Mystery & Thriller Book Reviews: A Spoiler-Free Genre Index

Since devouring the entire Nancy Drew series as a child, I’ve been hooked on mysteries. Now, I specialize in (spoiler-free) mystery and thriller reviews across many sub-genres, including psychological suspense, police procedurals, domestic thrillers, locked-room mysteries, and crime fiction with speculative twists. 

Honestly, what does every reader love to do (besides read more books)? Talk about what they’ve read with fellow booklovers, of course... which is why I’ve been sharing my reviews on this blog, since 2009. 

Already know what sub-genre(s) is/are your favorite? Curious about a style you’ve heard of but never delved into? Looking to try something completely new? Whatever you’re feeling, let’s dive in...

Oh, and one other thing. I love to throw unexpected surprises in now and then, too... from shows or movies, to other genres. (And if you happen to find something else fun? All the better.)

 

Psychological Thriller Reviews

·      The Keeper of Lost Causes – Jussi Adler-Olsen 

(Also listed under Police Procedurals)

·      We Are All the Same in the Dark – Julia Heaberlin

·      The Nesting – C. J. Cooke

·      The Dark Rose – Erin Kelly

·      The Things We Do to Our Friends – Heather Darwent

·      Dark Circles – Caite Dolan-Leach

·      Shadow Play – Sara Driscoll

·      The Locked Ward – Sarah Pekkanen

·      Ink Ribbon Red – Alex Pavesi

·      Parents Weekend – Alex Finlay

·      Serial Killer Games – Kate Posey

·      The Business Trip – Jessie Garcia

·      The Finalists – David Bell

·      Tigerlily’s Orchids – Ruth Rendell

·      The Sixes – Kate White

·      Never Knowing – Chevy Stevens

·      Headhunters – Jo Nesbø

·      The St. Zita Society – Ruth Rendell

·      The Woodcutter – Reginald Hill

 

Locked-Room / Closed-Circle Mystery Reviews

·      Made You Look – Tanya Grant

·      One by One – Ruth Ware

·      1222 – Anne Holt

·      Still Missing – Chevy Stevens

·      The Hitchcock Hotel – Stephanie Wrobel

 

Police, Detective, and P.I. Procedural Reviews

·      The Keeper of Lost Causes – Jussi Adler-Olsen

·      City of Secrets – P.J. Tracy

·      The World’s Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant – Liza Tully

·      Troubled Blood – Robert Galbraith

·      Ghost Hero – S. J. Rozan

·      The Game is Murder – Hazell Ward

·      Breaking the Dark – Lisa Jewell

·      A Long Time Gone – Joshua Moehling

·      The Dark Wives – Ann Cleeves

·      Broadcast Blues – R. G. Belsky

·      Shades of Mercy – Bruce Borgos

·      Earthrise – Jeff D Buchanan

(Also listed under Sci-Fi Thrillers)

·      Don’t Look – David Ellis

·      Movieland – Lee Goldberg

·      The Guilty Dead – P. J. Tracy

·      Still Life – Val McDermid

·      Uncivil Seasons – Michael Malone

·      A Dangerous Harbor – R.P. Dahlke

·      The Retribution – Val McDermid

·      Think of a Number – John Verdon

·      The Girl in the Green Raincoat – Laura Lippmann

 

Community, Small Town, & Cozy Mystery Reviews

·      I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home – Fergus Craig

·      Death Stalks Kettle Street – John Bowen

·      Normal for Norfolk – Mitzi Szereto

·      Tigerlily’s Orchids – Ruth Rendell 

·      The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective – Jo Nichols

·      No Rest for the Wicked – Rachel Louise Adams

·      The Librarians – Sherry Thomas

·      Blood Ties – Jo Nesbø

·      The Lost House – Melissa Larsen

 

Amateur Sleuth Reviews

·      A Killer Wedding – Joan O’Leary

·      Murder Takes a Vacation – Laura Lippmann

·      Love, Honour, and O’Brien – Jennifer Rowe

·      Cat in a Vegas Gold Vendetta – Carole Nelson Douglas

·      A Dead Red Cadillac – R. P. Dahlke

·      Cat in a White Tie and Tails – Carole Nelson Douglas

·      Lucky Stiff – Deborah Coonts

 

