Back to the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide
The gritty crime fiction you didn't know you needed in 2020! Written by a member of the Lakota nation and taking place on an Indian reservation, this novel is a great addition to both the crime genre and to OwnVoices literature. --Jen
Another great romp through very thinly veiled political satire with Carl Hiaasen. A great entertainment for the non-Trump crowd although it never names anyone. Deft wit and hilarious storyline really entertains. --Jamie
Scandinavian crime fiction at its best. Not for the faint of heart! --Jen
Though this novel may appear to be a mystery, it's so much more than that. It's a tale of class, race, privilege, family, community, and grief. One of the best literary suspense novels I've read in a long time. --Jen
A wonderful historical "thriller" chock full of snarky commentary on society and culture of late 1800's Cracow. A likeable and determined female protagonist leads us by the nose through her search for the truth. Very enjoyable! --Jamie
One of the best thrillers of 2020--this is sure to be a winner with any reader who enjoyed Room or Gone Girl! --Jen
Another great mystery-within-a mystery from Horowitz! A real page-turner, clever and entertaining with twists. The novel within the novel was a surprise, and made it even harder to try to guess "who done it" A perfect distraction read, engrossing in all the best ways. --Jamie
Always be scared of a betrayed woman out for vengeance. This thriller is intriguing, sexy, and completely over-the-top in all the best ways. --Jen
A criminal psychologist begins to notice connections between a serial killer she's interviewing and her stepdaughter. Perfect for readers who like stories with creepy children a la We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver or Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. --Jen
An entertaining thriller with lots of fast cars and good folks trying to do the right thing, although doing the wrong thing would solve a lot of money problems... A really good debut novel. --Jamie
A great twist on the hard-boiled detective story featuring female detectives. There's an LGBT love interest which deftly illustrates the problems and dangers a same-sex relationship would involve in 1920's New York City. This angle is a nice addition to the story but does not dominate- at the very least, it's an engrossing whodunit! --Jamie
Another must-have from William Boyle—my favorite thriller writer—City of Margins has some of the best-written characters you'll see in modern noir: people in the wrong place at the wrong time, folks with big dreams trying not to fall into the same ruts as their forebears. The realities of revenge, of mistakes, and the painfully real humans that make them take center stage in Boyle's latest. While you're at it, check out William Boyle's other books too—you might just recognize some characters and locations! --Colin