Love, Life, & Beyond

Since I realised how limited my reading scope has been, I have been trying to read books from all over the world. There is such richness and diversity of ideas in these books; astonishingly, I had missed out on them for so long. 

I’ve been reading suspense/thrillers from all around the world. From Scandinavian noir’s unhurried chilling mysteries and complex Japanese intrigues to America’s fast-paced thrillers, I’ve explored different styles and themes of mystery potboilers from around the globe.

Come with me to explore this fascinating world and dive into the intricate plotlines, gripping characters, and captivating settings that make these novels so popular. Whether you’re a fan of classic detective stories or prefer the heart-pounding suspense of modern thrillers, you’re sure to find something that’ll have your heart racing.

Check my previous article on Mystery and Suspense from Oceania and South Asia.

In this instalment, we explore the thrilling world of mystery and crime novels from North America, which include the United States, Canada, and surrounding island nations.

North American authors have significantly impacted the mystery genre, with many of the most popular and iconic detectives hailing from these countries. 

So grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favourite reading spot, and let’s explore the world of North American mystery together!

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The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

I first read The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe in college and have never forgotten it. It is a masterpiece of gothic horror and psychological suspense. This classic short story is a must-read for anyone who loves dark tales that leave you on the edge of your seat.

The story is narrated by an unidentified person who is plagued by a guilty conscience after committing a murder and is being interviewed by a police officer. As the story unfolds, the narrator’s mental state becomes increasingly unstable, leading to a chilling and unforgettable climax. Poe’s vivid descriptions of the narrator’s surroundings and inner thoughts create a sense of tension that builds throughout the story. A simple tale so skilfully told that it should be on everyone’s reading list.

Author: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, and literary critic known for his Gothic and macabre style of writing and his contributions to the development of the modern detective story.

The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns

This is one of those cosy mysteries you can read by the windowsill on a lazy afternoon. Throw in a sassy grandmom with her army of enterprising ladies, and you’ve got a team of sleuths ready to solve any mystery. Samantha has recently lost her husband but has gone ahead with their dream of owning a mystery bookstore. Then someone she didn’t like is found dead on her front lawn, and she is a suspect unless she can prove otherwise. Since Samantha is also an aspiring mystery writer, we get a Regency mystery story within a story.

Author: Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Indie Award finalist. Valerie works as an operations manager at a call centre and is an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana (USA), Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This is a messed-up book, but I guess those are the most appealing stories. The scariest stories are not about monsters under the bed but about regular people becoming monsters. In the beginning, Gone Girl seems like a story of love gone old, but then it turns into something else and ends somehow you don’t expect. 

It is a dark, suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. The story is told from the perspectives of both, the husband and wife, Nick and Amy, whose marriage has fallen apart. The plot twists and turns as Nick becomes the prime suspect in Amy’s disappearance, and through their narratives, we try to unravel the mystery of what really happened. Overall, Gone Girl is a gripping and unforgettable thriller. 

Author: Gillian Flynn (born 1971) is an American author and screenwriter known for her dark and twisted psychological thrillers, including Gone Girl, which was adapted into a successful film. Before her writing career, she was a television critic for Entertainment Weekly.

Woman on the Edge by Samantha M. Bailey

Nicole’s past comes back to haunt her in the worst possible way, where she fears for her newborn baby’s life. She feels that the only way to protect her baby is to give her away. However, the woman she chooses for this role, Morgan, is dealing with her own past and is suddenly thrust into the centre of a dangerous plot where she cannot trust anybody.

Morgan takes it upon herself to figure out who is behind all the threats before someone gets killed. The shifting perspectives of the narrative add to the suspense, as the reader is never quite sure who to trust. I liked the book’s exploration of motherhood, grief, and mental illness themes. Bailey weaves these elements into the story with sensitivity and nuance, creating a layered, thought-provoking novel.

It’s a fast-paced thriller with an expected ending, but it keeps you on the edge until you get there.

Author: Samantha M. Bailey is a Canadian author known for her bestselling psychological thrillers. She has been nominated for several literary awards, including the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel. Bailey is also a journalist and freelance editor.

Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

If I had one word to describe this book, it would be: Unputdownable. The only time I had to put it down was in frustration at how widely accepted and far-reaching sexual harassment is.

Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow is a gripping and insightful exposé of the rampant sexual abuse and cover-ups that took place in the entertainment industry and beyond. Farrow is a journalist who delves into the stories of the brave individuals who came forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment against powerful figures.

Farrow’s involvement in the story lends the book its tag of suspense and thriller as he is followed and threatened if he continues his investigation. He describes his own experiences with intimidation and attempts to bury the story by his superiors at NBC, adding a personal dimension to the story and highlighting the importance of a free and independent press. The book is a powerful reminder of the importance of investigative journalism and the need to hold those in power accountable for their actions.

