January Mystery/Thriller (1/26/23)

This month was packed with mysteries and thrillers! Within these pages you’ll find child heroes reuniting to uncover the truth, a small-town detective on the case even while on vacation, a gothic tale inspired by Romantic classics, a murder in an affluent New England suburb, a mysterious figure terrorizing children on Halloween, a man trying to prevent his grandson from making a life-altering mistake, a mother who won’t rest until her missing toddler is found, the final installment in a beloved series, and a return to a favorite amateur sleuth.

WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS BY KATE ALICE MARSHALL

2 starred reviews!

“Marshall does a terrific job of maintaining a palpable current of tension throughout the book, and her depictions of the intricately tangled relationships inherent in small-town life are excellent…Great writing and boldly drawn characters bring a terrifying tale to all-too-vivid life.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“In her debut adult thriller, YA and middle-grade author Marshall explores the complicated dynamics of childhood friendships and the powerful effect that memory has in shaping narratives…In a novel filled with emotional depth and convincing red herrings, Marshall delivers a propulsive mystery about trust, secrets, and friendships.”–Booklist, starred review

EXILES BY JANE HARPER

2 starred reviews!

“Bestseller Harper’s stellar third outing for Aaron Falk (after 2018’s FORCE OF NATURE) takes Falk, of the Australian Federal Police’s financial division, back to the town of Marralee, the site of a popular food and wine festival…Writing at the top of her game, Harper effectively uses whodunit tropes to explore her characters’ hidden lives.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Federal Agent Aaron Falk makes his third appearance (following FORCE OF NATURE) in another all-consuming mystery from Harper, who has introduced millions of readers worldwide to the land down under and its many landscapes, from drought-stricken towns to dense forests…Fans will relish Falk’s intuitive ‘spider sense’ moments here, and they will be amazed at the simultaneously shocking and tender ending.”–Booklist, starred review

THE VILLA BY RACHEL HAWKINS

2 starred reviews!

“Hawkins casts a sharp eye throughout to the way we construct stories about female artists—and the moral ambiguity inherent in creation and fame. The effect lingers like a shadow, or a creature, that endures past the final words. Hawkins manages to achieve the seemingly impossible: A Frankenstein-inspired novel that feels both fresh and unique.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Feminist themes, ruthlessness, and alluring settings forge links to Hawkins’ last thriller, RECKLESS GIRLS, but this story’s finely honed interplay of creative ambition and haunting sadness makes it a step above. Here, Hawkins pokes at the darker aspects of both true crime and self-help, and it works beautifully.”–Booklist, starred review

LOCUST LANE BY STEPHEN AMIDON

“Told in the voice of an omniscient narrator, who moves from character to character, Amidon’s compulsively readable, richly plotted crime novel is a tour de force that grabs readers’ attention and doesn’t let go until the final page. Read and enjoy.”–Booklist, starred review

ALL HALLOWS BY CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN

“Uneasy from the opening moments, this tale builds its tension relentlessly with multiple points of view from a range of neighbors of all ages—revealing unsettling domestic dramas—until it bursts wide open with numerous twists, each revealing something more violent and terrifying.”–Booklist, starred review

PICTURE IN THE SAND BY PETER BLAUNER

“Blauner tells this suspenseful story within the narrative framework of e-mails exchanged between Ali, now an old man in poor health, and his grandson, Alex, who has left their home in the United States to join modern-day Middle Eastern terrorists. Ali offers his own life story as an attempt to persuade his grandson against making the same mistakes he did at that age. This is historical fiction at its absolute best—heartfelt, anchored in real events, and extremely well told.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS BY STACY WILLINGHAM

“True crime’s trending appeal and Willingham’s mastery of the domestic mystery (A FLICKER IN THE DARK) promise popularity for this one…those who crave resolution will appreciate that Willingham tucks the story’s ends in tight.”–Booklist, starred review

THE MITFORD SECRET: A Mitford Murders Mystery BY JESSICA FELLOWES

“A fresh murder, which seems clearly linked to Joan’s fate, injects even more life into the cold case. Fellowes neatly balances period detail and fair cluing. Fans will be happy to see this series going out on a high note.”–Publishers Weekly

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN BY ELLE COSIMANO

“The plot moves fast, with lots of action and moments where readers will wonder how a situation will end. This book is the third in a series and relies a lot on the events of previous books. Readers who love fast-paced, action-packed mysteries should pick this up.”–Library Journal

WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS by Kate Alice Marshall; 9781250859884; available now
EXILES by Jane Harper; 9781250235350; 1/31/23
THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins; 9781250280015; available now
LOCUST LANE by Stephen Amidon; 9781250844231; available now
ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden; 9781250280299; available now
PICTURE IN THE SAND by Peter Blauner; 9781250851017; available now
ALL THE DANGEROUS THINGS by Stacy Willingham; 9781250803856; available now
THE MITFORD SECRET by Jessica Fellowes; 9781250819222; available now
FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN by Elle Cosimano; 9781250846037; 1/31/23