2025 was a wonderful year for discovering books—both backlist gems and exciting new releases. Happy reading, book friends!
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King Sorrow
Read more: King SorrowMy rating: 5/5 stars. King Sorrow by Joe Hill is a dark, immersive novel that sits firmly at the crossroads of horror and dark fantasy. This is an epic novel, and I deliberately saved this book for my winter holiday break so I could sink into long, uninterrupted stretches of reading. Yes, it’s long, but…
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Long Bright River
Read more: Long Bright RiverMy rating: 4/5 stars. Long Bright River by Liz Moore is a character-driven, emotional crime thriller that transcends its genre label. While it’s framed as a mystery, at its core is a story about family, sisterhood, and the ties that bind and break communities. Moore crafts a dark, gritty, and deeply believable portrait of Philadelphia’s…
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To Love A Liar
Read more: To Love A LiarMy rating: 5/5 stars. To Love A Liar by L. V. Matthews is a terrific thriller that’s hard to pin down to just one genre. It’s part psychological thriller, part crime story, part love story, with a touch of police procedural thrown in. Matthews blends these elements seamlessly, creating a layered and emotionally charged read…
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Eye For An Eye
Read more: Eye For An EyeMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. Eye For An Eye by M. J. Arlidge is a dark, thought-provoking standalone thriller from the author best known for the Helen Grace police procedurals. I’ve read most of that series, so I was eager to see what Arlidge would do outside of it, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint.
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Watching You
Read more: Watching YouMy rating: 5/5 stars. Watching You is another gripping addition to Helen Fields’ impressive catalogue of crime fiction. Part of the Connie Woolwine series, this novel pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. As a longtime fan of Fields and someone who’s read most of her backlist, I was excited to dive…
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The Crow Girl
Read more: The Crow GirlMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Crow Girl is a dark and disturbing Nordic Noir crime fiction/psychological thriller novel by Erik Axl Sund, the pen name of Swedish author duo Jerker Eriksson and Hakan Axlander Sundquist. Originally published in Sweden as a trilogy (The Crow Girl in 2010, Hunger Fire in 2011, and Pythia’s Instructions in…
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Human Remains – Kat & Lock #3
Read more: Human Remains – Kat & Lock #3My rating: 5/5 stars. Human Remains by Jo Callaghan, is the third installment in the exceptional Kat & Lock series. This gripping crime procedural goes far beyond the typical whodunit, tackling themes of grief, loyalty, the double-edged sword of social media, and the exciting and unnerving potential of AI. Callaghan skillfully weaves these elements together,…
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The Cracked Mirror
Read more: The Cracked MirrorMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and action thriller, and I absolutely loved it! Brookmyre’s sharp wit and clever storytelling were completely addictive, and I breezed through this hefty novel in just two days. In the hands of a less capable writer, this multi-layered…
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We Are All Guilty Here – North Falls #1
Read more: We Are All Guilty Here – North Falls #1My rating: 5/5 stars. We Are All Guilty Here is the first novel in the new North Falls series by Karin Slaughter. Slaughter’s writing is precise and deliberate, and every word is chosen with care to drive the narrative forward. As a longtime fan of her work, I was thrilled to dive into this new…
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The Ghostwriter
Read more: The GhostwriterMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is an emotional, character-driven mystery that lingers long after you turn the last page. Clark’s storytelling shines, bringing deeply human characters to life in a haunting and twisty tale. This book isn’t just about the mystery. It weaves in a powerful, dysfunctional family drama that adds…
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The Last Flight
Read more: The Last FlightMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Last Flight by Julie Clark is more than a mystery or thriller. The narrative is an emotional, thought provoking, and moving story that blends suspense with powerful women’s fiction. What really made this one stand out for me was the way Clark brought the characters to life. They are believable…
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The Glass Man – Asker Series #2
Read more: The Glass Man – Asker Series #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Glass Man by Anders de la Motte is the second installment in the Asker series and a gripping Nordic Noir crime novel. After finishing The Mountain King, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one and it definitely didn’t disappoint. This narrative weaves together two compelling storylines, and de la…
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The Mountain King – Asker Series #1
Read more: The Mountain King – Asker Series #1My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte is a Nordic Noir crime novel and the first book in the Asker series. This was my first time reading de la Motte, and I’m already excited for the next installment coming later this year. The story is expertly crafted – there’s a…
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The Dark Corners Of The Night – UNSUB #2
Read more: The Dark Corners Of The Night – UNSUB #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Dark Corners Of The Night is the third installment in the UNSUB series and another top-notch police procedural crime fiction novel by Meg Gardiner. She’s a brilliant writer, and this one is easily my favorite in the series so far. Gardiner’s writing is sharp, gritty, and smart, and the police…
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We Are All The Same In The Dark
Read more: We Are All The Same In The DarkMy rating: 4.5/5 stars. We Are All The Same In The Dark by Julia Heaberlin is an unforgettable crime fiction novel that completely pulled me in. It’s a chilling, slow-burn mystery centered around three women – one who’s been missing for a decade, one who’s found on the side of the road, mute, and surrounded…
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Presumed Guilty
Read more: Presumed GuiltyMy rating: 5/5 stars. Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow is a brilliant legal thriller that really showcases his talent for the genre. The story is layered, immersive, and feels incredibly real. The plot is so well put together, the characters are compelling, and there’s a strong sense of authenticity throughout. I was completely drawn into…
Mugs & Manuscripts 