Author: Ronan Farrow (born 1987) is an American journalist, lawyer, and activist who has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his investigative reporting on sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein. He is also known for his work on human rights and international diplomacy and is a frequent contributor to The New Yorker magazine. Farrow is the son of actress Mia Farrow and filmmaker Woody Allen.

No Home for Killers by E.A. Aymar

This book is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that follows two sisters, Melinda and Emily, as they try to find out how their brother was murdered. The whole family is estranged from each other, but they need to try and navigate those feelings if they want to solve the case. As the past of each sibling is revealed, we learn there’s a lot more hidden than meets the eye.

The book explores themes such as loyalty, redemption, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The subject matter deals with human trafficking and domestic violence, which are not easy topics to deal with, but Aymar handles it well.

Author: Anthony Award-nominated E.A. Aymar was born in Panama and now lives in, and generally writes about, the Washington D.C. area. He is also the co-founder of the award-winning crime fiction magazine, The Thrill Begins, and has served as the managing editor of The Washington Independent Review of Books.

Still Life by Louise Penny

This book was a nice break from the edge-of-the-seat mysteries. It combines a cosy setting with a gripping murder mystery. The author takes her time to introduce the setting and the characters in the tiny town of Three Pines. The story follows Chief Inspector Gamache as he investigates the murder of a beloved resident and artist, Jane Neal, in the sleepy community.

The characters are well-drawn and memorable, with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story. The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

The book explores the darker side of human nature and the hidden secrets that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic communities.

Author: Louise Penny (born 1958) is a Canadian author known for her mystery novels and has won numerous literary awards, including the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Penny’s novels have been praised for their richly drawn characters and evocative settings.

A Time to Kill by John Grisham

This is a legal thriller that explores themes of race, justice, and morality. The story follows young lawyer Jake Brigance as he defends a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, who has killed two white men in revenge for raping and assaulting his 10-year-old daughter.

Grisham’s writing is powerful, sensitive, and thought-provoking, drawing the reader into the intense and emotional courtroom drama. The characters are well-drawn and complex, with each having their own motivations and perspectives.

The book explores the societal and personal implications of racism and discrimination in the justice system. It forces the reader to confront their own biases and beliefs while also delivering a thrilling and suspenseful plot.

I also loved the movie based on this book, which was more impactful.

Author: John Grisham (born 1955) is a best-selling American author known for his legal thrillers. He has published over 30 novels, which have sold over 300 million copies worldwide and have been adapted into successful films and television shows. After practicing law for nearly a decade, Grisham began writing his first novel, A Time to Kill, published in 1989. 

The Vanishing Girls by Callie Browning

I read Callie’s debut book, The Girl with the Hazel Eyes, and found it intriguing. Having read both books by this author, I find that her characters develop wonderfully over the course of the books. Both her books can be read independently, but I love how they connect in the end.

Holden has inherited a mortuary and is looking for an assistant who won’t faint at the sight of dead bodies. Eileen comes into his life at the right time but has secrets of her own. When they have to bury the bodies of young women found brutally murdered in cane fields, they feel the need to seek out the serial killer instead of waiting on the underfunded and overworked police force. The author manages to hold onto the suspense till the end.

Author: Callie Browning is an award-winning Barbadian author. Her debut novel, The Girl with the Hazel Eyes, won the 2019 NIFCA Silver Medal. 

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

Dan Brown weaves together history, science, and religion to create a thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he races against time to stop a deadly threat to the Vatican, teaming up with a brilliant scientist along the way.

With its engaging characters and a gripping plot full of twists and turns, Angels & Demons is a page-turner that will leave readers guessing until the very end, and it is tempting to believe everything presented as fact. The tension between science and religion, and the power struggles between the Vatican and the scientific community, add a layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

While this story may be intriguing and captivating, it is important to remember that much of it is based on conspiracy theories and imaginative speculation. 

The other books in the series deal with different theories but are just as fast-paced, and the movies are well-made too.

Author: Dan Brown is an American author known for his bestselling novels that combine history, art, and symbology. His books, including The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been adapted into successful films. Brown’s work has also sparked controversy and debate for its fictionalisation of historical and religious themes.

Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe

This book is the origin story of Nena Knight, a trained assassin for The Tribe. It details atrocities and violence against women, so it might not be for everyone, but the stories ring true. Nena is trying to get over her past, but it catches up to her and now might endanger her present. The unexpected twist at the end is heartwrenching.

You can feel her longing, fear, and guilt throughout the book. I look forward to reading the series and seeing how her character develops. I’m sure this will make a brilliant movie franchise in the right hands.

Author: Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation Ghanaian American and, in 2020, received the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color from Sisters in Crime. The Nena Knight series has been optioned for a TV series. Yasmin is a former educator, and she and her blended family of six live in South Carolina.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

This is for the fans of true crime. Capote chronicles the brutal murder of the Clutter family in rural Kansas in 1959 with haunting precision. The book is a captivating character study, delving into the lives and motivations of both the victims and the killers.

