The genre of crime-thriller has evolved into a cornerstone of literary culture since the mass paperback revolutionized the way we consume stories. With an ever-expanding scope that delves into detectives, espionage, family drama, and serial killers, this genre continues to captivate audiences.
If you’re intrigued by the most obscure aspects of history or crave the thrill of being on the edge of your seat, I’ve curated a list of the most exciting and highly-acclaimed crime thriller books from 2020 that will help you replenish your TBR for the new year.
Best Crime Thriller Books: Fiction
The Missing American by Kwei Quartey
As Emma’s aspirations to become a police officer are brutally shattered, she finds herself pivoting towards a career in private investigation with an agency in Accra. Amidst her uncertainty about her future and place within the city, Emma is unexpectedly thrust into the investigation of a missing American citizen in Ghana.
The case unfolds as a complex web of international scams, mystifying rituals performed by fetish priests, and cryptic clues from beyond the grave, challenging Emma to navigate the intricacies of two nations’ secrets.
The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao
In the midst of a dark, sinister plot, a lone survivor, Gwendolyn, finds herself at the epicenter of a family tragedy. The once-thriving clan has been decimated by a mass poisoning, leaving only her as the sole bearer of witness to the events that unfolded. As she lies comatose, a singular truth pierces through her foggy consciousness: Estella, her beloved sister and confidante, is the mastermind behind the heinous crimes.
The weight of this revelation sets Gwendolyn on a perilous journey to reclaim her memories and unravel the tangled threads that led up to the fateful dinner, where the poison was served with deadly precision. Her quest for truth becomes an existential imperative, as she struggles to comprehend what drove Estella down a path of destruction.
Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown
In this captivating narrative, two women from different eras converge in the same old house, their stories intricately linked by the power of food and domesticity. Alice, a writer who’s left behind her successful career in publicity to start anew with her husband in the New York suburbs, is drawn into Nellie Murdoch’s world when she discovers the latter’s handwritten recipes hidden away in the creaky old house.
Nellie, a quintessential 1950s homemaker, exudes warmth and charm as Alice begins to follow her cooking advice and homemaking tips. However, as Alice delves deeper into Nellie’s cookbooks and domestic wisdom, she stumbles upon cryptic clues hinting at decades-old secrets lurking beneath the house’s seemingly idyllic surface.
Beheld by TaraShea Nesbit
In the midst of 17th-century America, where the Pilgrims’ promise of religious freedom had given way to fervent Puritan rule, tensions simmered among the colonies. The arrival of the Mayflower a decade prior had brought with it a sense of hope and possibility, but as time passed, the reality of life in this new world began to take its toll.
For many settlers, the harsh realities of their new home had crushed their dreams of religious liberty, leaving them feeling trapped and desperate for escape.
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, the claustrophobic atmosphere of the colony only intensified. The arrival of the next boat seemed like a distant hope, a lifeline to freedom that might never materialize. And yet, it was against this backdrop of desperation and isolation that the story of Beheld unfolded.
nbspBeheld takes a bold and unflinching look at the early days of American colonization, delving into the dark and often overlooked corners of this pivotal moment in history. By shifting the focus to the perspectives of women within the colony, the novel offers a fresh and innovative take on the classic cabin fever trope, one that is both haunting and thought-provoking.
A Good Man by Ani Katz
Thomas Martin’s devotion to his family knows no bounds as he endeavors to shield them from the darker aspects of life. With his wife and daughter as his top priority, his existence revolves around safeguarding them from harm. However, Thomas’s best-laid plans have been foiled, leaving him struggling to reconcile the devastating consequences that have befallen his loved ones.
As he attempts to rebuild and make sense of the chaos that has engulfed his family, this gripping psychological thriller raises questions about how such a seemingly idyllic life can unravel so catastrophically. A Good Man is sure to captivate readers who delight in domestic thrillers and family drama.
The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida by Clarissa Goenawan
The tragic death of Miwako Sumida in her college dorm during her sophomore year has left a lasting impact. The question on everyone’s mind is whether she was running from someone or something when she retreated to the mountains just months prior. Her friends, Chie, Ryusei, and his older sister, have taken it upon themselves to unravel the mystery surrounding Miwako’s final days, seeking answers that may help them make sense of her untimely passing.
