Lethal Prey by John Sandford

 Once again, John Sandford hits it out of the park with his latest addition to his long-running Prey series. Teaming the Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport characters is a winning combination.

Twenty years ago, Doris Grandfeldt was brutally murdered, and her body was left in a St. Paul, Minnesota, area park. Few clues were found, and the case quickly went cold. Now, Doris' twin sister Lara, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, decides to offer a five-million-dollar reward and publishes all of the case materials online in hopes of renewing interest in the case. This attracts the attention of true-crime bloggers and law enforcement. U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and state investigator Virgil Flowers are assigned to the case. They must deal with the bloggers and media attention and try to find the elusive killer. Recognizing the power of crowd-sourcing, Lucas and Virgil use the bloggers to their advantage, and when one of the bloggers discovers the murder weapon, the race is one to see who can find the killer. Unfortunately, what works to their advantage is also a detriment. With progress available online, the killer stays one step ahead of the investigation and begins to influence the case. Lucas and Virgil now struggle to handle the information flow while still needing the blogger's resources.

 I like that Sandford combines characters from his other series and that readers don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy the current offering. He always gives enough background material so new readers don't feel lost. Once again, Sandford demonstrates that he is the master of snappy dialogue: the Davenport and Flowers exchanges are dynamite, and the twisty plot is the icing on the cake. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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Copper River by William Kent Krueger

 

This sixth book in the series continues the story that began in book five, "Mercy Falls."  Krueger deftly weaves the old and new storylines into an intense tale of murder and intrigue.

With a bounty on his head and a bullet in his leg, Cork is hiding out in the small Michigan town of Bodine with his cousin, Jewell, and her fourteen-year-old son, Ren. Ren and two friends, Charlie and Stash, find the body of a teenage girl, endangering their lives and threatening to expose Cork's hideout. They discover the girl is only the latest victim of men preying on runaway teens who now have Charlie in their sights.

I liked how Krueger intertwined the two plotlines—Cork's run for his life and the danger the teens are in—to form a unique story that is both dark and compelling. As I continue to read this long-running series, I highly anticipate each installment as Krueger continues to flesh out characters and build atmospheric locations. 

4/5 stars.

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Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger

This fifth Cork O'Connor book is another action-packed police procedural whose action takes off immediately and never stops.

Cork and a deputy are on what is thought to be a domestic disturbance call on the Ojibwa reservation when a sniper ambushes them, wounding the deputy and leaving Cork with the disturbing knowledge that he was the target. Just as the search for the sniper begins, the gruesome murder of a Chicago businessman occurs, and Cork has his hands full. The businessman's wealthy family inserts their investigator into the investigation, and ties between the family and Cork's wife, Jo, are revealed. With two seemingly unrelated investigations, Cork and his team see disturbing connections that require them to negotiate the political and emotional threads in the cases carefully.

Although I did figure out who was behind the sniper ambush and the murder, Krueger did a good job weaving together the details into a complex mystery. I always enjoy Cork's interactions with the Ojibwa band and their culture—they are both enlightening and entertaining. As always, the writing and characters are excellent. 

4.5/5 stars. 

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The Lost House by Melissa Larsen

 I love murder mysteries set in Iceland. They are usually dark and atmospheric, and I love that in a book. THE LOST HOUSE is both of those things and does a good job of capturing life in a small Icelandic village. Even though Melissa Larsen doesn't live in Iceland, she does an excellent job of taking the reader there.

Forty years ago, the unsolved murder of a woman and her infant daughter in a small town in Iceland cast suspicion on the woman's husband. Although there was no proof, he was ostracized by the town and their belief of his guilt was cemented when he fled the country with his young son. Now, his granddaughter, Agnes, has joined a true-crime podcaster, Nora, in investigating the crime. Agnes hopes to clear her grandfather, while Nora wants a good story.

Coinciding with Agnes’s and Nora's arrival, a local girl, Asa, goes missing. Agnes and Nora get caught up in the search for Asa, and in doing so, they find that many of the people surrounding Asa have ties to that long-ago murder. By digging into what happened to Asa, Agnes and Nora uncover secrets that may help solve that old murder.

