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Best Noir Books

December 2024

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.

Dark Sacred Night

Bosch and Ballard join forces in this gritty, atmospheric thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. As they delve into a cold case involving a runaway teen, the unlikely duo navigates the seedy underbelly of LA’s nightlife. Connelly’s masterful prose brings the city to life, while the complex characters and intricate plot had me turning pages well past midnight. A must-read for crime fiction fans.

The Night Fire

Harry Bosch can’t shake his past. Haunted by an unsolved case from his LAPD days, he teams up with Renée Ballard to crack it wide open. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption that reaches far beyond the streets of LA. With each revelation, the stakes grow higher, and the danger more palpable. Connelly’s masterful prose keeps you on edge, turning pages late into the night. It’s a gripping tale that reminds us why Bosch remains one of crime fiction’s most enduring heroes.

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?

I Am Watching You

Ella can’t shake the haunting memory of two teenage girls she saw on a train, flirting with strange men. The next day, one of them goes missing. Wracked with guilt, Ella becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. As she delves deeper, she realizes everyone has secrets – even her own family. With each revelation, the danger grows closer to home. Driscoll’s gripping thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, exploring the ripple effects of one fateful decision and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love.

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 Girl with a Clock for a Heart

George Foss never thought he’d see her again, but on a late-night visit to his favorite Boston bar, there she was. Liana Dector, his college girlfriend, vanished twenty years ago. Now she’s back, with a desperate plea for help. George can’t resist her pull, despite knowing she’s trouble. As he’s drawn into her dangerous world of lies and murder, he realizes some people never change. This gripping thriller explores the power of first love and the consequences of betrayal, leaving readers breathless until the final twist.

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.