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.

The Loneliest Places, a Suspenseful LA Noir Novel by Keith Edward Vaughn

By

The Bottom Line: An atmospheric, suspenseful and wistful work of LA Noir. Recommended for fans of Lisa Gray and Michael Connelly.  Can a private investigator’s worst nightmare also be his salvation?  In Keith Edward Vaughn’s debut novel, second-generation PI Ellis Dunaway lives in the shadow of his late father, a former LAPD detective with a rock-solid reputation. But on Ellis’ watch, the shrinking firm’s cases wrap too …

The Loneliest Places, a Suspenseful LA Noir Novel by Keith Edward Vaughn READ MORE >

Naked Came the Detective, a Dazzling Debut Murder Mystery by Glendall C. Jackson III

By

The Bottom Line: A dazzling debut that will leave fans eagerly anticipating the return of Jackson’s cunning heroine. In Naked Came the Detective, an escort-turned-amateur sleuth investigates the stabbing of a client named “Ben” (she uses fictitious names to protect her clients). The police’s theory is that Ben, an overextended real estate tycoon, surprised a mugger in an alley near his office, resulting in his murder. …

Naked Came the Detective, a Dazzling Debut Murder Mystery by Glendall C. Jackson III READ MORE >

Breakage, an Instant Classic by David-Michael Harding

By

The Bottom Line: Breakage reads like an instant classic, delivering the crackling mobster bravado of Goodfellas with the emotional heft of A Beautiful Mind.  Donnie Chariot, the unparalleled genius of horse racing handicapping, dominates the betting lines nationwide. Known as “The Book,” his uncanny ability to decipher data – including past performances, weight, weather, track, bloodlines, jockey and much more – has earned him immense …

Breakage, an Instant Classic by David-Michael Harding READ MORE >

D for Daisy, a Remarkable World War II Mystery by Nick Aaron

By

The Bottom Line: A highly engaging World War II mystery with a remarkable amateur sleuth at the helm.  Set during World War II, D for Daisy begins as the eponymously named British bomber returns to base. The landing is a harrowing one, as the plane’s pilot, Ralph Prendergast, is dead on arrival. It’s up to the flight engineer to take the controls while the rest of the crew hangs on …

D for Daisy, a Remarkable World War II Mystery by Nick Aaron READ MORE >

Two Lists, a Highly Recommended Murder Mystery by Thomas Thorson

By

The Bottom Line: Two Lists deftly blends an unusual murder case and decidedly unorthodox crime-fighting tactics. Highly recommended.   Trouble easily finds its way to Vinn and Malcolm’s front door, even when they’ve sworn it off for good. The two academics teaching at the University of Illinois at Chicago have become an unlikely crime-fighting duo, taking on gruesome murder cases, doing covert work for government agencies and getting tangled up in …

Two Lists, a Highly Recommended Murder Mystery by Thomas Thorson READ MORE >

The Consular Official, a Jaw-Dropping FBI Thriller by Bill King

By

The Bottom Line: A gritty FBI Thriller with jaw-dropping twists. King’s portrayal of the convoluted world of cross-border criminality, politics and business feels completely fresh.  The Consular Official opens in Houston, Texas, as 23-year-old Juan Carlos Alonso – known as Pepe – leaves his office at the Mexican Consulate early to spend the weekend with new girlfriend, Suzy. But Suzy isn’t who Pepe thinks she …

The Consular Official, a Jaw-Dropping FBI Thriller by Bill King READ MORE >

Steve Shockley

Duty Strong, a Simmering Page-Turner by Steve Shockley

By

The Bottom Line: Steve Shockley’s soldier sleuth shines in this page-turner set in 1970s North Carolina. Set shortly after the United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam in the 1970s, combat veteran Sergeant Major Zinny Zubell is hastily released from the army after two decades of service as part of a reduction in force. Loyalty to a friend in need takes him to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he …

Duty Strong, a Simmering Page-Turner by Steve Shockley READ MORE >

Funeral Daze, a Hilarious High-Stakes Mystery by Dorian Box

By

The Bottom Line: A hilarious page-turner that effortlessly blends crime, humor and South Florida beach culture. Recommended for fans of Richard Osman and Alexander McCall Smith.   Funeral Daze begins as broke lottery winner and widower Danny Tweakwell receives an invitation from the Slagger-Jewell Funeral Home. He’s had no contact with the home since the Jewell family helped him out of a major jam five years earlier. This time, the service …

Funeral Daze, a Hilarious High-Stakes Mystery by Dorian Box READ MORE >

32 Minutes, a Perfectly Paced Whodunnit by Andrew Diamond

By

The Bottom line: Everyone is a suspect in this perfectly paced, hard-hitting whodunnit.  When we first met private detective Freddy Ferguson in BestThrillers.com Book of the Year pick Gate 76, Freddy was 34-years-old and still largely defined by his former career as a prize fighter. Now pushing 40, the veteran PI is wiser and more perceptive, but still just as tough. In 32 Minutes, Freddy is hired to …

32 Minutes, a Perfectly Paced Whodunnit by Andrew Diamond READ MORE >

Stable, a Harrowing Rescue Thriller by Cam Torrens

By

The Bottom Line: A harrowing rescue thriller with a truly magnetic hero at its core. In Cam Torrens’ debut novel, nine-year-old Janae is visiting her aunt and uncles’ rural home in the Colorado Rockies when she’s mistaken for a girl named Kendall. She’s abducted, hooded and driven to a secluded barn – a place known as “the stable” – where a man known as Jefe markets …

Stable, a Harrowing Rescue Thriller by Cam Torrens READ MORE >

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top