In my mind Steele Curry is Mr. Spy and Thriller Fiction. He knows that arena better than anyone I know. But he also appreciates good crime fiction as evidenced by some of the titles on his best list. He is a frequent contributor to Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine and is a member of the Barry Award Nominating Committees. It was at his (and Mystery Mike Bursaw’s) strong suggestion that resulted in the creation of the Barry Best Thriller Award. I read a fair number of books each year based on his excellent recommendations.

Steele Curry’s Best of 2023

ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, S. A. Cosby
THE BLOOD OF OTHERS, Graham Hurley
THE SCARLET PAPERS, Matthew Richardson
MY FATHER’S HOUSE , Joseph O’Connor
EVERYBODY KNOWS, Jordan Harper
SMALL MERCIES, Dennis Lehane
MOSCOW EXILE, John Lawton
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE, Martin Cruz Smith
TRIBES, John Clarkson
MIDDLEMEN, Scott Thornly
THE BURNING TIME, Peter Hanington
THE COLLECTOR, Daniel Silva
THE DETECTIVE UP LATE, Adrian McKinty
THE SECRET HOURS, Mick Herron
THE CITY OF GOD, Michael Russell
A PATIENT DEATH, John Farrow
DARK RIDE, Lou Berney
WHO THE HELL IS HARRY BLACK?, Jake Needham