Mystery & Thriller bestsellers

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone

“A smart, funny mystery (read delightfully on audio by Barton Welch), that pokes fun at the genre while being a solid mystery. Clever and a lot of fun to read (or listen to!)”

Melissa, Watermark Books

How to Sell a Haunted House

“Remember that feeling of staying up late, reading a spooky Goosebumps book by flashlight under your blanket? How to Sell a Haunted House is kind of like that, but 100x more terrifying. Each element of this novel on its own is enough to give me nightmares (puppets, body horror, creepy children, etc), but combine them and you will never sleep again. Listening to this masterful horror novel had my yelling 'No, no, no, no, NO!' in public places. My heart rate tracker spiked while I was listening to it. I'm not sure how else to tell you to read this book if you're looking for a good old fashioned scare!”

Nicole, Bound to Happen Books

If you enjoyed Anxious People, then you’ll love The Thursday Murder Club.

“This is the coziest book I read all year. The characters are so kindly written, and their voices are funny and strong. I'm tempted to reread it for the good vibes alone.”

Alyson, WORD Bookstores

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • “A heartwarming mystery with a lovable oddball at its center” (Real Simple), this cozy whodunit introduces a one-of-a-kind heroine who will steal your heart.
 
FINALIST FOR THE EDGAR® AWARD • “The reader comes to understand Molly’s worldview, and to sympathize with her longing... Read more »

"[Longtime series narrator Angela] Dawe offers Cosimano's laugh-out-loud moments with just the right sparkle." —Audiofile

"Once again, much credit goes to narrator Angela Dawe for giving voice to our protagonist and making the audiobook a blast to listen to..."- Bibliosanctum

From USA Today bestseller and Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes...

“Readers will be wowed." –Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Wealth. Power. Murder. Magic. The Ivy League is going straight to hell in the sequel to the smash New York Times bestseller Ninth House from #1 bestselling author Leigh Bardugo.

"Bardugo’s imaginative reach is brilliant." –Stephen King

Find a gateway to the underworld. Steal a soul...

The Guest List

“The wild Irish setting was perfect for this Christie-esque whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end! This is a great listening experience as the cast of talented voice actors help tell the story from varied perspectives.”

Janet, Watermark Books

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

“This book is a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. From the quirky cast of characters to the less than traditional love story, this book will bloom in you and make you feel whole. Plus, the audiobook narrator is truly excellent!”

Leah, Scrawl Books

Ninth House

“The charter of the Leahy house is to manage and police the secret houses of the veil on the campus of Yale University. When a murder is connected to the magical activities of the houses, Galaxy Stern, Alex, the newest member of the Ninth House must find out what happened even if it means losing her place at Yale or her life. Ninth House grips you from the beginning and Alex is a wonderfully crafted edgy protagonist with deep scars. In the pretentious ivy league world Alex tenaciously pursues evil through unexpected twists and turns. If you like mystery and magic this is for you!”

Ellen, Avid Bookshop

Mexican Gothic

“Best book I have read this year. An amazing, gripping tale of a young woman in a strange old house. It's an epic ghost story mixed with some element for "Girl with all the Gifts." Compelling characters and a twist ending that will have you in the edge of your seat until the very end. 10/10 would recommend. ”

Tiffany, Leaves Book and Tea Shop

The Man Who Died Twice

“A perfect follow up to The Thursday Murder Club. Osman knocks the mystery out of the park again, and balances his characteristic dry wit with a tinge of pathos that gives the book life and depth.”

Marianne, East City Bookshop

The Woman in the Library

“I'd never thought of the term metafiction before, but in The Woman in the Library, Australian writer Sulari Gentill dives right into a recursive story of a writer, Hannah, writing a book about a writer, Winifred, who is writing a book and during a research trip to the Boston Public Library, becomes enmeshed in a murder investigation, using the people she encounters in her book. And then there's Leo, who Hannah is emailing chapters of the book to for comments. When Leo’s feedback becomes creepier and weirder, his story and the fictional mystery start to parallel each other, including a character also named Leo in Winifred’s story. Murders in two realities in one book; so intelligent and well constructed!”

Genevieve, A Great Good Place for Books

An instant New York Times bestseller!

