My rating: 4.5/5 stars. Penance by Eliza Clark is a brilliantly written, addictive work of crime fiction with a dark and unsettling core. Clark packs an extraordinary amount into the novel without ever making it feel dense or overloaded. Beneath the gripping, expertly told story lies a sharp critique of true-crime obsession, toxic internet culture,…
My rating: 5/5 stars. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill is a dark, immersive novel that sits squarely in the realms of horror and dark fantasy. This was my first Joe Hill book, and although I don’t often read these genres, I found it almost impossible to put down. I had originally planned to reread Stephen King’s…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Wolf Hour is a solid, hard-hitting police procedural and crime thriller from Jo Nesbø. Best known for his Harry Hole series (which I’ve read in full), Nesbø crafts a twisty tale as only he can, and I was eager to dive into this standalone thriller over the weekend. His signature taut,…
My rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Collective by Alison Gaylin is a fast-paced, highly entertaining psychological thriller. While it doesn’t deliver on character depth or believability, it more than compensates with pure, page-turning fun.
My 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…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Family Experiment is another fast-paced, thought-provoking thriller from John Marrs that blends speculative fiction with his signature twisty plotting. Set in the same near-future universe as The One and The Passengers, this story explores the dark edges of technological advancement, where AI appears to be improving lives, but beneath the…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Death Watcher by Chris Carter marks the 13th entry in the Robert Hunter series, and once again, Carter proves he’s a master of dark, graphic, and psychologically intense serial killer thrillers. I tend to reach for these books when I want something chilling yet oddly comforting thanks to Carter’s reliably…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland is the fourth book in the Major Crimes Series, and an impressive, engrossing addition that showcases Holland’s exceptional skill for gripping and dark storytelling. While this installment can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend starting with The Echo Man (the first in the…
My rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is the third installment in the Major Crimes series. While I was captivated by The Echo Man and thoroughly enjoyed The Twenty, this entry didn’t quite deliver the same level of thrills or intricate police procedural elements I’ve come to expect. It felt more like…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Sam Holland’s The Twenty, is the second book in the Major Crimes series, and delivers a dark, gripping police procedural that kept me hooked from start to finish. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of her debut, The Echo Man, it’s still a thoroughly entertaining serial killer thriller and a…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is an absolute rollercoaster of a crime thriller, and I was hooked from page one. Honestly, it’s hard to believe this is Kerr’s debut. The story is twisty and full of unexpected turns that kept me flipping pages late into the night. At the center of…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Shadowheart, the fourth installment in the UNSUB series, delivers another gripping police procedural from Meg Gardiner. One of the things I love about Gardiner’s writing is that every word matters—there’s no fluff, no unnecessary tangents, just a sharp, dark, well-crafted story. Her style is gritty, smart, and packed with meticulously researched…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Lies I Tell is a twisty, fast-paced thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’ve read The Last Flight, you know Clark has a knack for writing strong, complex female protagonists – flawed yet fierce, intelligent, and determined no matter what life throws at them. This novel…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a wild, twisty ride from start to finish! With a large cast of characters and plenty of misdirection, it delivers all the suspense and intrigue you’d expect from Donlea. While it’s not a traditional, true-to-life police procedural, it’s a well-crafted, highly entertaining read that’s packed…
My 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…
My rating: 5/5 stars. You Killed Me First is a psychological thriller by John Marrs that immediately caught my attention with its intriguing title and striking cover. After reading the blurb, I knew I had to dive in over the weekend. And wow, this was one of those “just one more chapter” reads that kept…
My 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…
My 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…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Night Will Find You is the second Julia Heaberlin novel I’ve read, and I’m officially hooked on her dark, complex, and emotional storytelling. She has an incredible way of creating flawed, deeply human characters that linger in my mind long after I’ve finished the book. This one’s another slow-burn suspense that…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Into The Black Nowhere is the second installment in the UNSUB series and another top-notch police procedural crime fiction novel by Meg Gardiner. Gardiner’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and full of detail—I’ve definitely become a big fan! This one had a different structure and intensity compared to UNSUB, but that’s not…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. UNSUB by Meg Gardiner is a gripping, smartly written, and atmospheric police procedural that drew me in from the start. It’s gritty, dark, and packed with tension, keeping the action nonstop from beginning to end. Gardiner’s writing is sharp and to the point, there’s no wasted words, just pure adrenaline. While…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Patient’s Secret by Loreth Anne White is a crime fiction/psychological thriller inspired by a shocking true crime that occurred in a quiet neighborhood in the Canadian prairies. Skillfully written, this chilling novel captivates from the very first page and maintains its intensity throughout. White expertly crafts an intricate web of…
My rating: 3/5 stars. Shadow Sands by Robert Bryndza is the 2nd installment in the Kate Marshall series. It’s a decent thriller and a good choice if you’re in the mood for a serial killer story that’s less graphic than many popular series. While Bryndza’s writing is strong, I find it hard to rate this…
My rating: 3.5/5 stars. Genesis by Chris Carter is the 12th installment in the Robert Hunter series. I reach for these novels when I’m in the mood for a dark, intense, and graphically detailed serial killer story—one that’s oddly comforting thanks to Carter’s distinctive style. While the narrative structure tends to follow a familiar pattern,…
My 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…
My rating: 3.75/5 stars. Blood Ties by author Jo Nesbø is a Nordic Noir thriller and the second installment in The Kingdom series. The story revolves around themes of loyalty, deception, and violence, following two brothers as they struggle to maintain control over their small town while a dark past threatens to dismantle everything they’ve…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Written In Blood by Chris Carter by Chris Carter is a dark, intense, and heart-pounding thriller that delivers a frantic adrenaline rush from start to finish. I was hooked from the beginning, drawn into a story centered on what initially seems to be a mentally unstable serial killer—someone who has operated…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Echo Man is a compelling and thoroughly entertaining serial killer thriller that delivers all the gritty, grisly elements you expect from the genre. From the very beginning, I was quickly drawn into the dark and twisted storyline, captivated by the high stakes and the chilling details of the crimes. Holland…
My rating: 3/5 stars. The Good Samaritan by John Marrs is a dark and intense psychological thriller. This was my first time reading a book by Marrs, and after seeing the description, I knew it would be a gripping experience. I wasn’t wrong—it was definitely intense, disturbingly dark, and hard to put down.
