A is for Alibi >> by Sue Grafton
I have never read a Sue Grafton book, and I would like to. This is the first in a series of hard-boiled detective series with a female lead, and it is well-reviewed. The plot involves clearing the name of a woman wrongly convicted of her husband’s murder by finding the real killer.
Armed and Fabulous >> by Camilla Chafer
This is the first in a series. A woman is working as a temp and stumbles across a murder. Since most of her family is law enforcement, she decides to secretly investigate. It’s a pretty funny book, but still a good mystery.
The Bell in the Fog >> by Lev AC Rosen
The second book in the Evander Mills detective series. The author once again allows us to take a peek into queer American history through the eyes of Andy, who has his own detective agency now and is working to expand his client list with the help of his friends in the nightlife business. The writing for this book is better than the first, with a few interesting twists, and more “found family” exploration.
The Cabinet of Curiosities >> by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
This murder mystery is part of a series that weaves together multiple detectives and has police procedural aspects. Pendergast, the primary detective in the series, is eccentric and evokes Poirot a bit. It does have thriller and supernatural aspects, but it came up as a mystery of interest in a post meeting discussion last month.
The Crossing Places >> by Elly Griffiths
This first book in a 15+ series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, centers on the cold case of a missing little girl and the recent discovery of a child’s bones. The reviews praise both the protagonist and the writing, and describe the novel as dark and atmospheric. Although Marni has spoken highly of this author for years, our group hasn’t read any of her books yet so I thought that this would be a good one to try.
Detective Aunty >> by Uzma Jalaluddin
This book is an interesting whodunnit that is the first in a brand-new series. Kausar Khan, is a recent widow trying to clear the name of her adult daughter who is suspected of murder. The setting is a multicultural neighborhood in Toronto with a great cast of characters. Despite being a cozy, the story explores complex social and cultural dynamics. I loved it and think that the group will too.
Don’t Let Go >> by Harlan Coben
I really like this author. We’ve read a couple of his stand alone mysteries. This one’s got a cold case, family and friend dynamics, and a 4.1 on Good Reads.
Edinburgh Twilight >> by Carole Lawrence
This was on the Nominated but Not Read list. I love Edinburgh, and it looks like this book has a strong sense of time and place. It is the first of a series, and it is about a detective trying to track and stop a serial killer.
The God of the Woods >> by Liz Moore
This book got really strong reviews for the mystery and the writing, especially the depth at which the characters are drawn. There are multiple missing persons from the same family, one in the present day, and one who went missing 14 years ago (i.e. a cold case).
Hitchcock Hotel >> by Stephanie Wrobel
Goodreads reviews of 4s mostly. Got it recommended by a librarian. Has many little mysteries besides the main story, The Shining meets Clue. For the ones that like gothic mysteries.
The Impossible Fortune >> by Richard Osman
-Because why not!? We’ve enjoyed reading all of the books this far!
The Killer Question >> by Janice Hallett
I am nominating this book because it is the latest from the author of The Appeal (a previous read by this group). It uses her unique, quirky style to tell a new mystery – this time focused on pub trivia. It’s hot off the presses, but already available in paperback and on order at the library. [Marni note: paperback not available until July 2026]
This book club has read two of this author’s book and enjoyed them. This new book seems interesting!
Lethal Bayou Beauty >> by Jana DeLeon
This is the second book in the Miss Fortune Mystery series. It seemed like people liked the first one. The second one is also cozy adjacent.
Notes say this author is similar to Jane Harper who this book club has historically liked. This book seems intriguing, a female version of Jane Harper’s Falk detective perhaps?
Murder Among the Pyramids >> by Sara Rosett
This is the first book in a new series. It’s set in the 1920’s. A woman makes a living giving travel presentations and encounters a murder on a trip to Egypt. It was a fun read.
Murder by Cheesecake >> by Rachel Ekstrom Courage
I am nominating this book because it is a Golden Girls mystery. Honestly, I wouldn’t care if it was garbage, I’d still read it because – Golden Girls. Mystery. However, it was also a NY Times best seller and has good reviews.
Murder at Mallowan Hall >> by Colleen Cambridge
The series has been good so far.
The Murders in Great Diddling >> by Katarina Bivald
I read it & I liked it. I heard about it because Sky had mentioned it. It’s a bit low key, but interesting.
The Poacher’s Son >> by Paul Doiron
My sister recommended this one – it’s the first book in the series. The main character is Mike Bowditch, a game warden who ends up working with (??)the police to track down whoever killed a local cop. His estranged dad is a suspect and Mike needs to find the real killer to save his dad. What really grabbed me is that it’s set in Maine, and the plot seems pretty solid with some good twists thrown in. When I listened to the preview, you could feel the setting – that sense of place and time. Definitely seems worth checking out. My sister went to one of his book readings where he said he’d love more readers from Seattle, etc.
