Author: Elif Batuman
The Idiot by Elif Batuman is a wonderfully offbeat and darkly comic coming-of-age novel. It follows Selin, a Turkish-American student starting her first year at Harvard in the 1990s. As she navigates the awkwardness of college life, Batuman takes us inside her mind, where humor and confusion blend together seamlessly. The novel’s charm lies in its dry, intellectual humor and the quirky lens through which Selin view...
Author: Pagan Kennedy
The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy is an eye-opening exploration of the history, development, and impact of rape kits in criminal investigations. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, Kennedy brings to light the essential role these kits play in solving cases, while also addressing the systemic flaws that have led to the underutilization of this crucial evidence. T...
Author: Michelle McNamara
Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is an intense and haunting look at the Golden State Killer case. McNamara dives deep into the mystery behind the unsolved crimes, blending thorough research with personal insight into her obsession with finding the killer. Her writing pulls you in from the start, giving a voice to the victims and showing the psychological toll the case had on those trying to solve it. Th...
Author: Freida McFadden
Never Lie is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story centers on Dr. Lila, a woman who is trying to rebuild her life after a devastating personal tragedy. She gets involved in a chilling case when she’s asked to evaluate a woman named Amber, who claims to have witnessed a crime. As Lila digs deeper into Amber’s past, she uncovers startling secrets and begins to question...
Author: Freida McFadden
The Inmate by Freida McFadden had me hooked from the first page. The story follows Gwen, a woman who is wrongfully convicted and sent to prison, where she quickly learns that the world behind bars is far more dangerous than she ever expected. As she battles to survive, Gwen starts uncovering chilling secrets that might just be her ticket to freedom. McFadden does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the...
Author: Kelley Armstrong
I just finished Cold as Hell, the third book in Kelley Armstrong’s Haven's Rock series, and I couldn’t put it down. The story takes place in the isolated town of Haven’s Rock, where Detective Casey Duncan is called in to investigate a crime during a brutal blizzard. The storm traps everyone inside, and the tension is palpable as Casey works to uncover the truth behind the crime. Kelley Armstrong’s writing is as e...
Author: Kate Morton
I absolutely loved The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The story follows Nell, a woman who, after discovering that her true identity has been kept from her, embarks on a journey to uncover her past. The book weaves between different timelines, giving readers glimpses into both the present-day search for answers and the historical events that shaped her family’s secrets. I found the writing so vivid and immersive. ...
Author: Lisa Jewell
The Family Upstairs is a gripping psychological thriller that weaves together suspense, dark family secrets, and shocking twists. The story follows Libby Jones, who inherits a mansion linked to a family found dead under mysterious circumstances. As Libby uncovers the truth, the narrative shifts between multiple perspectives, including those of surviving family members, revealing a haunting past. Lisa Jewell excels ...