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Best Mystery Books

December 2024

Gone Girl

Nick and Amy Dunne seem to have it all—a perfect marriage, a beautiful home, and successful careers. But on their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy mysteriously disappears, and the facade begins to crumble. As the media frenzy intensifies, Nick’s odd behavior and secrets make him the prime suspect. Told through alternating perspectives, “Gone Girl” unravels a chilling tale of deception, manipulation, and the dark complexities of marriage, leaving readers questioning everything.

Under Major Domo Minor

In “Under Major Domo Minor,” Patrick deWitt crafts a whimsical tale that dances between the absurd and the profound. Lucien “Lucy” Minor, a peculiar young man with a penchant for mischief, leaves his quaint village to work at the enigmatic Castle Von Aux. As Lucy navigates the castle’s labyrinthine corridors and its eccentric inhabitants, he uncovers secrets that challenge his understanding of love, loyalty, and identity. With deWitt’s signature wit and charm, this novel is a delightful exploration of the human condition, leaving readers both amused and contemplative.

Sweetpea

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, except for her penchant for murder. By day, she navigates the mundane world of office politics and relationship woes. By night, she meticulously plans her next kill, keeping a diary of her darkest thoughts and deeds. Sweetpea is a deliciously dark and wickedly funny thriller that explores the mind of a woman who’s anything but ordinary. It’s a chilling yet oddly relatable tale of hidden desires and secret lives.

The Pillowman

In a dimly lit interrogation room, Katurian, a writer of unsettling short stories, finds himself at the mercy of two detectives. His tales, dark and twisted, eerily mirror a series of gruesome child murders. As the line between fiction and reality blurs, Katurian must confront his past and the haunting stories that may have inspired real-life horrors. “The Pillowman” is a chilling exploration of storytelling, morality, and the shadows lurking within the human psyche.

Horns

Ignatius “Ig” Perrish wakes up one morning with a raging hangover and a pair of horns sprouting from his temples. It’s not just the horns that are troubling; they seem to have a peculiar effect on people, compelling them to confess their darkest secrets and desires. As Ig grapples with this bizarre transformation, he embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of his beloved Merrin. In a tale that weaves horror with dark humor, Joe Hill crafts a gripping narrative about love, vengeance, and the monstrous nature lurking within us all.

The Radleys

In a quiet English village, the Radleys appear to be a typical family, but beneath their ordinary facade lies a secret: they are abstaining vampires. Parents Peter and Helen have kept their true nature hidden from their teenage children, Rowan and Clara, who struggle with their own mysterious urges. When an unexpected event forces them to confront their past, the Radleys must decide whether to embrace their true selves or continue living a lie. With humor and heart, Matt Haig explores the complexities of family, identity, and the choices that define us.

The Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #12)

In “The Penultimate Peril,” Lemony Snicket weaves another darkly whimsical tale as the Baudelaire orphans inch closer to unraveling the mysteries surrounding their lives. Set in the enigmatic Hotel Denouement, the siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and deception. As they navigate the hotel’s labyrinthine corridors, they must confront familiar faces and make impossible choices. With Snicket’s signature wit and melancholy, this installment keeps readers on the edge of their seats, pondering the true nature of good and evil.

The Carnivorous Carnival (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #9)

In “The Carnivorous Carnival,” Lemony Snicket takes readers on another darkly whimsical journey with the Baudelaire orphans. Fleeing from Count Olaf’s relentless pursuit, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny find themselves at the Caligari Carnival, a place teeming with oddities and secrets. As they navigate the eerie world of freak shows and fortune tellers, the siblings must rely on their wits and each other more than ever. This tale, filled with unexpected twists and a touch of melancholy, reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and courage often hides in the most unlikely places.

The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #8)

In “The Hostile Hospital,” Lemony Snicket takes readers on another darkly humorous journey with the Baudelaire orphans. Fleeing from the clutches of the sinister Count Olaf, the siblings find themselves in a peculiar hospital where danger lurks in every shadowy corner. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must rely on their wits and each other to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. With Snicket’s signature wit and a touch of melancholy, this installment keeps readers on edge, blending suspense with a poignant exploration of resilience.