The best mysteries and thrillers to challenge your mind and grip your heart

I believe the entire In Death series represents the best of the crime fiction/mystery genre. Frankly, Naked In Death is one of the reasons I began writing crime fiction. J.D. Robb gripped me from the start through one of the most interesting and complex characters I have encountered—Lieutenant Eve Dallas.

I was compelled to follow Eve’s journey as a troubled adult with a horrible past who becomes New York’s top cop, struggling to fit into society and the new life she’s thrown into when she meets Roarke. The whodunit was excellent, full of plot twists staged by beautifully rounded characters. The author builds a well-researched futuristic world where, in 2058, a lot has changed, but human impulses for evil have not.  

Cutting Edge was my first book by Allison Brennan. The story started strong and captured me from the beginning into what turned out to be a fantastic plot.

I loved how the author gave us insight into the villain’s mind yet still managed to insert plenty of unexpected twists. I liked and identified with the heroine, Nora English, from the first paragraphs. The supporting characters were just as well constructed. This book had a little bit of everything, including a love story, which was a plus because I like romance in all books; it makes them real to me. 

The excellent mystery thriller Beneath Devil’s Bridge was built around a cold case unearthed by podcaster Trinity Scott. The author’s writing is beautiful and expressive. From the start, I sympathized with and wanted justice for Leena, the awkward fourteen-year-old girl who was the victim of a brutal murder.

The insinuation that her killer was not punished immediately gripped my interest. I followed Trinity and Rachel, the detective who investigated the crime, as the story unraveled between then and now, interlaced with heartbreaking chapters from Leena’s perspective. Knowing this was inspired by an actual murder made it even more intense and heartbreaking. As a reader, I was one hundred percent invested in the story. As a fan of Loreth Anne White, I felt this was one of her best books.

Find Her was my introduction to the D.D. Warren series and a book I couldn’t put down. While the primary protagonist, Detective Warren, played a typical character often seen in crime fiction, Flora Dane completely stole the show. After being the victim of a long, torturous kidnapping, she evolves into a fascinating vigilante.

Flora Dane is such a complex and powerful character that it’s no wonder she appears in more books in this series. The author did her research, and her insight into human psychology and victims’ pathology helped build exceptional characters. The plot is excellent, tense, and full of twists. I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading. I think Find Her is a must-read for mystery, suspense, and thriller lovers.  

Book one in the Lacey Flint series, Now You See Me, got me hooked on the author and British mysteries. The writing style is evocative and deeply atmospheric, reminding me of gothic novels with a modern aspect.

I liked Lacey as a character, but what I found most compelling was the plot, which was a literary spider web. Although it was too graphic for my taste in places, the story was riveting enough to keep me engrossed until the very last page. I could barely keep track of all the twists and turns. By the time I finished reading, I had applauded the mind that could come up with such a complex story.