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Best Detective Fiction Books

December 2024

Deadly Recall

Detective Jessie Cole can’t shake the haunting memories of her sister’s disappearance. When a new case lands on her desk, she’s drawn into a web of lies and deceit. As bodies pile up, Jessie realizes she’s hunting a killer with an agenda. Racing against time, she must confront her own demons to catch this twisted predator. But the closer she gets, the more personal it becomes. Will Jessie’s relentless pursuit of justice cost her everything she holds dear?

Her Last Day

Detective Jessie Cole’s life changed forever when her sister vanished without a trace. Now, years later, she’s haunted by the unsolved case and the ghosts of her past. When a new missing persons case lands on her desk, Jessie is drawn into a web of lies and deceit that threatens to unravel everything she thought she knew. As she races against time to find the truth, she discovers that sometimes the answers we seek are hiding in plain sight. With each twist and turn, Jessie must confront her own demons and face the possibility that her sister’s disappearance may be connected to something far more sinister than she ever imagined.

The Passenger

Sarah’s life unravels in an instant when her husband falls down the stairs, dead. Panicked, she flees, assuming a new identity and embarking on a perilous journey across America. As she navigates seedy motels and small towns, Sarah grapples with her past and the secrets that haunt her. Lutz’s gripping prose keeps you on edge, wondering who Sarah really is and what she’s running from. A thrilling tale of reinvention, survival, and the lengths we’ll go to outrun our demons.

All the Beautiful Lies

Harry’s world shatters when his stepmother calls with news of his father’s suicide. Returning to his coastal Maine hometown, he’s drawn into a web of secrets and lies. Alice, his enigmatic stepmother, seems oddly calm, while a local girl’s disappearance raises suspicions. As Harry unravels the truth, he discovers his father’s hidden life and confronts his own conflicted feelings for Alice. Swanson’s taut prose and twisting plot keep readers guessing until the shocking finale.

The Better Sister

Chloe always admired her older sister Nicky, despite their tumultuous relationship. When Chloe married Nicky’s ex-husband Adam and became stepmother to Ethan, she thought she’d finally found happiness. But tragedy strikes when Adam is murdered, and Ethan becomes the prime suspect. Suddenly, the sisters must reunite to uncover the truth and protect Ethan. As they dig deeper, long-buried secrets surface, forcing Chloe to question everything she thought she knew about her perfect life and the people she loves most.

The Ex

Olivia Randall’s world is turned upside down when her ex-fiancĂ©, 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.

Girl Last Seen

Laine Moreno’s past haunts her every waking moment. Kidnapped at ten, she miraculously escaped her captor years later. Now, at twenty-three, she’s struggling to piece together a normal life when another girl vanishes—one who bears an uncanny resemblance to Laine’s younger self. As she’s drawn into the investigation, old wounds reopen, and Laine finds herself teetering on the edge of sanity. With time running out, she must confront her deepest fears to save an innocent life and finally face the demons of her own shattered childhood.

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.