Our Favorite Books of 2024
By Crime HQ
December 19, 2024
The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes
Everyone knows that moms have eyes in the back of their heads when it comes to their children, but does that also apply to soon-to-be mothers trying to solve a murder? Pick up The Expectant Detectives by Kat Ailes for a charming debut mystery full of wit, a rambunctious dog, and secrets that set the entire town on edge.
The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells by Rebecca Rego Barry
You’ve heard of Agatha Christie, but have you heard of Carolyn Wells? This biography of an excellent author brings to life a recovered narrative of the incredible woman behind over 180 books, some of which were bestsellers. If you love sleuthing narratives, biographies, and forgotten history, then The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells by Rebecca Rego Barry is the book for you.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Fantasy meets mystery in Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup. If you love the Watson/Holmes dynamic, then you’ll love Ana and Dinios as they work to solve the murder of a high imperial officer.
A New Lease On Death by Olivia Blacke
Speaking of crime-fighting duos, an unlikely pairing takes center stage in A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke. When a young, new tenant befriends the resident ghost who can’t seem to scare her away, they team up to solve the murder of one of their neighbors.
The Burning by Linda Castillo
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder returns in the latest from Linda Castillo, The Burning. When an Amish man is burned at the stake, everything Kate knew about her own Amish roots and Amish culture is turned on its head.
Trial by Ambush by Marcia Clark
True crime fans should pick up this dramatic true account of what happens when crime is sensationalized and the impact of sexism in the courtroom. This book sheds new light on a case riddled with fallacies and fiction.
The Waiting by Michael Connelly
The Waiting is a masterful demonstration of why Michael Connelly is a beloved author. With an LAPD Detective’s job on the line, patrol officers with ulterior motives, and outside help on a case, this thriller weaves three cases together in an unforgettable crime fiction novel.
Identity Unknown by Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell’s latest is a haunting, clever, and daring tale that will take readers on a roller coaster ride. Identity Unknown devastates Dr. Kay Scarpetta when her victim is a man she once loved intensely and as investigators remain torn on the causes, Scarpetta’s autopsy reveals more secrets and clues than she bargained for.
Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron
Travel to the North Maine Woods to track down a dangerous fugitive alongside game warden Mike Bowditch in Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron. After a gruesome murder and escaping captivity, Mike must navigate the landscape alone and unarmed in order to save the life of a young girl in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni
From New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni comes a gripping historical thriller set during the Great Depression. Meet an ambitious young reporter as he tries to break a story that could make his career… as long as it doesn’t kill him first.
The Best Lies by David Ellis
If you like fast-paced, twisty thrillers, then pick up The Best Lies by David Ellis. When a pathological liar goes undercover for the FBI, it would seem that he’s trapped between a cruel crime boss and an ambitious FBI agent. And yet, he has a few more tricks up his sleeve than anyone realizes.
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
For a pulse-pounding read told by several distinct characters whose paths intersect, pick up Alex Finlay’s If Something Happens to Me. When new evidence is found in a five-year-old case and the man who’s haunted Ryan’s dreams reappears, he finds himself on the run in Europe in search of the truth.
Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander
When multiple graduate students were left in critical condition except for Charlie who has little to no memory of that night, she flees and rebuilds her life. Her carefully crafted life hangs in the balance at the imminent release of a buzzy film to be made by the sister of one of the victims, and Charlie must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect it. A sharp thriller, Everyone Who Can Forgive Me Is Dead by Jenny Hollander is a must-read.
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
If you love narrators who are both deeply human and incredibly unreliable, then pick up Emiko Jean’s The Return of Ellie Black. Detective Chelsey Calhoun started searching for missing girls to cope with her own sister’s vanishing… but there are rarely happy endings. So when a local teen who went missing two years earlier is found alive, Calhoun must get to the bottom of her initial disappearance even if the teen won’t give her any information.
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman
A suspenseful double homicide baffles psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis in The Ghost Orchid. Jonathan Kellerman crafts a shocking case full of secrets with epic repercussions and keeps readers racing through to find out what happens.
Leave No Trace by A.J. Landau
A.J. Landau’s Leave No Trace follows Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service as America’s cultural symbols are under attack by a radical domestic terrorist group. The start of a new series, readers will love this novel full of high-octane action.
Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom
From 4-time Emmy-nominated actor Jon Lindstrom comes a debut thriller set in the dark underbelly of the LA film industry. When a washed-up film star finds his granddaughter at his bedside with proof of her mother’s kidnapping, he must team up with two close friends to get his daughter back from the violent gang demanding his long-gone “movie money”.
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
If you’re looking for a wholly original mystery with an out-of-the-box sleuth, don’t miss Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch. Saddle up for this delightful detective as he tries to absolve his favorite owner from a murder she didn’t commit.
Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
Catherine Mack takes readers on a wild trip alongside a mystery author, the con man she got mixed up with a decade ago, and her ex in Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies. The start of a new series, this irresistible and hilarious novel will leave you highly anticipating the next installment.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
If you love novels that send chills down your spine, then Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House is an unforgettable must-read. Explore a haunted house through the eyes of an eight-year-old as increasingly horrific incidents happen within her home and her family’s lives hang in the balance.
Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair
Allison Montclair takes readers back to post-WWII London when two matchmakers stumble upon a murder victim when scouting out a venue for a New Year’s Eve soiree. With questionable pasts, an ex-fiancée investigating, and attempts to protect their clients, Murder at the White Palace is a page-turning mystery that will also delight romance readers.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a gripping drama about a family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow as a panicked search to find their thirteen-year-old daughter ensues. Richly imagined and expertly paced, this novel is a story you won’t want to miss.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
For fans of cat-and-mouse mysteries, We Solve Murders launches Richard Osman’s latest series that features an iconic new detective duo. When Amy Wheeler’s life is upended by a dead body, a bag of money, and a killer with their sights set on her, she sends an SOS to the only person she can trust: her retired father-in-law, Steve. Together they must stay one step ahead of a killer while racing around the world.
House Of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen
Sarah Pekkanen’s House of Glass is a page-turning thriller about a family that seems perfect on the outside but is actually living a lie. When everyone’s a suspect, even the nine-year-old girl Stella’s sent to protect, she must try to uncover the truth of a nanny’s death and discover the secrets the Barclay family is desperate to hide.
Last Night by Luanne Rice
A breathtaking thriller about a dead artist and her missing daughter, Last Night by Luanne Rice is an action-packed story of lies, vengeance, and crime. As a detective, a coast guard commander, and the sister of the artist try to solve her murder, their efforts are hindered by a blizzard that leaves them stuck at the posh hotel she had been staying at.
Black River by Nilanjana Roy
A psychological thriller about the murder of a young girl in India, Nilanjana Roy’s Black River is a literary debut that will stick with you long after the mystery is solved. With religious tensions simmering and a nation grappling with its complexities and contradictions, you won’t be able to put this book down.
Alter Ego by Alex Segura
A standalone sequel to Secret Identity, Alter Ego by Alex Segura returns to the world of comic books to present another comics-inspired legend with the opportunity to revive a character at a high price. With messages urging Annie not to trust anyone, she sets out to tell a story her way…even if it means uncovering dark truths about her favorite superhero.
Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor
If you like historical mysteries, then get excited–Agony Hill by Sarah Stewart Taylor is the first in a series of them all set in a vivid New England atmosphere. This slow-burning police procedural is set in the hot summer of 1965 as Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Vermont as a detective who is quickly summoned to investigate the fiery death of a remote farmer.
The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas
The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas is a gripping modern gothic story about a couple running from their own secrets while honeymooning in Greece. The initial eccentricities of the hotel and the people surrounding it give way to something much darker and nightmarish. When the couple is separated during a fierce storm, confronting their dark truths might be the only thing that can save them.
The Gathering by C.J. Tudor
A fast-paced story that will keep you hooked, C.J. Tudor’s The Gathering follows a detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska. This riveting novel about a superstitious town and the presence of a vampire colony will have you keeping a stash of garlic nearby… just in case.
Four Minutes by Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson
A techno-thriller from the bestselling duo behind the Sons of Valor series, Four Minutes is a mind-boggling story about an elite squad with access to tech that gives them a glimpse of the future. The catch? Each mission can only last four minutes. With high stakes and an unknown enemy thwarting their attempts to stop a future attack against America, the team wonders if four minutes is truly enough to change the future.
Holy City by Henry Wise
Holy City by Henry Wise is a captivating debut about a sheriff working alongside an unpredictable private detective when he refuses to turn a blind eye to an innocent man getting arrested for murder. Full of suspense and bold characters, this Southern gothic novel is a richly rendered tale of a rural Virginian community and the haunting impact of grief and hatred on a small town.