reading the 10 best mystery/thriller books of 2024!

[@littlegoofygoobers]

This is my super bowl🥹

[@megwithbooks]

🥹🥹🥹

[@KelliJ_]

1000% ❤

[@acciocreativity]

me coming to the comments to say this 🥰

[@nathaliat2773]

Truly

[@MichaelaWagner]

"I'm dancing through life with Richard Osman" killed me hahahha

[@novaartino2874]

My most anticipated video of the year 😍😍

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

same for me, alongside Kayla's

[@megwithbooks]

Thanks bestie

[@bookslikewhoa]

You handled that one-two punch of Freida with grace and poise 👏

[@dixiechick6652]

👏 👏👏

[@lina_t_k]

Babe wake up, Megwithbooks posted her goodreads 2024 video

[@SarahAtHeart]

My first thought when I saw God of the Woods won was "Meg is going to be ecstatic." 🎉

[@gabbyreads]

I always love you watching you make these videos every year! 😍🤩 I’m also glad Frieda didn’t win the thriller category!

[@SamuelMcAuliff]

I am 100% against book banning and the old-fashioned book burning...that said, Frieda books make me reconsider.

[@jeanettemortimer7800]

Nita Prose makes me feel like that 😀

[@SamuelMcAuliff]

@@jeanettemortimer7800 I am not familiar.

[@jeanettemortimer7800]

@@SamuelMcAuliff She wrote The Maid, The Mystery Guest, etc. she’s mentioned a couple of times in this vlog 😂😂

[@SamuelMcAuliff]

@@jeanettemortimer7800 Oh yes, completely blanked on the name.

[@dixiechick6652]

Oh no 😬 😂😂

[@skoumpamarianthi8729]

It's.... TIIIIIIIMEEEEEEEEEEE 🎉🎉🌲🌲🌲🎊🎊🚨🚨🎅🎅🤶

[@avsambart]

All the editions of the books you have are GORGEOUS. Especially, your editions of God of the Woods, How to Solve Your Own Murder, and All the Colours of the Dark are STUNNING.

[@SuboJvR]

It's wild to me that Goodreads put Freida in the same category as Richard Osman. Like I feel like crime/mystery should be separate to the popcorn thrillers, or is that just me?

[@kayleighbutler2259]

Top Tip: Nail varnish remover is great for removing stickers

[@dixiechick6652]

Good to know, thanks! I hate that left over stickiness and everything sticks to it

[@darling_mack]

For the Boris pregnancy test joke, the us version would be nick Cannon, who has 12 kids with six women

[@megwithbooks]

Hahaha yeah but this quote was still in the US edition!! So I was trying to figure out if us readers would understand what it meant

[@hildavgoneril]

@@megwithbooks as an American I can confirm that I did not understand what it meant at allll

[@BlackCatBritt]

@@hildavgoneril same, wouldnt have a clue. I agree our version would be Nick Cannon tho 😂

[@megdragon5191]

Concurrently!

[@ComeUndun.]

Love your orange and blue sweater, but every time you wear it, all I can think about is the Edmonton Oilers 🤣 My husband watching hockey is taking over my mind.

[@AlyssaReids]

I think that too!

[@bookswithamymarie]

It was so nice to hear you rant about The Teacher. I completely agree 😂

[@MsJayteeListens]

I crumble to dust when you call All the Colours of the Dark historical fiction. It’s set the year I was born!

[@ashleyslittlelibrary]

I preferred the mysteries over the thrillers too! I will say if you didn't vibe with All the Colors 100 pages in you probably won't really like continuing it because it's a slow burn, character driven, decades-long situation that doesn't really pick back up until the end when things start coming together. I found it really satisfying by the end, but it's a long one to stick it out for if you're not loving it! Thank goodness Freida didn't win this year 😂

[@kobaa5139]

Very interesting input on Lucy Foley. I have enjoyed her books as well and love the crazy ride with her thrillers. I like that she isn't afraid to write unlikeable characters (even though that's what a lot of people complain about her books). You shouldn't love every character you read about. I have only read 3 and I think I would rate The Guest List 3, The Paris Apartment 4, and The Midnight Feast 4. I feel like there was so much more that could have been explored at the ending of The Guest List, loved the past/present and character development in The Midnight Feast, loved the twists in The Paris Apartment.

