Mystery & Thriller bestsellers

“A chilling and atmospheric thriller that is just brimming with atmosphere! The Sanatorium finds a troubled detective trapped in a resort hotel that used to be a sanatorium, searching for a would be serial killer amidst a snowstorm that has cut them off from civilization. Elizabeth Knowelden gives great voice to Elin and the rest of the characters, making this a definite recommendation on audio!”

“Tangled secrets and dark, haunting pasts unravel at the posh wedding of celebrities Will and Jules. As the tension mounted and more was revealed, I couldn’t stop listening until I knew not only “whodunnit”, but to whom it was done. Foley tells her tale from alternating viewpoints, bringing us gradually and suspensefully into the minds and hearts of her characters. A riveting psychological thriller and murder mystery, The Guest List presents a story as dark as the stormy remote island on which it unfolds.”

“I was much anticipating Jane Harper's newest work and it certainly did not disappoint. All her books fulfill their objective: exciting, hold-your-breathe thrillers with complicated characters and emotions. I've listened to them all on audio and they have cemented Stephen Shanahan as one of my favorite narrators. His smooth, sexy Australian accent adds so much to the books and allows me to escape for the many hours I listen. Shanahan's voice keeps me totally engrossed and listening becomes my only objective for the next few days. When I got The Survivors from Libro.fm, I literally dropped everything else I was reading and doing so I could immerse myself in this story. My all time favorite thing about Harper's books is her sense of place. Sure, her human characters are fun and complicated but her choice of setting is the true star of the show. The angry sea and the mysterious caves combine for a super thrilling locale, adding to the excitement of the book. ”

“Witty and sharp and twisty, this mystery will be just your cup of tea! At a posh retirement community, an elderly group of crime enthusiasts meet on Thursdays to go over old cold cases. When several current murders happen practically on their front stoop, these silver haired sleuths start digging for clues. There are a lot of secrets and hidden motives to unearth, which will keep the reader guessing until the last page. The narration by Lesley Manville is superb!”

“Alix Harrow’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January was my favorite book last year, so I had incredibly high expectations when I picked up The Once and Future Witches. This book is very different, but I adore it just as much! Set in the late 1800s in a world with a slightly alternate history from ours, women are fighting for the vote and losing. Three wayward sisters decide to challenge the patriarchy by bringing back witchcraft. Told through familiar stories twisted in new ways, this book is incredible. You will not be able to put it down, from the beautifully written introduction to the pulse-pounding ending!”

“This is not a trite story of redemption. It ends with a reunion, perhaps the only meaningful kind of reunion, though it changes nothing. There are dozens of kinds of heartbreak, and none of them are mended in any conventional way. Characters who seemed cruel and characters who seemed incorruptible turn out, in dozens of ways, to be more alike than different, but without cynicism and without sentimentalism. And one perfectly timed revelation at the very end gives two characters precisely the resolution they craved, though the revelation neither draws them together nor has a similar effect on them both. And yet—and yet—this is a book exactly and precisely about redemption, maybe the only kind that ever really makes a positive difference in the world, and it gives hope specifically by showing how multiple lives continue from a crisis into a livable future. Beautifully described, unexpected, and powerful, this is the ghost story we need now.”

“This modern reimagining of Jane Eyre tells the story of Jane, a young woman with a secretive past living under an assumed name who works as a dog walker in a luxurious subdivision of Birmingham, Alabama, and has a penchant for stealing from her wealthy employers. When she meets the charming, rich, and recently widowed Eddie Rochester, who has his own dark secrets, they begin a whirlwind romance. But what really happened to Eddie’s first wife, the glamorous, self-made millionaire Bea? Told from multiple points of view, this twisty, suspenseful take on a classic novel is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.”

“Anthony Horowitz has done it again! With Moonflower Murders, he has crafted another superlative, page-turning, cunning, book-within-a-book mystery chock full of clues (and red herrings), featuring the appealing former editor Susan Ryeland from Magpie Murders. Terrifically engaging, smart, and fun, this book is practically impossible to put down. Don’t miss it!”

“When Theo Faber starts his new job at the Grove, a forensic psychiatric hospital, he is determined to work with the famous painter Alicia Berenson, who allegedly murdered her husband. What follows is a tale that will grip you and keep you guessing. With the incredible voice talent of Jack Hawkins, the audiobook elicits the feeling of something very slowly creeping up your spine, and will have you gripping your seat with anxiety throughout. An expansive cast of characters populates this novel, all with intricate connections and relationships, all with dark secrets of their own, making anyone and everyone a suspect. The ending twist was so intense and so unexpected, I had to pause the narration for a moment to scream and gather myself before I could move on. I highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who wants to explore the dark and twisted corners of the human psyche.”