This is a slow-burn story rich in atmosphere and characters. I liked both Agnes and Nora, and their relationship was interesting, although I often couldn't believe Nora's patience as there were times I wanted to wring Agnes's neck. The pacing at the beginning was slow, but the story was interesting enough that I kept reading, and I'm glad I did. The ending was worth it. 

3.5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is January 14, 2025.

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The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Once again, Penny brings characters from previous novels into play in this 19th book in the series. She does a masterful job weaving past and present storylines to spin a compelling tale.

A phone call from an unwanted person from Armand Gamache's past sets up a fast-moving plot involving murder, terrorism, and closely held secrets that Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and Isabelle Lacoste must unravel. Not knowing who to trust, the trio relies on few outsiders to try and discover what an order of monks is hiding. With each clue they uncover, they realize that a terrorist plot will kill thousands and turn Canada into a police state. In a race against time, the three cross the globe to piece together the devastating facts and find the terrorists.

I was up late reading this book every night; I couldn't put it down. This classic Louise Penny book hooks the reader from the first page and continues to entertain to the last word. I cannot say why I didn't give it a 5-star rating without giving away plot details, so I'll state that it is a personal preference that withheld that fifth star. 

4/5 stars.

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Blood Hollow by William Kent Krueger

 In this fourth Cork O'Connor book, William Kent Krueger continues to flesh out the characters and their relationships. Once again, he plots an intricate story with twists and moral dilemmas.

A teenager goes missing at a New Year's Eve party only to be found months later, and all signs point to murder. Crime scene evidence incriminates her estranged boyfriend, Solemn Winter Moon, whose actions appear to corroborate the evidence. Cork's wife, Jo, is tasked with defending Solemn, and Cork is enlisted to investigate the crime. When he begins uncovering secrets involving prominent members of the community and long-standing prejudice against Solemn's tribe comes to light, Cork's job becomes more challenging. It endangers not only Solemn but Cork's family as well.

Cork has always struggled with his spiritual convictions, and this book brings that conflict to a head when Solemn claims to have had a visit from Jesus Christ and develops a following. Then, incidents that appear to be miracles occur, and Cork doesn't know what to believe. This is not only a good murder mystery but also a good look into what drives Cork. BLOOD HOLLOW does an excellent job of moving the series forward. 

4/5 stars.

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Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger

 In this third Cork O'Connor book, Krueger continues to develop the characters, expand the setting, and explore the culture of the Anishinaabe tribe.

When a logging company threatens to cut down a grove of trees sacred to the Anishinaabe people, tensions come to a head when a man is killed at the lumber mill, and blame is placed on environmentalists who have come to the area in support of the tribe. Mixed-race former sheriff Cork O'Connor is caught in the middle when he is asked to help investigate the murder. His wife, Jo, a lawyer representing the tribe, and Karl Lindstrom, the lumber mill owner, are at odds, and it's up to Cork to sift through the clues, solve the murder, and find a peaceful environmental solution.

I love Krueger's standalone books and have enjoyed starting this popular series. I particularly like how Krueger weaves the Anishinaabe culture into each storyline—it's both interesting and enlightening. He is an excellent writer and storyteller whose books capture the imagination and educate.

5/5 stars.

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Murder Town by Shelley Burr

 Burr's first novel, WAKE, was excellent and a promising start to a murder mystery series. This book, MURDER TOWN, is the second book in the series and is just as good.

Fifteen years ago, the small Australian Outback town of Rainier had a series of gruesome murders committed by a man dubbed the Rainier Ripper. The town has tried to move on, but when a promoter for a walking tour of the murder sites is killed in the same manner as one of the Ripper's victims, notoriety returns to Rainier and long-buried secrets may be uncovered. With the original Ripper safely locked up in prison, the town is afraid a copycat killer is recreating the murders.

Gemma Guillory, the wife of one of the town's police officers, is significantly affected by the latest killing and is now haunted by her association with the killings fifteen years ago. Afraid for her family, Gemma opens up to a former private investigator, who is behind bars with the Ripper, in hopes of finding out who killed the tour operator. Little does she know that finding the copycat killer will put her life in jeopardy and possibly those closest to her.