"This is an absolute, can’t-put-it-down thriller...It’s truly a wild ride that had me flying through chapter after chapter—which I think is the perfect way to kick off your year of reading." —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Jan ’23 Pick)

Armed with only hazy memories, a woman who long ago witnessed her... Read more »

The Bandit Queens

“Murder and mayhem abound in a small Indian village, and I couldn’t get enough of it! With a delightful cast of characters and wonderful dark humor (because sometimes you have to laugh to keep from despairing), Parini Shroff paints an in-depth picture of life in 21st-century India. Through the eyes of the main character Geeta, her life and those of five other women are revealed for the reader’s examination. The intersections of gender, caste, and religion are clearly displayed as these women begin to fight against the societal expectations forced upon them. Although the details are specific to India, the overarching themes of power, gender, religion, and social status are sadly universal. I cheered these women on, feeling their anger and despair coupled with the hope they create for themselves. This novel was inspired by the story of Phoolan Devi, a former member of India’s parliament who was assassinated in 2001. I now also want to learn more about her and her legend.”

Nancy, Raven Book Store

The Violin Conspiracy

“I listened to the audiobook of Brendan Slocumb's The Violin Conspiracy and thoroughly enjoyed it. Though it is a mystery novel about a missing violin, and the mystery is pretty engaging, the primary appeal for me was a window into the life of a Black classical musician. Also loved learning, after I finished the audiobook, that Slocumb is not only a classical musician, but also an award winning teacher who works hard to make his students understand that music is for everyone.”

Kathy, Belmont Books

Age of Vice

“Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor is a Number 1 Indie Pick. It is a dark story of power set in India. The story is told from various perspectives, but the overarching theme shows the violence and corruption that comes from power and money. It could do good, but in many situations it has the opposite effect and it changes many lives throughout the tale.”

Ann, Dragon Tale Books

If you enjoyed The Woman in the Window, then you’ll love The Silent Patient.

“The Silent Patient is a suspenseful story that reads like a Greek tragedy, bursting with unknowns and sprinkled with exciting twists. It is a brilliant novel written by a man that certainly knows how to write something gripping and dramatic, perfect for readers that liked 'The Woman in the Window". At the center of the story is the mystery that is Alicia Berenson, an incredibly gifted painter that was convicted of murdering her husband six years before the start of the book. According to those close to the Berensons, Alicia and Gabriel had a great marriage and were happy together. Then one day Gabriel was tied to a chair and shot five times in the face. Alicia was found standing over his dead body, his blood splattered on her, and the murder weapon had only her fingerprints; it was enough to arrest her for the murder of her husband of seven years. The media circled over this story not because of the actual crime, but because Alicia stayed silent throughout the trial, not even to speak up in her own defense, and has not uttered a word for the past six years. This not only made her case known nationally, but it landed her in Grove Psychiatric Hospital instead of prison. Years have passed and people have forgotten about Alicia Berenson, everyone except Theo Faber, a troubled psychotherapist that has been obsessed with her case since the very beginning and believes he can help her. When a position opens at the declining Grove Psychiatric Hospital, Theo quits his better-paying job and jumps at the chance to finally work with Alicia and get to the bottom of why she has remained silent for the past six years. It is the chance of a lifetime for him. Alex Michaelides is a talented screenwriter that was inspired by a post graduate course in psychotherapy and working part-time at a secure psychiatric unit, meaning that the writing and structure of this debut novel is brilliantly done, and the story is layered with reality. An excellent read!”

Devin, McLean & Eakin Booksellers

THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Told in rotating points of view, this Tilt-A-Whirl of a novel brims with jangly tension – an undeniably engrossing guessing game.”  — Vogue

"[A] clever, cliff-hanger-filled thriller." — People

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment...

FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR JANE HARPER COMES EXILES, A CAPTIVATING MYSTERY ABOUT A MISSING MOTHER

“Once again Harper proves that she is peerless in creating an avalanche of suspense with intimate, character-driven set pieces...Harper’s legions of fans will exult in reading Exiles.”
—David Baldacci, #1 New York Times...

The Bullet That Missed

“Part of the beauty of this series is that one book leads into the next without any contrivances. This book is a dash darker and grittier than the previous ones. It examines the imperfect things we do for the people we love, and the sacrifices we make. It reminds us to be true to ourselves, and to not take life for granted. The mystery is full of new twists and turns in unexpected directions. The book is full of all the wit and cleverness, humor and tenderness of the previous ones. Most importantly it is an incredibly fun read, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself while spending time with these fantastic characters.”

