Ayo Onatade is a reviewer for SHOTS Magazine in the U.K. and one of the leading crime fiction critics there. She is also a member of the Thriller Barry Award nominating committee.

Best Novels

ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, S. A. Cosby
THE SECRET HOURS, Mick Herron
THE SECOND MURDERER, Denise Mina
THE TURNGLASS, Gareth Rubin (£16.99, UK only)
VIPER’S DREAM, Jake Lamar
THE MCMASTER’S GUIDE TO HOMICIDE, Rupert Holmes
EVERYBODY KNOWS, Jordan Harper
OZARK DOGS, Eli Cranor
SMALL MERCIES, Dennis Lehane
THE LAND OF LOST THINGS, John Connolly
THE LOST DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS, Jack Jewers (2022 title in U.S.)
THE SQUARE OF SEVENS, Laura Shepherd Robinson

Honorable Mentions

MOSCOW EXILE, John Lawton
PROM MOM, Laura Lippman
RESURRECTION WALK, Michael Connelly
FLAGS ON THE BAYOU, James Lee Burke
PALACE OF SHADOWS, Ray Celestin
THE MANTIS, Kotaro Isaka