This is an atmospheric, gripping read. Burr excellently captures small-town life and the people who inhabit them. The plot is complex but plausible; the twists and the big reveal are unexpected. My only misgiving is how Gemma outwits the police by solving the murder and uncovering the truth about the previous murders.

 4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is November 5, 2024.

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Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

 I first read this book in 2018 and liked it so much that I decided to read the series—so much for good intentions. Now, six years later, I've recommitted myself to the series. This time, I'm going to do it!

When a paper carrier goes missing while delivering papers in a snowstorm in small-town Aurora, Minnesota, his mother calls the former sheriff, Cork O'Connor, and asks for help. Retracing the boy's steps, Cork stumbles upon the body of a prominent judge who appears to have committed suicide. Had the boy also found the body? And, if so, where is the boy now? And, by the way, did the judge commit suicide, or was he murdered?

These questions form the platform of Krueger's skillfully told story. Weaving Indian lore into the plot, Iron Lake is an atmospheric, nail-biting murder mystery with memorable characters. First published in 1999, the novel holds up remarkably well. There is the telltale problem of finding a telephone whenever needed, but that's to be expected. The only problem I had was O'Connor's trampling all over the formal investigation into the judge's death and the boy's disappearance. The sheriff seems quite content to ignore the issue of preserving evidence to convict a murderer. Overall, it is an excellent read, and I plan to read the next book, Boundary Waters, before another six years goes by. 

4/5 stars.

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Below Ground by Michael Wood

 When I think this series can't get better, I read the next book and am proven wrong once again. Now that I've caught up with the series, I must wait until October 25, 2024, when Last One Left Alive comes out. And I'm not a patient person!

DS Scott Andrews is found on the floor of Matilda Darke's house, bleeding from a stab wound, and Matilda is nowhere to be seen. Wanting to keep her kidnapping from the press and with few clues, the team tries to find her - their only clue: serial killer Steve Harrison may again be pulling strings from behind bars. Meanwhile, a skeletonized body is found in the woods, and then another, and another. The team is at odds trying to solve these old murders while still looking for Matilda. As time passes without clues, the possibility of not finding Matilda alive looms.

This is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read. Even though Matilda is the main protagonist, Wood's penchant for killing off characters left me wondering if she would survive her ordeal. Some surprises and twists kept me reading this dark police procedural.

 5/5 stars.

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A Death in Cornwall by Daniel Silva

It's hard to believe this is the 24th book in Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series. Assuming he published one Allon book a year, I've been reading this series for 24 years. I suddenly feel old - not that, at my age, it isn't true!

Gabriel Allon, a retired spy who now works full-time as an art restorer, is in London for an unveiling of one of his restored paintings when he is contacted by Timothy Peel, whom Allon befriended many years ago. Peel is now a detective sergeant based in Cornwall, where a serial murderer is on the loose and may have claimed a renowned painting provenance researcher. Peel asks for Allon's help in finding her killer. Allon enlists the help of two old friends to uncover the thefts and murders tied to a stolen Picasso painting. They find a web of conspiracies and financial art transactions that could bring down government and financial leaders.

As with all of Silva's books, the plot of A Death in Cornwall is timely and plausible. It is a fast-paced read that I couldn't put down; it is well-researched and atmospheric and, as the body count mounted, an excellent action-packed murder mystery. My only complaint is how Gabriel solved who the serial killer was —that felt rushed and a bit contrived. 

4/5 stars. 

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The Man in Black: And Other Stories by Elly Griffiths

 

I'm not usually a fan of short stories - right when I get into them, they end - but I am a fan of Elly Griffiths, and I was delighted with this collection.

There is something for everyone in this collection - cozy mysteries, ghost stories, and, of course, murder mysteries. Being a fan of Griffiths's Ruth Galloway series, I was pleased to see her featured in some stories. The character Harbinder Kaur even makes an appearance! I also liked how the characters featured in one story appear in passing in another. Stories written from the vantage point of an animal do not appeal to me, but Griffiths won me over with a story told by Ruth's cat, Flint. Overall, I was very pleased with this collection. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mariner Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is October 15, 2024.

