I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists. Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm listing the 5 best mysteries I read in 2025 - though really it's 8 because I couldn't narrow it down. This is not counting rereads (which means it excludes Agatha Christie books I read this year).
1. Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass - I really enjoyed this one. It was a bit procedural, a bit psychological thriller and super fast paced while not giving me nightmares. I'm so excited to read more from this author.
2. Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon - While this is actual family it had a very found family vibe with a twist of characters figuring out what they want in life - throw in a murder mystery and it was a fantastic read.
3. Hardcastle's Quartet by Graham Isom - This was an overdue review book that I absolutely loved. It's a police procedural set during World War I. The mystery was intriguing, I loved the pace of the investigation, and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters.
4. Death in the Countryside by Maria Malone - This was the first (I hope) in a series about a police officer living in a small village with her working dog. I loved the mystery and the characters and just thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.
5. The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill - I picked up the audio book on a whim even though I had seen some really mixed reviews on it. I'm not sure if it was because of the audio or my mood or what but I was pulled into this mystery immediately and loved every minute. The end had me on the edge of my seat.
6. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - I have loved every interview I've seen of this author and while I didn't love The Thursday Murder Club (which may have been a mood thing - I need to reread it) this one really appealed to me. It was so fun! I loved the characters and the mystery and just the general adventure of it all. The audio is fantastic.
7. A Grave Deception by Connie Berry - This series lives somewhere between cozy and more straight forward mystery and I have enjoyed every single book in it. The premise of this one was completely up my alley and it was just a delight.
8. The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves - This was my first book by this author and the first book in the Vera Stanhope series and it won't be my last of either. This was a fantastic mystery with lots of twists and turns and I can't wait to read more from this series (and watch the show).
What were some of your favorite mysteries that you read in 2025?
Mother-Daughter Murder Night is the one that appeals most to me. :D
ReplyDeleteI loved Nothing Ever Happens Here and We Solve Murders. Great reads!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these but I have We Solve Murders on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you like The Crow Trap and I do encourage you to continue with that Vera series (plus also the TV series). I also have read The Women In The Library and liked it. Nice list!!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the Osman, Gentil and Cleeves books.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart