don Winslow is extraordinary! Winslow’s sustained effort of imagination, research, and outstanding writing skills is unparalleled in crime fiction. While undeniably a crime thriller, The Cartel transcends the genre to offer a thought-provoking and harrowing exploration of the War on Drugs. Using fiction as his tool, Winslow masterfully…
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The Power of the Dog – The Cartel Trilogy #1
Read more: The Power of the Dog – The Cartel Trilogy #1My rating: 5/5 stars. The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow is crime fiction at its best! I’ve read that although Winslow initially didn’t plan to write a trilogy, the ongoing atrocities related to the War on Drugs compelled him to continue, resulting in the acclaimed Cartel Trilogy. Winslow is a brilliant storyteller and…
Mugs & Manuscripts 