Best Crime Books December 2024

Red Russia

Tanya Thompson’s “Red Russia” plunges readers into a gripping tale of espionage and betrayal set against the backdrop of Cold War-era Moscow. As American journalist Sarah Reeves uncovers a web of secrets, she finds herself caught between loyalty to her country and an unexpected romance with a charismatic KGB agent. Thompson’s vivid prose brings 1960s Russia to life, capturing the tension and paranoia of the era with chilling authenticity. A heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

The First Lady

In this gripping political thriller, the First Lady vanishes without a trace. As the nation reels, President Tucker faces his greatest challenge yet. Secret Service agent Sally Grissom races against time, uncovering shocking secrets and dangerous conspiracies. With each twist, the stakes rise higher. Patterson and DuBois craft a pulse-pounding narrative that kept me up all night, wondering: What really happened to the First Lady? And who can be trusted when power and deception collide at the highest levels?

Digital Fortress

Cryptographer Susan Fletcher finds herself thrust into a high-stakes game of deception when the NSA’s unbreakable code-breaking machine encounters a mysterious cipher it can’t crack. As she races against time to unravel the puzzle, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy that threatens national security. With each revelation, Susan questions who she can trust in a world where nothing is as it seems. Brown’s techno-thriller keeps readers on edge, blending cutting-edge technology with heart-pounding suspense in a tale that feels eerily plausible in our digital age.

Killing Lincoln

In “Killing Lincoln,” Bill O’Reilly brings history to life with his gripping account of Abraham Lincoln’s final days. I was captivated by the vivid details and found myself transported to 1865 Washington. O’Reilly’s narrative style kept me on the edge of my seat, even though I knew the tragic outcome. The book offers fresh insights into Lincoln’s character and the turbulent times he faced. It’s a poignant reminder of how one man’s actions can change the course of history. A must-read for history buffs and casual readers alike.

The Brass Verdict

Defense attorney Mickey Haller inherits a high-profile murder case when his colleague is killed. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption and danger. Teaming up with his half-brother, detective Harry Bosch, Mickey races against time to unravel the truth. Connelly’s gripping legal thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, blending courtroom drama with gritty police work. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish it!

The Reversal

Veteran defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to change stripes and prosecute the high-profile retrial of a brutal child murder. After 24 years in prison, convicted killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Haller is convinced Jessup is guilty, and he takes the case on the condition that he gets to choose his investigator, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch. Together, Bosch and Haller set off on a case fraught with political and personal danger. Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years.

The Gods of Guilt

Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is back in a gripping courtroom drama that tests his skills and conscience. Defending a former client accused of murder, Haller uncovers a web of lies and corruption that reaches into the highest levels of power. As he digs deeper, he confronts his own past mistakes and the moral ambiguity of his profession. With each twist, Haller must navigate the thin line between justice and guilt, all while facing the ultimate judges – the gods of guilt in the jury box.

The Black Echo

Detective Harry Bosch, haunted by his past as a Vietnam tunnel rat, finds himself investigating a murder that hits too close to home. The victim, a fellow veteran, is found dead in a drainpipe, echoing the claustrophobic tunnels of their shared war experience. As Bosch digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to unravel his own fragile sense of justice. With each twist, Connelly masterfully blends gritty realism with heart-pounding suspense, leaving readers breathless until the very last page.

The Late Show

Renée Ballard works the night shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing none, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It’s a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it’s no accident. She’s been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor. But one night she catches two assignments she doesn’t want to part with: the brutal beating of a prostitute left for dead in a parking lot and the killing of a young woman in a nightclub shooting. As she digs deeper into both cases, Ballard becomes determined to bring the criminals to justice, even if it means working cases by day while maintaining her shift by night.

Two Kinds of Truth

Harry Bosch, now a volunteer cold case detective, finds himself thrust into a dangerous investigation when a pharmacist is murdered. As he digs deeper, Bosch uncovers a sinister prescription drug ring and confronts ghosts from his past. With his half-brother Mickey Haller by his side, Bosch must navigate treacherous waters to unravel the truth. Connelly’s masterful storytelling keeps you on edge, blending gritty realism with heart-pounding suspense. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish. A must-read for crime fiction fans.