[@BookChats]

If you dig into the rules, Goodreads limits nominations to one book per series and two books per author. That's why Freida only had two books make it although it's surprising the direct sequel to last year's winner is the one that missed the cut!

[@samworley3960]

loving our feature length film today 🥹🥹

[@Bookserenity1208]

So excited. I have been waiting for this video!!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

Yes Megan!! This is going to be so good, I can't wait!!

[@Ms.HGL.]

She's back! 🥳 Such a fun video. All good vibes 🎉

[@emperorcupcake]

"I served my time" 🤣For me a Freida book is a slump buster, a quick no-thoughts head empty read.The literary version of junk food. I wouldn't vote for her books over something better like Listen for the Lie, but I'll probably always pick them up when I'm craving something bad for me lol. That said. The Teacher was just bad.

[@mickeyhank]

I’m so psyched for this…🎉🎁🎄 Thanks in advance, Meg!

[@sashamoons868]

Let's get a counter for saying Richard Osmon in this vlog. I voted for him too. And everytime I see his books I remember you. 😂

[@AliDoisRead]

grabbing a snack to sit and watch this masterpiece 🍿👏

[@queenkim8631]

I look forward to these types of videos every year 😊😊

[@BookReviewsWithBecky]

I love all of Lucy Foley's books! I voted for Home Is Where the Bodies Are. I LOVED IT!! I also enjoyed Listen For The Lie, and First Lie.

[@loujanae31]

Your green marbley mesh top is so dang cute!!

[@KelliJ_]

Been waiting the whole year for this 🎉🎉 thank you 🙏

[@bluewave29]

I'm so glad I read The Paris Apartment on your recommendation, it's become one of my absolute favorite books.

[@gabz49242]

I was so excited that God of the Woods won--it was one of my favorite books this year, and I feel like so often the category winners are books I don't really care about. Hope you find a better time to read All the Colors of the Dark...I also read and loved that this year, but I can see how reading that right after GotW could be a lot of sweeping historical mystery in one go.

[@tlw13]

been waiting for this one 😅

[@kelley.s]

I just got We Solve Murders from the library and this makes me even more excited!

[@mickeyhank]

Just watched the entire video, absolutely loved it. So glad that God of the Woods got a good review from you because my cousin whose reading taste, I totally respect, she recently recommended it to me, so now I have your recommendation also. Love that Richard continued his brilliant streak. I have to start reading his work… Very much enjoyed the Freida writing hate, justified. Tremendous work, Meg, that was a ton of reading. Thank you!!!

[@booksandtropes]

Love these videos :) ❤️

[@marshalmallow7192]

“I’m not looking” she says as she’s holding it 😂😂😂

[@phenrichsen1]

Meg, I love you and your videos SO MUCH! Thank you for doing them❤. I read almost exclusively mystery/thrillers, and you have impeccable taste in both, so I always look forward to what you have to say. I’m one of your older viewers from the US. I so agree with you on Freida’s books! I’ve never read one, and have no plans to. They just sound like trash. Part of me feels like, if I’m going to say that, I should read one just because 🤷🏻‍♀️. I do not know how or why BOTM picked her.🤦🏻‍♀️. Oh!….and, also, I agree with you on The First Lie Wins! I read it when it was first released, and it was “ok” and all year long I’m like “What’s all the hype about this book!”🤷🏻‍♀️

[@typeonereader]

Nooo all the colours of the dark is so good! Honestly it was slow at first but then i read the last third of the book in one sitting

[@carissa1446]

Jeneva Rose books always sound so good, but they never connect for me. It’s sad because I want that book on my shelf. I love the cover. I feel the way you do about Freida about Jeneva Rose 😂

[@BookishMandy]

I loved watching you. And I’m so glad you soft DNFed All the Colors of the Dark. It’s a long, beautiful book, but it really isn’t a thriller. It’s definitely a “suspend your belief” story, but Patch and Saint will be your best friends. I love them so much. God of the Woods and All the Colors of the dark are two of my favorite reads. HOWEVER, if you liked God of the Woods, read her book Long Bright River - I liked it even more than God.

