Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Title: Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto

Genre: Mystery

Vera Wong owns a tea shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. She experiences little excitement in her daily life until the morning she finds a man dead in her shop. Unimpressed by the police who fail to sip the lovely tea she prepared for them, she decides to solve the mystery herself. After all, she has seen plenty of episodes of CSI. Shortly after the body appears, several newcomers arrive, and Vera determines they must be her prime suspects. As she gets closer to them, though, can she really believe one of them could be responsible for a man's death? This charming, funny tale will have you dialing your favorite auntie by the end.

- Sarah

Check out Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers  by Jesse Q. Sutanto @ the library!

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

Title: Miracle Creek

Author: Angie Kim

Genre: Mystery

One day during a routine therapeutic treatment in the Miracle Submarine oxygen chamber, an accident injures children and their caregivers—and some do not survive. Did the young mother accused of murder intentionally cause the explosion, or is someone else responsible? In this suspenseful story told from multiple points of view, it seems everyone is hiding something. The courtroom thriller adds emotional depth through thoughtful explorations of the challenges of parents of kids with special needs, as well as immigrants adapting to a new country and culture. An excellent read!

- Sarah L.

Check out Miracle Creek by Angie Kim @ the library!

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Title: The Guest List

Author: Lucy Foley

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

A remote island is the scene for the wedding of a TV reality star and a magazine publisher. They are surrounded by boyhood mates, past flings, less-than-supportive parents, and other sundry people. Despite the storm that keeps them isolated and threatens to dump on them all, they are having a killer time. Of course one person takes that a little too far. When a body is discovered, can anyone really be let off the hook? Motives abound and this one will keep you guessing.

This book was a Goodreads Choice 2020 Winner for the Mystery & Thriller category. Read it to see if you agree.

- Sarah R.

Check out The Guest List by Lucy Foley @ the library!

One by One by Ruth Ware

Title: One by One

Author: Ruth Ware

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

If you want a thriller with an And Then There Were None vibe, give Ruth Ware's One by One a try. Set in a ski chalet high in the French Alps, a tech start-up's retreat takes a nasty turn when an avalanche hits isolating the guests and staff. Can the cook and housekeeper keep it together long enough for help to find its way to them or will they all disappear, one by one?

- Sarah R.

Check out One by One by Ruth Ware @ the library!

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

Title: Troubled Blood

Author: Robert Galbraith

Genre: Mystery

If you enjoyed previous books in the Cormoran Strike series, you will likely appreciate the latest installment, Troubled Blood. The primary mystery sees Strike and his partner at the detective agency, Robin Ellacott, investigate a 40-year-old cold case involving a missing woman. But the duo must also juggle other cases, learn to deal with new colleagues they hired to help with the workload, and grapple with personal concerns. We learn more about Strike’s connection to Cornwall, where an aunt and uncle partly raised him, and we watch Robin grow confident in her detecting skills even as she gets dismissed by various men around her. We know Strike and Robin will solve the disappearance of Margot Bamborough by the book’s end, but the real mystery is this: will they finally acknowledge their feelings for each other?

- Sarah L.

Check out Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith @ the library!

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Mexican Gothic

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic Horror, Mystery

Mexican Gothic is a very moody and dark novel, suspenseful and a little spooky. It does contain some horror-genre elements, so be aware of that too. Main character Noemi receives a strange and erratic letter from her cousin Catalina, so she heads out to Catalina's husband's estate to check things out. Set in the 1950s in a small town in Mexico, the book's setting is fantastic, full of atmosphere and just the right amount of fog.

Strange things begin to happen to Noemi, and Catalina's new family is utterly bizarre, with very specific rules to follow while she is visiting. The book moves along as a standard psychological thriller might, but then about two thirds of the way in it gets really, really odd (don't say I didn't warn you!) but odd in a way that compels you to keep reading! Needless to say, this ends up being one really weird book, but in a very unique way. The perfect novel to dig into this fall or winter when you could use a change of scenery, even if that scenery is nightmarish!

- Jamie

Check out Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia @ the library!

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

Title: The Sun Down Motel

Author: Simone St. James

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

The Sun Down Motel is a suspenseful read that alternates between two time periods, 1982 and present day. Viv works as a night clerk at the hotel in 1982 until she mysteriously disappears. Her niece, Carly, in present day tries to unravel what happened to her aunt, leading her down a twisty road to solving the mystery. Creepy things happen some nights at the motel, and both Viv and Carly meet interesting characters throughout the book. You never are quite sure if these characters are quite who they seem. If you're looking for a spooky book to read this fall, give The Sun Down Motel a shot!

