Hello mystery fans! I started watching Mrs. Davis (Peacock TV) because I was told how bonkers it is and still I was unprepared for the level of bananapants (in the best possible way) that it is. So if you need something that just tosses everything into a blender and really goes for it, join in on the “WTF am I watching?!” fun!
And Book Riot has a new podcast I’m really enjoying since it doesn’t have a set format and does fun things like play a game of “which book will be the IT book,” talk to people in the world of books, interviews, dive into adaptations, and even tell funny bookish life stories. You can listen to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice.
Bookish Goods
Custom Library Sign by MdFutureArt
Here’s a cute personalized, custom painted sign to add to your home library. ($26+)
New Releases
Hard Dough Homicide (Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries #2) by Olivia Matthews
For fans of cozy mysteries with bakery settings!
Lyndsay Murray has a lot on her plate (heh!): she’s running the Spice Isle Bakery in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean and she’s hosting Emily Smith’s retirement dinner. The thing is, Smith is a local high school principal who was awful to Murray’s mom when she was her boss. So when she dies after eating at the event, all fingers are obviously going to point to the Spice Isle family. Time to start solving another murder mystery between all the great cooking!
If you want to start at the beginning, pick up Against the Currant.
We’ll Never Tell by Wendy Heard
For fans of secret teen groups, alternating POV, and YA mysteries! This is my current audiobook listen (full cast!) and I am fully invested in finding out what exactly is going on.
Cassie, Eddie, Zoe, and Jacob are a group of high school friends (totally different with two in a secret relationship) on the verge of graduating who aren’t really known or popular in real life. Online however, anonymously, they have a massive Youtube channel where they record themselves breaking into places. They decide to hit one last place for the channel before starting their adult lives, grateful to have never been caught. Except the abandoned house they break into — famous for a past murder suicide — doesn’t go as planned and one of them doesn’t walk out (stabbed!) as the others are forced to flee. Now they’re trapped and they can’t reveal who they are, but how do they get answers to what happened?
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
For those who wait for the paperback format, you can now pick these up: one thriller, one true crime.
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
For fans of psychological thriller, past and present storylines, and spouse accused of murder.
In the past we watch a girl growing up with an abusive mother. In the present, Paris Peralta’s famous comedian husband is dead, but was it suicide or murder? Quickly she ends up having to mount a defense to prove she did not kill him…
(TW main case thought a suicide/ talks of past suicide attempt, detail/ addiction/ domestic abuse recounted/ child abuse/ child sexual assault, predators/ past parent death with dementia)
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders by Kathryn Miles
For readers of unsolved murder, memoir and true crime, and interesting nonfiction (national parks).
Miles lays out the unsolved case of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans who were murdered in 1996 in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. There has been a person accused of the murders but they never tried, leaving the case essentially unsolved. Miles does not believe the accused is the killer and sets out to question and interview and investigate the case, all while giving interesting facts on how national parks operate, their history, and safety.
(TW child sexual abuse, not graphic/ date rape recounted, not graphic/ stalker/ brief suicide, detailed/ women and girls sexual assault cases/ mentions past child abuse)
News and Roundups
Poured Over: Ramona Emerson on Shutter
Medical Mysteries Are the New True Crime
Listen In as Cold Cases Grow Hot in These New Mystery & Thriller Audiobooks
How To Prepare Library Pride Displays
2023 Right to Read Bills Under Consideration
Time Is The Best Killer: 8 Taut Thrillers Set Over Three Days Or Less
Exclusive Cover Reveal + Q&A: Rachel Hawkins Introduces The Heiress
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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