Allie, Oblong Books

If you enjoyed The Paris Apartment, then you’ll love The Villa.

“I love it when I think an author has revealed all the juicy plot twists and I have figured out where the story is headed and solved the mystery, only to be surprised by more tantalizing twists and even more mysteries. Welcome to The Villa! Two lifelong friends, now both successful authors, head to Italy for a summer at a beautiful villa. As it turns out, the villa is famous for having been the scene of the murder of a young rock musician in 1974. Drawn into the story of that fateful summer, Emily begins to research. Clues she finds lead her on a path neither she nor her friend Chess expected for their summer, much as the group in 1974 did not expect the ending to their vacation. Unfolding in alternating chapters, the stories of the 1974 summer and this summer intertwine and twist in marvelously unexpected ways.”

Nancy, Raven Book Store

If you enjoyed One for the Money "International Edition", then you’ll love Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

“Overall, a really fun audiobook with an engaging Findlay Donovan, a romance writer. She’s a bit of a hot mess, with a missed deadline, 2 small (and bratty kids), overdue bills and a custody fight with a cheating ex-husband. A misunderstanding at a meeting with her agent, she unwittingly comes under contract to kill an abusive spouse. Hijinks ensue but she finds a friend in her former nanny and her writers block is conquered. If you enjoy Stephanie Plum or Izzy Spellman, you will enjoy this as well.”

Audrey, Belmont Books

From debut author Stacy Willingham comes a masterfully done, lyrical thriller, certain to be the launch of an amazing career. A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last chapter.

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the...

A World of Curiosities

“As I read the first page of the first Inspector Gamache book by Louise Penny, I knew I was going to love this writer and her Three Pines mysteries. The 18th installment, World of Curiosities, does not disappoint. This story is dark and complex, layered with history and meaning. The sense of a race against unspeakable evil kept me reading late into the night. And of course, all of the characters who live in Three Pines are on hand, especially Ruth Zardo, who provides comic relief but also poignant insight and weary knowledge of the human condition. Penny doesn’t spare the complications—there’s a lot to keep up with and clues and red herrings everywhere. She keeps her readers on their toes!”

Genevieve, A Great Good Place for Books

The Word is Murder

“When a healthy 60-year-old woman is found strangled in her London home the very day she had organized and paid for her own funeral, former police detective—now consultant—Daniel Hawthorne convinces author Anthony Horowitz to shadow his investigation to eventually publish this very story. Imagine sitting in a darkened English pub listening to Horowitz bemoaning his involvement as he tells the story of the unlikeable but captivating Hawthorne. Readers will quickly join in playing detective as characters, plot twists, clues, and red herrings escalate while enjoying the old-fashioned feel of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes in a modern setting. Delicious!”

Jennifer Gwydir, Blue Willow Bookshop

A December 2022 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick • International Bestseller

“Enthralling. . . . A remarkably powerful novel.” —The New York Times

In this brilliant novel from Donna Tartt, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Goldfinch, comes a richly textured and hypnotic story of golden youth corrupted by its own moral arrogance.

Richard Papen...

The It Girl

“It's been a while since I was so entrenched in a mystery that I stayed up late into the night to finish it. I couldn't put The It Girl down! Ruth Ware is one of my favorite contemporary mystery writers, up there with Tana French and Louise Penny. Hannah Jones was a student at Oxford University ten years ago when her best friend and roommate April was murdered. The story is told in alternating before and after chapters, building up the suspense to the very end. I love it when a writer can make a place into a character, and Ware made me long to be at Oxford, reminiscent of Brideshead Revisited in the school scenes. Bonus: Hannah works in a bookstore!”

Genevieve, A Great Good Place for Books

Notes on an Execution

“Notes on an Execution is a very compelling look at the psyche of a killer. The story is told both thru his eyes and thru the eyes of three woman in his life. I did not expect to like this book at all. From the beginning you know that the main character is a killer and as such should be totally repelling and unlikeable. But the articulate telling of the story and the philosophical questions posed made this a very unusual and riveting book to listen to. The narration was perfect!. I can just imagine the hours of discussion that it will elicit from book clubs.”