- Jamie

Check out The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James @ the library!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Genre: Fiction

Kya was abandoned by everyone she had loved, one by one they left her. It was the marsh that became her family. She knew every inch of the marsh and rarely bonded with anyone more than the gulls. She was labeled the "Marsh Girl" and outcast from society. When a the local star quarterback is found dead with what looks like a murder cover-up the townsfolk immediately accuse Kya. Will their prejudice condemn her to life in jail or even death?
This book has vivid descriptions of the marsh and thoughtful portrayals of what it is like to be an outsider. I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
- Gina

Check out Where the Crawdads Sing @ the library!

What Rose Forgot by Nevada Barr

Title: What Rose Forgot
Author: Nevada Barr
Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Imagine waking up and not knowing where you're at or why you're in a hospital gown. 

That's what happens to Rose after she's had a bout of the flu. She's been committed to a ward for dementia patients in an upscale nursing home. As her lucidity reinstates itself, she figures she'll have to make a break for it to figure out how she landed there. 

What follows is part mystery, part action/adventure, and part comedy of errors involving Rose, her granddaughter, Rose's sister, and a string of hired drivers. Will Rose get to the bottom of her own mystery? What else will she discover along the way?

I have always enjoyed Nevada Barr's writing - in particular her Anna Pigeon mysteries - so it is no surprise that I enjoyed this book as well. Nevada does "spunky" women leads well. 

- Sarah R.

Check out What Rose Forgot @ the library!

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Title: The Turn of the Key
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

A daycare employee reads an ad for a live-in nanny position for a family in the remote Heatherbrae House. The pay is great and the opportunity looks too good to pass up. She's on guard when she's asked about being superstitious, but discounts the previous nannies' abrupt departures. She is offered the job and accepts.

When the Elincourts hire Rowan Caine to take care of their four girls, they never expected to wind up with three. Now the nanny is applying to the best local legal defense in Scotland to hear her out, but she has to convince Mr. Wrexham to take her case via letters from jail. 

Hear the tale from the nanny's perspective. Would you believe her? Read The Turn of the Key to find out. 

I liked the building of suspense and that it had enough twists to keep one guessing. 
It also made me rethink exactly how "smart" I want my house to be.

- Sarah R.

Check out The Turn of the Key @ the library!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Title: The Silent Patient
Author: Alex Michaelides
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Alicia seems to have it all: fulfilling work, fame, a wonderful husband, and a swanky house in the right part of London. When her husband is found shot five times and Alicia is standing over his body, everybody wonders why. Alicia won't say. In fact, she's no longer speaking at all.

Theo is a psychotherapist who is determined to break Alicia's silence. He makes a point to get hired at the mental care facility where Alicia is being kept. Having undergone years of therapy himself, he knows how therapy can release one's inner truth. Theo's enthusiasm appears to be a bit obsessive, though, and others are starting to notice...

This book has some twists and turns so it keeps the reader guessing. If you like suspense, this is a good story for you.

- Sarah R.

Check out The Silent Patient @ the library!

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Title: Once Upon a River
Author: Diane Setterfield

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Once Upon a River is set on the Thames back when the river was a primary means of travel and inns along its banks were the center of their communities.

The Swan was known for its storytelling and one dark night a tale landed right on their doorstep. The mystery begins with a wounded man carrying a drowned girl.  It continues when the man passes out, the girl miraculously awakes, and all who meet her are ready to claim her as their own. 

A feat of good storytelling in itself, this book offers an extensive group of townspeople who are introduced and interconnected skillfully, flowing together like the river that runs through it. 

Juliet Stevenson does a fantastic job voicing the audio book version for those of you who'd like to hear the telling of a story within a story. 

- Sarah R.

Check out Once Upon a River @ the library.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Title: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Author: Stuart Turton

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evenlyn Hardcastle is a fast-paced murder mystery with a lot of twists. Written in first person, our protagonist finds himself as a guest at a large party at a secluded mansion. When he first wakes up, he doesn't know who he is or what is going on. The next day, he wakes up and discovers that he is a different guest at the party, and it's still the same day as yesterday. He soon learns that Evelyn Hardcastle, the person for whom the party is thrown, was murdered at 11 PM, and if he wants to get out of this house and return home (to whoever he really is - he doesn't quite remember) then he needs to solve the murder by the end of the night and he only has a total of 8 "days" to do so. There is an intriguing time travel element involved (but not typical sci fi time travel, so don't let that deter you)! There is also a lot of murder (which sometimes is a bit scary, but I'm no horror fan so if I can handle it, so can you!). I'd recommend picking it up!

- Sarah P.

Check out The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle @ the library.

The Witch Elm by Tana French

Title: The Witch Elm

Author: Tana French

Genre: Mystery

Tana French's novel, The Witch Elm, focuses on a young man named Toby, an easy-going, fairly lucky, Teflon kind-of-guy -- nothing bad sticks. Then his luck changes in a bad way: a break-in at his apartment, a brutal beating, and the news that his favorite uncle has cancer. Toby decides to move into the family's ancestral home with Uncle Hugo to keep an eye on him and hopefully recover some himself as his memory is spotty and his healing is slow. Then a body is found. The cops are asking questions while Toby is asking himself if a murder lurks in the gaps of his history. 

