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Unusual Suspects

10 of the Most Devious Villains in Crime TV Shows

Hello mystery fans! There is a wealth of favorite authors releasing new crime books in 2024 and I am like a kid in a candy store wanting it all! And more importantly, I’m trying to be organized about finding them all and playing the I-will-read-every-book game. I won’t, but I will still try!

Are you a velocireader? If so Book Riot’s New Release Index will keep you in the know about all the latest books. New books for days! Subscribe today — you won’t be able to read them all, but it’s fun to try! 

Bookish Goods

a tote bag with a screen print image of a 1950s club with cars that says "stay up late at the book club"

Stay Up Late at the Book Club Tote Bag by RatherKeen

A good reason for always being tired. ($22)

New Releases

cover image for I'm Not Done With You Yet

I’m Not Done with You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto

For fans of twisty psychological thrillers!

This starts with a self-diagnosed sociopath, Jane, who is constantly annoyed with her husband and still obsessed with her first friend, Thalia, from when she studied creative writing at Oxford. Back then, someone died, and the students left. But even that isn’t enough of a reason for Jane to explain why she’s never heard from Thalia again. That is until now, when she sees Thalia is a popular author and will be at a convention. Now Jane will do anything to get to talk to Thalia…

I continue to be a big fan of Sutanto’s, who has a range from dark-ish and twisty to cozy and fun, and always delivers an entertaining read. In this case, I love that we start in one place, get plunged into a character’s intense thoughts, and then…(like I would ever spoil a book!)

(TW quick cancer mentions/ quick diet culture, disorder eating mention/ brief recounts attempted sexual assault/ social anxiety)

cover image for Board to Death

Board to Death (A Board Game Shop Mystery #1) by CJ Connor

For fans of quozy mystery series!

Ben Rosencrantz hits many of the loved cozy mystery tropes: he’s returned to his hometown in Utah after big city life as a university professor and a divorce; is back to care for an ailing parent; takes over a business (boardgames); gets accused of murder and must put on his amateur sleuth cap; and experiences a sweet romance. The murder part: an obnoxious person who tried to sell Ben a rare game (the inspiration for Monopoly!) is found dead behind Ben’s store, and Ben ends up with a bag full of cash! The romance part: Ezra McCaslin is the flower shop owner and hits it off with Ben. The two team up to solve this murder and keep Ben out of jail!

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with humor, a sweet love story, and like board games, start this new series by our very own Book Riot contributor CJ Connor. And for audiobook listeners, the narrator, Robert Mac Minshew, is the author’s husband!

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

Here are two fun middle grade mysteries for fans of fall/Halloween vibes all year round!

cover image for The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby

The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G.Z. Schmidt

Thirteen years ago the daughter of the mayor, Beatrice Willoughby, attended the annual All Hallows Eve party at the Amadeuses’ home and vanished. The party never happened again, and the house got a magical spell put on it to no longer be found. Except now, six invitations have gone out for an All Hallows Eve event. This party will seal the attendants in Clue style, asking for the mystery of what happened to Beatrice to finally be solved…

cover image for Warren the 13th and the All Seeing Eye

Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye by Tania del Rio, Will Staehle (Illustrator)

This is a fun story with unique illustrations following a boy who has inherited the family hotel but is too young to run it alone. Dealing with his real-life issues — lazy uncle, witch aunt — he also finds himself on the hunt for the All Seeing Eye, which is rumored to be in the hotel! Along with the illustrations and fun story, you also get codes and puzzles.

News and Roundups

This The Afterparty Season 2 Episode Is An Excellent Ode To A Nearly Extinct Genre

The Other Black Girl: Watch Unsettling First Trailer for Hulu’s Novel Adaptation

5 late-summer mysteries

10 of the Most Devious Villains in Crime TV Shows

‘The Blind Side’ lawsuit: Tuohy family intends to end conservatorship for Michael Oher

Districts Are Turning to AI to Ban Books

Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See upcoming 2023 releases and 2024 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 Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Litsy — you can find me under Jamie Canavés.

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