Streets of Paris, Streets of Murder: The Complete Graphic Noir of Manchette Tardi by Jean-Patrick Manchette
In the latest installment of the iconic French cartoon noir series, Griffu, a sharp-witted legal advisor, takes center stage in a gripping tale of deception and revelation. When a sultry blonde strolls into his office, Griffu is propelled into a complex web of secrets, betrayals, and conspiracies involving war criminals, ruthless assassins, and a haze of cigarette smoke.
This gritty graphic novel will resonate with fans of dark humor and classic noir detective films, offering a thrilling ride that’s equal parts sophisticated and sensational.
These Women by Ivy Pochoda
In a masterful display of narrative complexity, Pochoda crafts an intricate web of suspense and heartache that entwines the fates of five distinct women. The common thread binding these individuals is a shared connection to a single individual’s all-consuming fixation. As two gruesome murders shatter the lives of these women – including artists, bereaved mothers, and driven business professionals – their existences are forever altered, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The Holdout by Graham Moore
Maya Seale’s crusade on behalf of Bobby Nock had been vindicated ten years prior, with his acquittal serving as a testament to the power of persuasion. The memory of that trial still lingered, however, when a documentary crew began investigating the dynamics between jurors during the deliberation process.
As Maya navigated this unexpected spotlight, her personal and professional life took an abrupt turn when the police discovered a body in her apartment, belonging to one of her former fellow jurors.
The Divinities by Parker Bilal
Detective Sergeant Call Drake has been given a second chance at redemption, returning to the violent crimes unit after a botched undercover case nearly derailed his career. When he’s called to the scene of a high-profile double murder in Battersea, Drake is thrust into the midst of a complex investigation that will test his skills and force him to confront the darkest corners of his own troubled past.
As he works to track down the elusive killer, Drake finds himself partnered with forensic psychologist Dr. Rayhana Crane, whose own experiences in Iraq and the police force have left their mark on her. Together, they must navigate the blurred lines between their professional and personal lives, all while unearthing the secrets that threaten to destroy them both.
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
Bug’s transformation from an honest man to a good father was not without its challenges. Prior to this chapter in his life, he had made different choices. Though he thought he had left those decisions behind, the echoes of his past soon began to reverberate in his new reality. As his previous experiences resurfaced, Bug found himself once again entwined with a world beset by violence and destruction.
Now, he must confront the harsh realities of the wasteland that had long defined his existence, and which now demands his return.
Meadowlark by Melanie Abrams
Simrin and Arjun’s childhoods, spent within the confines of an austere spiritual compound, had set them on divergent paths. While Simrin has evolved into a photojournalist, Arjun has founded Meadowlark, a commune that aims to nurture and guide children deemed ‘gifted’. As Simrin arrives at the commune, she’s struck by unsettling aspects of Arjun’s teaching methods and the eerie atmosphere that pervades the community.
Her unease gradually intensifies as she becomes entangled in a criminal investigation that threatens not only her own life but also the lives of those under Arjun’s influence.
The Law of Lines by Hye-young Pyun
The Law of Lines, penned by Shirley Jackson Award-winning author, masterfully weaves together the parallel lives of two young women who are suddenly thrust into the dark abyss of loss. Se-oh’s world is forever shattered when her home erupts in flames, leaving her father trapped inside, with the authorities hasty to conclude that it was a tragic case of suicide and insurance fraud.
As she dodges investigators and debt collectors, Ki-Jeong, on the other side of town, sets out to unravel the mysterious death of her younger half-sister, whose police-recorded demise as a suicide by drowning doesn’t sit well with her. Both women’s desperate searches for truth lead them down a treacherous path, where they’re confronted with a sinister plot that extends far beyond their wildest imagination.
Best Crime Thriller Books: Nonfiction
Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch
In 2009, Lissa Yellow Bird emerged from prison to find that the Bakken oil boom had dramatically altered her home on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The once-peaceful landscape was now ravaged, accompanied by a surge in violence and addiction. Three years later, the disappearance of KC, a white oil worker, sent shockwaves through the community. No one had heard from him in days, leaving Lissa compelled to embark on a quest for truth.
