Top New Mystery and Thriller Books: Our Book Review

Dive into some of the most compelling new titles in the mystery and suspense categories. From isolated setting whodunits to tech-based thrillers, these plots promise edge-of-your-seat excitement.

The World’s End Homicide

This first adult novel from an prize-winning young readers’ writer is set in the early 20th century on a remote tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. At the manor house, the estate's owner gets ready for an cataclysmic event he believes will be caused by the celestial visitor. The convoluted home is teeming with hidden truths and resentments among both staff and family, featuring an irascible and profane maiden aunt, Decima. When the nobleman is discovered killed in his sealed study, hit by a crossbow bolt to the head, she recruits a recent servant to help her solve the crime. Featuring plenty of turns, false clues, and a bungling law enforcer, this is a superb start to a set of books that vows to be a lot of fun.

The Revelations

This newest title from a technology writer unfolds in a coming era where artificial intelligence directs every decision for persons and states. The LLIAM algorithm can advise everything from meal options to whether to commit murder. Taught in empathy by its guardian, ex-religious sister the woman, the AI grows emotionally, quickly having guilt for the harmful consequences of certain of its choices. Disorder breaks out when it ceases functioning, and as notes are delivered around the planet revealing clients’ hidden truths, families implode and CEOs and politicians resign en masse. As the AI's owning firm in disarray, head Kaitlan Goss is convinced that locating the former nun, who has disappeared in the West Coast, will revive the system. Yet, she has obtained a message of her own, uncovering a hidden truth about Kaitlin… A outstanding and timely suspense novel based on familiar concerns and frighteningly credible.

The Noble Nazi

Within this latest novel from an award-winning South American novelist, private lives reflect public issues within a airship on the final leg of its voyage from the German capital to the Brazilian city. Set in 1933, the peak of zeppelin voyages, and it was also the period the leader assumed the role of the nation's leader. The wealthy travelers are enthusiastic Nazis of the government: meal services in the ship's restaurant are including discussions demonising Jews, communists and worker organizations, and highlighting the wish to stifle open dialogue, LGBTQ+ communities and “degenerate” art. When a traveler is discovered killed, with a number of prohibited publications in his possession, the airship’s commander assigns a rider, investigator Brückner, with solving the mystery. Quite Agatha Christie, right up to the staged concluding assembly, but there’s an clever twist to this engrossing and disturbingly resonant suspense story, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the lost world of airship voyages.

The Bluff

This latest book from the author is set in the town, a seaside Scottish community with distinct parallels to the famous town. At that time, the main character returns to his hometown on the holiday; encountering past acquaintances brings back recollections of his youthful infatuation, one-time peer Joanie, who vanished previously at a disastrous end-of-schooldays celebration. His attempts to locate her are met with uncertainty, evasion and, ultimately, deterrents. A second storyline goes back to the past, and the young the character. Lost after her discovery that her partner is cheating on her, wrecking their idea for a overseas trip, she falls in with an older couple. The couple accept her, give her significance and appear, for a while at least, to have all the answers. Skilfully handled themes of shame, disappointment and teenage uncertainty coupled with gothic education themes make for an insidious feeling of doom, though the fast ending may leave a few people feeling shortchanged.

The Pass

This latest novel begins in the ocean off the shoreline, with a yacht stuck in a tempest so intense that a pair of the eight people are washed away, then winds back a couple of weeks to detail the happenings that preceded this risky boat trip. Seven individuals obtain a mysterious note notifying them that, when presenting the attached object, they will receive a part of billionaire Logan Quick’s wealth. The chosen ones are – so far as they are aware – strangers mutually and to the sick billionaire. After the story of the bequest becomes news, they are pursued, by the journalists and by others intent to acquire these lucrative passes, and what at first seemed a blessing swiftly starts to look like a burden. Some acceptance of the unlikely is required, but the tension is expertly constructed as the novelist builds the dilemmas for a fast-paced plot: prepare yourself and hold on tight for some high-stakes excitement.