It can be difficult to narrow the selection down with so many buzzy books hitting shelves every week, which is why I’ve turned to NetGalley member reviews for recommendations. Here’s a list of upcoming books from the Mystery & Thrillers category that are already exciting me and NetGalley members alike! I predict you’ll be adding quite a few of these to your next indie bookstore order.
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in Mexico City in the 1970s, Velvet Was the Night features a secretary who goes searching for Lenora, her missing neighbor, only to find herself meeting with political activists and swept up into student protests. Little does Maite know, she’s not the only one looking for Lenora. Reviewer Toni Marie N felt completely transported by this novel, writing “I was languorously and lasciviously living in this historical noir Silvia Moreno-Garcia has created and didn’t want it to end. It was a masterpiece… I wasn’t able to put it down. I was entranced and held captivated by the story being told.”
The Other Passenger by Louise Candlish
Jamie Buckby always enjoys sharing his ferry commute to work with his neighbor Kit Roper. But when Kit stops showing up, Jamie becomes the police’s prime suspect. Other passengers claim to have seen him and Kit arguing the night before. Jamie swears he’s innocent, but could he be hiding secrets? Reviewer Erin S had nothing but praise for The Other Passenger: “This is a gripping, edge of your seat thriller… Louise Candlish is a master at storytelling.”
The Perfect Ruin by Shanora Williams
This summer, romance author Shanora Williams is delivering a domestic suspense novel following socialite and CEO Lola Maxwell and Ivy Hill, the woman who will do anything to ruin her. Ivy infiltrates Lola’s life, cozying up to her friends and husband, but soon Ivy finds that she’s in over her head. Librarian Shana E gave “5 perfect stars” to Shanora Williams’s debut thriller, adding “she’s done an excellent job at this thriller/suspense game! I cannot wait to read more like this from her.”
Bath Haus by P. J. Vernon
A lie spirals out of control in this summer thriller. Oliver Park barely escapes after being strangled by a fellow patron at a bathhouse. Not wanting to tell his partner, Nathan, that he was unfaithful, he claims the bruises are from a mugging. Oliver thinks he’s in the clear, until the man who attacked him shows up as part of the crew performing repairs on the home he shares with Nathan. “Bath Haus is AMAZING! This book left me breathless,” writes educator Cortney W. “[It] was explosive, steamy, extremely well written, and exciting. It releases on June 15 so put it on your list to buy it! You won’t regret it.”
Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes
Need something cozy to curl up with? Raquel V. Reyes has you covered! Cuban-American food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith is on the case when a series of murders interrupt her new life with her son in Miami. Soon she’s teaming up with Detective Pullman to uncover who is targeting the Coral Shores community. Review Bobbi M called it a “wonderful, fun read” adding that Mango, Mambo, and Murder is “a great cozy mystery that will have you guessing until the end!”
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Described as ideal for fans of Gone Girl and The Haunting of Hill House, this horror novel is creating a ton of buzz among reviewers. Librarian Cindy S called the writing “gorgeous perfection” and wished for a rating system that offered “a ten stars option. Or eleven.” Meanwhile bookseller Katherine T wrote, “This book is JAW DROPPING. ASTOUNDING… I honestly cannot believe how amazing this book is. It is freaky and psychological and so twisted.”
Thanks for the book tips, always looking for something new.
The Other Passenger was very good, however I didn’t click with The Last House on Needless St.