Best and Worst Mystery/Thriller Novels of 2019

Though I read more mystery than any other genre this year, it was not my strongest category. Nevertheless, I definitely had big hits in this genre in 2019!
Lipstick: Evil Queen by Colourpop
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Books Mentioned:
Treachery in Death/Promises in Death/Echoes in Death by JD Robb
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose
The Last by Hannah Jameson
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh
Sleep by CL Taylor
The Widow at Pale Harbor by Hester Fox
The Lovely & The Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
A Dark & Stormy Night by Jeanne M Dams
Ragged Alice by Gareth Powell
Tightrope by Amanda Quick
1222 by Anne Holt
The Seekers by Heather Graham
Mystery in White by J Jefferson Farjeon
A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer
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[@jhart1127]

I'm not going to lie, I went faaaar too deep with The Silent Patient and half expected the characters to be part of some Greek mythology. If you researched the characters names it definitely gave that vibe. The ending was surprising but far from original 🤷‍♀️ loooove your channel and thank you for so much effort! 😊👍

[@abigaillarion9365]

It was such a blessing to stumble on your Booktube channel in 2019! I read 66 books this year, compared to 9 last year, and many of them were recommendations from your videos. I was inspired to start reading the Poirot books in chronological order and to try my first romance novel, almost immediately followed by a second. Thank you so much, Mara!

[@bookslikewhoa]

That makes my heart so happy-- I hope you continue to enjoy your reading journey into 2020!

[@Merima28]

Your backdrop 😱😱😱 loveeeee

[@Ann86dk]

I really love the In Death books as well, for the things you mention. I really hope to get back to that series next year!

[@bookslikewhoa]

It's a great series!!

[@teddytodorova]

Sleeping Murder, always had soft spot for it, my favourite Miss Marple as well, and aaaalmost in my top 10 Agatha's books. From your list, also read Silent Patient, and liked it, my jaw dropped at the end, didn't see this coming at all.

[@debralavoie9095]

Omg, Eve and Roarke are the best! Do you have a video of your book journal? I'm thinking of making one for 2020. Happy New Year!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Coming on New Years Day ;)

[@annajo6576]

That sweater is ADORABLE. ok...back to the video.

[@YasmeenKhan]

Sleeping Murder is my favourite Marple too :) The Joan Hickson adaptation is also my favourite Christie adaptation ever.

[@pdxleo]

I know this is a super late comment - but thanks for the video! I found it looking for good mystery recommendations. Also - I wanted to mention - I also did not really get into Heyer for her mysteries, but loved loved loved her romances (at least when I read them 20 years ago). So that may be something you may like (if you haven't tried those already) :) Thanks again for all the recommendations.

[@krakentoagoodbook]

Ooh, I need to check out The Lovely and the Lost. I read Little White Lies by her in December and liked it, but didn't love it. I also found The Fixer at a used bookstore, so I'm hoping I'll like that one. Her writing is definitely fun! Say You're Sorry seems pretty interesting. I've got The Perfect Stranger (I think) by Megan Miranda - I haven't tried her books before, but I'm intrigued by her books in general.

[@LorisBookTrials]

Yea, I am so happy a In Death Book was your top pick. I love the series so much. One of my favorite mysteries was The Silent Patient and No Exit!!!!!!

[@debbihendricks9920]

Hi Mara! I have to say thank you for the gift of introducing the IN Death series to me. I read every one of them this year. When I gave my Goodreads review of no. 49 book I gave you kudos and the credit for the intro to that great series! Cannot wait for #50. You know I kind of assumed that it would be the last but you know what they say about assuming..anyway, thank you so much for your reviews and wonderfully enjoyable videos!! Looking forward to discovering more books with you in 2020. Thanks for all your great work!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Oh that makes my heart so happy! So glad you've enjoyed them-- and yes, bring on #50 and beyond!

[@shelleyd7009]

I had to laugh a bit - I have An English Murder and Sleep in my get-to-it-soon stack of books. Why? The covers! This was the year I realized how much I love historical mysteries. Especially from the Regency through the Victorian eras. Throw in some gothic vibes and a killer using Edgar Allen Poe stories?! Your description of The Widow of Rose Hill had me downloading the audio book to start today.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yay!! I hope you enjoy it!!

[@KieranLikesCake]

The last thing I needed was more mystery/thrillers to add to my 2020 tbr but these all sound really good. I think my favourite thing about The Last was how we got to know a lot about some of the background characters that would of been thrown away in other books.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I agree, I think the character work in The Last was really a stand out

[@teresateri4803]

Isn't it great to find some fab books to devour. I'm now a nalini singh fan and its thanks to you. 2020 project, to catch up so a monthly treat in store for me. Best wishes for 2020. 👀👂👋

[@bookslikewhoa]

Woohoo, enjoy your binge!

[@kwalton7690]

Yes! I was trying to find the book Lovely and the Lost in your videos because the premise sounded interesting and couldn't remember the title. Will pick that up in January. I did not enjoy An English Murder that much but I think it was because I listened to it on audible and the narrator was not really engaging. I did get In The Hall with the Knife for Christmas so looking forward to that.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Good luck! I hope you enjoy TL&TL and ITHWTK more than An English Murder :)

[@leonief8066]

Super run through, thank you... but I have to say (as a real fan of her books) - you started with just about my least favourite Heyer! Please do try a different one, one day, as her books are so varied depending on when in her long writing career they were published.

