In regards to this list, the word “international” means translated works. Hence, no titles from English-speaking foreign countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. As I typed this list I wondered if the Scandinavian crime writers were going to be ignored, but one finally popped up — the last one on the list. Pretty obscure titles, but MY MEN was chosen on the best lists of the New York Times (Sarah Weinman) and The Wall Street Journal (Tom Nolan).

CrimeReads Best International Crime Novels of 2023

MY MEN, Victoria Kielland
VENGEANCE IS MINE, Marie Ndiaye
NOTHING IS LOST, Chloe Mehdi
OUR SHARE OF NIGHT, Mariana Enriquez (Horror)
MY HUSBAND, Maud Ventura
URGENT MATTERS, Paula Rodriguez
TINA, MAFIA SOLDIER, Maria Rosa Cutrufelli
BAD KIDS, Zijin Chen
ABYSS, Pilar Quintana
KIDS RUN THE SHOW, Delphine de Vigan
SCENE OF THE CRIME, Patrick Modiano
THE SECOND WOMAN, Louise Mey
THE OWL CRIES, Sora Kim-Russell
THE CITY OF THE LIVING, Nicola Lagioia
BLAZE ME A SUN, Christopher Carlsson