Crime Thriller Books

The best crime thriller book reviews. “Crime thriller” is a catch-all term for thriller subgenres that feature a struggle for dominance between criminals and law enforcement, such as mafia thriller, police procedural, detective fiction, true crime, serial killer fiction and others.

Lost Grove, a Hypnotic Murder Mystery by Charlotte Zang and Alex Knudsen

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The Bottom Line: A perfect choice for fans of Wayward Pines and Twin Peaks, Lost Grove is a hypnotic murder mystery that crackles with supernatural intrigue.  Shortly after his father’s debilitating stroke, Seth Wolf resigned from his post as a homicide detective in the San Francisco Police Department. His return to hometown Lost Grove – home to 1,500 residents, quaint Victorian homes, farms and nearby picturesque beaches – comes with […]

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Chained Birds, an Emotional True Crime Memoir by Carla Conti

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The Bottom Line: An emotional, eye-popping and personal expose of the American prison system that begins with an orchestrated stabbing and ends with a realistic exploration of second chances.  Chained Birds begins on a snowy Pennsylvania day in 2011, as Lewisburg prison inmate Steven “Oakie” Tremblay throws a snowball at a correctional officer named Captain MacDonald. Tremblay is then placed in a rec cage with two other inmates,

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The Reluctant Reckoner, a White-Knuckled Financial Thriller by J. Lee

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The Bottom Line: Another white-knuckled gem from J. Lee. Financial thriller fans, move The Reluctant Reckoner to the top of your reading list.  In the years after the death of his wife, career accountant Mark Richter has created a stable life for him and his eight-year-old daughter. They live a quiet life in a Chicago suburb where Mark keeps a tidy and organized home, plays racquetball with the same friend every Friday night, and is obsessive about checking off the detailed task

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Lethal Impulse, a Highly Recommended Crime Thriller by Steve Rush

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The Bottom Line: A small town crime thriller that hits all the right notes. Recommended for fans of Harlan Coben.  Reverend Neil Caldera’s calling takes him to Madison, Georgia, a small town graced with antebellum homes, delicious southern cuisine and a strong sense of community. But as Neil eventually discovers, the town has a dark underbelly. When the seasoned former detective is summoned to a

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Lady in White, a Gripping Heist Thriller by Karen S. Gordon

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The Bottom Line: Drawing upon real-world figures, Lady in White is a gripping and believable tale of ransom, rebellion and political intrigue.  There’s no such thing as a normal day at the office for money laundering duo Lauren Gold and Vance Courage. Their latest adventure begins as Vance drops Lauren off at Miami International Airport, where she’s set to fly to the Caymans to check out their next

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Their Little Lies, a Terrifying Psychological Thriller by Quinn Avery

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The Bottom Line: Buried family secrets, steamy romance and a terrifying serial killer add up to a masterfully told psychological thriller. Coming off a botched murder investigation, Detective Josephine Kelly is contemplating early retirement. Feeling the need to regroup, she uses her father’s declining health as an excuse to take time off and return home to Ames, Iowa. But thanks to a troubled childhood, the truth

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Run, a Must-Read Crime Thriller by Matthew Becker

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The Bottom Line: This D.C. crime thriller with off-the-charts emotional intelligence is a must-read.  U.S. congressional staffer Ben Walsh doesn’t usually receive texts from his wife during working hours. When he does, the first three words are a comfort: “I love you.” But what comes next fills him with unease: “I just need you to know that.”  When Veronica doesn’t answer his calls, Ben is increasingly

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Three Nines Five

THREE NINES FINE, a Brilliant Action Thriller by Howard Seaborne

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The Bottom Line: A brilliantly written action thriller featuring the world’s most relatable superhero.  In THREE NINES FINE, Hollywood A-lister Lonnie Penn books a private charter from Wisconsin to South Dakota. Starstruck pilot Will Stewart obeys Lonnie’s request for complete discretion and privacy, waiting outside a motel room as she goes inside to retrieve her “Oscar.” Minutes later, he swoops in to rescue her from a

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TYE, a Memorable Dark Psychological Thriller by J. Denison Reed

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The Bottom Line: A raw, highly memorable dark psychological thriller about a pair of killers borne out of domestic abuse. Recommended for fans of Bret Easton Ellis and Jeff Lindsay.  The prequel to J. Denison Reed’s Clifford’s War series details the dark journey of two brothers, Darius and Marcus Tye. Set in 1990s rural Kentucky, the boys’ controlling father, Colby, insists on an unnatural level of

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