Quirky Mysteries to Get You Out of a Reading Slump
Surprisingly, last year my reading list consisted mostly of mysteries. My enthusiasm for the genre didn’t go unnoticed, as I received a few quizzical glances from my friendly librarians (especially, “Murder Your Employer” lol).
But there’s something undeniably about mysteries and thrillers that just fit what I needed last year: an irresistible escape, with intricate plots, suspenseful twists, and a standalone format of “one and done”. I just wasn’t interested in committing to a new fantasy series.
When you read so many mysteries (40 in one year), some can start to blend together. However, these six exceptional mysteries stand out from the crowd, offering some refreshing styles that will reignite your passion for the genre.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone—Benjamin Stevenson
This quirky mystery was one of my favorites of 2023.
The main character, Ernest Cunnigham, breaks the fourth wall in a funny, direct way that I really enjoyed.
At the beginning of the book, he tells you the pages where the murders occur!
Then he reminds you when you are getting close to a murder page and keeps count of who in his family has murdered someone.
The story revolves around a family reunion in a snowy cabin where they are all trapped together.
Murders (plural) happen and Ernest begins to play detective.
Read the first few pages and see if you like this style. If you do, get ready for a crazy ride!
Stevenson’s second novel, Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect, just came out (not a spoiler that Ernest lives since he is the narrator!) and you can find my review here.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers—Jesse Q. Sutanto
I am not usually a cozy mystery girl, but there are a few exceptions (Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series is excellent!).
But if the cozy mystery is funny and this one is very funny, then I’m all in!
Vera Wong is the owner of a tea shop that has very few customers.
She is lonely and a little bored, when one day she walks into the shop to find a dead man on her floor!
In his hand is a flash drive, which she swipes before calling the police.
Vera thinks she can solve the crime by waiting for the murderer to come looking for the flash drive.
As new people enter her life, she secretly investigates while hoping none of these new friends are the murderer.
After this book, I can’t wait to read more by Jesse Q. Sutanto.
PS–Amy also loved this one and reviewed it here
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide—Rupert Holmes
Do you recognize this author’s name?
Do you like Piña Coladas? Yes, he wrote that classic song!
When I read that, I knew I had to give this book a try and it was worth it!
The premise is that the McMasters Conservatory will train you to get away with murder, but only if your victim is truly deserving.
In order to graduate, you must plan and achieve the perfect murder.
Don’t get caught or you will have to be eliminated.
Very original plot where you might just find yourself rooting for the would-be murderers!
Wrong Place Wrong Time—Gillian McAllister
Want your mystery with some time travel?
When a mother sees her 18 year old son stab someone in their front yard, her world falls apart.
After an exhausting night at the police station with no explanation of why this happened, she finally gets some sleep.
When she wakes up, it is yesterday and the murder hasn’t happened yet.
She begins investigating, but each morning she wakes up further back in the past.
She feels like the only way out of this loop is to solve this mystery, stop the murder and save her son.
The sci-fi element really ups the suspense and urgency in this book and I plan to add more Gillian McAllister books to my TBR list.
The Writing Retreat—Julia Bartz
This book has been described as “unhinged” and will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I was entertained and a little scared.
It drifts toward horror when five aspiring authors are invited on a retreat to work with their idol.
They learn that they must complete a full manuscript in a month and the winner will receive a publishing deal.
But then someone dies, and they are not sure if they are guests or prisoners.
This one is not for the faint of heart, but it did keep me turning the pages even if I did have to keep the lights on!
I Didn’t Do It—Jaime Lynn Hendricks
Last but not least, who doesn’t love mystery writers trying to solve crime, especially at a conference called “Murderpalooza”?
When a best-selling, popular author turns up dead at the convention for thriller writers, four rival authors attempt to solve the murder before they become the prime suspects.
Will they work together to find the outsider, or will they discover that someone in their amateur detective group is the killer?
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Cozy up with a good read and hope to see you
in the middle of a book,
Tracy
