Hello mystery fans! I was in the middle of a rewatch of the original seasons of The Great British Bake Off on Netflix (you know, the ones with the actually good hosts) when they vanished from the streamer so I’m super thrilled to discover they are now on the Roku channel along with all the celebrity special episodes that we don’t get in the U.S. Now for all your mystery goodness: new releases, backlist, news and roundups — including a Best Of list according to The Washington Post.
Bookish Goods
Advent calendar Library II by yellowpapers
If you’re a fan of advent calendars, here’s one in the form of an illustration that opens up 24 windows to scenes from books! ($12)
New Releases
Witnesses for the Dead: Stories edited by Gary Phillips and Gar Anthony Haywood
Here’s a new short story collection with a really interesting theme: what would you do if you witnessed a crime? Rather than following the criminals, these 14 short stories explore how witnessing a crime can shape and alter a person and their life — and lead them to seek justice for the victims. Bonus: “with proceeds benefitting the Alliance for Safe Traffic Stops.” Contributors include: Pamela Samuels Young, Alex Segura, Cara Black, Sarah M.Chen, Teresa Dovalpage, Scott Adlerberg, Christopher Chambers, Aaron Philip Clark, Tod Goldberg, Gar Anthony Haywood, Darrell James, Richie Narvaez, Gary Phillips, SJ Rozan.
Dead and Gondola (Christie Bookshop #1) by Ann Claire
For fans of bookstore mysteries, sisters, and Agatha Christie. Ellie returns home to Colorado to run a bookshop accessible by mountain road and ski gondola. But nothing is picturesque when a dead man is found in the gondola and a rockslide traps everyone in town. Naturally two sisters who love Agatha Christie, including naming their cat after her, will have to put all they know about sleuthing into play when their friend becomes a suspect…
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Thought I’d talk about some series that have new ones coming out early next year so you can get all caught up.
All That Is Secret (Annalee Spain Mystery #1) by Patricia Raybon
For fans of historical fiction and theology. Set in 1923, Professor Annalee Spain is estranged from her father and working as a theologian at a Chicago Bible college. When news arrives that her father was murdered she travels back to Denver and ends up trying to solve the case while partnering up with a pastor and a child looking for his father. They’ll just have to stay out of danger’s way…The sequel, Double the Lies, will publish in February of 2023.
(TW abandoned newborn dies)
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney
For fans of the ’80s, FBI, and fictional serial killers. This was one of my favorite 2020 titles and I’m so glad it’s getting a sequel. The FBI decides to hire two young recruits, Emma Lewis and Travis Bell, to interview serial killers in prison in hopes of learning more about them and their behaviors. Why would these two get selected as opposed to actual veteran agents you might be wondering? Bell is a U.S. Marshal candidate whose father died in the line of duty at the hands of a serial killer and Lewis is a serial killer survivor. Why not traumatize them some more? Luckily they both realize they are being used and go rogue any chance they can in order to try and catch an active serial killer! The sequel, Some Shall Break, will publish in June 2023.
(TW mentions past child abuse/talks about serial killer cases/briefly mentions past suicide, no details/mentions past animal cruelty)
News and Roundups
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The 12 best thriller and mystery novels of 2022
Zoë Kravitz says Big Little Lies season 3 isn’t happening following Jean-Marc Vallée’s death
A Twisted Love Story: Excerpt and Cover Reveal
How To Support the HarperCollins Union During Their Strike
The Best Contemporary Mystery Books
Elizabeth Holmes sentenced to 11 years in prison for Theranos fraud
Rian Johnson Says He’s in the Early Stages of Working on Knives Out 3
Daniel Craig explains why his James Bond had to die
Censorship News (Get involved in your local library and school boards/meetings, vote against book banners trying to hold these positions, and actively fight book bans!)
My Book, Plus 300+ Others, Is Banned in Missouri
The History of Fanny Hill and The Censoring of Women’s Pleasure
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See 2022 releases and upcoming 2023 releases. Check out this Unusual Suspects Pinterest board and get Tailored Book Recommendations!
Until next time, keep investigating! In the meantime, come talk books with me on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Litsy — you can find me under Jamie Canavés.
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