The empathetic writing humanises the murderers in a thought-provoking way. He researched and interviewed people involved in the case to draw out each character’s personality and the events as they would have most likely happened.

The victims and the villains are made clear to the reader at the start, and the book progresses as the investigation is carried on in reality till the final convictions and their aftermath. The story remains interesting as we discover the case’s whys and hows of the case. 

Author: Truman Capote (1924-1984) was an American author, screenwriter, and playwright. He was known for his literary works, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, which blended fact and fiction to create a new genre of writing. Capote’s unique writing style and creative vision continue to inspire and influence writers even today.

Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards

This thrilling crime novel follows Chief Forensic Anthropologist Prusik as she investigates a series of gruesome murders of young women. With a ‘too weird to be true’ twist at the end, this book is a great weekend or beach read. While the story at times could have picked up the pace, the build-up was well-written, and the reader can’t help but root for Prusik against her condescending male bosses.

As I had already read another book with a similar premise last year, the suspense aspect felt somewhat diluted to me.

Author: Born in New York City, Lloyd Devereux Richards is a well-travelled author who has journeyed through Europe, Africa, and Central America. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked as a senior law clerk for an Indiana Court of Appeals judge, where he helped draft published opinions, including one involving a death sentence for a serial killer.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

The novel follows Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-convicts and estranged fathers of a gay couple who were brutally murdered. Frustrated with the lack of progress in the police investigation, they take it upon themselves to find their sons’ killers. 

Despite their own struggles with accepting their sons’ sexuality, they are driven by guilt and a desire for redemption. As they delve deeper into the case, their long-suppressed anger and violent tendencies resurface. As the story progresses, they begin to understand each other better and confront their prejudices and biases.

Throughout the novel, important themes such as race, gender and sexual identity, mental health, and redemption are explored through meaningful discussions and thought-provoking moments. The novel is filled with suspense and emotional depth.

Author: S. A. Cosby (Shawn Andre Cosby, born 1973)  is an American Southern noir crime fiction writer. His short story “The Grass Beneath My Feet” won the Anthony Award for Best Short Story in 2019. His novel Blacktop Wasteland was a New York Times bestseller and received critical acclaim. Cosby has also won several awards for his writing, including the Anthony and Edgar awards.

Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes

It is a great cosy mystery series if you love some light reading with plenty of relationship drama thrown in. Miriam has moved back to her hometown in Miami, which is very close to her mother-in-law. Some drama is to be expected, but when two women die, and her best friend is arrested for murder, Miriam has to get involved to clear her friend’s name. Miriam has also landed a job as a television cooking show host, which is rapidly gaining popularity.

She also discusses the racism (some subtle and others not so) prevalent in mostly-White towns that she faces. I love all the food references and the recipes at the end. Do not read on an empty stomach!

Author: Raquel V. Reyes is of Cuban-American heritage; therefore, Miami and Spanglish feature prominently in her work. This book won a LEFTY for Best Humorous Mystery and an International Latino Book Award. It was nominated for an Agatha Award and optioned for film.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

How invested I was in characters I didn’t even like! A group of students form a close bond through their Latin teacher. When Richard joins the group, he’s taken in by the enigmatic lives they all lead and will do anything to be a part of it. They can do no wrong in his eyes.

When murder comes into the mix, the dynamics change drastically. The personalities of each person and hidden secrets slowly come to light, and Richard begins to doubt his sanity and judgment about staying on with his chosen group of friends.

Although the victim and perpetrators are revealed in the beginning itself, there are a few more surprises till the end, and the suspense builds up throughout the book. It is a longish read, but I didn’t want to put it down because it was also addictive!

Author: Donna Tartt (born 1963) is an American author who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2014. Her writing is characterised by its evocative settings, vividly drawn characters, and themes of loss, identity, and belonging. Tartt has been recognised with numerous literary awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the WH Smith Literary Award.

Murder in Montego Bay by Paula Lennon

I could ‘watch’ the story unfold like a movie as the book went on. It is a good mix of descriptions of surroundings, a lone officer’s internal monologue, and a good plot.

The Patois dialogues were a little difficult to understand, and if that wasn’t enough, there was a bit of a Scottish accent thrown in as well. But it wasn’t hard to get the gist of what was being said and some of the humourous banter in between.

Detective Preddy and Harris are the alpha males on the team and are under pressure to solve the murder of one of the twins of the wealthiest families in town. The resource-strapped department tries its best to maintain a good image with the local population, but it’s not easy.

It’s a good series for those who love a quick murder mystery without the gruesome details.

Author: Paula Lennon was born to Jamaican parents in England. She lived in Jamaica during her teens and attended Clarendon College High School in Chapelton. She worked as a commercial lawyer in London before deciding to live where the weather was more conducive to smiling. She currently resides in Jamaica.

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