Hi, mystery fans! I am delighted that Extraordinary (Hulu) is back with a second season. It’s a ridiculous (in a great way) show about our current world with a tiny tweak where around the age of 18, people get their superpower. Except no one is going around saving the world, but rather it’s what the world would actually be like if people had powers — like manipulating time so your girlfriend can’t break up with you. It follows a young woman who never got her powers as she struggles with feeling left out. It’s really funny and the only thing I hate is that I can’t talk to anyone about the funniest part of season 1 unless the person has already seen it because it would ruin the fun. Anyhoo, if you want something funny and ridiculous, go watch it.
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Bookish Goods
New Releases
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
For fans of thrillers, writer main characters, murder mysteries, the MC becoming a suspect!
Theo has decided to no longer study to be a lawyer. Instead, she leaves her home in Australia and moves to the U.S. with her brother to finally be a writer. Lucky for her, local author Dan Murdoch becomes her friend and says he’ll read her manuscript. Unlucky for her, Dan is murdered, and he may be the first but not the last…
If you’re looking for backlist, pick up Gentill’s The Woman in the Library and the historical mystery series starting with A Few Right Thinking Men.
The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian
For fans of multiple POVs, sisters, stories about organized crime, and obsession!
Crissy Dowling works in Vegas, playing Diana Spencer in her one-woman show. She has fully taken on the role, but her life at the moment is far from glamorous, including that her separated-from-his-wife boyfriend, a senator, has cut ties with Crissy to go back to his wife. And one of the owners of the hotel she’s working at has been murdered by a hitman. Things can only go up from here?
Of course not; this is a crime novel: the other owner puts Crissy in the position to do him a dangerous favor. Then, Crissy’s estranged sister, Betsy, moves to Vegas from Vermont after dumping her previous life as a social worker, getting a boyfriend, and adopting a tween. When the criminals realize Betsy has a resemblance to Crissy, things only get worse…
If you’re a fan of dual narrators, the audiobook is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Grace Experience.
If you’re looking for backlist, I’ve always found Bohjalian to be a reliable crime/mystery/thriller author: The Flight Attendant, The Red Lotus, The Guest Room.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Here are two books with confessions as the title!
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Korede has been coming to her sister Ayoola’s defense and literally cleaning up after her. But the relationship gets strained past a few dead bodies when Ayoola decides to set her sights on Korede’s crush…
(TW child abuse/ sexual assault)
I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick
Seventeen-year-old Anna Cicconi has left Brooklyn for the summer to be a nanny in the Hamptons. But upon arrival she learns that she looks exactly like a missing girl, Zoe Spanos. So many people are bringing the resemblance up that Anna starts to have memories that can’t be real, but that lead her to confess to Zoe’s murder…
News and Roundups
42 New Reader-Approved Mysteries for Spring
Manhunt, about the hunt for John Wilkes Booth, may make you wish you paid attention in history class
Join the Trans Rights Readathon March 22-29
Let Quinta Brunson Adapt The Guest, You Buffoons
Tamron Hall was inspired by crime reporter experience in the thriller novel Watch Where They Hide
Publishers Issue Letter to NYC DOE Over Discarded Books
50 Cent to Release New Book This Fall — See the Cover Here
We Were Liars Series at Amazon Sets Nzingha Stewart to Direct First Episode
Jessica Biel to Star in Peacock Limited Series The Good Daughter Based on Karin Slaughter Novel
Browse the books recommended in Unusual Suspects’ previous newsletters on this shelf. See upcoming 2024 releases and mysteries from 2023. 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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