Category: thriller
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, family, fiction, murder, murder mystery, mystery, police drama, police procedural, review, secrets, thriller
Open to Death by Sophie Mattis a DI Rena Hunt Mystery Book #1
In the picturesque town of Rucklesby, peace is shattered when a young woman is found brutally murdered in her home. Detective Inspector Serena “Rena” Hunt is called to the scene, still haunted by her last case and questioning her instincts. The victim, Sicily Avery—a wife and mother—has been stabbed through the heart with chilling precision. When another woman is killed in the same way, … Read More Open to Death by Sophie Mattis a DI Rena Hunt Mystery Book #1
+ crime fiction, Detective novel, fiction, murder, police drama, police procedural, review, satanism, thriller
The Midnight Killer by Jez Pinfold
Detective Bec Pope is waiting in Heathrow departures when the call comes in: a body has been found in a quiet Bloomsbury cemetery. Her long-overdue holiday is over before it begins. It’s no ordinary crime scene. The smartly-dressed young man hasn’t just been murdered. The killer has left a message – a pentagram, brutally carved into the dead man’s chest. Then a second victim … Read More The Midnight Killer by Jez Pinfold
Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon Cover Reveal
As the clock ticks towards the millennium – and the threat of a potentially new apocalyptic reality – Jonny Murphy is sent to investigate the discovery of a child’s body on a deserted swamp island, fifty miles from London. What he finds is more than just a tragedy, it’s a warning. Something big is coming … Can Jonny stop it? Should he? London, Christmas 1999. The world … Read More Blackwater by Sarah Sultoon Cover Reveal
+ childhood, family, fiction, grief, Italy, loss, love, Magical realism, marriage, murder, review, secrets, supernatural, thriller
The Unravelling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline
When Julia’s husband is brutally murdered in a random attack, her life unravels in ways she never could have foreseen. Haunted by his death and spiraling into despair, Julia seeks refuge in a secluded Italian villa she has mysteriously inherited from a stranger. But her sanctuary becomes a prison as she uncovers disturbing connections to her own past – and faces chilling threats that … Read More The Unravelling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline
+ crime fiction, dark humour, feel-good, gothic, gothic horror, Gothic mystery, Historical fiction, humour fiction, List, Magical realism, murder mystery, mystery, supernatural, superstition, thriller, Victorian Britain
My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Two
Here are my favourite ten books of 2025 Part Two, including audiobooks, as I haven’t listened to enough to have their own post this quarter. Again quite a disparate selection. The Cure by Eve Smith I’m so out of my comfort zone here. Firstly, I don’t usually read speculative fiction, sci-fi or dystopian future novels. And secondly, I don’t think this is entirely fiction, … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part Two
The Empathist by Alex Franklyn readalong
To the outside world, Amy has it all—her own home, a thriving career, and a seemingly perfect life. But behind the façade, she’s running from a past she doesn’t remember… a past that’s been locked away for years. Medication has kept the memories buried, numbing the pain with a side effect she’s come to embrace. But when her father’s death triggers a series of … Read More The Empathist by Alex Franklyn readalong
+ crime fiction, fiction, murder, police corruption, police drama, police procedural, review, thriller, USA
Shatter Creek by Rod Reynolds
Hampstead County Police Department is embroiled in scandal after corruption at the top of the force was exposed. Cleared of involvement and returned to active duty, Detective Sergeant Casey Wray nonetheless finds herself at a crossroads when it becomes clear that not everyone believes she’s innocent. Partnered with rookie Billy Drocker, Casey works a shocking daytime double homicide in downtown Rockport with the two … Read More Shatter Creek by Rod Reynolds
The Mistake by MJ Arlidge and Lisa Hall
In this family, everyone is telling lies. Pete never wanted another child. Before baby Erin was born, they were happy. If Natalie hadn’t got pregnant, he would never have done what he did. Natalie knows things have been difficult since the surprise arrival of Erin. Life with Pete and their two other children – Emily and Zadie – has been balancing on a knife-edge. … Read More The Mistake by MJ Arlidge and Lisa Hall
Sixty Is The New Assassin by Shesh
WAS AN ASSASSIN’S ROLE AKIN TO A CEO’S ROLE? BOTH NEEDED SOME SUSPENSION OF MORALITY, A WILLINGNESS TO DO THINGS THAT MOST WOULD NOT, OR COULD NOT. After retiring from active corporate life, sixty-year-old Ishmael Dollah keeps himself busy with regular runs around the city, tennis at the club and his book club meets. Life is good—a bit staid maybe, but good. That is … Read More Sixty Is The New Assassin by Shesh
The Cure by Eve Smith
LIVING FOREVER CAN BE LETHAL… Ruth is a law-abiding elder, working out her national service, but she hassecrets. Her tireless research into the disease that killed her young daughter had an unexpected outcome: the discovery of a vaccine against old age. Just one jab a year reverses your biological clock, guaranteeing a long, healthy life. But Ruth’s cure was hijacked by her colleague, Erik … Read More The Cure by Eve Smith
The People Next Door by Kate Braithwaite
Twenty years ago, Jen’s sister disappeared. Now, she’s looking for answers. Jen Silver has moved to a new neighbourhood in affluent, suburban Pennsylvania with her partner, Dan, and her daughter. It’s a picture-perfect neighbourhood where the residents hang out on each other’s patios drinking margaritas on warm summer nights. They eagerly welcome Jen and her family. But Jen isn’t who they think she is. … Read More The People Next Door by Kate Braithwaite
+ crime fiction, folklore, Historical fiction, List, murder mystery, Nordic noir, Scandi noir, supernatural, superstition, thriller, World War Two, WW2
My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part One
Here are my favourite ten books of 2025 Part One, not counting audiobooks. Quite a disparate selection for a change. Audiobooks to follow. Late Venetian by GN Lawson If you are looking for a fast paced thriller, Late Venetian is not for you. But it’s already one of my favourite books of 2025 so far. I’m not sure why – maybe because the two main characters … Read More My Top 10 Books of 2025 – Part One
Bookchatter@Cookiebiscuit 