Hello mystery fans! I am thrilled that Somebody Somewhere has started its second season on HBO, and if you like the kind of romance film where two strangers meet and get to know each other while walking through a city, I enjoyed Rye Lane on Hulu.
If you’re looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more from experts in the world of books and reading, try our newest newsletter, The Deep Dive. Recent topics include the Colleen Hoover phenomenon and a look at Mexican History through a reading of Like Water for Chocolate, plus there’s a free tier, too.
Bookish Goods
Detective Casey penguin sticker by CozyMysteryBookClub
How do I partner with a detective penguin?! ($3)
New Releases
The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
For fans of YA mysteries with school settings, and fictional podcasts.
Four high school students were in a car accident that left one of them dead. Spencer Sandoval survived but not without injuries, including no memory of the accident or most of the night. She doesn’t know why she was in the car with her ex Ethan, or what happened, but soon Ethan is accused of being the driver. Making matters worse is a gossip podcast that has plenty of snide to throw out about the students at an elite prep school in LA. So Spencer, with her new service dog in tow, teams up with Ethan’s best friend to get answers.
And the audiobook gives you a multicast: Lori Felipe-Barkin, Inés del Castillo, André Santana, Eunice Wong.
The Last Remains (Ruth Galloway #15) by Elly Griffiths
For fans of long running series, archeologist leads, and procedurals!
First, and don’t blame the bearer, this is being marketed as the final Ruth Galloway for now. Dr. Ruth Galloway is dealing with the university she works at threatening to close her department when she’s called to a cafe renovation turned crime scene because they unearthed a skeleton. It turns out the skeleton belongs to a missing archeology student, so Ruth is going to know those on the suspect list…
If you want to start at the beginning of the series pick up The Crossing Places.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Here are two books that are odes to classic detective novels while being set in modern times.
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji, Ho-Ling Wong (Translator)
This involves a group of university students who are mystery club members that have all taken on names of famous authors and regularly talk about mystery writing and tropes. Which is fun because when they travel to an island where past murders remain unsolved, they stay in a decagon-shaped home and suddenly find themselves the victims of a murder mystery. Will all their knowledge about crime novels help save any of them?
(TW murder suicide story recounted)
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
The narrator of this book is an author who writes books teaching people how to write a mystery book. So as he narrates a weekend with his family where he tells readers the story behind every member of his family having killed someone, they also find themselves in a remote murder mystery. You get fun asides where the narrator tells you things like the chapters where the murders will occur, and the clues that are important etc. Definitely for anyone who likes meta works, fun mystery tropes, and breaking the fourth wall.
(TW recounts past child death, murder/ mentions past infertility issues/ mentions past maternal mortality/ mentions past child emotional abuse/ addiction/ suicide)
News and Roundups
Secret Identity by Alex Segura won the mystery/thriller category of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize!
Netflix’s ‘Lupin’ Part 3 Sets Release Date for Paris-Set Heist Series Starring Omar Sy
Here are the Top 13 Most Banned and Challenged Books of 2022
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See 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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