Best Detective Books December 2024

One of Us Is Next

Bayview High is still reeling from Simon’s death when a new game emerges, daring students to play or risk their secrets being exposed. As the stakes escalate, three unlikely friends find themselves at the center of the chaos. With each round, the game grows more dangerous, pushing boundaries and testing loyalties. McManus weaves a gripping tale of suspense, friendship, and the lengths we’ll go to protect our truths. This pulse-pounding sequel will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Two Can Keep a Secret

In this gripping thriller, Ellery arrives in Echo Ridge, a town haunted by unsolved mysteries. As she digs into her family’s dark past, including her aunt’s disappearance, a new homecoming queen vanishes. Ellery becomes entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, realizing everyone in town has something to hide. With twists that’ll keep you guessing, McManus crafts a suspenseful tale of small-town intrigue that’ll have you questioning who to trust until the very end.

One of Us Is Lying

Five students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances, his classmates become prime suspects. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper must navigate a web of lies and betrayal. With each twist, they question not only their peers but themselves. This gripping thriller explores the dark side of high school, where everyone has something to hide, and the truth is deadlier than fiction.

Someone We Know

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, secrets lurk behind closed doors. When a teenager’s hacking hobby uncovers shocking truths, it sets off a chain of events that will change lives forever. As suspicions grow and accusations fly, neighbors turn against each other, and long-buried secrets come to light. Shari Lapena masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, lies, and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish it!

The Maid

Molly, a meticulous maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, finds solace in her orderly world of cleanliness. But when she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his bed, her carefully structured life unravels. Suddenly thrust into a murder investigation, Molly must navigate a world she doesn’t quite understand. With her unique perspective and unwavering determination, she sets out to uncover the truth, learning valuable lessons about friendship and human nature along the way. A charming and poignant tale of an unlikely heroine finding her voice.

Her Every Fear

Kate Priddy’s life is upended when she agrees to a six-month apartment swap with her Boston-based cousin. Escaping London and her haunting past, she hopes for a fresh start. But her new home harbors dark secrets. As Kate unravels the mystery of her neighbor’s disappearance, she can’t shake the feeling of being watched. Swanson masterfully weaves a tale of paranoia and suspense, keeping readers on edge with every creaking floorboard and shadowy figure. I found myself holding my breath, unable to put it down until the shocking finale.

The Cuckoo’s Calling

Cormoran Strike, a war veteran turned private detective, is barely scraping by when a new case falls into his lap. The supposed suicide of a supermodel draws him into a world of multimillionaires, rock stars, and desperate designers. As Strike delves deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of secrets and lies. With his determined assistant Robin by his side, Strike must navigate London’s seedy underbelly to unravel the truth. This gripping mystery had me hooked from the first page, with its vivid characters and unexpected twists. Galbraith’s attention to detail brings the gritty streets of London to life.

His Last Bow

Sherlock Holmes’s final adventure unfolds in this gripping collection. Doyle’s masterful storytelling weaves intrigue and deduction, showcasing the detective’s unparalleled intellect. From foggy London streets to country estates, each tale pulses with suspense. I found myself holding my breath, marveling at Holmes’s brilliance. The bittersweet farewell to an iconic character left me nostalgic, yet satisfied. A fitting end to a legendary series that still captivates readers today.

The Girl Who Lived

Sarah Townsend’s life shattered when her family was brutally murdered on her 12th birthday. Now, a decade later, she’s the sole survivor, haunted by memories and plagued by survivor’s guilt. Determined to uncover the truth, Sarah returns to her hometown, where whispers and suspicious glances follow her every move. As she digs deeper, long-buried secrets resurface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. With danger lurking in the shadows, Sarah must confront her past to reclaim her future in this gripping tale of resilience and redemption.

The Third Grave

Chilling secrets lurk beneath the surface in Lisa Jackson’s gripping thriller, “The Third Grave.” When a decades-old cold case resurfaces, Detective Nikki Gillette is drawn into a web of lies and betrayal. As she unravels the mystery, she confronts her own demons and a killer who’s been hiding in plain sight. Jackson’s masterful storytelling keeps you guessing until the very end, with twists that’ll leave you breathless. A haunting tale of buried truths and the lengths some will go to keep them hidden.