[@maslina4567]

Agree wholeheartedly. This is one of Heyer's weakest books in my opinion. I'd give others a try such as Why Shoot A Butler?; Behold, Here's Poison; and A Blunt Instrument. Some of her Regency romances are fun, such as Grand Sophy and Frederica. She's not in the Christie or du Maurier realm but worth seeking out. Some Anthony Berkeley books are outstanding, such as Jumping Jenny and The Chocolate Box Case. Much more involved and striking than Heyer. Other favourite mystery authors of mine are Patricia Carlon (The Whispering Wall), Ursula Curtiss (The Wasp) and Anthony Gilbert (Murder Comes Home). Anna Katherine Green is stellar, absolutely breathtaking.

[@teresateri4803]

@@maslina4567 loved the chocolate box case. I agree totally about hayer. But poor mara isn't tempted. She said she has no desire to read more. Can we get her to try a good one. Justice for hayer petition.🤔

[@bookslikewhoa]

Perhaps, but there are just so many books out there I want to read & not liking an author's writing style very much is a big hurdle to overcome. Maybe someday :)

[@lastunctives2095]

Useful list .

[@antonela5979]

I think you would enjoy Sherry Thomas Lady Sherlock series!! I f you want more of romantic suspense a la Criminal MInds I recommend Toni Anderson...I have been reading her Cold Justice series and really enjoying it..

[@bookslikewhoa]

I've got the first 2 Lady Sherlocks on my Kindle, so it will happen eventually!

[@shadowmoontarot3781]

Hi Mara!Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed this video! Personally I haven't read any great mysteries/thrillers this year....out of the ones I read the best was maybe "A good girl's guide to murder". The worst book I read in this genre was, by far ,"The woman in cabin 10". Happy New Year! :)

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yeah, it seems like The Woman in Cabin 10 is very divisive! Either you love it or hate it :)

[@melissamalone5923]

I wanted to throw the main character off the boat myself.....

[@shadowmoontarot3781]

@@melissamalone5923 I found the part after the boat even more unrealistic...lol

[@nathand256]

Sleeping murder by agatha Christie/ Miss Marple is a very old one. I had read that book way back on 2005. The others are good suggestions. I've read most of them!

[@saraguest9173]

PLEASE HELP! I am looking to buy classics but I am having trouble finding which to buy. id prefer if they all were from the same publisher and pleasing to look at. $25 or under per book and durable. annotated books would be preferred as well, any recommendations? I've spent hours looking and I come across the same few collections

[@bookslikewhoa]

Sorry, nothing comes to mind-- hopefully someone else will see this comment & have a suggestion!

[@locutusdborg126]

Penguin.

[@Autumn-Mist]

I have a question & I hope you can help me. I need the authors name of The Goodbye Party/. I don't know the author's name or the year the book came out. I think the author is Australian. The book is a mystery thriller.

[@creativemind-dh3bc]

You can also try reading grave the hidden truth by priyanka khetawat, if you want to go for fictional book with thriller, suspense and mystery Firstly, I was amazed by the attention to details in every chapter and I am sure you would notice it as well. One thing I enjoyed throughout the story is that each scene is happening in multiple locations and I loved the way the author painted the picture in front of me. It was almost like I was there, and I could vividly see what is going on. My favourite part is when all of them get stuck in a cave with another civilisation, who don't even speak the language. I can keep on going, but I am going to stop here as I don't want to spoil too much for the future the readers. Secondly, I was shocked when the author came up with a new script altogether for the ancient civilisation, and I completely enjoyed the riddles Firstly, I was amazed by the attention to details in every chapter and I am sure you would notice it as well. One thing I enjoyed throughout the story is that each scene is happening in multiple locations and I loved the way the author painted the picture in front of me. It was almost like I was there, and I could vividly see what is going on. My favourite part is when all of them get stuck in a cave with another civilisation, who don't even speak the language. I can keep on going, but I am going to stop here as I don't want to spoil too much for the future the readers. Secondly, I was shocked when the author came up with a new script altogether for the ancient civilisation.

[@danecobain]

The only one of these that I've read is Sleeping Murder! :o

[@reneeobie8352]

I loved " my lovely wife"!!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Heard great things about that one!

[@srnc]

I'm reading An English Murder now!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yay, hope you enjoy!!

[@ajbee1065]

I just read the first in Death book and enjoyed it.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Woohoo!! You have so many great books ahead :)

[@ajbee1065]

I caved and bought the first few in mass market so I can start reading them.

[@natalie.s7226]

I’m a simple girl I see jd robb and I click

[@piscespaperbacks]

My favorite mystery that I read this year was definitely The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle!! It really re-inspired my love of mysteries and made me remember how thrilling a twist ending can be :)

[@bookslikewhoa]

That one DEFINITELY delivers on a thrilling ending!!

[@sportsgamingcubing1860]

I just finished that one too (it was soooooo good) and came here to find something new to read for 2020 :):)

[@joanschmidt8050]

Try female detectors Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton,etc.