“This is such a fun romp! It has everything you could possibly want in a book: field hockey, witches, and ’80s bangs that have literally taken on a life of their own. Set in Salem in the 1980s, we follow a group of high school field hockey players as they struggle with their new dark powers and attempt to end their losing streak. One of the strangest, most satisfying books I have read in a long time!”

“This is a must-read thriller rooted deeply in Brooklyn and its racist past. As the neighborhood makes plans for the annual block party, Sydney ends up battling more than the microaggressions from her new white neighbors. When her best friends go missing, her mom's prized garden is threatened, and a fake meter reader breaks into her home, she will put everything on the line to get out alive. At least she's got a semi-charming, well-meaning Theo by her side.”

“Even when the world gets back to normal, you'll never trust your coworkers again. Snoop, a hot tech company that gives music fans the ability to follow along with what others are listening to in real time, is built around the pleasures of voyeurism. But what if the person you think you know has a hidden past? When an avalanche hits and confines these coworkers to a fancy chalet, they'll be picked off one by one as the killer fights to keep their secrets hidden from peering eyes.”

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is an addictive, impossible to put down crime thriller. Jackson’s debut is tightly plotted and filled with wonderful twists. The format of the novel allows you to feel like you are part of the investigation, alongside the great cast of characters. This is a very fun listen start to finish.”

“Set in England, story and writing reminiscent of Christie. Wonderful!”

“I really liked this book until the ending, and then I absolutely loved it. You will ask yourself several times who is the victim and who is the villain.”

“This book made me cry. I felt so deeply for Sadie as she goes in search of the man who hurt her sister. Sadie goes on a journey from place to place, fighting against her severe stutter along the way, all to find one man. I think the framing of this story was PERFECT. The author splits the narrative between a radio presenter, West McCray, as he investigates Sadie’s disappearance, and the first person perspective of Sadie herself, as she hunts down her sister’s killer. If you like gripping, emotional reads, don't miss this one.”

“Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party is a slick, streamlined murder mystery set on a remote Scottish luxury estate. A group of old friends get together for their yearly New Year’s trip, but after over a decade of closeness, some of them may be near the breaking point. Foley uses the multiple-narrator approach to distort the reader’s perspective and challenge their assumptions, but it doesn’t feel excessive. With multiple puzzles that come together to create the bigger picture and a short timeline that adds to the claustrophobic urgency, this novel is a devilishly thrilling winter read.”

“The audio version of one of Christie's lesser known works, Murder Is Easy is just the ticket for listening during a pandemic. The magnificent reader manages 15-plus voices, giving character and individuality to each. Also, the mystery is set in a small English village, and the retired police detective gets help from Marple-esque little old ladies. Delicious escapism.”

“The literary world received quite a shock in 2013 when it was revealed that Robert Galbraith, who recently published a well-reviewed mystery novel entitled The Cuckoo's Calling, was none other than J.K. Rowling - author of the Harry Potter series - writing under a pseudonym. Sales skyrocketed, and Potter fans who picked up the book entered a world very different from Harry's, but filled nonetheless with rich characters and storytelling. The Cuckoo's Calling focuses on Cormoran Strike, a private investigator and disabled war veteran who takes up the case of a supermodel who fell to her death in an apparent suicide. Urged by her adopted brother to take a closer look, Strike and his new - but surprisingly adept - temporary secretary Robin delve into the glamorous, high-pressure world of fashion to uncover a darker truth. Cormoran's world is more adult and less magical than Harry's, but I felt the same intrigue and thrill while reading his story. After all, Rowling wove great mysteries into the Potter novels. I recommend this book to all Harry Potter fans who grew up, but still feel the urge to get lost in a world of words.”

“The work of a master storyteller about the making of a young storyteller, This Tender Land is a coming-of-age novel for the ages. It begins in an isolated Dickensian boarding school in Minnesota during the early years of the Depression, then morphs into the story of four runaways in a canoe à la Huckleberry Finn. On the run from their school headmistress and the law, they encounter other wanderers and escapees from life as they canoe towards St. Louis to find their only known relative and a possible home. Odie, his brother Albert, their schoolmate Mose, and newly orphaned Emmy are unforgettable characters in an unforgiving era. Epic, thrilling, and beautifully written, this is storytelling at its very best.”

“Malcolm Kershaw is an unassuming bookseller who once wrote a list of the eight most perfect literary murders. He is surprised when the FBI shows up at his door and explains that someone is using this list and recreating the murders. With perfect pacing and shocking twists, this is a murder mystery with a classic feel that will leave you questioning how well you can know anyone. It will also add eight more books to your to-be-read pile as you will immediately need to read all the books on the perfect murder list!”

