A Compilation of The Best Mysteries, Crime Novels and Thrillers of 2020 Lists

I’ve been compiling this master list of “best” mystery, crime novel and thriller lists from experts in the field for the last month or so by searching the internet each day for new lists that crop up at this time of year. A special shout out to J. Kingston Pierce of the Rap Sheet and to my Assistant Editor, Larry Gandle, for their help. And the experts on the Deadly Pleasures staff were kind enough to supply their excellent lists as well. There are a total of 50 lists (some of which have not been previously posted on this website). At the end of this post you will see another list of book titles that appeared on at least two of the 50 lists. What I was looking for was consensus of opinion as to what are the books with the most merit published in 2020. BLACKTOP WASTELAND by S. A. Cosby had the most mentions, appearing on 22 lists.

Now a word about the limitations of these kinds of lists. Marv Lachman has told me that back in the day – fifty years or more ago – when the renowned mystery reviewer Anthony Boucher would compile his yearly “best” list for The New York Times Book Review, he would have read all or nearly all of the 200 or so mysteries published that year (which averaged about 200 pages per mystery), so he was in an admirable position to judge what were the best for that year. Now with the number of mysteries, crime novels and thrillers published each year in the range of at least 1500 to 2000 (or maybe even more) per year and the average size of such novels at over 300 pages each, no one is in that kind of position to judge the best of the year, because no one has read them all. So what the following lists represent are the expert’s favorites from the limited pool of books that they have read. That, accompanied by each expert’s personal tastes, result in the wide diversity of titles on display. But there is some consensus of opinion as to what are the top books of the year – see the end of this post.

Larry Gandle and I are reading some of the top books of the year that we failed to read earlier. If we like any of them a lot we may add them to our lists. I was holding off on posting this list until The Real Book Spy published its list of best thrillers, but I just found out that Ryan Steck and his family are very ill and that list has been delayed for awhile. I will add it to this list when it becomes available. We wish Ryan and his family a speedy and complete recovery.

The Master List will appear in its final form in the next issue of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine coming out on January 21, 2021. This has been a fun exercise for me, so I hope you enjoy it and that you find some good reading because of it. It has been a big help in getting ready for the Barry Award nominations
**Updated December 16th with the Kellye Garrett list and two more CrimeReads lists (Best Noir and Best Debut).
**Updated December 17th with NY Public Library Best and Lit Hub Best Reviewed List
**Updated December 24th with Criminal Element list of best books
**Updated December 31st with Otto Penzler’s Best List
**Updated January 4th with Mystery People, Crime Fiction Lover, Lesa’s Book Critiques, Open Letter Review and Suspense Magazine Best Lists
**Updated January 5th with AirMail — Crimes and Misdemeanors Best 8 List
** Updated January 15 with Barbara Peters/Poisoned Pen Best List

Experts’ Lists

Deadly Pleasures Staff Picks

Ali Karim Best of 2020

A PRIVATE CATHEDRAL, James Lee Burke
FAIR WARNING, Michael Connelly
TROJAN HORSE, S. Lee Manning
THE SENTINEL, Lee Child and Andrew Child
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
KILL A STRANGER, Simon Kernick
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THE HUNTED, Gabriel Bergmoser

Mike Ripley’s Best of 2020

HAMMER TO FALL, John Lawton
A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
PAINTED IN BLOOD, Ilaria Tuti
THE GOOD KILLER, Harry Dolan
THE SPLIT, Sharon Bolton
BRIXTON HILL, Lottie Moggach
THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS, Ben Pastor
ANGEL’S INFERNO, William Hjortsberg

Jeff Popple’s Best Reads of 2020

Novels
DIRTY SOUTH, John Connolly
A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
CONSOLATION, Garry Disher
WHEN SHE WAS GOOD, Michael Robotham
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer
THE GOOD TURN, Dervla McTiernan
HAMMER TO FALL, John Lawton
THE NIGHT SWIM, Megan Goldin
AFTER DARK, Dominic Nolan
TRUST, Chris Hammer
DOUBLE AGENT, Tom Bradby
Debuts
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
THE HUNTED, Gabriel Bergmoser
THE BLUFFS, Kyle Perry

Larry Gandle’s Best of 2020 Novels

AMNESTY, Aravind Adigo
LITTLE SECRETS, Jennifer Hillier
THE WIFE STALKER, Liv Constantine
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry
DEATH IN HER HANDS, Otessa Moshfegh
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
SUMMER HOUSE, James Patterson & Brendan DuBois
A BURNING, Megha Majumdar
VANISHING HALF, Brit Bennett
THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark
WHO THEY WAS, Gabriel Krauze (my favorite)
SNOW, John Banville
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
DEACON KING KONG, James McBride
Debut Novels
DARLING ROSE GOLD, Stephanie Wrobel
MY DARK VANESSA, Kate Elizabeth Russell
Thriller Novels
WITHOUT SANCTION, Don Bentley
HOUR OF THE ASSASSIN, Matthew Quirk
THREE HOURS IN PARIS, Cara Black
THE SHADOWS, Alex North
HOUSE ON FIRE, Joseph Finder
THE BOY IN THE WOODS, Harlan Coben

George Easter’s Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thrillers 2020
Best Novels

THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark
VICTIM 2117, Jussi Adler-Olsen
THE FINISHER, Peter Lovesey
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer
TROUBLED BLOOD, Robert Galbraith
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
HOUSE PRIVILEGE, Mike Lawson
BLIND VIGIL, Matt Coyle
THE BOY IN THE WOODS, Harlan Coben
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THE CURATOR, M. W. Craven
Best First Novels
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty
Best PBOs
DARKNESS FOR LIGHT, Emma Viskic
THE MONGKOK STATION, Jake Needham
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter
RUNNING FROM THE DEAD, Mike Knowles
BAD DAY AT THE VULTURE CLUB, Vaseem Khan
PLAIN SIGHT, Bruce Robert Coffin
BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST, James Swain
Best Action Thrillers
THE WILD ONE, Nick Petrie
INSIDIOUS, Brett Battles
ONE MINUTE OUT, Mark Greaney
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry
THE MAN ON THE STREET, Trevor Wood
THE RUNNER, Stephen Leather
DOUBLE AGENT, Tom Bradby

Steele Curry’s Favorites Mysteries & Thrillers 2020
Best Novels:

A PRIVATE CATHEDRAL, James Lee Burke
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
LADY JAIL, John Farrow
ROAR BACK, John Farrow
THE ENGLISHMAN, David Gilman (U.K.)
THE RHINO CONSPIRACY, Peter Hain
NIGHT IN TEHRAN, Philip Kaplan
HAMMER TO FALL, John Lawton
KILL CHAIN, Dominic Martell
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
THE CITY UNDER SIEGE, Michael Russell (U.K.)
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley
BROKEN, Don Winslow
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
THE SUMMER HOUSE, James Patterson & Brendan DuBois
Debut Novels:
THE REFLECTING POOL, Otho Eskin
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty
GERMANIA, Harald Gilbers
Best Paperback Originals:
FIFTY FIFTY, Steve Cavanagh
THE DIAMOND QUEEN OF SINGAPORE, Ian Hamilton
FORESIGHT: THE LOST DECADES OF UNCLE CHOW TUNG, Ian Hamilton
MONGKOK STATION, Jake Needham
THE NAMES OF THE DEAD, Kevin Wignall

Kristopher Zgorski’s Top Picks 2020

Louise Penny, ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE
Rachel Howzell Hall, AND NOW SHE’S GONE
S. A. Cosby, BLACKTOP WASTELAND
Lisa Unger, CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45
Hank Phillippi Ryan, THE FIRST TO LIE
Aimee Molloy, GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL
Julia Spencer-Fleming, HID FROM OUR EYES
Jennifer Hillier, LITTLE SECRETS
Lori Rader-Day, THE LUCKY ONE
Kim Powers, RULES FOR BEING DEAD
Ivy Pochoda, THESE WOMEN
Ragnar Jonasson, WINTERKILL
John Fram, THE BRIGHT LANDS
Alex Pavesi, THE EIGHTH DETECTIVE
David Heska Wanbli Weiden, WINTER COUNTS

“Mystery” Mike Bursaw’s Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020

BLIND VIGIL, Matt Coyle
THE WILD ONE, Nick Petrie
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty
HOUSE PRIVILEGE, Mike Lawson
ONE MINUTE OUT, Mark Greaney
SAVAGE SON, Jack Carr
THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS, Mark Dawson
EDDIES BOY, Thomas Perry
FIFTY FIFTY, Steve Cavanaugh
NEXT TO THE LAST STAND, Craig Johnson
BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST, James Swain
THE PRESIDENTS DOSSIER, James Scott
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Mike Connelly
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Oline Cogdill
Nationally Syndicated Reviewer

Best Novels
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
A BEAUTIFUL CRIME, Christopher Bollen
THE MOUNTAINS WILD, Sarah Stewart Taylor
LITTLE SECRETS, Jennifer Hillier
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45, Lisa Unger
THE KINGDOM, Jo Nesbo
A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin
PRETTY AS A PICTURE, Elizabeth Little
NEVER ASK ME, Jeff Abbott
WE ARE ALL THE SAME IN THE DARK, Julia Heaberlin
THEY’RE GONE, E. A. Barris
SQUEEZE ME, Carl Hiaasen
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
NO BAD DEED, Heather Chavez
Best Debuts
THE SAFE PLACE, Anna Downes
THE EIGHTH DETECTIVE, Alex Pavesi
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
DARLING ROSE GOLD, Stephanie Wrobel

Marilyn Stasio
Mystery Reviewer
The New York Times

THE RABBIT HUNTER, Lars Kepler
SHATTERED JUSTICE, Susan Ferlong
THE EVIL THAT MEN DO, John McMahon
THE TRUANTS, Kate Weinberg
PERFECT LITTLE CHILDREN, Sophie Hannah
DON’T TURN AROUND, Jessica Barry
HARD CASH VALLEY, Brian Panowich
PLEASE SEE US, Caitlin Mullen
THE FORGER’S DAUGHTER, Bradford Morrow
LADY CHEVY, John Woods

Sarah Lyall
Best Thrillers 2020
The New York Times

THE SEARCHER, Tana French
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, Gilly Macmillan
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
THE EIGHTH DETECTIVE, Alex Pavesi
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
YOU AGAIN, Debra Jo Immergut
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
HI FIVE, Joe Ide
THE PATIENT, Jasper DeWitt

