WEEKLY BOOK RECS: 6 book reviews and suggestions every week
🕵️♀️🔍Hey, lovelies! This week, we're diving into the world of cozy mysteries—where charm meets suspense in the coziest way possible. Whether you're in the mood for an old manor murder or a small-town whodunit, these books will keep you guessing while giving you all the cozy vibes. So grab your favorite tea, light a candle, and let’s solve some mysteries together with these mystery book recs! 🔍✨
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Tropes: Unreliable Narrator, Therapy Sessions, Twisty Plot
Main Characters: Alicia Berenson, Theo Faber
What It's About:Alicia Berenson is a celebrated painter who’s been silent since she shot her husband five times in the face. Now institutionalized, her refusal to speak becomes a mystery in itself. Enter Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist who becomes obsessed with getting Alicia to talk and uncovering the truth behind the murder.
Review:This one is a rollercoaster. If you love books with jaw-dropping twists, The Silent Patient is a must-read. Alicia’s silence creates this eerie atmosphere throughout the story, and Theo’s obsession adds another layer of tension. The pacing is perfect, slowly building up to a twist that will leave you gasping. It’s got some serious psychological depth, so if you’re into thrillers that play with the mind, you’ll love it. The only downside? Once you’ve read the twist, there’s no going back!
2. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Tropes: Closed Circle, Wedding Drama, Multiple POVs
Main Characters: Jules, Will, Aoife
What It's About:A glamorous wedding on a remote island off the coast of Ireland takes a deadly turn when someone turns up dead. As the story unfolds through multiple perspectives, secrets come to light, and it becomes clear that almost everyone has a motive for murder.
Review:The Guest List is a super atmospheric, Agatha Christie-style mystery with a modern twist. The isolated island setting creates this claustrophobic vibe, and the shifting POVs make you suspicious of everyone. Foley does an amazing job of building tension, and the drama between the characters is juicy enough to keep you hooked. It’s a slow burn at times, but once the mystery starts unraveling, it’s impossible to put down. If you love an ensemble cast with lots of dark secrets, this one’s perfect for you.
3. The Detective by Jake Zuurbier (Indie Pick)
Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Mystery, Psychological Suspense
Tropes: Fiction-Within-Fiction, Twists Galore, Surreal Mystery
Main Characters: Mike (a troubled writer), Joan and Jack Donovan, Scott (the detective)
What It’s About:In The Detective, Mike, a down-and-out author, wakes up inside the very murder mystery he's writing. And to make things worse? The characters in his book are based on his real-life ex-girlfriend and her new guy. Awkward! As Mike tries to solve the fictional murder before he becomes the next victim, the lines between reality and fiction blur, leaving him questioning everything.
Review:This is one of those books that pulls you in from the very first page. If you love mind-bending mysteries with deep character development, The Detective will keep you hooked until the very last twist. Jake Zuurbier’s writing style is gripping, and the unique concept of a writer trapped in his own story adds so much intrigue. Plus, there’s an emotional arc as Mike faces his real-life demons along the way, making this much more than just a classic whodunit. Get ready for secrets, red herrings, and some seriously eerie vibes! 🕵️♂️📖
4. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Rating: 4.7/5
Genre: Domestic Thriller, Mystery
Tropes: Small Town Drama, Female Friendships, Dark Secrets
Main Characters: Madeline, Celeste, Jane
What It's About:The seemingly perfect lives of three mothers in Monterey are shattered when someone ends up dead at a school trivia night. As the story flips between past and present, we learn that behind every perfect facade lies a secret—and some secrets can be deadly.
Review:If you’re into mysteries that are equal parts drama and suspense, Big Little Lies is it. The female friendships and family dynamics make this more than just a mystery—it’s a deep dive into complex relationships. The tension builds throughout the book, and the alternating timelines keep you on the edge of your seat. Moriarty is a master at writing characters you can both love and hate, and the twists will leave you shook. It’s not the darkest mystery out there, but it’s packed with emotional depth and an ending that will surprise you.
5. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Rating: 4.6/5
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Crime Fiction
Tropes: Elderly Sleuths, Amateur Detectives, British Humor
Main Characters: Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim
What It's About:Four pensioners in a peaceful retirement village meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved crimes. When a murder occurs close to home, the Thursday Murder Club gets their chance to put their amateur sleuthing skills to the test—leading to a delightful and twisty investigation.
Review:The Thursday Murder Club is pure cozy mystery fun! The characters are absolutely adorable—you’ll fall in love with this quirky group of retirees as they bumble their way through a murder investigation. The plot is clever, with plenty of twists and turns, and the British humor adds a lightness that makes it such a fun read. It’s more on the heartwarming side of the mystery genre, but it still delivers a solid whodunit. If you’re looking for a charming, feel-good mystery that’ll leave you smiling, this is it!
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Rating: 4.9/5
Genre: Crime Thriller, Mystery
Tropes: Dark Past, Vigilante Justice, Tech-Savvy Heroine
Main Characters: Lisbeth Salander, Mikael Blomkvist
What It's About:When journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired to investigate a decades-old disappearance, he teams up with the enigmatic and brilliant hacker, Lisbeth Salander. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover dark secrets about the powerful Vanger family—and Lisbeth’s own troubled past.
Review:The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a dark, gritty mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lisbeth Salander is such a badass character—fierce, intelligent, and unapologetically herself. The plot is complex, with layers of family secrets, corporate corruption, and personal revenge. It’s intense, and some parts are definitely not for the faint of heart, but it’s such a rewarding mystery if you’re into darker, more intricate thrillers. Larsson’s writing pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the final page.
Ready to crack the case with one of these mystery novels? Let me know which book has you in detective mode, and don’t forget to tag us in your #MysteryReads posts! 🕵️♀️🔍
Explore captivating literary worlds within the pages of our thoughtfully curated books. Apollo Libraries, a proud subsidiary of Apollo Imperium, is committed to delivering literary excellence that ignites imagination and nurtures knowledge. Our extensive collection spans diverse genres, encompassing both timeless classics and contemporary masterpieces, all meticulously crafted with a dedication to the art of storytelling. We also proudly present "Neuroasis", a meditation, science and neurology based mental health branch; many artists; home decor and art & design; music & more.
Work with us
Review our books
If you're interested in becoming a reviewer, contact us at info@apolloimperium.com with the subject REVIEW. If we think you're a good fit for us, you will receive the books you wish to review for free, either as an EBook or a physical copy for you to keep, depending on the book. In case of a physical copy, we will cover shipping costs, too.
Contact Us
For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or any assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch:
Email: info@apolloimperium.com
Phone: +31 6 18714584
Comentários