Best Crime Books December 2024

The Ex

Olivia Randall’s world is turned upside down when her ex-fiancé, Jack Harris, is accused of a horrific mass shooting. Despite their tumultuous past, Olivia, now a successful defense attorney, can’t shake the feeling that Jack is innocent. As she delves deeper into the case, old wounds resurface, and she’s forced to confront her own demons. With time running out and evidence mounting against Jack, Olivia must navigate a treacherous maze of lies, betrayal, and long-buried secrets to uncover the truth and save the man she once loved.

The Wife

Gripping and suspenseful, “The Wife” delves into the complexities of marriage and trust. Angela’s perfect life with her charismatic husband unravels when he’s accused of a horrific crime. As secrets emerge, she’s forced to confront her past and question everything she thought she knew. Burke’s masterful storytelling kept me up late, turning pages and second-guessing every character. A haunting exploration of loyalty, deception, and the lengths we go to protect those we love.

Home Before Dark

Maggie Holt returns to her childhood home, Baneberry Hall, determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s bestselling horror memoir. As she renovates the eerie Victorian mansion, long-buried secrets resurface, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Haunted by fragmented memories and inexplicable occurrences, Maggie grapples with her own skepticism and the house’s dark history. With each creaking floorboard and shadowy corner, she’s drawn deeper into a mystery that threatens to consume her, just as it did her family years ago.

Lock Every Door

Jules Larsen, desperate and jobless, jumps at the chance to apartment-sit in the Bartholomew, a prestigious Manhattan building. The pay is incredible, but the rules are strict: no visitors, no nights away, no disturbing the other residents. As Jules settles in, she befriends fellow sitter Ingrid, who suddenly vanishes. Digging deeper, Jules uncovers the building’s dark history and realizes she might be in danger. With each passing day, her unease grows. Is the Bartholomew hiding sinister secrets, or is Jules losing her grip on reality?

The Last Time I Lied

Emma’s return to Camp Nightingale stirs up more than just memories. Fifteen years ago, her three cabinmates vanished without a trace, leaving her haunted by unanswered questions. Now, as an art teacher at the newly reopened camp, Emma’s determined to uncover the truth. But as she digs deeper, she realizes some secrets are better left buried. With each revelation, the line between past and present blurs, and Emma begins to question her own sanity. Sager’s gripping thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, leaving you breathless and wondering who you can trust.

Final Girls

Quincy Carpenter survived a brutal massacre that left her the sole survivor of a killing spree at Pine Cottage. Ten years later, she’s finally moved on, but her fragile peace is shattered when another “Final Girl” is found dead. Forced to confront her past, Quincy teams up with fellow survivor Sam to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper, dark secrets emerge, blurring the lines between victim and killer. Sager’s gripping thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, exploring trauma, survival, and the haunting question: can anyone truly escape their past?

The Suspect

Journalist Kate Waters dives into her most personal case yet when two eighteen-year-old girls vanish during their gap year in Thailand. As the investigation unfolds, Kate’s own son becomes a suspect, forcing her to confront her worst fears. Barton’s gripping narrative weaves together multiple perspectives, exploring the complexities of family, truth, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. With each twist, readers are drawn deeper into a web of secrets and lies that will keep them guessing until the very end.

The Widow

Haunting and gripping, “The Widow” delves into the dark secrets of a seemingly ordinary marriage. Jean Taylor’s life was blissfully normal until her husband became the prime suspect in a terrible crime. Now, with Glen gone, Jean finally has the chance to tell her story. But as the layers of truth unravel, we’re left wondering: how much did she really know? Barton’s debut thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, exploring the complexities of love, loyalty, and the lies we tell ourselves.

The Child

Journalist Kate Waters dives into a haunting cold case when two-year-old Bella’s skeleton is unearthed during a London demolition. As she unravels the mystery, Kate grapples with her own son’s disappearance years ago. The investigation leads her down dark paths, exposing long-buried secrets and testing her resolve. Barton’s gripping narrative kept me up late, turning pages and questioning every character’s motives. A chilling exploration of motherhood, loss, and the lengths we go to protect those we love.

Playing Nice

Pete and Maddie’s world shatters when they learn their toddler isn’t biologically theirs. A hospital mix-up switched babies, leaving them raising another couple’s child. As they grapple with this earth-shattering revelation, they meet the other family and tensions rise. Trust erodes, loyalties shift, and dark secrets emerge. Delaney masterfully weaves a tale of parental love, ethical dilemmas, and psychological suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end. A gripping exploration of nature versus nurture that will leave you questioning what it truly means to be a parent.