Barbara Peters
The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
FRESHWATER FOR FLOWERS, Valerie Perrie
THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR, Rose Carlyle
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty
FIFTY WORDS FOR RAIN, Asha Lemmie
THE END OF OCTOBER, Lawrence Wright
EIGHT DETECTIVES, Alex Pavesi
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
THE RUSSIAN PINK, Matthew Hart
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
ESCAPING DREAMLAND, Charlie Lovett

Laura Wilson
Crime Fiction Reviewer
The Guardian

THE MAN IN THE STREET by Trevor Wood
TRUE STORY by Kate Reed Petty
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE by Deepa Anappara
BLACK RAIN FALLING by Jacob Ross
THREE-FIFTHS by John Vercher (2019 in U.S. and a Barry Award Nomination)
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman
YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY by Steph Cha (2019 in U.S. and a Barry Award Nomination)
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING by Alyssa Cole
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by Rumaan Alam
BLACKTOP WASTELAND by S. A. Cosby
REMAIN SILENT by Susie Steiner
BROKEN (six novellas) by Don Winslow
MAGPIE LANE by Lucy Atkins
OUR FATHERS by Rebecca Wait
SUMMER OF RECKONING by Marion Brunet
WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker
THE SEARCHER by Tana French
THE LAST PROTECTOR by Andrew Taylor
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER by Stuart Turton
BENT by Joe Thomas
CRY BABY by Mark Billingham

Tom Nolan
Wall Street Journal Best Mysteries 2020

THREE HOURS IN PARIS, Cara Black
THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE, Tom Bouman
TROUBLED BLOOD, Robert Galbraith
CLEAN HANDS, Patrick Hoffman
HI FIVE, Joe Ide
PRETTY AS A PICTURE, Elizabeth Little
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
ONE FATAL FLAW, Anne Perry
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson

Adam Woog
Seattle Times 10 Favorite Crime Novels of 2020

THREE HOURS IN PARIS by Cara Black
A PRIVATE CATHEDRAL by James Lee Burke
HE STARTED IT by Samantha Downing
THE LAST PASSENGER by Charles Finch
LAST DANCE by Jeffrey Fleishman
JUST WATCH ME by Jeff Lindsay
PRETTY AS A PICTURE by Elizabeth Little
THE FINISHER by Peter Lovesey
LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore
THE NIGHTWORKERS by Brian Selfon

Ryan Steck (https://therealbookspy.com/)
The Real Book Spy (this list will be added in a week or so, when done. Ryan and his family have been ill)

J. Kingston Pierce
The Rap Sheet (https://therapsheet.blogspot.com)

THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
MIDNIGHT ATLANTA, Thomas Mullen (U.K.)
DO NO HARM, Max Allan Collins
BLACK SUN RISING, Matthew Carr
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
DEADLAND, Sara Paretsky
THE FINISHER, Peter Lovesey
GRAVE’S END, William Shaw
DEATH IN THE EAST, Abir Mukherjee
GERMANIA, Harald Gilbers

Jake Kerridge
The Daily Telegraph Best Crime Novels 2020

A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin
TROUBLED BLOOD, Robert Galbraith
THE LESS DEAD, Denise Mina
YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY, Steph Cha (2019 in U.S.)
THE TREATMENT, Michael Nath
MAGPIE LANE, Lucy Atkins
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman

Barry Forshaw
Financial Times Best Crime Novels 2020

BROKEN, Don Winslow
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
THREE-FIFTHS, John Vercher (2019 in U.S.)

Adam LeBor
Financial Times Best Thrillers 2020

BOX 88, Charles Cumming
THE DEAD LINE, Holly Watt
THE ENGLISHMAN, David Gilman
THE RUNNER, Stephen Leather
THE PALADIN, David Ignatius

Mark Sanderson and Joan Smith
The Times (U.K.)

Best Crime Books of 2020
The Times Crime Novel of the Year
Denise Mina, THE LESS DEAD
The Sunday Times Crime Novel of the Year
Robert Galbraith, TROUBLED BLOOD
Ragnar Jonasson, THE MIST
Chris Hammer, SILVER
Lucy Foley, THE GUEST LIST
Riku Onda, THE AOSAWA MURDERS
Alex Pavesi, EIGHT DETECTIVES
Alan Parks, BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER
John Vercher, THREE-FIFTHS (2019 in U.S.)
Donna Leon, TRACE ELEMENTS
D. A. Mishani, THREE
Mark Billingham, CRY BABY
Ian Rankin, A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES
Emma Viskic, DARKNESS FOR LIGHT
Joe Ide, HI FIVE
John Banville, SNOW

John Dugdale and James Owen
The Times (U.K.)
Best Thriller Books of 2020
The Times Thriller of the Year
Rosamund Lupton, THREE HOURS
The Sunday Times Thriller of the Year
SQUEEZE ME, Carl Hiaasen
Don Winslow, BROKEN
Ben Creed, CITY OF GHOSTS
Scott Turow, THE LAST TRIAL
Juris Jurjevics, PLAY THE RED QUEEN
Nicci French, HOUSE OF CORRECTION
Holly Watt, THE DEAD LINE
Charlotte Philby, A DOUBLE LIFE
Simon Conway, THE STRANGER
Ariel Lawhon, CODE NAME HÉLÈNE
Jo Nesbo, THE KINGDOM
Tana French, THE SEARCHER