Remarkably Bright Creatures >> by Shelby Van Pelt
The detective is an octopus, need I say more? The main (human) character’s son vanished in Puget Sound 30 years ago, and the novel explores the mystery of his disappearance. [marni note: although this is classified as general fiction, I’ve read it and I’ll allow it as a nomination.]
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle >> by Stuart Turton
I should have checked the prior years’ reading lists before suggesting this because it was read in 2019, I believe. The premise of this book is that there is a man who has to figure out who kills Evelyn Hardcastle, but he has to do by inhabiting seven different “hosts” (all guests at a party where Evelyn dies) and piecing together what happens on the weekend of her death. I nominated it because it was one of the few mysteries that I want to read again because it’s so complex and I missed so many clues the first time. [Marni note: we did read this in Nov. 2019, but our rules state that it’s okay to nominate a past book if we haven’t read it in the last 5 years. Unfortunately I don’t have book reviews posted from that month!]
Shop Till You Drop >> by Elaine Viets
I am nominating this book because I always love a classic cozy and this one seems to have a fun series concept – a woman escaping her past by hopping from one dead end job to another. This one is first in series and has really good reviews.
Strange Houses >> by Uketsu
I am nominating this book because it is a Japanese best seller (translated into English) with a unique and creepy style. It incorporates architectural drawings and reviewers note that everything you need to solve the mystery is in front of you. They also mention that it is a quick read.
Stranger Diaries >> by Ellie Griffiths
With the gothic vibe along some chapters, and some paranormal elements. like the rhythm of the story, it does mention some social stereotypes. Has 4 and 5 reviews on Goodreads.
The Tainted Cup >> by Robert Jackson Bennett
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this murder mystery set in a fantasy world. I’ve seen it described as similar to Knives Out, and it features a Holmes and Watson-style detective team. It has also won many awards.
A Terribly Nasty Business: A Beatrice Steele Novel >> by Julia Seales
The group read book one in this series and enjoyed it. Beatrice has escaped from Swapshire to London, where she has opened her own detective agency. [Marni note: to be released in March 2026 as paperback]
Three Bags Full >> by Leonie Swann
This is a murder mystery where almost all the main characters are sheep. I loved the perspective of the sheep in trying to figure out who murdered their shepherd. Their observations of human behavior and their perspective on intelligence was at times very silly while also being astute. (This is also being made into a movie.)
This is a YA novel that I thought held up for adult readers. Set in a boarding school for teens with special skills (but not supernatural), the main character qualifies based on her detecting abilities. Of course the boarding school has a huge unsolved mystery—the wife and child of the founder were kidnapped and never seen again at the turn of the previous century. Honestly it’s been a few years since I read it, but what I remember liking about it was that the characters were really funny in the way that teens so often are. I also liked that the setting was a boarding school but it wasn’t about wizards.
The Unquiet Dead >> by Ausma Zehanat Khan
A police procedural with a detective duo, and the first in a series of 5 books. The victim has ties to a real historical event that occurred during the Bosnian war, and I’m intrigued by the author’s background in human rights law. The reviews describe the novel as moody, immersive, and powerful.
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) >> by Jesse Q Sutanto
Tea shop owner, home cook extraordinaire, and casual snoop, Vera, is back at it again! This time she is assisting someone with a missing friend. The first book was fun and funny, with a charming protagonist and acceptable murder plot.
We Solve Murders >> By Richard Osman
Nomination 1: This is not a “Thursday Murder Club” mystery. It is faster paced, varied age group of people and lots of violence and mystery. It’s hard to tell who is on which side.
Nomination 2: I know we keep reading the Thursday Murder Club series and there’s a new book out, but thought we could maybe try a different series from Richard Osman for 2026. This book centers on a retired detective and his daughter-in-law as a crime-solving duo.
I’m submitting this book because it features a psychic who works as a “ghostbuster” and draws upon the author’s real-life experiences as a psychic medium – how cool is that?! It’s also available in paperback.
Where They Last Saw Her >> by Marcie R. Rendon
Is being on my book list for a bit, touches a very sensitive and sad topic, when is the reality started imitating fiction?? From a Native American prolific author, has really good Goodreads reviews
Ali
Since we can only have one Richard Osman, I would love to hear from the newer members about whether they have read the earlier Thursday Murder Club books
Malka
I’m also really happy that Elly Griffith’s Norfolk series got nominated this year. I love this series!
Malka
I am thrilled to see a Sue Grafton nominated! I love the alphabet series and can’t believe we’ve only read one of her books (O is for Outlaw) many years ago.