[@heatherdegreeff1092]

I haven't read many of these, but I did read and loved the winner so I was satisfied with that!

[@magda_mf]

ooooooohhh yes I'm ready!!!

[@jorichner6678]

every time you hold up your cat, I think you're going to like the books starter villain every single time that cat is a main character

[@Hanbag-33]

whelp, another GCA szn is over. it's been a ride. i am emotional. i love you all and i'm proud of us for getting through it together

[@aspenblair5099]

I wait every SINGLE year for this video…. It’s my kryptonite

[@NovelsWithNicole]

I can confirm, as an American, I did not understand those references to UK culture…but I also don’t remember even reading them to begin with so…LOL 😂I thought I was the only one who liked the midnight feast 😅 P.S. does that mean you won’t be reading middle of night by Riley sager? Which is arguably his most mystery esque book… I’m so curious what you’d think.

[@andrewstorm8240]

Good guide

[@librarianlirael]

When you said your favorite character in God of the Woods is Judy and she's a cop I'm like is this zootopia fanfic? because the fanfic to trad pub pipeline has broken my brain forever. 😅

[@elskabee]

it's here!!!!

[@summerkerr6098]

I’ve been looking forward to this video!! I really liked First Lie Wins and Listen for the Lie, I gave 4.5 stars to both. I hated Home is Where the Bodies are, I agree that it was incredibly boring. What you read in the book blurb is all that happens for the first 70% of the book and then it’s all generic until the end. I’m still waiting on library holds to read a few of the others!

[@pinjah1471]

first 👀😎 i love the end of year vids! 🥰

[@jessireads]

i feel very validated by you also hating the teacher

[@megwithbooks]

bestie…… we deserve a payout for emotional damages

[@briannabythebooks]

I'm not super tuned into the Mystery/Thriller genre, but I feel like I saw the God of the Woods everywhere this year, so I wasn't surprised to see it win.

[@2025Mindfulness]

I love Richard Osman.

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

No way is there a Boris reference in The Midnight Feast 😂

[@racheltfisher]

I mostly enjoyed God of the woods too

[@aerikaj]

Me over here thoroughly enjoying The Housemaid series. 😂😂😂

[@bradonlong9513]

Anticipated this video for weeks! Met Richard Osman this year - love the books even more. I just finished All the Colors of the Dark last week. It’s a lovely investment of time. Definitely literary mystery, a little bit history because of how much time is encompassed in it, character development GALORE (so well-drawn) not at all a thriller. 250+ chapters a bit annoying, as many of those actually run into each other. My only complaint. God of the Woods similar in the history vein, though I liked the characters of All the Colors a bit more. My book club girlies love Freida… never read her, scared to read her. 🤣

[@acciocreativity]

when i tell you the first thought i had back when the top twenty came out was “oh fuck meg has to read freida mcfadden”

[@LilBittyTay]

i agree with your patrons, the teacher was also one of the worst books i’ve ever read

[@cassyynewman]

thank you for calling out the transphobia in hidden pictures !! only two minutes in the video but i needed to stop and comment this quickly. when i read hidden pictures i was baffled that i was reading a well received and loved book.. i really thought, did everyone else miss the blatant transphobia or what? but good to know im not an outlier there

[@allen-reads]

Try a hairdryer on the sticker!

[@jen_h]

I'm convinced Freida Mcfadden is AI with how similar all her books are to other books

[@DominiqueVango]

A hairdryer will melt the glue and the sticker will easily come off

[@eheider8820]

I’d love it if you would review my sister’s book, “May the Wolf Die.” NY Times listed it in best crime fiction 2024. Washington Post and Publisher’s weekly listed it in mysteries this year too.

[@kayleighbutler2259]

30:13 XD

[@annaswanangel91011]

Thank you for acknowledging that Jason Rekulak sucks!

[@SoGirl364]

How you feel about First Lie Wins is how I felt about How to Solve Your Own Murder. lol

[@365801]

How about next year, instead of reading all or the top 10, you just read the mysteries? That way you don't need to put yourself through something you won't enjoy. Even though it is sometimes fun to watch you hate on something. 😅

[@kenzienoelle124]

I am so sorry you had to read The Teacher lol Worst book I read this year aaaaand I kind of hate how many people are loving it🫣🫠 Phenomenal video!!

