Best Suspense Books December 2024

The Gods of Guilt

Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is back in a gripping courtroom drama that tests his skills and conscience. Defending a former client accused of murder, Haller uncovers a web of lies and corruption that reaches into the highest levels of power. As he digs deeper, he confronts his own past mistakes and the moral ambiguity of his profession. With each twist, Haller must navigate the thin line between justice and guilt, all while facing the ultimate judges – the gods of guilt in the jury box.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Mickey Haller, a cynical defense attorney, operates his practice from the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car. When he lands a high-profile case defending a wealthy playboy accused of murder, Haller senses something’s off. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of lies that threatens not just his client, but his own life. Connelly’s razor-sharp prose and intricate plot twists keep readers on edge, while Haller’s wit and moral ambiguity make him an unforgettable protagonist in this gripping legal thriller.

The Black Echo

Detective Harry Bosch, haunted by his past as a Vietnam tunnel rat, finds himself investigating a murder that hits too close to home. The victim, a fellow veteran, is found dead in a drainpipe, echoing the claustrophobic tunnels of their shared war experience. As Bosch digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to unravel his own fragile sense of justice. With each twist, Connelly masterfully blends gritty realism with heart-pounding suspense, leaving readers breathless until the very last page.

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.

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.