Best Police Procedural Books December 2024

Out of Her Head

Delving into the twisted mind of a serial killer, T.R. Ragan’s “Out of Her Head” is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up at night. Detective Lizzy Gardner, haunted by her own past, races against time to catch a ruthless predator targeting young women. As the body count rises, Lizzy must confront her deepest fears and push her limits to stop the killer before it’s too late. With heart-pounding suspense and unexpected twists, this page-turner will leave you breathless until the very end.

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 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.

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.

Troubled Blood

Private detective Cormoran Strike returns in this gripping cold case mystery. When a woman walks into his office seeking help finding her mother, who vanished 40 years ago, Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott are drawn into a twisting investigation that leads them through a labyrinth of psychics, serial killers, and witnesses with secrets to hide. As they unravel the threads of the decades-old disappearance, Strike and Robin must confront their own demons and navigate their complex relationship. Galbraith’s masterful storytelling and richly drawn characters make this an unputdownable thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Lethal White

Cormoran Strike returns in a gripping mystery that plunges him into the murky world of politics and blackmail. When a troubled young man seeks his help, Strike is drawn into a twisting investigation reaching from the corridors of Parliament to a sinister country manor. As he and his partner Robin unravel a complex web of secrets, Strike grapples with his own demons and their evolving relationship. Galbraith’s masterful storytelling kept me up late, savoring every twist and character nuance.