[@muddywatersbookshelf7758]

❤

[@noemiborbely5383]

What in the world did she say at 34:59? I’ve listened to it a dozen times and I have no clue 😂 it’s driving me mad

[@megwithbooks]

Lmao I’m sorry for when I talk too quick when I get excited😂 I say “I’m probably gonna see it twice next week” is that the part you mean?💗

[@noemiborbely5383]

@@megwithbooks the bit before that. I never heard what you were going to see haha

[@megwithbooks]

Oh wicked lol!!

[@JessicaRoseReads]

📚📚✨

[@Jessica-rr2eh]

So I've never read Frieda McFadden but I just feel that anyone that writes that many books in a year just isn't putting all their effort into writing something good.. (Also why I've never read Colleen).

[@xxkkl3166]

I hope you read an Agatha Christie for Christmas!

[@kelleyeasterling]

I'm starting to think you don't like Frida McFadden 🤣🤣

[@sallyolivia37]

SO glad you disliked 'Home is where the bodies are'. I found it to be so badly written with an empty boring plot! Cant understand how people loved it.

[@Lisa-ei9dy]

I DNFed two books in my life, one was The housemaid's secret. I don't get it either

[@Gniaget]

Let me guess The Teacher is not actually dead and is a bad person/murderer just like in The Coworker, the coworker was not dead... and a bad person/murderer...

[@salahalselene4957]

❤❤❤😂😂😂

[@abbywonder3825]

I’ve enjoyed Jeneva Rose’s other books but this latest one wasn’t that enjoyable.

[@natcommon]

I mean, if I don't understand what something that is country specific/culture exclusive, I Google it. The internet exists for a reason.

[@natcommon]

I am so sorry you have to read The Teacher. But at least Richard Oseman was there.

[@jf1809]

I just finished All the Colors today. I gave it a 2* and I gave God of the Woods 5*. Colors was just so pretentious and boring

[@JohnSaxon-vw5vi]

I am sorry but good read joice awards suck and are totally unfair to the authors who are involved 😡😡😡😡😡

[@theantheaaaaaa]

Don’t really understand the hate with The Teacher. We all know it’s a popcorn thriller, why does it have to have morals? Why does it have to have our real world ideologies attached to it? It’s just a story…. It’s fiction. You don’t have to agree with any of it. Feel like books have to be very pc nowadays and can’t just be wild and fun anymore. Like read a non fiction if you want real world commentary on inappropriate relationships.

[@courtneysreads]

Im a freida defender 🫣i gave the boyfriend 5 ⭐️ i loved the twists and i was hooked the whole time i found the writing really gripping but im also not a big thriller reader so maybe when i’ve read more i might think different but idk cuz shes one of my favourites 😳 ive only read my fair few we align in some places tho i absolutely adore the writing retreat like you ❤️😆

[@britmuller4268]

Yeah Christmas is great, but have you ever watched @Megwithbooks good reads mystery thriller videos?!?

[@rocio9863]

I figured out why i struggle with most thriller/mystery books: it's the ordinary "going through motions" ass writing. Even if it's múltiple POVs basically It just describes the characters movements plus descriptions of places/objects or obvious emotions which slows down the narration. I like PACKED narrations. One single paragraph should be able to make me laugh and then cry. It should be opinionated, drop interesting facts geographically, historically, scientifically even. Drop interesting quirk weird facts about the characters idk. Gillian Flynn's books are iconic because her narration is packed, her characters are complex opinionated women and they're surrounded by such vivid crappy people on vivid crappy places. Richard Osman does It so well too the complex opinionated humans but in a funny endearing way. T Kingfisher does funny and sad and creepy and fantasyish in one page. Night Film had too so many elements and good tropes. Six Stories did the podcast thing amazingly even if it's 6 people telling us their own perspective about the same thing there's always much more so it's not repetitive. The more i find GOOD books that does It all the more i resent the mediocrity of the popular basic thrillers. And this translates to all genres