by WB Senior Intern, Deborah Darden
In observation of National Puzzle Day being last week, it’s only right to join in the festivities befitting of a bookworm! That’s why we put together a list of some puzzling, and maybe a little disturbing, mystery novels for you to dive into. Enjoy to your heart’s content!
Lavender House: A Novel by Lev AC Rosen – Kicking off our list of crazy mysteries is this special gem about beloved matriarch Irene Lamontaine, the forerunner of a successful soap business who passes away due to very unnatural circumstances. Irene’s widow hires down-on-his-luck former officer Evander Mills to investigate. Evander, just like the Lavender House, has his own treasure chest of secrets. Join him on the journey to the truth as his living dream turns into a waking nightmare.
A World of Curiosities: A Novel by Louise Penny – this is actually the eighteenth installment in a fascinating series surrounding the work of Armand Gamache and Jean-Guy Beauvoir. In this unsettling adventure, the arrival of two familiar faces stirs up countless worries in the village of Three Pines. Now a traumatic case, a horrific letter, and a sealed-up attic send our friendly investigators into the lion’s den of mysteries. Sound interesting? Go check it out!
All Good People Here: A Novel by Ashley Flowers – the author of this next story is also the host of the popular podcast Crime Junkie. In this compelling tale of a lonely fight for justice, journalist Margot Davies takes it upon herself to solve the disappearance of five-year-old Natalie. The situation is strangely similar to another one Margot experienced when she was a child. From suspicious neighbors to reluctant police officers, find out if Margot can make things right and save little Natalie before it’s too late.
City on Fire by Don Winslow – if you enjoy a good mystery alongside an all-out war between criminal empires, then look no further! Also, in case you were wondering, yes, a woman is in fact the cause of this war. This causes one of our leading men, Danny Ryan, to take on a new level and step up in ways he never did before. Go ahead and click on the link if you want to know more!
The Maid by Nita Prose – this next novel stars a lovable and unlikely heroine that we may be able to relate to in some ways. Poor Molly Gray led a very simple life. She puts her extreme love for all things sanitary to good use in her job as a hotel maid, and frankly, she truly enjoys it! Unfortunately, this sweet lady gets pinned as a primary suspect when she discovers a dead guest in one of the rooms. See how Molly and a few friends seek answers about what really happened.
Brother Cadfael’s Penance by Ellis Peters – here’s a mystery that takes you back to medieval times. It’s the twentieth story featuring the devout Brother Cadfael. While England is thrown into chaos due to the feud between Empress Maud and her cousin Stephen, Cadfael faces hard decisions of his own. To make matters worse, whatever he chooses will affect not only his life but that of his secret son, Olivier de Bretagne. Click the link to see what fate awaits these blood-bound strangers.
The Trespasser (Dublin Murder Squad Series #6) by Tana French – in this story of a seemingly standard lovers’ quarrel that turned into murder, newly appointed detective Antoinette Conway faces trouble at every turn. Not only do her coworkers make her work life terrible, but the case of the victim Aislinn isn’t what it seems, despite what everyone else believes. Click the link and discover whether Antoinette can keep her head above water and solve this case.
Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter – our last selection, which is the sequel to the hit novel Pieces of Her, follows the determined Andrea Oliver, who has recently been promoted to Marshal. The first case she works on in her new position is connected to the murder of Emily Vaughn which happened forty years ago. To add fuel to the fire, the incident may also involve her father. Check out how the upstanding marshal navigates her way through this mess!
What are some of your other favorite mysteries? Share them with us on social media!
About The Author
Deborah Darden is a writer born and raised in Texas. She currently resides in Round Rock, just outside of Austin. She is a graduate of Full Sail University with a BFA in Creative Writing. Deborah has a passion for telling stories across different platforms and is currently working on a book series as well as a YouTube web series. She also enjoys writing short stories and even hopes to one day create her own anime television show. Apart from writing, Deborah loves reading and watching her favorite films.