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The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 I liked Dave's last book, The Last Thing He Told Me. It was a tightly plotted suspense thriller that kept me turning pages. I expected more of the same with The Night We Lost Him, but while it is a good story, it isn't nearly as suspenseful nor a thriller. It's more of a family drama.

We know that Liam Noone was thrown off a cliff, but the police ruled it an accidental death. His son Sam and Sam's step-sister Nora decide to look into the death - what they find are family secrets and lies spanning decades. The more they dig, the more they discover that they never really knew their father, and they even begin to question past and present relationships.

I was expecting a different book - something more suspenseful than what I got. Dave does an excellent job of slowly revealing Liam's secrets. Unfortunately, it is a little too slow, and the action sometimes dragged. I was surprised at the ending and thought it was a good twist. I recommend this book; just be aware that, in my opinion, it is not a thriller. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and S&S/Marysue Rucci Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 17, 2024.

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Silent Victim by Michael Wood

 I love this murder mystery series. Michael Wood does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life with dark, twisty plots that grip the reader. Each book builds on previous events and characters, so I feel like I'm with old friends each time I pick up a new book.

Matilda was brought back after her team was disbanded, and she was made redundant in a scandal-laden case involving child abuse. This time, she is after a serial killer who rapes and kills his victims. One victim survived, however, but she had life-changing injuries and can no longer speak. It is now up to Matilda and her team to hunt a killer who leaves no trace evidence. Leads are sparse, and political pressure is high to catch the killer before he strikes again.

This fast-paced police procedural has Matilda stumped with no clues to the killer's identity; she and her team grasp at straws. It's interesting to see how the meager clues eventually identify the killer and the lengths Matilda goes to capture him. I'm looking forward to book #11 in the series. 

5/5 stars.

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Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 I am drawn to Icelandic authors. I like their dark take on murders, the atmospheric environment, and the exciting plots. I especially liked Jonasson's last book, "Reykjavik," which he co-authored with Katrin Jakobsdottir. In this, his latest book, Jonasson, is again at the top of his game.

In 1983, at a former tuberculous sanatorium, a nurse was found brutally murdered. Detective Sverrir arrests the groundskeeper, only to release him when the chief physician is found dead. The cause of death is suspected suicide - overcome by his guilt of the murder of his colleague. The case is closed.

Flash forward to 2012. Helgi Reykdal is completing his master's in criminology. His dissertation focuses on the 1983 deaths and the police investigation. As he digs into the past, he begins to doubt the competency of the police investigation, but the lack of cooperation of those involved makes him wonder what they are hiding. Soon, the past and present collide, and what Helgi uncovers threatens to reveal long-held secrets and again endanger lives.

This is an intricately plotted book with interesting characters and excellent pacing. The back-and-forth timelines reveal clues to the murderer and the long-buried secrets that add to the absorbing story. If you enjoy good suspenseful crime fiction, I recommend this book. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 10, 2024.

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The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves

In this eleventh book in the Vera Stanhope series, Ann Cleeves again populates the story with great characters in believable situations set in a complex plot that kept me turning pages.

New employee Josh Woodburn's body is found outside of a home for hard-to-place teens, and one of the charges, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence, is missing. Vera and her team, including new member Rosie Bell, have been called to investigate. Their first question: did Chloe run away because she is the killer or because she is in fear of her life as well? As the team delves into the murder, the motive is as elusive as Chloe's whereabouts. When another body is found in a remote village near three standing stones known as the Three Dark Wives, Vera connects the dots to both Chloe and the group home and steps up her efforts to find the killer.

This series is my favorite of the three mystery series Cleeves has penned. I enjoyed the Shetland Island series, and her Two Rivers series gets better and better, but Vera is such a unique character that she's hard to beat. How Cleeves comes up with such intriguing plots is impressive to me. This book can be read as a standalone, but why deprive yourself of the ten other Vera novels? 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 27, 2024.  

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The Queen City Detective Agency by Snowden Wright

 

Set in the still racially charged 1980s Mississippi, this book follows a Black private investigator and her white partner as they get embroiled in a tricky case involving murder, potential suicide, and the shadowy Dixie Mafia. It's an excellent Southern crime novel.