Ayo Onatade
Shots Magazine and ShotsMag Confidential

THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
THE DIRTY SOUTH, John Connolly
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
LIKE FLIES FROM AFAR, K. Ferrari
INTO THE FIRE, Gregg Hurwitz
THE LESS DEAD, Denise Mina
THE LOST AND THE DAMNED, Oliver Norek
EIGHT DETECTIVES, Alex Pavesi
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
RULES FOR A PERFECT MURDER (EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS), Peter Swanson
CITY OF SPIES, Mara Timon
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton

L. J. Roberts
Books Are Magic (https://booksaremagic.blogspot.com)

LONG RANGE, C. J. Box
CONSOLATION, Garry Disher
THE LAST PASSENGER, Charles Finch
THE BLACK CAGE, Jack Fredrickson
WHO SPEAKS FOR THE DEAD, C. S. Harris
THE FINISHER, Peter Lovesey
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
THE DREAMER, Sheldon M. Siegel
NO FIXED LINE, Dana Stabenow
THE SLEEPING NYMPH (PAINTED IN BLOOD), Ilaria Tuti

Kellye Garrett
A Mystery Maven’s Favorite Whodunits, Thrillers and Capers of 2020
(Published on the Goodreads Site)

PRETTY AS A PICTURE, Elizabeth Little
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
PRETTY THINGS, Janelle Brown
FROM BEER TO ETERNITY, Sherry Harris
THEY’RE GONE, E. A. Barres
THE LADY UPSTAIRS, Halley Sutton
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
WHAT YOU DON’T SEE, Tracy Clark

Otto Penzler’s Ten Best Mysteries 2020

MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry
WOBBLE TO DEATH, Peter Lovesey – he cheated on this.
THE FORGER’S DAUGHTER, Bradford Morrow
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
THE MIST, Ragnar Jonasson
THE SENTINEL, Lee Child, Andrew Child
THE BEST OF MANHUNT, Edited by Jeff Vorzimmer
AN INCONVENIENT WOMAN, Stephanie Buelens

Publications’ Lists

The Washington Post
Best Thriller and Mystery Books of 2020

CITY OF MARGINS by William Boyle
DEAD LAND by Sara Paretsky
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE by Deepa Anappara
LONG BRIGHT RIVER by Liz Moore
THE MISSING AMERICAN by Kwei Quarley
ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware
THE SEARCHERS by Tara French
SQUEEZE ME by Carl Hiaasen
THREE HOURS IN PARIS by Cara Black
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO by Walter Mosley

Kirkus Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020

FAIR WARNING, Michael Connelly
THE GOLDEN CAGE, Camilla Läckberg ; translated by Neil Smith
PRECIOUS YOU, Helen Monks Takhar
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
THE BOURNE EVOLUTION, Brian Freeman
THE KINGDOM, Jo Nesbø ; translated by Robert Ferguson
DEAD LAND, Sara Paretsky
TAKE ME APART, Sara Sligar
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
A SHADOW INTELLIGENCE, Oliver Harris

Publishers’ Weekly Best Mystery/Thrillers of 2020

AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
BLACK SUN RISING, Matthew Carr
THE CABINETS OF BARNABY MAYNE, Elsa Hart
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson
THE END OF OCTOBER, Lawrence Wright
THE FAMILIAR DARK, Amy Engel
THE FORGER’S DAUGHTER, Bradford Morrow
THE GOLDEN CAGE, Camilla Läckberg
SEVEN LIES, Elizabeth Kay
THE WICKED SISTER, Karen Dionne
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Library Journal Best Crime Fiction 2020
By Vicki Briner, Liz French and Lesa Holstine

DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, Jess Lourey
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter
THE MOUNTAINS WILD, Sarah Stewart Taylor
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Websites’ and Media Lists

Goodreads Choice (https://www.goodreads.com)
Best Mystery Award 2020

THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley – Winner
HOME BEFORE DARK, Riley Sager
THE WIVES, Tarryn Fisher
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton

NPR (https://www.npr.org/books/)
Best Mysteries and Thrillers 2020

MEXICAN GOTHIC, Silvia Moreno-Garcia
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THIS IS MY AMERICA, Kim Johnson
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
CATHERINE HOUSE, Elisabeth Thomas
PIRANESI, Susanna Clarke
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara
AMNESTY, Aravind Adiga
THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS, Stephen Graham Jones
THE MISSING AMERICAN, Kwei Quartey
A SHADOW INTELLIGENCE, Oliver Harris
SISTERS, Daisy Johnson
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, Rumaan Alam
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
WHY FISH DON’T EXIST, Lulu Miller
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
SLIPPERY CREATURES, K. J. Charles
MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL, Fleur Bradley
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby

Novel Suspects (https://www.novelsuspects.com/)
Top Five Picks for Best Mystery & Suspense 2020

THE MISSING AMERICAN, Kwei Quartey
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley
DEACON KING KONG, James McBride
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara

The Bibliofile (https://the-bibliofile.com/)
Best Mysteries & Thrillers 2020
By Jennifer Marie Lin

THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley
HOME BEFORE DARK by Riley Sager
A GOOD MARRIAGE by Kimberly McCreight
INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell
LITTLE SECRETS by Jennifer Hillier
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL by Simone St. James
MOONFLOWER MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz
THE RED LOTUS by Chris Bohjalian
BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN by Diane Chamberlain
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
THE BOY IN THE WOODS by Harlan Coben
THE NIGHT SWIM by Megan Goldin
THE SHADOWS by Alex North
ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware
WHEN YOU SEE ME by Lisa Gardner
ONE OF US IS NEXT by Karen M. McManus
THE LAST FLIGHT by Julie Clark
THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW by Christian White
THE OTHER MRS. by Mary Kubica
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS by Peter Swanson
HIS & HERS by Alice Feeney

Amazon Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2020

BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
THINGS IN JARS, Jess Kidd
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
PRETTY THINGS, Janelle Brown
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, Jess Lourey
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
SQUEEZE ME, Carl Hiaasen
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
THE ORDER, Daniel Silva
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann
THE DIRTY SOUTH, John Connolly
THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben

BookPage (https://bookpage.com/)
Best Mystery & Suspense 2020

PERFECT LITTLE CHILDREN, Sophie Hannah
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann
TAKE ME APART, Sara Sligar
THE BRIGHT LANDS, John Fram
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand
THE DISTANT DEAD, Heather Young
MEXICAN GOTHIC, Sylvia Moreno-Garcia
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby

Booklist Queen (https://booklistqueen.com/)
Best Thriller Books of 2020

Best Psychological Thriller Books 2020
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann – Top Pick
THE GIRL FROM WIDOW HILLS, Megan Miranda
HIS & HERS, Alice Feeney
CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45, Lisa Unger

Best Domestic Thriller Books
INVISIBLE GIRL, Lisa Jewell – Top Pick
THE RED LOTUS, Chris Bohjalian
THE SAFE PLACE, Anna Downes
THREE PERFECT LIARS, Heidi Perks

Spooky Bestselling Thrillers 2020
HOME BEFORE DARK, Riley Sager – Top Pick
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
MEXICAN GOTHIC, Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Best Crime Thrillers 2020
THE NIGHT SWIM, Megan Goldin – Top Pick
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
THE HOLDOUT, Graham Moore
THE SEARCHER, Tana French

Murder & Mayhem (https://murder-mayhem.com/)
Best Mystery and Thriller Books of 2020

THE MISSING AMERICAN, Quei Quartey
DEVOTED, Dean Koontz
FIRST CUT, Judy Melinek & T. J. Mitchell
HOME BEFORE DARK, Riley Sager
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
THE OTHER PEOPLE, C. J. Tudor
THRASH, Jason Palmer
CITY OF MARGINS, William Boyle
THE LAW OF LINES, Hye-young Pyun
THE COYOTES OF CARTHAGE, Steven Wright
FAIR WARNING, Michael Connelly
THE BODY DOUBLE, Emily Beyda
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley

SheReads (https://shereads.com)
Best Thrillers of 2020

THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark – Winner Best Thriller
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
DON’T LOOK FOR ME, Wendy Walker
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
LITTLE SECRETS, Jennifer Hillier
MEXICAN GOTHIC, Silvia Moreno-Garcia

CrimeReads (https://crimereads.com)
Best Crime Novels of 2020

BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
LITTLE CRUELTIES, Liz Nugent
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley
LITTLE SECRETS, Jennifer Hillier
A PRIVATE CATHEDRAL, James Lee Burke
NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand
SHADOW GARDEN, Alexandra Burt
THE COYOTES OF CARTHAGE, Steven Wright
Best Noir Fiction 2020
THE LAW OF LINES, Hye-Young Pyun
CLEAN HANDS, Patrick Hoffman
SARAH JANE, James Sallis (2019 title)
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand
THE BIG MAN’S DAUGHTER, Owen Fitzstephen
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
LOVE AND THEFT, Stan Parish
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
ONCE YOU GO THIS FAR, Kristen Lepionka
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley
Best Debut Novels of 2020
THE BRIGHT LANDS, John Fram
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara
TRUST ME, Richard Z. Santos
THE LAST STORY OF MINA LEE, Nancy Jooyoun Kim
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
THE NIGHT WORKERS, Brian Selfon
THE COYOTES OF CARTHAGE, Steven Wright
WHITE IVY, Susie Yang
THE TALENTED MISS FARWELL, Emily Gray Tedrowe
THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, Micah Nemerever

DeadGood (www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk)
15 Authors Pick the Best Crime Novels of 2020

Jane Corry’s Choice: THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
Sarah Pearse: THE KINGDOM, Jo Nesbo
Ragnar Jonasson, EIGHT DETECTIVES, Alex Pavesi;
RULES OF PERFECT MURDERS (EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS), Peter Swanson; GALLOWS ROCK, Yrsa Sigurdardottir; MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
Tana French: ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
Lisa Jewell: THE OTHER PASSENGER, Ruth Candlish; ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware; JUST MY LUCK, Adele Parks
Tim Weaver: RECURSION, Blake Crouch
Gregg Hurwitz: RECURSION, Blake Crouch
Sam Lloyd: THREE HOURS, Rosamund Lupton
Cara Hunter: THREE HOURS, Rosamund Lupton; PLAYING NICE, J.P. Delaney; THE END OF HER, Shari Lapena; IMPERFECT WOMEN, Araminta Hall; THE NOTHING MAN, Catherine Ryan Howard
Rosamund Lupton: WE BEGIN AT THE END, Chris Whitaker
Heidi Perks, WE BEGIN AT THE END, Chris Whitaker
Rebecca Reid: YOU CAN TRUST ME, Emma Rowley
Lauren North: ALL IN HER HEAD, Nikki Smith
Tony Parsons: GOING BACK, Neil Lancaster
Jorn Lier Horst: THE LAW OF INNOCENCE & FAIR WARNING, Michael Connelly

