Hi mystery fans! I’m so happy that Sort Of is back with a second season on HBO Max. In the world of mysteries I have new releases, backlist standalone historical mysteries, something to watch, and news and roundups.
And remember, if you want to join the Read Harder challenge in the new year, you can find the tasks and subscribe to our newsletter for tips and recommendations here!
Bookish Goods
Bookish Cats 500 Piece Family Puzzle by JedidiahDesignStore
The perfect gift for cat lovers, book lovers, and jigsaw puzzle lovers all in one. ($14)
New Releases
A Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino, Giles Murray (Translator)
If you love the way old school detective stories put the pieces of a mystery together slowly throughout the book until the reveal at the end — that details how it was all done — you should absolutely be reading Higashino. This is part of a series but all the books are standalone (I promise, they’re not even translated in order).
A patrolman finds a dead body beneath a Japanese statue, but he was not murdered there. Then his wallet is found on a man who was hit by a car. Why did the first man drag himself while dying to that statue, and why does a stranger in a coma have his wallet? Detective Kaga will meticulously follow clues and theorize his way to the answers.
(TW recounting of suicide attempt, detail)
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder author Holly Jackson has a new book! It’s a fast-paced thriller that takes place in the span of eight hours as six friends in an RV find themselves targeted by a sniper. Why? Turns out one of them has a secret someone is willing to kill over…
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Even if you’re a fan of reading historical mystery series, sometimes you may feel like reading a standalone, one-and-done story.I’ve got two for you!
The Red Palace by June Hur
As soon as I see a new Hur book I grab it — I love that we get settings and time periods that I never see in the mystery genre. Set in the Joseon-era Korea, 1758, we follow Hyeon, a palace nurse, who has to solve a mystery in order to save her mentor, a fellow nurse, from torture and execution after the murder of a group of women. With her medical training and a new police inspector, she’s on the case, but she’s also putting herself in more and more danger the deeper she gets…
(TW torture, police brutality/ mentions of childbirth deaths, not graphic)
The Boy in the Red Dress by Kristin Lambert
A great read any time of the year, but especially at the end of the year since it starts on New Year’s Eve, 1929. For the first time, Millie’s aunt has left her in charge of her speakeasy Cloak & Dagger. But things quickly take a turn towards danger when a group of socialites enters with one of them looking for Marion, the Cloak & Dagger’s drag performer. So when the socialite is found dead, Marion becomes the suspect, forcing Millie to go into sleuthing mode — along with breaking-and-entering and cop-fighting mode. Grab this one if you’re looking for a fun mystery, found family, and delightful characters.
(TW implied partner abuse/ homophobia)
Watch Now
The Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+: Based on the middle grade series by Trenton Lee Stewart, we follow four orphans who are recruited by a wealthy man into a special school for a spy mission! The book opening is super fun for fans of puzzles and The Westing Game and the show has now returned with its second season! Here’s the trailer for season 2.
News and Roundups
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30 Canadian books for the thriller, horror mystery and crime fan this holiday season
‘Perry Mason’ Season 2: First Teaser Sets Matthew Rhys on a Gritty New Murder Mystery
Cobie Smulders brings small town sleuth to life in Audible’s new cosy crime series
The Pale Blue Eye’s New Trailer Teases a Haunting Wintertime Mystery
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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