Hey there! Are we all ready for recommendations?
For some background, I talk about books a lot. I love being about to match people with books they’ll enjoy and get to do that on a daily basis. Lately, several of my recommendations have had some sort of mystery or thriller element.
Have you given out some awesome book recs? Have you gotten any?
All of Us Villains
Hunger Games vibes but with magic and I loved the added plot device of a gossip mag.
After the publication of a salacious tell-all book, the remote city of Ilvernath is thrust into worldwide spotlight. Tourists, protesters, and reporters flock to its spellshops and ruins to witness an ancient curse unfold: every generation, seven families name a champion among them to compete in a tournament to the death. The winner awards their family exclusive control over the city’s high magick supply, the most powerful resource in the world.
In the past, the villainous Lowes have won nearly every tournament, and their champion is prepared to continue his family’s reign. But this year, thanks to the influence of their newfound notoriety, each of the champions has a means to win. Or better yet–a chance to rewrite their story.
But this is a story that must be penned in blood.
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The Apollo Murders
For some reason, I’ve been recommended a lot of sci-fi thrillers lately. Is something in the air? One of the coolest things about this one is that it’s written by an actual astronaut.
The far side of the Moon, 1973. Three astronauts are trapped in a tiny Apollo module, and one of them has murder on the mind . . .
From internationally bestselling astronaut Chris Hadfield comes an exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race. As Russian and American crews sprint for a secret bounty hidden away on the Moon’s surface, old rivalries blossom and the political stakes are stretched to breaking point back on Earth. Houston flight controller Kazimieras ‘Kaz’ Zemeckis must do all he can to keep the NASA crew together, while staying one step ahead of his Soviet rivals. But not everyone on board Apollo 18 is quite who they appear to be.
Full of the fascinating technical detail that fans of The Martian loved, and reminiscent of the thrilling claustrophobia, twists and tension of The Hunt for Red October, The Apollo Murders puts you right there in the moment, a quarter of a million miles from home – a quarter of a million miles from help. Experience the fierce G-forces of launch, the frozen loneliness of Space and the fear of holding on to the outside of a spacecraft orbiting the Earth at 17,000 miles per hour, as told by a former Commander of the International Space Station who has done all of those things in real life.
Strap in and count down for the ride of a lifetime.
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As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield
The Cartographers
Super anticipated release since Shepherd’s The Book of M. This is a mystery with some magical elements, family drama, and maps!
From the critically acclaimed author of The Book of M, a highly imaginative thriller about a young woman who discovers that a strange map in her deceased father’s belongings holds an incredible, deadly secret—one that will lead her on an extraordinary adventure and to the truth about her family’s dark history.
What is the purpose of a map?
Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field, and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map.
But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable, and also exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence… because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one—along with anyone who gets in the way.
But why?
To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret, and discover the true power that lies in maps…
Perfect for fans of Joe Hill and V.E. Schwab, The Cartographers is an ode to art and science, history and magic—a spectacularly imaginative, modern story about an ancient craft and places still undiscovered.
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This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Sorcerer to the Crown
This is my upcoming May staff pick at the bookstore. Definitely want to recommend some historical fantasy romance for anyone still chasing a Bridgerton high.
Magic and mayhem collide with the British elite in this whimsical and sparkling debut.
At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.
But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain—and the world at large…
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This book is available from:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Thanks!Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
THE CARTOGRAPHERS sounds incredible! Off to hunt it down, NOW. Your recommendations are always fabulous and typically new to me. Thank you, Amanda!
Well, this is a fine crop of recs. How my tbr list suffers under my lack of impulse control.
Cartographers is awesome and Highly recommend!
Peng Shepherd is now on my auto-purchase list – she is a fantastic author!
I now have Cartographers on hold at the library. Only a 16 week wait.
@Elizabeth: I don’t need to know details, but does CARTOGRAPHERS have a reasonably happy ending? Not necessarily and HEA or HFN but protagonist/others we care about don’t end in a state of defeat or misery? Signed, Someone who is fascinated by book description but currently not up for, you know, bleak endings.
I am now into my third week with COVID and needed something comforting to read so I picked up an old favourite: Stephanie Laurens A Fine Passion – Book 4 in her Bastion Club Series. I know her descriptions of intimate scenes are over-the-top purple prose, and I do skim some of the florid passages, but the rest of the story and the characters stand the test of time considering I first read the book in 2006. I loved that hero Jack is attracted to how strong, confident and self-possessed Clarice is. So many good scenes that were romantic, steamy, heartfelt, sighworthy and empowering – just what I want my romances to be. I could read this book yearly and not tire of it, because it is that good a historical romance. This is one of my favourite quotes:
Protectiveness, especially with respect to females, especially females of his class, was second nature, something bred into him; as with James, it was an instinctive reaction. If the lady in question had been anyone but Clarice … but it wasn’t. With her, unlike James, because he understood, he had to think before he acted, because for her —for a warrior-queen— protecting her might not mean the obvious. Protecting Clarice, acting in her best interests, might actually mean taking her to London with him. Allowing her to brave the wrath of her family and beard the dragons of her past and their rejection, potentially to conquer it, to overcome it, all while he was there, by her side, for support. That she had the right to face whatever battles she chose was, in dealing with her, a very real consideration. To his mind, he had a corresponding right to stand by her side, but not to stand in her way.
@Carole, that is a great quote! Sending healing vibes your way.
@Qualisign: Thank you! I love putting new and unusual books on people’s radars.
Anybody else read Josh Lanyon mysteries? She does all kind from the cozy to the thriller but I must say I adore the “ART OF MURDER” series the best. It’s a m/m series with an FBI profiler and a younger art crimes special agent. The romance is superb and the mysteries are compelling and exciting. I would love something similar to binge. I have already read Charlie Adhara and Gregory Ashe. Oh and I’ve read Abigail Roux. I love a good thriller/mystery and don’t mind paranormal, fantasy or science fiction elements.
@JudyW, have you tried The Spectral Files by SE Harmon or Digging Up Bones by T.A. Moore?
@Kereni. Oooh the TA Moore looks really good. I have the first of the spectral files in my TBR so I can move it up the pile. Thank you soooo much for the rec. know any sci-fi-mystery-m/m that fits? Sorry! That sounds pretty specialized doesn’t it? Ha
@JudyW, take a look at these. I enjoyed them all.
Bone Rider by J. Fally
The 5th Gender: A Tinkered Stars Mystery by G. L. Carriger
The Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. Klune
Murmuration by T.J. Klune
@JudyW, a few more that might work ~
Out of Time series by C.B. Lewis
(maybe) Taji from Beyond the Rings by R. Cooper
It’s not a mystery, but I’d like to recommend one of my very favorite male/alien male series ~ Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (Claimings, #1) by Lyn Gala.
@Kereni. I LOVED Bone Rider. Also, Murmmeration is in my TBR so thanks for the reminder. I will definitely look at the Carriger (I wonder if this is Gail Carriger?). Anyway looks like are tastes can run similar so super thank you.
@JudyW, yes, G. L. is indeed a pen name for Gail Carriger.
One more title for you to consider: Dalí by E.M. Hamill.
@Kareni. Yes! I too have read the Lyn Gayla series and liked it a lot. I just bought The 5th Gender because it sounds bonkers and right up my alley. I put a hold on the other Klune (they can be hit/miss with me). Also I’d like to rec back to you Tal Bauer who wrote “THE MURDER BETWEEN US”. Anyway, thanks for the great recs.
@JudyW, thank you for the recommendation! Conveniently, I already own the book. Who knew?!