Book List

Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2019

  • FICTION

    THE BITTERROOTS

    AUG. 13, 2019

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

THE BITTERROOTS

by C.J. Box

An appealing new heroine, a fast-moving plot, and a memorably nightmarish family make this one of Box’s best. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY

    OCT. 15, 2019

FICTION

YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY

by Steph Cha

Cha’s storytelling shows how fiction can delicately extract deeper revelations from daily headlines. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    BAD AXE COUNTY

    JULY 9, 2019

FICTION

BAD AXE COUNTY

by John Galligan

Striking prose, engaging characters, and a searing story of crimes rooted in the heartland power a darkly irresistible... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE LOST MAN

    FEB. 5, 2019

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

THE LOST MAN

by Jane Harper

A twisty slow burner by an author at the top of her game. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    DECEPTION COVE

    MAY 21, 2019

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

DECEPTION COVE

by Owen Laukkanen

Laukkanen’s thrillers go beyond bloodshed and giving bad guys their due. His protagonists show a level of humanity that... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    LADY IN THE LAKE

    JULY 23, 2019

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

LADY IN THE LAKE

by Laura Lippman

The racism, classism, and sexism of 50 years ago wrapped up in a stylish, sexy, suspenseful period drama about a newsroom... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    HEAVEN, MY HOME

    SEPT. 17, 2019

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

HEAVEN, MY HOME

by Attica Locke

Locke’s advancement here is so bracing that you can’t wait to discover what happens next along her East Texas highway. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    KNIFE

    JULY 9, 2019

FICTION

KNIFE

by Jo Nesbø ; translated by Neil Smith

The darkest hour yet for a detective who pleads, “The only thing I can do is investigate murders. And drink”—and a... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE FRAGILITY OF BODIES

    SEPT. 19, 2019

MYSTERY & DETECTIVE

THE FRAGILITY OF BODIES

by Sergio Olguín ; translated by Miranda France

An unusual, intoxicating thriller from Argentina that casts deeper and deeper shadows. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL

    JULY 23, 2019

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL

by Michael Robotham

Robotham is a master plotter at the top of his form, and readers will surely hope to see more of his complicated new... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE CHESTNUT MAN

    SEPT. 3, 2019

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

THE CHESTNUT MAN

by Søren Sveistrup ; translated by Caroline Wright

A tantalizing, un-put-down-able novel by an instant master of the form. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >
  • FICTION

    THE STRANGER INSIDE

    SEPT. 17, 2019

THRILLER & SUSPENSE

THE STRANGER INSIDE

by Lisa Unger

Surviving a crime is the beginning of the story, not the end, in this astute, engrossing thriller. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

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