Nancy, Fiction Addiction

Firekeeper's Daughter

“Daunis Fontaine, a bi-racial Ojibwe-Italian-American girl has just graduated high school and has deferred enrollment at the University of Michigan to attend the local state school. She plans to spend more time with her best friend Lily, her ailing Grandmother, and her mom who was recently rocked by the sudden death of her brother, Daunis’ uncle. But then tragedy strikes, and Daunis is the eyewitness. And she is thrown headfirst into an FBI investigation of meth addiction and distribution within the reservation her family lives on and the greater Upper Peninsula area. A nuanced and compassionate look at addiction and the justice system and the risks one girl takes to help her friends, her community, and herself. The truth is a tangled web that it seems only Daunis is willing to carefully pick apart to not only expose the criminals but heal the victims as well. A little bit of romance, a little bit thriller, a whole bunch of hockey, STEM nerds, Firekeeper’s Daughter was engaging and gripping. PS I desperately need an Auntie spin-off.”

Cassie, Wellesley Books

Daisy Darker

“I queued up Daisy Darker on my Libro.fm app as I was setting out on an 11-hour solo road trip. As I suspected, it was the perfect pick. Alice Feeney's newest is: 1) a page-turner (track-advancer? whatever the audiobook equivalent is); 2) deliciously creepy, but with a scenario so particular that you won't worry about anything in the novel happening to you; 3) nearly the exact length of the drive from South Florida to North Georgia. The only thing that would've made it more entertaining? Having a travel buddy with whom I could have exchanged outlandish whodunit theories.”

Janet, Avid Bookshop

The Sentence is Death

“Another fine mystery from Mr. Horowitz! The second installment of the modern day Sherlock & Watson duo is just as delightful as the first. Follow Mr Horowitz as he tries to outsmart, or even catch up to, the dazzling Hawthorne. Full of authenticity and warmth this mystery will have you guessing right up until the final pages!”

Genavieve, Books & Company

If you enjoyed And Then There Were None, then you’ll love Magpie Murders.

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

Tricia, Mostly Books

The Witch Elm

“Reading Tana French means disappearing into another life for a while. Her stories aren’t meant to be slick or flashy, but deliberate, intricate studies of characters and their motivations. The Witch Elm is no different, as it follows the unraveling of Toby starting the night he surprises two burglars in his apartment. As you learn the secrets and weaknesses of Toby and his family, you begin to realize that while finding out what happened is enjoyable and surprising, finding out the how and the why is even better.”

Tyler Goodson, Avid Bookshop

The Cabin at the End of the World

“Wen and her dads are taking a break from everything by visiting a remote cabin for vacation. Wen is studying grasshoppers in their yard when a man comes up and warns her that she and her dads are going to have to make a decision. And that’s about all I can tell you without spoiling the story. This book was so creepy, in a very good way. I’d classify this as horror, but very realistic.”

Jennifer Jones, Bookmiser

Better the Blood

“Intense thriller with important history of colonization in Auckland, NZ and it's on-going effect on the brave, proud, and spiritual Maori people. Loved the thrill of the search for a serial killer by Hana Westerman, as well as the complexities of a mixed race family in current times. Author Michael Bennett does a beautiful job of creating empathy/understanding for characters - both 'good' and 'bad'. Readers Miriama McDowell and Richard Te Are were fantastic. Enjoyed on so many levels.”

Kappy, HearthFire Books and Treats

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

“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!”

Cindy Pauldine, The River's End Bookstore

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

“CHILLS. This book was AMAZING. Experiencing the twists and turns of this case along side Pip and taking risks along side of her sucked me into the audiobook. I particularly enjoyed how all of her logs, interviews, and case notes were laid out throughout the story. Each interview sounded like something straight from a true-crime documentary. Pip was relentless in her pursuit of the truth, and the ending had me gasping and on the edge of my seat.”

Sam, Bright Side Bookshop

“Grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go until you reach the end. A riveting tale about marriage, trust, and secrets.” —Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

A husband’s disappearance links two couples in this twisty thriller from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica

Jake Hayes is missing. This... Read more »

The Cloisters

“The Cloisters by Katy Hays is what I imagine Mary Shelley might write if she lived in the 21st century. There are elements of horror, a little romance, an eerie setting, characters that will keep you guessing, and an ending you won't see coming. But more than that, The Cloisters seems to play with a lot of the same themes that Mary Shelley did - ambition and fallibility, romanticism in nature, dangerous knowledge, secrecy, and isolation. But where Shelley writes about what makes us human (or not), Hays writes about what agency we have as humans. Do we have free will? Or is everything just fate? Come tiptoe through the hushed hallways of The Cloisters, teeming with dark academia that whispers ancient secrets from the shadows. Mysteries smolder at the edges. What begins as a slow burn will have you holding your breath as you race to the end. The Cloisters is chock full of art history, architectural delights, and occult vibes.”

