Hello mystery fans! I watched the first episode of Beef on Netflix and have I mentioned how much I love smart writing and unhinged characters?! If I could clear my schedule of work and just marathon the whole thing I would, but I also equally want to savor all the banana pants I assume awaits me.
And have you checked out Book Riot’s latest newsletter, The Deep Dive? As the title suggests it takes a deeper dive into all things books with longer essays written by different bookish peeps.
Bookish Goods
New Releases
![cover for Murder Under a Red Moon](http://newsletters.riotnewmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Murder-Under-a-Red-Moon-by-Harini-Nagendra.jpg)
Murder Under a Red Moon (Kaveri and Ramu #2) by Harini Nagendra
For historical mystery fans!
Kaveri Murthy has already learned what it’s like to be an amateur sleuth, so she shouldn’t be surprised to find herself on another murder mystery when looking into a potential embezzling case for her mother-in-law!
I adored the characters in the first book, The Bangalore Detectives Club, where Kaveri is a wiz at math and a recent newlywed figuring out her life who stumbles upon a murder mystery. I was only bummed out by the use of the mental illness boogeyman trope, but look forward to following Kaveri on another mystery set in 1921 Bangalore!
![cover image for It Ends At Midnight](http://newsletters.riotnewmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/It-Ends-At-Midnight-by-Harriet-Tyce.jpg)
It Ends at Midnight by Harriet Tyce
For fans of thrillers, revenge, and a party setting!
The opening setting is a New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh. Instead of everyone happily ringing in the new year, two people are found impaled on a railing. Readers then go back in time to follow two women and their friendship through time, building up to get answers, secrets, and revenge for the present…
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Teenage girls in elite settings. Let’s go.
![cover image for My Flawless Life](http://newsletters.riotnewmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/My-Flawless-Life-by-Yvonne-Woon.jpg)
My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon
Hana Yang Lerner lost the life she’d known when her father, a beloved politician, was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that left a woman nearly dead. She still works as a “fixer” though — you have a problem, she solves it for you for a fee — and gets a message from someone who only identifies themselves as “3.” The reason for the name is there will be three parts to the job, starting with Hana having to help her ex-best friend Luz with what she’s working on. But the anonymous texter won’t give any more information than that. Hana obviously doesn’t want to take this job, but with the way things stand after her father’s arrest, the very large sum of money offered for the job means she has to take it. She’s going to have to spy on her once best friend Luz to figure out what she’s working on, and why she would need help…
Katharine Chin, who also worked on Cold and Acts of Violet, does a really nice narration putting readers in Hana’s life, emotions, and thoughts.
(TW mentions attempt to distribute security video of teen girls skinny dipping)
![cover image for Death Prefers Blondes](http://newsletters.riotnewmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/death-prefers-blondes-book-cover.jpg)
Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
This is a lot of fun while also exploring found family, social justice, and doing the wrong thing for what you believe to be the right reasons.
Teenager Margo Manning has a very wealthy father so she’s assembled a full-on operation (think gadgets and a fence) of teenage drag queens to steal from the rich. Not only do you get fun, thriller style heist scenes but you also get to know the entire crew, their personal lives, and struggles.
Think a bit of Hamlet with a healthy does of Ocean’s 11 and RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s awesome!
(TW addiction)
News and Roundups
Texas County Would Rather Close Their Public Library Than Return Banned Books to Shelves
Anti-Book Ban Billboard Burned in Louisiana; Fundraiser, Protest Planned
“There Needs To Be Some Book Burning:” Montana Senate Debates Obscenity Bill
Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn wants to ‘open the door’ to more ‘off kilter’ books
Ian Rankin to release new stand-alone thriller intended to be read ‘in one sitting’
Ramon Rodriguez talks new show, Will Trent
Elizabeth Holmes to begin 11-year prison sentence at end of month
The Ultimate L.A. Bookshelf: 110 essential Los Angeles books
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See 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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