A Few More Mysteries & Thrillers
A Few More Mysteries & Thrillers
Shivers and twists #71
Although I was a collegiate anthropology major by mostly happenstance and the desperation of having to choose a subject, turns out it was a good choice because I’m endlessly fascinated by people, culture, and choices (in theory … because I’m also a deep introvert so in practice I prefer to be fascinated by people from my couch.)
And what people choose to read, or what they ask me to recommend, I think really says something about where they (or we all) are in their lives at the moment. I know a few people who understandably only want rom-coms and feel-good books right now (including Ellis, inspiration for the gentle lamb scale.) I know someone who is reading the stoics, and another person who is currently only reading books about global shipping. («« this is an actual true story, unbelievable as it seems. IT TAKES ALL KINDS.) But lately a lot of people - like, a lot a lot - have asked me for mystery recommendations, which is making me wonder - do we all just want a problem we can solve? A story that has some kind of conclusion and closure unlike all the looming, seemingly never-ending doomscapes we have in front of us? Or do we want the safety of a thrill knowing that this, at least, can end without incident? I am not smart enough to say definitively, only that - it’s unequivocally a trend.
Anyway, if you’re one of those people, it’s fortunate for you that my personal bibliography includes more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of mysteries and thrillers and you can find all sorts of recos below! None of these books will change your life but they are all zippy and exciting and sometimes thought provoking and will set you up right for an afternoon.
If you side with Mr Global Shipping and prefer a more substantive read, you can check out the archive for other genres, or might I suggest finally reading Empire of Pain because frankly I’m concerned that you all haven’t.
Power summary: Northern Spy is the story of two sisters in Northern Ireland - single mother main character Tessa and her sister Marian - who get entangled with the IRA, forcing them to make choices they would never have expected.
Why you’ll like it: A thrill ride of a mystery (sort of a mystery-thriller?) - tense all the way through, with compelling, morally interesting female main characters. And the backdrop of modern-day IRA tensions was a new one for me.
Power summary: In Before the Fall, a private plane carrying a number of influential people crashes off of Martha’s Vineyard, and only two of the passengers survive. What caused the crash? How do these people all tie together? What’s on the surface, and what’s underneath? How does the world and media swirl around this tragedy?
Why you’ll like it: More of a suspense novel with a looming question at its core, this is a dreadfully fascinating premise that allows the author (the creator of TV show Fargo, if that gives you a reference) to delve into each character’s backstory, life, frustrations, and ambitions. The character work is excellent; I’ll let you decide if the resolution is satisfying. (It wasn’t, for me, but I still enjoyed the reading experience very much.)
Well, I guess this is a Reese’s Book Club newsletter, isn’t it? Honestly, I’m a fan of “her” choices, generally. (Or whomever chooses the books for her behind the scenes. Wait, is that a job? Do any of you know a celebrity who wants me to choose books for their eponymous book club?)
Power summary: In The Last Thing He Told Me, Hannah Hall comes home to find that her beloved husband of one year has disappeared leaving only a note instructing Hannah to protect her teenage stepdaughter, Bailey. As they try to uncover what happened to him, Hannah and Bailey quickly come to learn that he was not who they thought he was.
Why you’ll like it: This is a true page-turner, humdinger of a beach read. The writing isn’t literary and the plotting isn’t intricate or particularly clever, but dammit, this is a fun, fast-paced, crowd-pleasing mystery. I read it one night.
Power Summary: Liesl, the number two at the department of rare books in a large university, assumes the top role when her boss has a stroke, only to find that the university’s prized new manuscript acquisition has gone missing. As they race to find the book, another librarian goes missing, throwing the department under scrutiny and possible danger.
Why you’ll like it: Honestly, my summary makes The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections sound like much more of a typical thriller than it really is. This is a … story of late middle age wrapped in a mystery? Of workplace and academic politics, scheming and secrets, but also that happens to have a heist? A reverie on the appeal and importance of books and history, while also an acknowledgement that our old ways can’t and shouldn’t hold forever? Anyway, I really liked this - fun for people who love books. This is the book that The Lions of Fifth Avenue pretended to be.
A Note About Mystery Lambs
First of all, if you don’t know why you’re seeing purple lambs all over this email, the explanation is here.
Second of all, I struggle with accurate lambification of mysteries because … like … usually there’s a death or two? Or some other crime? But also they’re sort of pop fiction-y and not indelibly horrific? You see my sheepy problem. So, some of these are more intense than others, I guess I’d say. If you have any suggestions about the correct lamb ratings for murder mysteries, let me know.
If you’re looking for more fun mysteries with a high lambie count, you can find those here. And for more mystery recos, you can check out Mysteries (Or ARE THEY?) Part 1, More Mysterious Mysteries Part 2, and A Series of Mystery Series.