Sara Weinman – The Crime Lady

Favorite Crime Fiction 2020
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall
VERA KELLY IS NOT A MYSTERY, Rosalie Knecht
PRETTY AS A PICTURE, Elizabeth Little
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
TAKE ME APART, Sara Sligar
A CERTAIN HUNGER, Chelsea G. Summers

New York Public Library
Best Crime, Mysteries and Thrillers 2020
THE AOSAWA MURDERS, Riku Onda
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann
DON’T LOOK FOR ME, Wendy Walker
THE GIRL IN THE MIRROR, Rose Carlyle
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman

LitHub
Best Reviewed Mystery and Crime Fiction 2020
THE SEARCHER, Tana French
SNOW, John Banville
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
DJINN PATROL ON THE PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda
BROKEN, Don Winslow
SAINT X, Alexis Schaitkin
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore

Criminal Element Newsletter
Best Books 2020

THE SAFE PLACE, Anna Downes
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
LITTLE SECRETS, Jennifer Hillier
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole
THE LAST TOURIST, Olen Steinhauer
DOPEWORLD: Adventures in the Global Drug Trade, Niko Vorobyov
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, Gilly MacMillan
HARD CASH VALLEY, Brian Panowich
THE CABINETS OF BARNABY MAYNE, Elsa Hart
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz

Mystery People
https://mysterypeople.wordpress.com/
Scott Montgomery’s 10 Best Crime Novels of 2020
NEXT TO LAST STAND, Craig Johnson
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
THE FAMILIAR DARK, Amy Engel
THE POISON FLOOD, Jordan Farmer
CITY OF MARGINS, William Boyle
THE LESS DEAD, Denise Mina
LOST RIVER, J. Todd Scott
BROKEN, Don Winslow
THAT LEFT TURN AT ALBUQUERQUE, Scott Phillips
LINE OF SIGHT, James Queally

Crime Fiction Lover
(https://crimefictionlover.com)
Rough Justice: Top Five Books of 2020
THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY, Eva Garcia Saenz
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann
THE LADY UPSTAIRS, Halley Sutton
PLAY THE RED QUEEN, Juris Jurjevics
WHEN THESE MOUNTAINS BURN, David Joy
Crime Fiction Lover Top Five Books of 2020
HINTON HOLLOW DEATH TRIP, Will Carver
WINTERKILL, Ragnar Jonasson – 2021 book in U.S.
THE KINGDOM, Jo Nesbo
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand
BROKEN, Don Winslow

Lesa’s Book Critiques
(https://lesasbookcritiques.com/)
Lesa Holstine’s Favorite Books of 2020
CLOSELY HARBORED SECRETS, Bree Baker
THE SOLACE OF BAY LEAVES, Leslie Budewitz
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben
NEXT TO LAST STAND, Craig Johnson
UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, Jess Lourey
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny
LINEAGE MOST LETHAL, S. C. Perkins
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter
A MURDEROUS RELATION, Deanna Raybourn
THE BODY IN THE GARDEN, Katharine Schellman
THE MOUNTAINS WILD, Sarah Stewart Taylor
(some non-mysteries deleted from this list – go to website for full list)

Open Letter Review
Best Thrillers by Steve Donoghue (https://openlettersreview.com/posts/the-best-books-of-2020-thrillers)
THE RABBIT HUNTER, Lars Kepler
THE FAMILIAR DARK, Amy Engel
THE EMPTY BED, Nina Sadowsky
DEVOLUTION, Max Brooks
ONE MINUTE OUT, Mark Greaney
INTO THE FIRE, Gregg Hurwitz
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter
HOUSE ON FIRE, Joseph Finder
A BEAUTIFUL CRIME, Christopher Bollen
THE END OF OCTOBER, Lawrence Wright
Best Mysteries by Steve Donoghue
(https://openlettersreview.com/posts/the-best-books-of-2020-mystery)
THE MITFORD SCANDAL, Jessica Fellowes
IN THE SHADOW OF VESUVIUS, Tasha Alexander
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley
THE KING’S JUSTICE, Susan Elia MacNeal
SALT RIVER, Randy Wayne White
THE DECENT INN OF DEATH, Rennie Airth
THE KING’S BEAST, Eliot Pattison
DEATH ON TUCKERNUT, Francine Matthews
REVOLVER ROAD, Christi Daugherty
WHAT IS TIME TO A PIG?, John Straley

