As the year winds down, I pause and look back at the stories that kept me company. Reading has always been my favourite way to unwind and escape. It is a quiet pocket of calm in otherwise busy days, and this year, books played that role more than ever.
I began January with a modest goal of 60 books, only to raise it to 75 midway through the year once the momentum kicked in. Not every pick was a win though; there were a few disappointments and some DNFs, largely because I spent too much time chasing curated lists instead of my own reading instincts.
While most of my reading usually happens on a Kindle or via Audible, this year saw a surprising return to physical books. The real highlight, however, was joining a book club that perfectly matched my vibe. I finally found my tribe and a space where conversations about books feel just as rewarding as reading them.
Suspense and thrillers were a steady presence in my reading this year, even if none of them completely blew me away. Most of the books in this category were… fine—engaging enough to keep the pages turning, but not particularly unforgettable. The one clear standout was Firekeeper’s Daughter for the way it foregrounds Native American storytelling, community, and lived experience with depth and care.
What made this category interesting this year overall was its geographic and cultural range. I traveled through crime and intrigue with The Three Evangelists from France, Che Committed Suicide from Greece, Inspector Singh Investigates set in Malaysia, The Plotters from Korea, Bone Ritual from Indonesia, Death of a Red Heroine from China, Smaller and Smaller Circles from the Philippines, and Strange Pictures from Japan. Even when the thrills were uneven, the diversity of voices, settings, and social contexts made this a quietly rewarding stack to read through.
The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas (Translated by Siân Reynolds)
I could read this book and imagine it playing out as a quirky murder mystery movie. The characters are well developed and eccentric enough to picture them fully. The story begins when a tree is mysteriously planted in the garden of a famous opera singer. She meets the 3 men who have recently moved into the house next to hers and asks them to investigate discreetly. Then she disappears!
The 3 men are scholars of different periods of history; one has their uncle staying with them. He is a retired police officer. They all investigate the singer’s disappearance before an innocent person is arrested.
It reminded me of detective series like the Glass Onion and Pink Panther, but with more subtle humour.
Che Committed Suicide by Petros Markaris (Translated by David Connolly)
A crime fiction set in the early 2000s, when computers and mobiles were still new, and you had to wait for the news on the hour to know what was happening.
Inspector Haritos, still on sick leave, cannot sit idle. He unofficially starts to investigate the suicide of a high-profile businessman after he shot himself on live TV. The story weaves through the busy streets of Athens, where corruption is rampant and immigration is the hot political topic, as always.
Some memorable characters, such as Haritos’ family and Koula, reveal more of the Inspector’s personality as he stands in stoic contrast. No wonder his wife is always grumpy! The investigation reveals corruption, a history of the military Junta, current politics, and a wealth of information about the people, their challenges, and the city’s culture.
The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan
Cormac Reilly was a rookie when he escorted two kids to the hospital after their mother died. Now, 20 years later, he’s in the same place assigned with reopening the case after one of the kids has allegedly committed suicide.
He finds more than he bargained for as he uncovers secrets people keep and the lengths they would go to. He also realises how systems meant to protect the vulnerable have failed so miserably that sometimes they have to take justice into their own hands.
The story oscillates between Cormac and Aisling, the girlfriend of the man who drowned. The book is medium-paced till the end when a flurry of activities leads us to the climax.
It’s a good read if you’re looking for a quick adrenaline rush.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Most of the book revolves around Nina, a spoiled housewife who mistreats her hired help, Millie, who is desperate enough to tolerate it because she needs the money. Millie feels an attraction toward her boss’ husband, Andrew, who couldn’t be more perfect if he tried. After ignoring all the signs of danger, Millie finds herself locked in a room at the mercy of her jailor. The ending is satisfying, although it takes a while to arrive. There’s some dark humour that helps you get through the book, and also a morbid sense of wanting to find out what happens next.
More Suspense & Mystery from North America
Phantom Limb by Lucinda Berry
The book’s premise is intriguing, but the writing couldn’t hold my interest for long. Twin sisters who suffered trauma and abuse as kids need to adjust as adults, the best they can. I speed-read the book to find out what happens. There are some twists that you can see coming from a mile away, even the last one, though it seems like it was forced in. If you like psychological thrillers, then go for it. At least, I didn’t pay for it as I got it for free through Kindle Unlimited.
Inspector Singh Investigates A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint
In this first book of the series, Inspector Singh gets called in from Singapore to Malaysia to help defend a Singaporean celeb accused of murdering her husband. After many twists and turns, he manages to do his job. On his quest, we are given a good picture of the local surroundings, the diverse people who live there, the culture, and how it all differs from the same in Singapore.