“Janina is an eccentric middle-aged woman who translates William Blake, studies astrology, and is acutely attuned to the wilderness around her in rural Poland. When hunters and poachers begin to be gruesomely murdered, Janina informs the police that the animals are responsible. As the bodies mount, so does her involvement with the mystery, although her status as a crank and possible madwoman ensures that she’s ignored. This is an extraordinary and disturbing tale — a mystery that becomes more complex as the story continues, accompanied by Janina’s often witty observations on man, nature, justice, and identity. The ending of this hard-to-categorize novel, a finalist for the 2019 Man Booker International Prize, will knock the breath out of you. Don’t miss this excellent translated work from an award-winning writer!”

“A burglary gone awry, a near-perfect life destroyed, a mind torn. Toby is caring for his dying uncle and finding himself again. When a skull is found in the wych elm, it seems that a decades-old murder may tear apart a family and Toby himself, as he tries to piece together what happened—and what he might have done. A haunting novel portrayed by a narrator unreliable to himself.”

“Paraic O’Donnell leavens the dark foreboding of a truly sinister, otherworldly mystery with distinctively clever storytelling and a decidedly marvelous cast of characters. You are in the best of hands with Inspector Cutter and Gideon Bliss on the case, along with the intrepid and resourceful reporter Octavia Hillingdon. Beautifully done!”

“Alice Fenney has done it again. His & Hers is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up at night. There are three POVs - Anna, a TV broadcaster, Jack - her ex-husband who also happens to be a detective, and the killer. I became entranced with all three personalities and found myself glued to their words which subtlely dropped clues. As I tried to put the puzzle pieces together, I became more confused with the effort. This thriller is jam-packed with suspense and twists. It is the perfect book for a long flight - the time will fly by. The narration is superb.”

“The Woman in the Window is being touted as one of the hottest releases of early 2018, and with excellent reason. A modern take on Hitchcock's Rear Window, with many nods to classic noir film, A.J. Finn's debut novel is told through the eyes of a narrator trapped inside her beautiful house by a severe case of agoraphobia and separated from her estranged husband and young daughter. She copes with her condition by spying on her neighbors and living vicariously through their drama, until the night she witnesses what appears to be a murder and finds herself swept up in its wake. Once this story gets rolling, it will bowl you over. Fans of psychological thrillers should take note of this banger of a tale!”

“A murder has happened at the esteemed Blackheath House. Or, rather a murder will happen every night--the same night played over again-- at Blackheath House until our protagonist Aiden Bishop breaks the cycle. Every repeated day, Aiden must unravel a little more of the mystery surrounding the Hardcastle manor and its inhabitants in attempt to solve and prevent the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. But for every day that starts over, Aiden wakes up in a different guest's body. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle simultaneously evokes a classic Agatha Christie novel while also providing an utterly original take the genre. A bold and innovative novel that will keep you reading late into the night to find out the ending!”

“Ruth Ware is back and at her dazzling best with The Turn of the Key. This arresting tribute to Henry James set in modern-day remote Scotland posts a nanny in a ‘smart house’ with several recalcitrant children and a garden full of poisonous plants. Who do you trust when everyone seems to be hiding something? Readers will be reading with all the lights on as they race to the climactic ending to see just who is minding who in this engaging summer thriller.”

“I was hesitant to even start this. Yet another psychological domestic thriller, unreliable narrators, husband with secrets who disappears, etc, etc. Hasn't that been done over and over? Believe me when I say it has never been done like this! Molloy teases us and taunts us as she very slowly reveals the facts about the Statler's marriage and about what kind of person Sam really is. None of which will prepare you for the chilling ending.”

“Behind Her Eyes took me totally by surprise. From the beginning I knew it was the story of a very disturbed person, but which one was the sick one? I knew something happened in the past that was driving two of the main characters, and I thought I was discovering the truth about the past - but, boy, was I wrong. A very dark and eerie psychological thriller of love and obsession that you will not be able to put down until you discover the truth.”

“This series just gets better as it progresses. A big part of it is the character development and the big arcs in the story telling. Here, we get much more about Dodson and Deronda. There were some definite laugh-out-loud scenes with Dodson and his mother in law, as he tries to figure out how to code switch. Seeing both these characters grow throughout the series has been so satisfying. The mystery in this book, with IQ is good, as IQ tries to heal from his past trauma. But be forewarned, while the mystery does wrap up, there is a doozy of an ending.”