Mystery
Strange pictures
Uketsu, author.
FICTION Uketsu
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
An exploration of the macabre, where the seemingly mundane takes on a terrifying significance. A pregnant woman's sketches on a seemingly innocuous blog conceal a chilling warning. A child's picture of his home contains a dark secret message. A sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments leads an amateur sleuth down a rabbithole that will reveal a horrifying reality. Structured around these nine childlike drawings, each holding a disturbing clue, Uketsu invites readers to piece together the mystery behind each and the over-arching backstory that connects them all.
Senseless
Malfi, Ronald Damien, author.
FICTION Malfi Ronald
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Detective Renney sees similarities between a dead woman in the LA desert and a prior murder; Maureen is unsettled by fiancé Greg's son Landon, who may be tied to the murder; and Toby, self-proclaimed Human Fly, obsesses over a woman with rattlesnake teeth in this thriller.
This Ronald Malfi read is perfect for those seeking a psychological horror that leaves them chilled to the bone. This character-driven novel intricately weaves multiple story lines, while exploring the terrifying cost of trying to forget past deeds - and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. -Madison C
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng
Baker, Kylie Lee.
"Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner—but the bloody messes don't bother her, not when she's already witnessed the most horrific thing possible: her sister being pushed in front of a train. The killer was never caught, and Cora is still haunted by his last words: 'bat eater.' These days nobody can reach Cora: not her aunt; not her weird colleagues; and especially not the slack-jawed shadow lurking around her door frame. After all, it can't be real—can it? After a series of unexplained killings in Chinatown, Cora believes someone might be targeting East Asian women, and something might be targeting Cora herself."
Sometimes, the most horrifying thing isn't supernatural entities, but other humans. Kylie Lee Baker's novel is a rare stand-out in the market of pandemic-themed books, thoughtfully exploring how fear can turn into prejudice, which can all spillover in the face of societal calamity. Blending real world issues with monstrous supernatural elements, this novel is a must-read for horror fans. -Madison C
Anxious people : a novel
Fredrik Backman
FICTION Backman Fredrik
Diverse Characters, Humor, Mystery
Taken hostage by a failed bank robber while attending an open house, eight anxiety-prone strangers--including a redemption-seeking bank director, two couples who would fix their marriages, and a plucky octogenarian--discover their unexpected common traits.
As a self-proclaimed "anxious person," I can attest that this Fredrik Backman novel is perfect for readers looking for a relatable story that explores the complexities of being human in a world that won't stand still. With a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, "Anxious People" is rich in humor, wit, and surprise twists. -Madison C
Hokuloa Road
Elizabeth Hand
MYSTERY Hand Elizabet
Fiction, Mystery
"On a whim, Grady Kendall applies to work as a live-in caretaker for a luxury property in Hawai'i, as far from his small-town Maine life as he can imagine. Within days he's flying out to an estate on remote Hokuloa Road, where he quickly uncovers a dark side to the island's idyllic reputation: It has long been a place where people vanish without a trace. When a young woman named Jessie from his flight becomes the next to disappear, Grady is determined - and soon desperate - to figure out what happened to her, and to all those staring out of the island's 'missing' posters. But working with Raina, Jessie's fiercely protective best friend, to uncover the truth is anything but easy, and with an inexplicable and sinister presence stalking his every step, Grady can only hope he'll find the answer before it's too late." -- From jacket flap.
Elizabeth Hand consistently writes interesting mysteries that have an uncanny weirdness to them, and in Hokuloa Road you get that plus the beautiful setting of Hawaii, with flora, fauna, customs, and lore. Our protagonist, Grady, is a laid-back good guy who gets the job of a lifetime, but soon finds himself enmeshed in a situation that seems to defy explanation, but requires him to keep sleuthing. There are many likable characters here, as well as a satisfying ending. -Candice
The unwedding
Allyson Braithwaite Condie
FICTION Condie Allyson
Mystery
"Ellery Wainwright is alone at the edge of the world. She and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth? But now she's traveling solo. To add insult to injury, there's a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn't certain of anything except for her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling. When Ellery discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it's clear something horrible is brewing. Everyone at Broken Point has a secret. And everyone has a shadow. Including Ellery"--
Ellery Wainwright is trying to get away from her mess of her life by taking the vacation to a resort in Big Sur she originally planned to take with her now ex-husband to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary they never made it to. She knows that this isn't going to be a great vacation--but better her on her own than her ex with his new girlfriend. Unfortunately, there is a wedding also scheduled for this same weekend. But Ellery doesn't get too much time to fester in her self-loathing and unhappiness--the groom is murdered. And there is a storm cutting off access to a resort. Anyone could be the murderer and anyone could be their next victim. Super fun read! -Anne M
The Hotel Balzaar
Kate DiCamillo
jFICTION Dicamill Kate
Fiction, Mystery, Kids, Early Chapter Books, Picture Books, Short Story
At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta's mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly like a little mouse. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story--in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father's disappearance lie in the countess's tales? --
I am beyond excited for another Júlia Sardà illustrated title! I cannot wait to read this collaboration with incredible storyteller, Kate DiCamillo. -Casey
A mischief of mice
Christie Matheson
jE Matheson
Mystery, Kids, Picture Books, Animals, Nature
A menagerie of forest animals, whose temperaments match their collective nouns, try to solve the mystery of a missing group of mice.
Collective animal nouns, a mysterious disappearance, and beautiful autumnal illustrations make Christie Matheson's latest title for perfect storytime sharing this season! -Casey
The perfect couple
Elin Hilderbrand
FICTION Hilderbrand, Elin
Fiction, Chick Lit, Mystery
It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect.
Anyone else watching the Perfect Couple Netflix series? They did a great job staying true to the book set on beautiful Nantucket, which soon becomes more tarnished with every page turn (or scene). Elin Hilderbrand and the producers of the show do a good job of developing the characters and bringing the book characters to life on the screen all of which will keep you guessing in this Agatha Christie style whodunit. -Angie
Small Things Like These
Clair Keegan
"It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant and family man faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church." --
Ooh! Excited for this film adaption of a book that unfolded like a movie in my mind! Here's a description of the film: While making a delivery to the local convent, devoted father and coal merchant Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) makes a shocking discovery. Christmas 1985 in small town Ireland is going to take a turn for this working class family. In this unflinching look at the Magdalene laundries, workhouses for unwed mothers run by the Catholic Church, Bill must confront the complicity of his town and the harm done by the church he was raised in. Adapted from Claire Keegan's award-winning historical fiction novel of the same name by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh, this powerful drama examines the personal and historical truths that shaped a people. -Katie
As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." In this horror read, a series of seemingly innocent pictures may lead to each character's undoing. This immersive read expertly draws in readers to piece together one chilling puzzle after another. -Madison C