Suspense Magazine
https://suspensemagazine.com
Best Cozy Mystery
MURDER IN THE BAYOU BONEYARD, Ellen Byron
JANE DARROWFIELD: PROFESSIONAL BUSYBODY, Barbara Ross
SNOWED UNDER, Mary Feliz
KILLER KUNG PAO, Vivien Chien
Best Debut Novels
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty
WITHOUT SANCTION, Don Bentley
THE LAST DAY, Andrew Hunter Murray
A BURNING, Megha Majumdar
Best Romantic Suspense
POINT OF DANGER, Irene Hannon
AFTER SUNDOWN, Linda Howard & Linda Jones
THICK AS THIEVES, Sandra Brown
BURN YOU TWICE, Mary Burton
Best Historical
THE BLUES DON’T CARE, Paul D. Marks
MURDER AT KINGSCOTE, Alyssa Maxwell
BODY IN THE GARDEN, Katherine Spellman
THE VANISHING HALF, Brit Bennett
Best Suspense Thriller
COVER YOUR TRACKS, Daco S. Auffenorde
HOUSE ON FIRE, Joseph Finder
INVISIBLE GIRL, Lisa Jewell
NEAR DARK, Brad Thor
SAVAGE SON, Jack Carr
SINS OF THE MOTHER, August Norman
THE NEW HUSBAND, D. J. Palmer
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware
NIGHT SWIM, Megan Goldin
HOME BEFORE DARK, Riley Sager – Winner of Crimson Scribe Award
(categories for Best Young Adult, Best Dark Urban Fantasy, Best True Crime, Best Anthology, and Best Horror are not included. If interested go to website and view magazine in its entirety.)

Air Mail – Crimes and Misdemeanors
Best Eight Mystery Books of 2020
https://airmail.news/books/2020/12/crimes-and-misdemeanors

THE RABBIT HUNTER, Lars Kepler
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer
THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY, Eva García Sáenz
TROUBLED BLOOD, Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden
THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark
BLACK SUN RISING, Matthew Carr

Compilation of Mentions
Abreviations (in alphabetical order):

AK = Ali Karim
AM = Airmail
AO = Ayo Onatade
AZ = Amazon
BarP = Barbara Peters
BF = Bibliofile
BLQ = Booklist Queen
BP = BookPage
CE = Criminal Element
CFL = Crime Fiction Lover
CR = CrimeReads
DG = DeadGood
DT = Daily Telegraph
FT = Financial Times
GEO = George Easter
GR = GoodReads
JP = Jeff Popple
JKP = J. Kingston Pierce
KG = Kellye Garrett
KIRK = Kirkus
KZ = Kristopher Zgorski
LBC = Lisa’s Book Critiques
LG = Larry Gandle
LH = Lit Hub
LJ = Library Journal
LJR = L J Roberts
MB = Mystery Mike Bursaw
MM = Murder & Mayhem
MP = Mystery People
NPR = NPR Radio
NS = Novel Suspects
NYPL = New York Public Library
NYT = New York Times
OC = Oline Cogdill
OL = Open Letter
OP = Otto Penzler
PW = Publishers’ Weekly
RBS = Real Book Spy – Ryan Steck
Rip = Mike Ripley
SC = Steele Curry
SM = Suspense Magazine
SR = She Reads
ST = Seattle Times
SW = Sara Weinman
TG = The Guardian
TT = The Times, The Sunday Times
WAPO = Washington Post
WSJ = Wall Street Journal

22
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby NPR, TG, AZ, BP, OC, GEO, LG, LJ, RIP, AK, JP, SC, MM, KZ, CR(2), AO, SW, KG, LH, CE, MP, SM

14
THE SEARCHER, Tana French GR, TG, WAPO, AZ, FT, BLQ, LJ, TT, NPR, MM, NYT, SW, LH, OP
WINTER COUNTS, David H.W. Weiden OC, AZ, GEO, LJ, PW, KZ, NPR, KG, CR (2), MB, MP, AM, BarP

12
LONG BRIGHT RIVER, Liz Moore GR, WAPO, AZ, BLQ, ST, NPR, AK, SR, SW, LG, NYPL, LH
ONE BY ONE, Ruth Ware GR, BF, WAPO, KIRK, BLQ, NYT, SR, DG(2), LG, CE, SM
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman TG, AZ, DT, GEO, LJ, JP, WSJ, DG, NYPL, LH, BarP

9
THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER, Stuart Turton GR, TG, AZ, BP, FT, JKP, PW, AO, LH
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole GR, TG, NPR, BP, SR, CR, SW, KG, CE
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz GEO, JKP, NPR, AK, BF, NYT, DG, CE, OP
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS, Peter Swanson KIRK, BF, PW, WSJ, NYT, DG, AO, CE, AM

8
THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, Simone St. James GR, BF, AZ, OC, BLQ, BF, MM, SR
THE GUEST LIST, Lucy Foley GR, BF, AZ, BLQ, TT, NYT, CR
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben GR, BF, AZ, GEO, LG, NPR, NS, LBC
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny KIRK, AZ, LJ, SC, KZ, WSJ, LJR, LBC

7
A SONG OF DARK TIMES, Ian Rankin DT, FT, AK, OC, TT, RIP, JP
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall OC, AZ, KZ, PW, SR, SW, KG
DJINN PATROL ON PURPLE LINE, Deepa Anappara TG, WAPO, LJ, NPR, NS, CR, LH
THESE WOMEN, Ivy Pochoda KZ, NYT, OC, CR, AO, SW, LH
LITTLE LIES, Jennifer Hillier BF, OC, LG, KZ, SR, CR, CE
BROKEN, Don Winslow FT, TG, TT, SC, LH, MO, LBC
THE EIGHTH DETECTIVE, Alex Pavesi KZ, OC, TT, NYT, DG, AO, BarP