After Dixie Mafia member Lewis "Turnip" Coogan falls or jumps to his death from the roof of the Meridian, Mississippi courthouse, Clementine Baldwin and partner Dixon Hicks are hired by Coogan's widow, who is convinced he was murdered, to find his killer. Turnip was accused of killing prominent real estate developer Randall Hubbard. Still, as Clem and Dixon begin digging into Turnip's death, they begin to untangle a web of shady characters, all of whom could be involved with the deaths. It falls to Clem and Dixon to follow the strands of the web to uncover the truth.

This is an atmospheric book with interesting characters and a complex plot. It illuminates what it means to be Black in the South, including the subtle and not-so-subtle digs and racist attitudes. Clem is a strong character who deftly tap dances her way through the societal layers and political intrigue to solve the deaths of the two men. Written with wit and compassion, it takes a magnifying glass to the 1980s South. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is August 13, 2024.

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The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

 

Although this is billed as a Harbinder Kaur book, the detective has a supporting role, with the three characters from The Postscript Murders again taking center stage. Not that that is a bad thing—I love those characters—but I would have preferred more Harbinder.

When author Melody Chambers dies, her daughters, sure she was murdered by their step-father, employ detectives Naatalka and Edwin to discover the truth. An unlikely duo, 30-something Ukranian-born Natalka and eight-four-year-old Edwin, had successfully solved the murder of their friend, Peggy, a few years earlier. Suspecting there is a link between Melody's death and the death of an obituary writer, Edwin goes undercover with Benedict, Natalka's life partner, at a writer's retreat. No sooner do they arrive when one of the attendees mysteriously dies. Up to their eyeballs in murder victims and suspects, the trio begin sifting through the evidence with some help from Detective Harbinder Kaur and the local constabulary. Unfortunately, their activities have put them in the crosshairs of the murderer. It's now a race against time with their lives in jeopardy.

I love Natalka, Edwin, and Benedict and thoroughly enjoyed them in The Postscript Murders. This time, the complicated plot isn't as intriguing as in The Postscript Murders. The Last Word isn't as fast-paced or humorous either, but its twists and character interaction are first-rate. I would have preferred Harbinder's presence, as she is another excellent character. This is another good book from Elly Griffiths.

 4/5 stars.

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The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza

 

Both of Robert Bryndza's murder mystery series feature strong female protagonists. This, the Kate Marshall series, features a private investigator, while his Erika Foster series is a police procedural. Both are excellent.

A true-crime podcast company hires Kate and her partner Tristan to try and solve the thirty-year-old disappearance of thirteen-year-old Janiey Macklin. As they begin their investigation, leads are pointing toward Peter Conway, a convicted killer with ties to Kate's past. Digging deeper, they find three friends, one of whom has already been acquitted of her death may hold the key to her disappearance--but can they be believed?

This is a twisty, compelling read—one of Bryndza's best. Red herrings, subplots, and unreliable characters make this an intricately plotted book that sizzles from start to finish. Although it is the fifth Kate Marshall book, it can be read as a standalone. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 11, 2024.

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Ladykiller by Katherine Wood

This sounded like a promising book, and although it didn't meet my expectations, it was good.

Gia comes from a privileged background, but when her father dies and leaves his fortune to charity, she unexpectedly needs money. To solve her problems, Gia decides to sell the one thing of value: a villa on a Greek Island. Newly married, Gia and her husband are at odds about what improvements need to be made to sell the house. Tension develops in the newlywed's relationship. Gia's best friend, Abby, whose mother worked for Gia's family, is working hard to become a partner at her law firm. When Gia, decides to celebrate her birthday in Switzerland with just her brother Benny and Abby, Abby drops everything to go to Switzerland. Gia fails to show up, so Abby and Benny head to Greece, only to find Gia has vanished.

The book started quickly but slowed down just as fast. I found the descriptions of the characters lusting after each other and the sex descriptions distracting. They didn't move the story along, and I wondered why so many romantic scenes were needed. The mystery surrounding Gia was good, and there were some twists, but overall, this falls short of being a thriller. 

3/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bantam, for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 9, 2024. 

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