For Readers: Blog

The thrill of it all

Some people read to relax, some to learn something new, and some to get their heart racing! If you fall into this last category, we’ve picked some under-the-radar thrillers and crime fiction to help you find your next page-turner. Whether you prefer thrillers that are literary or that have a hint of horror, these standalones or series-starters are the perfect fix while you’re waiting for the next installment in your favorite suspense series.

Red Widow by Alma Katsu is a twisty and detailed spy thriller, benefiting from the author’s background as an intelligence analyst. After a scandal, CIA agent Lyndsey Duncan is called back to Washington in disgrace. But instead of being fired, she's assigned to uncover the mole targeting Russians at the CIA. Paired with the widow of a murdered detective, the two uncover a web of intrigue that no one could have imagined. [e-book | print]

Not for the faint of heart, The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson is the gruesome and compelling start of a new series featuring Detective Inspector Anjelica Henley. Scarred mentally and physically by a diabolic serial killer, Henley is confronted with a copycat killer who is littering the banks of the Thames with victims. Still entangled in the mind games of the original, she must race to stop the new killer before the Jigsaw Man takes matters into his own hands. [e-book | print | large type | audiobook]

Lightseekers by Femi Kayode transports readers to small-town Nigeria, where an academic psychologist finds himself thrust into the role of investigator after students are murdered by an angry mob. A fascinating look at the political landscape in the African nation as well as some surprising parallels to our own political climate, this original mystery features complex, well-developed characters. [print | audiobook]

Historical atmosphere, a touch of horror, and the suspense of a locked room come together in The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex. Based on a true story, this novel paints a picture of the desolate Cornish coast where three lighthouse keepers disappeared from a locked tower. The widows, still haunted by the unexplained tragedy, are contacted by a writer determined to find the truth. The story is told through flashbacks that keep the reader hooked. [e-book | print]

Get your name on the waiting list now for While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams, coming out May 25th. Perhaps better known as a politician, Abrams is no stranger to the literary world; she's published multiple times under a pen name. This time, she's used her insider's knowledge to write an action-packed political thriller about an over-the-top conspiracy at the Supreme Court. Far enough removed from the real-life drama of politics, this is a satisfying escapist read. Audiobook fans will appreciate the talents of the award-winning narrator. [print | large type | audiobook]

Drawing comparisons to books by Tana French, JoAnne Tompkins’ debut What Comes After is a literary slow-burn about emotional and psychological turmoil in the aftermath of a crime. Already grieving the deaths of two local boys, a troubled community confronts another mystery and grasps at solace wherever it can be found: in their Quaker faith, strangers, and deep anger. [e-book | print]
 

—Laura