As she navigates the complex intersection of her own Native American heritage and the world of the oil trade, Yellow Bird’s journey delves into themes of personal reckoning, justice, and the profound impact of the oil industry on indigenous communities. A gripping tale that will captivate true-crime enthusiasts, this book offers a nuanced exploration of the intricate issues surrounding the oil trade and its far-reaching consequences for Native American nations.
Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era by Jerry Mitchel
Jerry Mitchell’s gripping true story, ‘Race Against Time’, delves into the world of cold cases from the tumultuous civil rights era. Building on decades-old research and a tireless campaign to reopen four notorious cases, Mitchell’s determination and persistence lead to breakthroughs in evidence, the re-emergence of crucial witnesses and suspects, and ultimately, the successful pursuit of justice for the victims.
As the book reveals the significance of cold cases in achieving historical accountability, it serves as a powerful reminder that even decades-old crimes can still yield answers and justice.
America’s First Female Serial Killer: Jane Toppan and the Making of a Monster by Mary Kay McBrayer
Mary Kay McBrayer’s narrative nonfiction piece delves into the life of Jane Toppan, an enigmatic serial killer shrouded in mystery. The author, who was kind enough to share an advance copy, takes on a genre-bending approach that seamlessly blends biography and social commentary. This unique writing style allows readers to experience the early life of Honora Kelley, a young woman who would eventually transform into Jane Toppan – a nurse with a notorious reputation for killing over 31 people.
Unlike most serial killers, very little is known about Toppan’s life, leaving McBrayer with a blank canvas to recreate her story and unravel the motivations behind her heinous crimes. By drawing parallels with Truman Capote’s seminal work, In Cold Blood, McBrayer attempts to humanize Toppan, shedding light on the complexities that led her down a path of destruction.
The King of Confidence: A Tale of Utopian Dreamers, Frontier Schemers, True Believers, False Prophets, and the Murder of an American Monarch by Miles Harvey
In 1843, a young atheist lawyer named James Strang suddenly disappeared from his hometown and reemerged on the Midwestern frontier, having undergone a transformation to Mormonism. Following the murder of the sect’s leader Joseph Smith, Strang produced a letter that proclaimed him as the rightful successor. He then convinced hundreds of converts to join him and settle on an island in Lake Michigan, eventually declaring himself king.
As his stronghold grew, Strang’s influence expanded, making headlines across the nation and sparking deep concerns within the U. S. government. A largely forgotten figure in American history, Strang’s tale is marked by thrilling escapades, questionable behavior, and unconventional ideas that have indelibly shaped one of America’s most iconic characters: The Confidence Man.
The Kidnap Years: The Astonishing True History of the Forgotten Kidnapping Epidemic That Shook Depression-Era America by David Stout
The Great Depression’s dark legacy was marked by widespread hunger, poverty, and lawlessness. As desperation set in, criminal activity flourished, with organized crime and corrupt law enforcement feeding a public fascination with illegal means of economic survival. Against this backdrop, a peculiar phenomenon emerged: mass kidnappings.
Both civilians and criminals were involved, sparking widespread panic that ultimately culminated in one of America’s most notorious events – the Lindbergh kidnapping. Stout’s exploration of these waves of missing persons had a lasting impact on the American psyche, shaping attitudes towards crime for years to come.
Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession edited by Sarah Weinman
In a captivating assemblage, 13 compelling narratives from prominent voices in the realm of true crime have been brought together to create an unputdownable collection. This latest compilation not only highlights the evolution of true crime writing but also its profound impact on how we engage with journalism and entertainment today.
Magnetized: Conversations With a Serial Killer by Carlos Busqued
In September 1982, Buenos Aires was gripped by a sense of unease as the gruesome murders of four taxi drivers shook the city. The perpetrator, a seemingly ordinary 19-year-old named Ricardo Melogno, carried out the killings with cold calculation and an unnerving calmness throughout the police investigation. Little did anyone know that over three decades later, author Carlos Busqued would embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind Melogno’s actions by visiting him in prison.
As Busqued delved deeper into Melogno’s story, the focus of his inquiry began to shift from the murders themselves to the circumstances surrounding Melogno’s misdiagnosis and ultimate fate: life imprisonment, despite having served out his sentence.