I’ve put off posting my 2022 best list as long as possible so as to read more of the mysteries getting the most attention on the year-end best lists. My goal this year was to read 150 mystery, crime and thriller novels and I came close. To date I have read 146 and will probably read one or two more before New Year’s Day. It’s been a very good year in my opinion. My favorite read of the year is THE ACCOMPLICE by Steve Cavanagh (sadly only published in the U.K.). This cleverly plotted novel was entertainment plus from start to finish.

My list may appear long compared to some, but it was very difficult for me to limit it the the number I did. My sleeper mystery (did not gain the attention it deserved from what I could tell) is PESTICIDE by Kim Hays, set in Berne, Switzerland. The writing and plotting is so assured for a first novel, PESTICIDE was a revelation of the author’s prodigious talent. I’ve already read (and greatly enjoyed) the second in the series coming out in 2023.

Best Mystery/Crime Fiction Novels
DESERT STAR, Michael Connelly
THE DARK FLOOD, Deon Meyer
THE BOTANIST, M. W. Craven (U.K only)
SHIFTY’S BOYS, Chris Offutt
LYING BESIDE YOU, Michael Robotham (U.K , 2023 title in U.S.)
CITY ON FIRE, Don Winslow
THE BLACKBIRD, Tim Weaver (U.K only)
THE ACCOMPLICE, Steve Cavanagh (U.K. only)

Best First Mysteries
EVEN THE DARKEST NIGHT, Javier Cercas
BLOOD SUGAR, Sascha Rothchild
WAKE, Shelley Burr
THE MAID, Nita Prose

Best Paperback Original Mysteries
THE LEMON MAN, Keith Bruton
GOERING’S GOLD, Richard O’Rawe
MAY GOD FORGIVE, Alan Parks
PESTICIDE, Kim Hays

Best Thrillers
BAD ACTORS, Mick Herron
THE RUNAWAY, Nick Petrie
SIERRA SIX, Mark Greaney
ALIAS EMMA, Ava Glass
KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, Deanna Raybourn
SEVENTEEN, John Brownlow
THE PARTISAN, Patrick Worrall (2023 title in the U.S.)

Best Short Story Collection
DALZIEL & PASCOE HUNT THE CHRISTMAS KILLER, Reginald Hill