6
PRETTY AS A PICTURE, Elizabeth Little ST, OC, AZ, WSJ, SW, KG
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly AZ, GEO, MB, AO, SC, OP
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO, Walter Mosley WAPO, SC, NS, MM, CR, OL
THE LAST FLIGHT, Julie Clark BF, AZ, GEO, LG. SR, AM

5
MEXICAN GOTHIC, Sylvia Moreno-Garcia BP, BLQ, NPR, BF, SR
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry SC, GEO, MB, LG, OP
THE KINGDOM, Jo Nesbo TT, KIRK, OC, DG, CFL
DEAR CHILD, Romy Hausmann AZ, BP, BLQ, NYPL, CFL
HOME BEFORE DARK, Riley Sager GR, BLQ, BF, MM, SM
TROUBLED BLOOD, Robert Galbraith DT, TT, GEO, WSJ, AM
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty GE, SC, MB, SM, BarP

4
SQUEEZE ME, Carl Hiaasen WAPO, AZ, OC, TT
THREE HOURS IN PARIS, Cara Black ST, LG, WAPO, WSJ
A PRIVATE CATHEDRAL, James Lee Burke ST, AK, SC, CR
FAIR WARNING, Michael Connelly AK, KIRK, MM, DG
THE FINISHER, Peter Lovesey JKP, GEO, ST, LJR
THE MISSING AMERICAN, Quei Quartey NPR, NS, WAPO, MM
THE LESS DEAD, Denise Mina DT, TT, AO, MP
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter LJ, GEO, LBC, OL
THE NIGHT SWIM, Megan Goldin BF, BLQ, JP, SM
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer GEO, SC, JP, AM

3
CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45, Lisa Unger OC, BLQ, KZ
DEADLAND, Sara Paretsky JKP, WAPO, KIRK
HAMMER TO FALL, John Lawton RIP, SC, JP
THREE HOURS, Rosamund Lupton TT, DG (2)
THE DIRTY SOUTH, John Connolly JP, AZ, AO
TAKE ME APART, Sara Sligar KIRK, BP, SW
SNOW, John Banville TT, LG, LH
THE SAFE PLACE, Anna Downes OC, BLQ, CE
THE MIST, Ragnar Jonasson TT, KZ, OP
THE FORGER’S DAUGHTER, Bradford Morrow NYT, PW, OP
THE FAMILIAR DARK, Amy Engel PW, MP, OL
CITY OF MARGINS, William Boyle MM, WAPO, MP
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand BP, CR, CFL
UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, Jess Lourey AZ, LJ, LBC
THE MOUNTAINS WILD, Sarah Stewart Taylor OC, LJ, LBC
ONE MINUTE OUT, Mark Greaney GE, MB, OL
INTO THE FIRE, Gregg Hurwitz AO, DG, OL
HOUSE ON FIRE, Joseph Finder LG, OL, SM
INVISIBLE GIRL, Lisa Jewell BF, BLQ, SM
THE RABBIT HUNTER, Lars Kepler NYT, OL, AM
BLACK SUN RISING, Matthew Carr JKP, PW, AM
THE END OF OCTOBER, Lawrence Wright PW, OL, BarP

2
HIS & HERS, Alice Feeney BF, BLQ
INVISIBLE GIRL, Lisa Jewell BF, BLQ
THE RED LOTUS, Chris Bohjalian BF, BLQ
DARKNESS FOR LIGHT, Emma Viskic TT, GEO
THE DEAD LINE, Holly Watt (U.K. Only) TT, FT
THE GOLDEN CAGE, Camilla Lackberg KIRK, LG
UNSPEAKABLE THINGS, Jess Lourey AZ, LJ
PERFECT LITTLE CHILDREN, Sophie Hannah NYT, BP
A SHADOW INTELLIGENCE, Oliver Harris NPR, KIRK
CITY OF MARGINS, William Boyle MM, WAPO
THE BRIGHT LANDS, John Fram BP, KZ
BLIND VIGIL, Matt Coyle GEO, MB
HI FIVE, Joe Ide WSJ, NYT
THE BOOK OF LAMPS AND BANNERS, Elizabeth Hand BP, CR
THE COYOTES OF CARTHAGE, Steven Wright MM, CR
WE BEGIN AT THE END, Chris Whitaker DG (2)
PRETTY THINGS, Janelle Brown AZ, KG
CLEAN HANDS, Patrick Hoffman CR, WSJ
THE AOSAWA MURDERS, Riku Onda TT, NYPL
DON’T LOOK FOR ME, Wendy Walker SR, NYPL
THE CABINETS OF BARNABY MAYNE, Elsa Hart PW, CE
HARD CASH VALLEY, Brian Panowich NYT, CE
THE SUMMER HOUSE, James Patterson & Brendan DuBois, LG, SC
GERMANIA, Harald Gilbers, JKP, SC
DEACON KING KONG, James McBride NS, LG
NEXT TO LAST STAND, Craig Johnson MP, LBC
PLAY THE RED QUEEN, Juris Jurjevics TT, CFL
A BEAUTIFUL CRIME, Christopher Bollen OC, OL
WITHOUT SANCTION, Don Bentley LG, SM
A BURNING, Megha Majumdar LG, SM
SAVAGE SON, Jack Carr MB, SM
DARLING ROSE GOLD, Stephanie Wrobel LG, OC