I experienced this story as an audiobook and the narrator, Paul Nugent, gives the story added depth and a lovely Irish accent to the tale.

- Sarah R.

Check out The Witch Elm @ the library.

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer

Title: Hope Never Dies

Author: Andrew Shaffer

Genre: Mystery

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer is a mystery and bromance featuring Former Vice President Joe Biden and Former President Barak Obama. Biden is having a hard time adjusting to life after the White House and resents seeing Obama having fun hanging out with celebrities. But then “Amtrak Joe’s” favorite conductor suddenly dies leaving behind a grieving family and mysterious clues. Who can Joe Biden trust to help him solve the case? This book is as fun and goofy as its cover. 

- Mary

Check out Hope Never Dies @ the library.

Blood Sisters by Jane Corry

Title: Blood Sisters

Author: Jane Corry

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Kitty and Allison are half sisters who have a relationship frought with jealousies. One morning on the way to school with a friend, there is a horrible car accident. Is it the fault of the driver? Was someone pushed? If so, by whom? The driver goes to jail on Allison's testimony. Kitty has memory loss and is stuck in an institution unable to speak. Allison can barely hold herself together her survivor's guilt is so strong. Everyone is hiding something. As secret after secret is slowly divulged, the reader is lead through a twisty tale of love, revenge, and redemption.

- Sarah R.

Check out Blood Sisters @ the library.

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Title: Ordinary Grace

Author: William Kent Krueger

Genre: Fiction, Coming of Age, Mystery

"It was a summer in which death, in visitation, assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder." The words of narrator 13-year-old Frank Drum, growing up in small town MN in 1961, captured me from its outset. This is a quiet yet powerful book full of mystery, secrets and adversity.  Frank's father is the town Minister, whose unshakable faith and hope holds his family and town together even in the midst of unspeakable tragedy and sorrow. For all its "heaviness," the story is ultimately uplifting and hopeful and leaves you touched by "not-so-ordinary" grace.

- Karen

Check out Ordinary Grace @ the library.

Lady Sherlock Series #1 and #2: "A Study in Scarlet Women" and "A Conspiracy in Belgravia" by Sherry Thomas

Titles: A Study in Scarlet Women and A Conspiracy in Belgravia (Lady Sherlock Series #1 and #2)

Author: Sherry Thomas

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Excellent! The Lady Sherlock Series is a gender-flipped retelling of Sherlock Holmes. It's not the first gender-flipped retelling, but it has to be the best. The characterization is fabulous, the crimes and surrounding plots are interesting, and both novels provoke fascinating conversations on gender and class. There's also some superbly poignant romantic tension. I listened to the audio book versions (available on OverDrive and Libby) read by award-winning narrator Kate Reading. She gives each of the many characters a unique voice without ever going over the top. Highly recommended!

- Rachel K.

Check out A Study in Scarlet Women and A Conspiracy in Belgravia @ the library.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Title: The Woman in Cabin 10

Author: Ruth Ware

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Since her boss is on maternity leave, Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, gets chosen to go on the exclusive maiden voyage of the Aurora, a luxury cruise ship, in her boss' stead. It's the opportunity of her career: All the big names in travel journalism are also on board, and Lo is hoping to impress and prove her worth to her employer. Just days before the cruise departs, Lo gets burgled. Stressed and already lacking sleep, Lo is determined not to let this get in the way of going on the cruise. On the first night aboard, however, Lo hears a splash and believes that someone was thrown overboard from the cabin next door. She brings it to the attention of the ship's staff, but no one believes her, saying that room was empty and everyone on board has been accounted for. Did Lo really see what she thought she did? Or are recent events making her overreact?

The setting of The Woman in Cabin 10 is similar to Agatha Christie's mysteries, where almost everyone is a suspect and there's no way to escape. While the writing leaves something to be desired, the book was suspenseful and the plot kept me guessing. The Woman in Cabin 10 was a hard one to put down!

- Sarah P.

Check out The Woman in Cabin 10 @ the library.

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Title: The Life We Bury

Author: Allen Eskens

Genre: Mystery

Joe is a college student with an assignment to interview someone and write their life story. Having a difficult family life and no one else to interview, Joe decides to go to a nursing home to find someone to write about. There he meets Carl, a Vietnam veteran and also a convicted murderer. As Joe learns more about Carl's life, he starts to doubt the conviction and takes it upon himself to reopen the case and absolve Carl before he dies. Will Joe find what he's looking for before it's too late?

This was an engaging mystery that actually kept me guessing!

- Sarah P.

Check out The Life We Bury @ the library.