My rating: 5/5 stars. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is an exceptional crime thriller that stands out as one of the top five books I’ve read this year. Cosby crafts a powerful, high-octane Southern thriller that shouldn’t be missed. Set in Virginia, the novel explores themes of fatherhood, family, race, and homophobia, while also exploring…
My rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Executioner by Chris Carter is a dark, intense, and graphic serial killer thriller that is not for the faint of heart. Carter’s strength lies in crafting intricate crimes with unflinching detail, exploring deeply disturbing scenarios with skill. His writing doesn’t hold back, delivering a vivid and sometimes stomach-churning narrative that…
My rating: 3.5/5 stars. The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter is a dark, graphic, and thoroughly gripping serial killer crime thriller. I’ve heard about this series for a while, and I’m glad I finally picked up the first book. In this debut novel, Carter created a strong foundation for the series by skillfully weaving in…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead is a very dark and gripping psychological thriller. From the outset, I want to emphasize that this book was challenging to read and just as difficult to rate. If you’re sensitive to certain topics, I strongly recommend paying attention to Winstead’s trigger warnings at the…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Kill List is a fantastic police procedural crime thriller from an author I’ve eagerly recommended to my friends. The three books in the series are complex, featuring dark and compelling crimes. Matheson’s attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the investigative process, making her books both engaging and thrilling.…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson is the second book in the Anjelica Henley crime fiction series. Having thoroughly enjoyed Matheson’s debut novel, The Jigsaw Man, I found The Binding Room equally impressive. This dark and chilling crime novel kept me engaged from the very beginning. The crimes are gory, unique,…
My rating: 3/5 stars. The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison is a dark and deeply unsettling serial killer thriller and I was completely captivated from the start. The story is about a sexual predator who imprisons girls in his personal greenhouse garden and transforms them into “butterflies”. There is something disturbingly alluring about watching the…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter is a shocking, graphically violent, and totally engrossing novel! As a fan of gritty serial killer stories, I must admit this one pushed the boundaries for me. The book features extremely graphic scenes of torture and abuse, making it a challenging read at times. Despite this,…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson was a surprisingly good crime thriller! And, for a debut novel, it was excellent. Though the storyline wasn’t entirely original, Matheson added her own twist to the serial killer, cat and mouse theme, so the story kept me engaged and interested for 500 pages.
My 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…
My 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…
My 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…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza is compelling crime thriller and an impressive start to a new series! It took me a little while to become fully immersed, as Bryndza was laying the groundwork for the series with his new protagonist, Kate Marshall — a mother struggling with emotional and psychological scars,…
My 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…
My rating: 5/5 stars. The Force by Don Winslow is crime fiction at its best! Winslow is a brilliant storyteller and his writing is absolutely addictive. The Force is a gritty, dark, complex story of a New York City police detective’s descent into corruption, exploring moral decay within the police department, judicial system, and city…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Hangman by Daniel Cole is the second book in the Fawkes and Baxter trilogy. Cole maintains the gritty, dark, and brutal style of the previous installment, and this book is definitely not for the faint of heart. This is macabre at its best if you love chilling serial killer thrillers packed…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Ragdoll by Daniel Cole is the first book in the trilogy and had been sitting on my TBR shelf for a couple of years before I finally moved it to the top of my list. I’m so glad that I did. This gritty, dark, and brutal serial killer story was masterfully…
My rating: 4/5 stars. I’ve been a devoted fan of Helen Fields’ work since I devoured all seven books in the DI Callanach/DCI Ava Turner series. Naturally, I was eagerly anticipating Profile K, and it did not disappoint! This thrilling, dark, and intense novel delivers with its horrific, violent, and gruesome murders, presenting a gripping…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Mermaid by Anki Edvinsson is a standout Nordic Noir thriller and the 2nd installment in the Detectives von Klint and Berg series. The novel’s gripping prologue sets the tone for the entire book and the story delivers on its promise of a thrilling ride! Swedish author Edvinsson’s storytelling prowess shines…
My rating: 3/5 stars. The Sandman by Lars Kepler is a book that falls somewhere in the middle for me. While it had some compelling elements, overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark. I might have felt more let down because this book had such promise. I’m a big fan of gripping serial killer thrillers,…
My rating: 5/5 stars. Nesbø’s long-running Harry Hole series has kept me intrigued since I stumbled upon it a few years ago. Nesbø crafts masterful, immersive, and unforgettable stories that have kept me thoroughly entertained and fully invested across 13 novels. Thank you, Mr. Nesbø, for an unforgettable reading experience!
