Hello, mystery fans! I am currently trying to remind myself that there is not an actual cut-off date at the end of the year when I need to have completed reading everything from this year. Which I mention in case anyone else needs the reminder. I am, however, trying to, in a very chill manner, read books that have been calling my name all year while dipping into reading more of the 2024 titles I’m excited about.
We’re here to enrich your reading life! Get to know the world of books and publishing better with a subscription to The Deep Dive, Book Riot’s staff-written publication delivered directly to your inbox. Find a guide to reading logs and trackers, hear about why the bestseller list is broken, analyze some anticipated books, and more from our familiar in-house experts. Get a free subscription for weekly content delivered to your inbox, or upgrade to paid-for bonus content and community features connecting you to like-minded readers.
Bookish Goods
Love, Light, and Literature Hanukkah Sweatshirt by InkwellThreads
Hanukkah begins December 7th, and if you want a holiday sweatshirt that also says “I love books!” here you go. ($48)
New Releases
Gaslight (Philip Taiwo #2) by Femi Kayode
For fans of murder mysteries, investigative psychologists, and armchair travel sleuthing!
Philip Taiwo is an investigative psychologist who has been living in the U.S. with his family. Recently, they returned to Nigeria, where his younger sister has asked him to look into a case. It involves the megachurch she attends, where the pastor has been charged with his wife’s murder after she disappeared. It’s a sensational case that will challenge Taiwo and put his family in danger…
If you want to start at the beginning of the series, pick up Lightseekers.
The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy
For fans of history and reading about intelligence agencies!
Dive into seven decades of CIA history, from the CIA being created to Osama bin Laden’s assassination. Mundy, a journalist, uses hundreds of former CIA operatives’ interviews to bring to light women in the organization and their accomplishments in the face of discrimination.
You might also be interested in Mundy’s backlist title, Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win World War II.
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
It’s heartbreaking that Goodreads has decided to not include poetry, middle grade, and graphic novels in its awards this year. Especially amongst the massive rise in book censorship currently happening. So here are two of my favorite middle grade mysteries to run to, and in the upcoming newsletters, I’ll highlight graphic novels and poets.
Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland
For fans of historical mysteries, ghosts, and standalone mysteries!
Ophie is one of my favorite child characters in all of literature, in case you needed a good nudge to go read this book. In 1922, Ophie is living with her family in Georgia when her father is murdered, and she flees with her mother to Pittsburgh. This event is when she discovers she can see ghosts, something she’s taught can put her in danger. Which makes her complicated life even more complicated when working as a maid in a family’s home, and she discovers a woman who may need help solving her own murder…
Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries #1) by Elizabeth C. Bunce
For fans of historical mysteries, Flavia de Luce, and Enola Holmes!
Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle may not be like many children living in Victorian England due to her vast knowledge of the law, thanks to her lawyer father, and her love for criminal science. But those traits do make her an excellent amateur sleuth, especially when she’s convinced her elderly neighbor was murdered and no one will believe her…
News and Roundups
Parish on AMC: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fans, this is your next must-watch crime drama
NYT: 100 Notable Books of 2023
Queer YA from 2023 You Might Have Missed
The New York Public Library puts out a great end-of-year list with tons of great categories, including mystery. Their incredible work is not being rewarded: Eight Brooklyn libraries will shutter on Sundays and cut back services due to the cuts announced by Mayor Adams.
Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Shelly Ellis, author of over a dozen novels, including The Three Mrs. Greys Series and Not So Perfect Strangers, is interviewed by Robert Justice.
Dive into these 11 Palestinian Fiction Recommendations
Olivia Colman reveals which Bond character she wants to play
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See 2023 releases and upcoming 2024 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 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.