Espionage, Conspiracy, and International Suspense Reviews

·      Kills Well with Others – Deanna Raybourn

·      Anonymous Sources – Mary Louise Kelly

·      Gone Tomorrow – Lee Child

·      The Paris Widow – Kimberly Belle

·      The Boy in the Suit Case – Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis

 

Suspenseful Serial Killer Reviews

·      This Girl’s a Killer – Emma C. Wells

·      Jar of Hearts – Jennifer Hillier

·      The Ice Maiden – B.D. Smith

·      Walking into the Ocean – David Whellams

·      Shaken – J. A. Konrath

·      Cherry Bomb – J. A. Konrath

·      You – Caroline Kepnes

 

Historical Novel and Historical Mystery Reviews

·      The Yard – Alex Grecian

·      Mistress of the Art of Death – Ariana Franklin

·      The Players – Minette Walters

·      All’s Fair in Love and Treachery – Celeste Connally

·      The Dark Enquiry – Deanna Raybourn

·      A Beautiful Blue Death – Charles Finch

·      Bless the Bride – Rhys Bowen

·      The Dead Travel Fast – Deanna Raybourn

·      Death Comes to Pemberley – P. D. James

·      North & South – Elizabeth Gaskell

·      Silent in the Grave – Deanna Raybourn

 

Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, & Supernatural Suspense Reviews

·      Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World – Mark Waddell

·      Candle & Crow – Kevin Hearne

·      Beast of the North Woods – Annelise Ryan

·      A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer – Maxie Dara

·      Murder Road – Simone St. James

·      Shadow of Night – Deborah Harkness

·      Darklands – Nancy Holzner

·      Hunting in Bruges – E.J. Stevens

·      The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic – Emily Croy Barker

·      Double Cross – Carolyn Crane

·      Masque – W.R. Gingell

·      Spindle – W.R. Gingell

·      Carniepunk – Seanan McGuire, Rachel Caine, Kevin Hearne, and others

·      Rogues – Neil Gaiman, Gillian Flynn, George R.R. Martin, and others

·      Masques – Patricia Briggs

·      Poison Study – Maria V. Snyder

·      The Opposite of Life – Narrelle M. Harris

·      The Better Part of Darkness – Kelly Gay

·      Clean Sweep – Ilona Andrews

·      On the Edge – Ilona Andrews

 

Science Fiction & Sci-Fi Thriller Reviews

·      Earthrise – Jeff D Buchanan

·      The Stars Now Unclaimed – Drew Williams

·      Artemis – Andy Weir

·      Solar Reboot – Matthew D. Hunt

·      The Martian – Andy Weir

·      The Better Part of Darkness – Kelly Gay

(Also listed under Urban Fantasy)

 

Romance & Romantic Mystery Reviews

·      Birding with Benefits – Sarah T. Dubb

·      His at Night – Sherry Thomas

·      The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion

 

Legal  & Political Thriller Reviews

·      The Hanging Judge – Michael Ponsor

·      My Lost Daughter – Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

·      Old City Hall – Robert Rotenberg

·      The Reflecting Pool – Otho Eskin

·      The Gods of Guilt – Michael Connelly

 

Graphic Novels Reviews

·      Shadow of the Vampuss – Karen Mahony & Alex Ukolov

·      Agatha H. and the Airship City – Phil & Kaja Foglio

·      The Exile – Diana Gabaldon

 

TV Series Reviews

·      Mrs. Sidhu Investigates

·      The Lørenskog Disappearance

·      Borgen: Power & Glory

·      Hidden

·      Case

·      The Sommerdahl Murders

·      Money Heist

·      Baptiste

·      Van Der Valk

·      The Chestnut Man

·      La Mante (The Mantis)

·      James Ellroy’s L.A.: City of Demons

·      Bloodline

·      Ozark

 

Book-to-Film Adaptation Reviews

·      Persuasion

·      Pride & Prejudice

·      Jane Eyre

·      The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

·      North & South

·      Persuasion (2022)

·      Headhunters

·      The Snowman

 

Movie (TV and Theatrical) Reviews

·      Why Didn’t They Ask Evans

·      Headhunters

·      Love Hard

·      Bright

·      Phantom of the Paradise

·      What Happened to Monday

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