Emily, The Violet Fox Bookshop

In Still Life, bestselling author Louise Penny introduces Monsieur L'Inspecteur Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec, a modern Poirot who anchors this beloved traditional mystery series

Winner of the New Blood Dagger, Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony, and Dilys awards.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surêté du Québec and his team of...

The Once and Future Witches

“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!”

Carrie Deming, Dog Ear Books

Station Eternity

“Bonkers, in a really great way. A satisfying murder mystery set in an intriguing first-contact setting. I'm looking forward to where the series goes next.”

Robin, Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train, then you’ll love Locust Lane.

“Locust Lane is a twisty and suspenseful thriller made even better by absolutely stellar narrating! A little Girl On The Train mixed with some Little Fires Everywhere when a young woman turns up dead, three high school students were there, and everyone has a secret, but no one is talking. This book had me looking for household chores to do, just so that I could keep listening!”

Mary, Skylark Bookshop

The brilliant novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Louise Penny, one of the most acclaimed crime writers of our time

No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Quebec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. They grow vegetables, they tend...

The Hollow Places

“I do not recommend listening to this audiobook while driving down the Pike in the dark after your shift at the bookstore because this is one of the most creepy, terrifying books I’ve ever listened to. While horror is not my usual genre, the main characters were so relatable and endearing that I had to follow them to the end. Even when I was yelling at my car speakers when they couldn’t see what was right in front of them. Kara, or "Carrot" as she is know by her uncle, is a freshly-divorced 30-something who has managed to find mostly-stable ground working and living at her uncle’s curios museum, the Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities, and Taxidermy in North Carolina. And then she finds a hole in the wall. Which leads to a hallway that shouldn’t be physically possible. Which leads to a locked bunker with a body inside. Which leads to a new world, filled with water, and bunkers, and willow trees. But of course, there’s much more than meets the eye. With more curiosity than common sense, Kara and her best friend, Simon decide to explore. And discover the meaning of the ominous graffiti they find, "Pray they are hungry." If you, too, wish you could celebrate Halloween year-round, this is the book for you.”

Cassie, Wellesley Books

Rock Paper Scissors

“A couple whose marriage is on the rocks, escapes to the Highlands of Scotland to reconnect. At the end of the holiday, they’ll either stay together, or part for good. Shout out to Scotland for providing the atmospheric chills, but then all remaining credit soundly goes to Feeney. This was a cracking good read with an EXQUISITELY delivered reveal! I haven’t been this surprised by a novel in ages! I highly recommend the audio version of this book. Let me shout that a bit louder for those of you in the back: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOOOOOK!!!! ”

Kathy, The Well-Read Moose

Harlem Shuffle

“A wonderful evocation of a time and place, which is not to say it doesn't have the tension of a crime thriller. It's fun to ride along with Ray, who may be more than a little bent, but will likely become your favorite furniture salesman, nevertheless.”

Robin, Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West

This Tender Land

“Historical fiction in the hands of a genius storyteller. A band of vagabond children on an epic journey to find their way during the great depression. Their search for home, for peace, for family, for identity is one of the most beautiful stories I have read in a very long time. This is Mark Twain meets Dickens, and then some. Extensively researched and eloquently told, this is storytelling at its finest. Yes, I used the word “storytelling” twice. But there is no better example of this beautiful art form. The only thing missing is a crackling fire and a creaking rocker, as this tale unfolds. “Lucky us”, as Mose would say.”

Robin, Watermark Books

The Murder at the Vicarage is Agatha Christie’s first mystery to feature the beloved investigator Miss Marple—as a dead body in a clergyman’s study proves to the indomitable sleuth that no place, holy or otherwise, is a sanctuary from homicide.

Miss Marple encounters a compelling murder mystery in the sleepy little village of St. Mary Mead, where...

Voted by the British Crime Writers’ Association as the "Best Crime Novel of all Time"

Hercule Poirot comes out of retirement in one of Agatha Christie’s ten favorite novels, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been...