My rating: 5/5 stars. Knife is the 12th installment in the Harry Hole series, and demonstrates why Nesbø is a master Nordic Noir storyteller. It surpasses the complexity of the previous two novels and mirrors the scope and scale of The Redbreast, Nesbø’s third book in the series and my personal favorite.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. Little Boy Blue by M.J. Arlidge is a gripping and intense addition to the DI Helen Grace series. The story is dark and twisted, with a killer who seems to be one step ahead of the police at every turn. Arlidge does an excellent job of building tension throughout the novel,…
My rating: 3/5 stars. The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler is a book that falls somewhere in the middle for me. While it had some compelling elements, overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark. The story starts strong, with a brutal murder scene that sets the stage for a gripping mystery. While Detective Inspector Joona Linna…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Thirst is the 11th book in the Harry Hole series and once again, I was quickly drawn into the setting and storyline of this intriguing Nordic Noir thriller. Nesbø’s is a master at suspense and drew me into the dark and twisted world of the killer and the relentless pursuit…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. Liar Liar marks the 4th installment in the captivating Helen Grace series, showcasing M.J. Arlidge’s talent for crafting gripping thrillers. True to form, this book does not disappoint; in fact, it may be the most compelling storyline yet. Detective Helen Grace has never seen such destruction. Six fires in twenty-four hours.…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Doll’s House by M.J. Arlidge is the 3rd book in the Helen Grace series. Arlidge is a masterful storyteller his intricate plot kept me guessing until almost the end. A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper…
My rating: 4.25/5 stars. Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge is the first novel in the DI Helen Grace series. The story follows Grace as she investigates a series of kidnappings where victims are forced to choose between killing themselves or someone else. The novel opens with two people trapped in an abandoned warehouse, each with…
My rating: 4/5 stars. Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge is the first novel in the DI Helen Grace series. The story follows Grace as she investigates a series of kidnappings where victims are forced to choose between killing themselves or someone else. The novel opens with two people trapped in an abandoned warehouse, each with…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This is the 10th book in the Harry Hole series. I like dark, atmospheric and complex thrillers this is one of Nesbø’s best. It is a compelling story, intricately plotted and full of shocking twists. When a police officer is found murdered at the scene of an old unsolved murder case…
My rating: 5/5 stars. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup is a dark and gripping thriller set in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian crime fiction, delivering a dark and atmospheric tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
My rating: 5/5 stars. I like dark and twisted crime thrillers, and this is one of Nesbø’s best. It is a compelling story, intricately plotted and full of shocking twists. Hole’s pursuit to prove Oleg innocence hooked me from the first pages and kept me reading late into the night. Phantom is the bleakest Harry…
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Leopard by Jo Nesbø is the 7th book in the Harry Hole series. Reeling from trauma of his last case, at the beginning of the story, we find Hole self-exiled in Hong Kong, deeply entrenched in alcohol, opium, and in gambling debt to the local mafia. Hole’s Oslo Crime Squad…
My rating: 5/5 stars. Wow! One of Jo Nesbø’s best novels to date. The Snowman is a gripping and haunting atmospheric thriller that kept me guessing from the beginning. Nesbø’s writing style is top notch, and he does an excellent job of creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates the entire novel.
My rating: 4/5 stars. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbø is another enthralling installment in the Harry Hole series. The story begins with a young Salvation Army worker, Ane, being shot dead during a Christmas street concert in Oslo. Inspector Harry Hole is assigned to the case and soon discovers that Ane’s death is linked to…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. The Devil’s Star by Jo Nesbø starts strong and never lets up. The novel begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body, marked with a pentagram and a red diamond-shaped star left as a calling card. As Harry Hole delves into the case, he discovers that the killer is leaving…
My rating: 4.5/5 stars. This is the 4th book in the Harry Hole series. Nemesis by Jo Nesbø is a gripping and multilayered thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Nesbø’s writing style is engaging, and he does an excellent job of creating a dark and atmospheric setting…
My rating: 5/5 stars. I was excited to read my first novel in the Harry Hole series and The Redbreast far exceeded my expectations! The Redbreast is a compelling and intricately crafted novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. Nesbø’s writing style is engaging, and he does a masterful job weaving together multiple…