Books
14 new detective books to read in one sitting
As readers, we love to be thrilled and chilled in equal measure. It’s why so many of us read detective fiction, where a lone investigator (or, occasionally, a dynamic duo) delves into dark crimes and tracks down the unlikely culprit. We love the thrill of following the investigation, trying – and, if a book is well-written, failing – to figure out ‘the twist’ before the detective.
If you’ve sped through your own collection of detective novels and want to try something new, you’re in luck: below, we’ve rounded up the most talked-about new detective thrillers of 2024.
New detective novels of 2024
The Missing Family by Tim Weaver
The Missing Family by Tim Weaver
out now
Tim Weaver has carved out a niche for himself with his intriguing Raker books. In The Missing Family, three members of the Fowler family go out on a Dartmoor lake in a boat. The mother, Sarah, stays onshore. A minute later, she looks out to see how her family are doing, but the boat is empty. It is this sort of hook that leads anyone to devour Weaver’s books – and his latest does not disappoint.
The House of Cross by James Patterson
The House of Cross by James Patterson
out 24th October
We can’t wait for James Patterson’s Alex Cross series to hit the small screen. The Cross household has been through many trials, and the latest instalment, The House of Cross, is another breakneck rollercoaster of a ride. A serial killer is ridding Washington of its finest legal minds. While on the case, Cross’ wife and his close friend John Sampson go missing. Does their disappearance have anything to do with this current case? Again, Patterson delivers another cinematic epic that takes your breath away.
In a Place of Darkness by Stuart MacBride
In a Place of Darkness by Stuart MacBride
out now
Newly promoted, Detective Constable Angus MacVicar has been handed the case of the decade: the search for the ‘Fortnight Killer’. Every two weeks a couple is targeted. One is left at the scene, while the other is never seen again. It has been 12 days since the last murders – and the clock is ticking. Stuart MacBride always delivers the macabre with a dash of humour to lighten the darkness.
The Second Murderer by Denise Mina
The Second Murderer by Denise Mina
out now
Denise Mina is a chameleon of a writer. In The Second Murderer, she has stepped into the big shoes of Philip Marlowe and his creator, Raymond Chandler. A heatwave has descended on L.A. and heiress Chrissie Montgomery has gone missing. She’s set to inherit an enormous inheritance from her dying father, so Marlowe has been hired to find her. Mina has come up trumps with this amazing novel that pays homage to Chandler, while being a brilliant novel in its own right.
The Traitor by Jørn Lier Horst
The Traitor by Jørn Lier Horst
out 21st November
Jørn Lier Horst’s Norwegian novels are left of centre, with macabre characters and a wonderfully skewed view of life. In his latest, Detective William Wisting joins a rescue operation after heavy rainfall. A body is found, but not caused by the landslide: this old murder has links to an ongoing case. As Wisting digs deeper, he finds the traitor may be in his own unit. Horst’s previous novel, Snow Fall, is now available in paperback, and well worth reading: as in all his novels, Horst keeps the tension taut at all times.
Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
out now
In Just Another Missing Person, 22-year-old Olivia is last seen on CCTV entering an alleyway – but then she disappears. DCI Julia Day is conflicted as she wants to find Olivia, but someone has threatened her: “Find Olivia and we’ll take your daughter.” Gillian McAllister is wonderful at bringing personal conflict and emotional intensity to her books and this one is no exception.
The Next Girl by Emiko Jean
The Next Girl by Emiko Jean
out now
Detective Chelsey Calhoun has never given up hope of finding her missing sister but, for the past 20 years, she has come up with no leads. There have been other missing girls, but no success in finding them or their captor. Then Ellie Black is found alive in Washington State woods – two years after her disappearance. Calhoun believes this could be the tipping point in the case. But there is something not right about Ellie, and she refuses to help with the police investigation. This is a fascinating novel, tying together professional skill with high personal stakes.
Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin
Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin
out 10th October
Ian Rankin has really put his main protagonist, Rebus, through the mill over the years. In Midnight and Blue Rebus finds himself in prison, amongst many of those he put there. Then, there is a murder in a locked cell. Surrounded by killers and guards and without any authority, Rebus must tread carefully as he searches for the truth. With a master of the genre like Rankin at the helm, you know this is going to be of a high standard.
The Woman Who Fell by Matthew Frank
The Woman Who Fell by Matthew Frank
out now
Matthew Frank’s marvellous writing is a treat of its own. Combined with an intricate plot, Frank returns with a stunner of a novel, The Woman Who Fell. Lucinda Drummond is found at the bottom of her museum staircase. Who could have pushed her? Joe Stark and Fran Millhaven are back, entering the world of high art and extravagant wealth. This is a complex story with great characterisation and drama.
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
out now
The dishevelled, grumpy detective Vera Stanhope has truly been taken into the nation’s heart. In Ann Cleeves’ latest Vera, the body of a care home worker is found dead outside his place of work, a home for troubled teenagers, and 14-year-old resident Chloe has gone missing. Is she the murderer? Cleeves is adept at weaving a twisty story that is highly addictive.
The Wrong Hands by Mark Billingham
The Wrong Hands by Mark Billingham
out now
This is Mark Billingham’s second novel featuring Declan Miller. A young man appears on Miller’s doorstep holding a suitcase containing a pair of severed hands. Miller believes the killer is the same man who killed his wife. This series is a lot lighter than the darkness of Billingham’s Thorne series. There is plenty of humour, but that doesn’t get in the way of an intriguing story well told.
The Waiting by Michael Connelly
The Waiting by Michael Connelly
out 15th October
Michael Connelly is a giant of the crime fiction genre. The Waiting is the sixth Ballard novel, which also features Harry Bosch’s daughter, Maddie. A 20-year-old case gets a DNA hit. When the culprit is revealed, it is the last person anyone wants to accuse, so the case has to be watertight… Connelly again leads his reader through a labyrinth of lies and subterfuge.
The 24th Hour by James Patterson
The 24th Hour by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
out now
In the latest addition to the popular Women’s Murder Club series, the gang arrives at the scene of a violent assault. Despite making an arrest and taking on the case, the four friends gradually realise it will be near-impossible to get a conviction, due to the victim’s unique memory problems. The 24th Hour will have you transfixed as you plough through those short chapters, saying to yourself “just one more chapter” – until you finish at 2am.
From Doon With Death by Ruth Rendell
From Doon with Death by Ruth Rendell
paperback out 14th November
Admittedly, Ruth Rendell’s first crime novel was originally published in 1964, but it will be rereleased in paperback this year. From Doon with Death introduces Chief Inspector Wexford, as he investigates a murder. Margaret Parsons led a mundane life. So why was she brutally killed? And who has signed a number of Margaret’s rare books with the name, ‘Doon’? Sixty years later, this book cements Rendell’s high status in the crime genre.
Have we missed any of the best new detective fiction off our list? Let us know in the comments below…
If you’re in the mood to get stuck into a new series, check out our list of new detective and crime series to start now…
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