Best Police Procedural Books December 2024

The Janus Stone

Archaeologist Ruth Galloway unearths more than ancient bones when a child’s skeleton is discovered at a construction site. As she delves deeper, Ruth finds herself entangled in a web of secrets spanning decades. With her keen eye for detail and knack for uncovering the truth, Ruth races against time to solve the mystery. Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of suspense, blending forensic science with human drama. I found myself completely absorbed, unable to put the book down as I followed Ruth’s journey through Norfolk’s haunting landscapes.

The Crossing Places

Archaeologist Ruth Galloway’s quiet life is upended when DCI Harry Nelson seeks her expertise on a child’s bones found on a desolate beach. As she delves into the case, Ruth finds herself drawn into a world of ancient secrets and modern danger. With each step, she uncovers connections to a decades-old disappearance, testing her resolve and forcing her to confront her own past. Griffiths weaves a haunting tale of mystery and suspense, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Norfolk’s windswept coast.

The Postscript Murders

I found myself utterly captivated by Elly Griffiths’ “The Postscript Murders.” It’s a delightfully clever mystery that had me guessing until the very end. The characters are so vivid, I felt like I was solving the case alongside them. Griffiths’ witty prose and intricate plot weave together beautifully, creating a cozy yet thrilling read. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late just to finish one more chapter. A perfect blend of humor and suspense for any mystery lover.

The Stranger Diaries

Clare Cassidy’s life takes a chilling turn when her colleague is found dead, a line from a Gothic story by R.M. Holland beside her body. As a literature teacher specializing in Holland’s work, Clare is drawn into a sinister mystery that blurs fiction and reality. With her own diary entries appearing altered and a menacing presence lurking, Clare must unravel the truth before she becomes the next victim. Griffiths weaves a spine-tingling tale that kept me up late, jumping at every creak in my old house.

Buried in Secret

In this gripping new installment, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope faces her most perplexing case yet. When a body is unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, Vera’s instincts tell her this is no ancient burial. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of long-buried secrets in the close-knit coastal community. With her trademark wit and tenacity, Vera must navigate treacherous waters to solve the mystery before another life is lost. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling kept me guessing until the very end.

The Sleeping and the Dead

Detective Peter Porteous is called to a remote Scottish island when a body is discovered in a peat bog. As he delves into the case, he uncovers long-buried secrets and a web of lies that have haunted the tight-knit community for decades. With each revelation, Peter finds himself drawn deeper into the island’s dark history, risking everything to unravel the truth. Cleeves masterfully weaves a tale of suspense and human nature, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

The Moth Catcher

In “The Moth Catcher,” Ann Cleeves weaves a haunting tale of secrets and suspense in the Northumberland countryside. When a body is discovered in a remote valley, Detective Vera Stanhope is drawn into a complex web of lies and hidden motives. As she unravels the mystery, Vera confronts her own demons, grappling with the isolation of rural life and the weight of unsolved cases. Cleeves’ masterful prose brings the rugged landscape to life, making it as much a character as the enigmatic locals. A gripping read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Seagull

Detective Jimmy Perez returns to the windswept Shetland Islands in Ann Cleeves’ gripping mystery, “The Seagull.” When human remains are unearthed at a local beach, Perez is drawn into a complex web of secrets and lies stretching back decades. As he unravels the connections between past and present, Perez must confront his own demons while racing to catch a killer. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the stark island landscape create an atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Harbour Street

As winter descends on the sleepy coastal town of Mardle, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds herself drawn into a perplexing case. The discovery of a woman’s body on Harbour Street sets off a chain of events that unravels the tight-knit community’s secrets. Vera’s keen intuition and dogged determination lead her through a maze of lies and long-buried truths. With each revelation, the line between victim and perpetrator blurs, challenging Vera’s understanding of justice. Ann Cleeves masterfully weaves a tale of human frailty and redemption that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

The Glass Room

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope returns in this gripping mystery set in the windswept Northumberland coast. When the body of a young teacher is found in the dunes, Vera’s instincts lead her to a nearby writers’ retreat. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies among the aspiring authors. With her trademark wit and tenacity, Vera must navigate the complex relationships and hidden motives to catch a killer before they strike again. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling and vivid characters bring the stark beauty of the landscape to life, making this a must-read for fans of atmospheric crime fiction.