Arts & Events

In this month I have seven mystery/thriller novels to recommend. 

(A) Beyond Reasonable Doubt Robert Dugoni (5 stars) 

A legal thriller set in Seattle. 

Robert Dugoni’s second Keera Duggan novel finds the ace criminal attorney supplanting her father, Patsey, as the lead attorney at the famous family law firm. Keera takes the case of Jenna Bernstein the notorious CEO of a failed biotech startup. (Bernstein’s character is patterned after Elizabeth Holmes founder of the ill-fated Theranos.) Bernstein is accused of killing her ex=partner and lover. It turns out that Keera Duggan and Jenna Bernstein went to school together; Keera regards her client as a habitual liar and likely sociopath. 

A compelling read featuring a vivid characterization of Keera Duggan and spot-on detail of the criminal investigation and trial process. One of the best thrillers of the year. 

(B) Like Mother, Like Daughter Kimberly McReight (Five stars) 

A thriller set in New York City. 

Cleo, an 18-year-old NYU student, arrives at her Brooklyn home to have dinner with her mother, Katrina, and finds her missing. In the kitchen, Cleo finds signs of a struggle and calls the police. Cleo has been having problems with her mother, but she sets that aside to investigate Katrina’s disappearance. Cleo discovers that her mother had a secret life. 

A fun page-turner told from two points-of-view: Katrina in flashbacks and Cleo as she searches for her mother. 

(C) Midnight and Blue Ian Rankin (5 stars) 

A police-procedural mystery set in Saughton prison, Edinburgh, Scotland. 

This is the 25^th Inspector Rebus book. We find John Rebus in prison for the murder of a gangster. While his appeal is being considered, Rebus must fend off his fellow convicts, including the notorious gang boss, Darryl Christie. Then there’s a murder. 

At the age of seventy, Rebus hasn’t lost his investigation skills. A compelling plot steeped in prison atmosphere. 

(D) The Waiting Michael Connelly (5 stars) 

A police-procedural mystery set in Los Angeles. 

This is the 6^th book in the Renee Ballard-Harry Bosch series. Usually, each book has two cases to follow: one pursued by Bosch and the other by Ballard. The Waiting has three cases. The first starts with the theft of Ballard’s gun and badge from her parked car while she is surfing. The second case is pursued by Ballard’s cold case” unit and involves new DNA evidence regarding “the pillowcase rapist.” The third case is followed by Harry’s daughter, Maddie, who happens upon new evidence concerning the legendary “Blue Dahlia” murder. 

Michael Connelly is the best American writer generating police-procedural mysteries. His characters are interesting and his plots authentic. The Waiting is a worthy addition to the series. 

(E) The Last One at the Wedding Jason Rekulak (5 stars) 

A thriller set at a lavish rural New Hampshire estate. 

Frank Szatowski is estranged from his daughter Maggie. The reason why is central to the plot and, therefore, is slowly revealed by author Rekulak. After three years of no contact, Maggie calls Frank and invites him to her wedding. Maggie works at a very successful startup and is marrying the founder’s son, Aidan Gardner. Frank goes to the wedding and finds Aidan emotionally detached and Maggie evasive. Then there’s a murder. 

Original and entertaining. 

(F) I Need You to Read This Jessa Maxwell (4.5 stars) 

A thriller set in New York City. 

Alex Marks is a recluse in New York City. Her only friends are Janice and Raymond, who inhabit the Bluebird Café, across the street from her apartment building. Alex mostly works at home as a copywriter. 

Every Sunday, Alex reads the advice column, Dear Constance, written by her hero, Francis Keen. Then Francis is murdered. The paper advertises for a replacement and Alex replies. To her surprise, Alex is selected to become the new Dear Constance. She slips into the role and finds disturbing clues about the murder of Francis Keen. Alex’s newfound fame threatens to open her up to threats from the past. 

A superior thriller marred by a convoluted denouement. 

(G) Original Sins Erin Young (3.5 stars) 

A police-procedural mystery set in Des Moines. Iowa. 

FBI rookie, Riley Fisher, is assigned to a dysfunctional FBI field office, where everyone has a secret. She’s ordered to assist with an investigation into a threat to the newly elected female governor, Jess Cook. Riley finds evidence that links the threat to a separate search for a notorious serial killer. She can’t count on her FBI partner, Peter Altman, because he’s been compromised. Riley makes friends with a local police detective, Julius “Fogg” Verne. 

Good characterization of Riley Fisher. However, the denouement is overly complicated and, therefore, unbelievable. 

Summary: 2024’s best novels are: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, The Hunter by Tana French, The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave, and Beyond Reasonable doubt by Robert Dugoni. 

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