Hello, mystery fans! I am currently obsessed with Queen Charlotte (Netflix), which tells the “origin story” of Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury. And I started rewatching two old-school sitcoms streaming on Hulu: Frasier (I have no interest in the reboot; I watched and loved it in spite of Frasier) and Malcolm in the Middle (which had one of the best series finales).
Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Get started today from just $18!
Bookish Goods
New Releases
Blood Rubies by Mailan Doquang
For fans of heist thrillers, cat-and-mouse chases, and opening at the end of the story and then going back to tell the lead-up to that scene!
Rune Sarasin steals a bag of rubies in Bangkok from Charles Lemaire, a smuggler. She and her boyfriend Kit get away, but everything goes wrong, including Kit’s sister disappearing, Rune losing the bag of Rubies, and Lemaire coming for them…
Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis
For fans of genre blends, gothic mystery, historical fiction (mid-1800s Paris), and sisters (told from each perspective)!
Sylvie and Charlotte Mothe used to con people by pretending to be mediums. Then they grew estranged after their mother died and Sylvie decided finding a rich husband was her future. Now they’re brought back together again with the idea of one last con: a wealthy family thinks they’re being haunted by their murdered aunt…
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Here are two mystery series with only one book out with the sequel releasing later this year — so just enough time to get caught up!
Never Name the Dead (Mud Sawpole #1) by D.M. Rowell
For fans of amateur sleuths and returning home stories!
Mud’s grandfather is a storyteller in their Kiowa tribe, but Mud grew up being treated by some like she wasn’t Kiowa enough, so she left rather than follow in her grandfather’s footsteps. Now, working in Silicon Valley, she’s forced to return home when she gets a message from her grandfather: “I have a bad feeling. Come now.” Upon her return, she finds a dead body. Her grandfather has also been accused of theft and is now missing. She’ll have to solve the mystery and hopefully clear her grandfather’s name while facing her past — including her ex-girlfriend — and deciding where she belongs.
The sequel, Silent Are The Dead, releases November 19th.
Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective (Not a Detective Mysteries #1) by Katie Siegel
For fans of reluctant amateur sleuths, friend groups, and finding your way in life!
Charlotte Illes was a famous child detective who went by the name Lottie. Now, lost in her mid-twenties, she’s refusing to be a detective and avoiding her friends, family, and responsibilities. Until her brother needs help with a case involving his girlfriend. It forces Charlotte to do the thing she’s great at: solve mysteries. And hopefully, figure out her life along the way.
The sequel, Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher, releases July 24th.
News and Roundups
Melissa McCarthy joins Only Murders in the Building season 4 in the first star-studded trailer
Agatha Christie Joins Fellow Female Mystery Legends in New Novel
Readers’ 54 Most Anticipated Summer Mysteries & Thrillers
A high school reunion turns into a murder mystery in trailer for comedy Reunion
Buzzy New Novel Very Bad Company Is A Juicy Summer Beach Read
An Idaho Public Library Will Become Adults-Only July 1, 2024
Book Riot podcast: The Surprising Origins of Publishing’s Seasons
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.
If a mystery fan forwarded this newsletter to you and you’d like your very own, you can sign up here.