There are some side-topics thrown in as well highlighting issues relevant to the region. It’s a good read without being stressful or edge-of-the-seat.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
The Plotters by Kim Un-Su (Translated by Sora Kim-Russell)
This is not your regular cat and mouse game. We see the world through the eyes of an assassin. But what happens when someone comes for him? He needs to figure out who is plotting his death and all the people pulling strings behind the scene.
It’s not an action-packed story but rather a rumination of a career that thrives because of the social and political scenario of the place. We follow Reseng as he goes about his job and is caught between staying loyal to his old boss or forming new alliances. While he is figuring that out, he needs to figure out who’s out to get him. There are some deep thoughts to ponder over for the reader as well: This world isn’t a mess because people are evil. It’s because everyone has their own stories and excuses for doing bad things.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
The Bone Ritual by Julian Lees
Set in Jakarta, Inspector Ruud is called to investigate a murder of a woman whose left hand has been chopped off and a mah jong tile placed in her throat. His childhood friend, Imke, is also visiting from Holland with her aunt and dog. When she also goes missing, Ruud needs to speed up his inquiry before it’s too late.
It is a disturbing tale with some moments of light-heartedness. There was a lot of name dropping (products, places, and people) which felt contrived but it didn’t distract from the story. Also, the jump that Ruud makes in his reasoning for the motive for murder seemed far-fetched with the little information they had at the point.
All-in-all, a good look into the culture and bustle of Indonesia with a thrilling murder mystery thrown in.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong
What’s a story set in China without some politics? But this book goes further and gives you politics and poetry along with a murder mystery. Inspector Chen is assigned the task of finding the murderer of a young woman who was a ‘model party worker’. But when the roads lead to the party, Chen gets sidelined. He and his assistant, Yu, must find a way to get justice. But are all means of justice equal: Justice was like colored balls in a magician’s hand, changing color and shape all the time, beneath the light of politics.
Through Chen, who is also a poet, we are introduced to some beautiful verses of Chinese poetry throughout the book. The story is set in the 1990s, so we are given some political context of the past policies that have led to the current situations. The murder-solving is almost a side plot to convey the socio-political landscape of the times. It is an interesting book that gives the reader a detailed look into life and culture under a socialist dictatorship.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan
I was surprised to find a Filipino mystery book through book recommendations. This book is set in Manila and is about a series of gory murders happening in the poor side of town called Payatas. The victims are all young boys found buried under trash heaps. Two Jesuit priests, Saenz and Jerome, help the police with their expertise in forensics. It is well-written and doesn’t dwell on countless details and sentiments. The church is a large part of local culture but the author doesn’t hold back in calling out its shortcomings through the insider, Father Saenz. The police force also has its characters, from power hungry rookies to principled veterans. I liked the story telling and how all the characters were portrayed without leaning on stereotypes.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
Strange Pictures by Uketsu (Translated by Jim Rion)
I had planned to read just a chapter before bed but ended up finishing the whole book in a single sitting. It starts off with a few drawings posted on a blog that has a dark story hidden behind it. Subsequent chapters have other drawings that reveal more layers of the story. A murderous story unfolds around a handful of drawings. It’s an innovative way to present a murder mystery.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
A cosy mystery with an endearing, albeit annoying, grandma. Vera lives in Chinatown and runs the World Famous Teahouse. She keeps herself fit and busy while she waits for her son to call or visit. Then her life gets more exciting as a man is found dead at her doorstep. Police chalk it up to an accidental overdose, but Vera knows there’s something suspicious. When new people come to check out the murder scene, she knows the murderer is among them. But she gets attached to them and they to her, so will she still turn them in? It’s a light, fun read.
More Suspense & Mystery from East Asia
rekt by Alex Gonzalez
The story takes place in the darkest corners of the Internet. Of course we are aware about what the dark web is, but are not scared enough of how dark it can get. Sammy is devastated after his girlfriend is killed in a car crash. He gets sent a link of the crash and to cope with the horror, he turns to watching snuff videos. But a revelation makes him question all his real life relationships and he resolves to find the person who sent him the link. The scariest part of the story is how close to reality this is, where even kids are being contacted and made to do unthinkable acts.
More Suspense & Mystery from North America
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The book starts off as a high school romance. Daunis is a biracial teen dealing with relationships but is deeply involved in her native Indian community. When new student Jamie enters her life, things start to look up then quickly unravel. Witnessing a traumatic death, she must decide if she wants to ignore it or make sure something like it never happens again.
The author gives us detailed insights into native traditions and their adaptations into current times. She also details the laws and regulations that govern the community from within and without. She doesn’t hold back in her criticism and disappointments through the lead character. I loved the story-telling and the reveal.
More Suspense & Mystery from North America
Also check out my other lists for 2025:
- Fiction
- Non-Fiction
- Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Poetry & Romance
Note: Some links are part of an affiliate program, which means that if you click on a link and buy something, I might receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you.
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