Looking for a detective novel, but don’t have time to read a full-length blog post? Select the book you're interested in for my rating, a brief synopsis, and some of the book's pros and cons. The books featured on this page fall under the category of Detective Novels and Police Procedurals.
BIRDMAN by Mo Hayder
Grove Atlantic; 7/3/12
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: gritty, graphic crime fiction for fans of The Silence of the Lambs
Synopsis: A detective takes on his first case as lead investigator for London’s murder squad, and finds himself hunting down a brutal serial killer.
Pros: This book definitely deserves the comparisons to The Silence of the Lambs. A terrifying villain + protagonist you’ll be cheering for drive this story forward; a gritty, intricate plot keeps you immersed in the story.
Cons: This book is VERY dark and gory. I typically don’t mind gore/violence in my thrillers but this one was a lot even for me at times. Do not read this book unless you are okay with gruesome, graphic violence.
THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN by Dot Hutchison
Thomas & Mercer; 5/23/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: twisted, utterly addictive crime fiction
Synopsis: FBI agents interview the survivor of a horrific place called the "Garden," where women are held against their will by the "Gardener."
Pros: Utterly gripping! This is one dark and twisted thriller - but I couldn't stop turning the pages. Purely addictive.
Cons: This is not your typical serial killer thriller. It's focused on unraveling the crimes committed by its story's central villain - but it does this through an interview with a survivor. Not a chase to catch a killer - just something to be aware of! It's also very, very dark and a bit graphic - another element to be aware of when deciding if this is for you.
THE CRAFTSMAN by Sharon Bolton
Minotaur Books; 10/16/18
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a perfect Halloween read for the psychological suspense fan
Synopsis: A young police officer faces a disturbing case when children are discovered in coffins, having been buried alive.
Pros: a fantastic story! A tough, compelling female lead who faces down misogyny; rich atmosphere; a touch of modern supernatural suspense.
Cons: Very few - just be aware this story does have some supernatural components, though they’re not the ultimate solution to the story’s mystery.
DARK PINES by Will Dean
Point Blank Books; 1/4/18 (UK)
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: Sparse, stylish, chilling crime fiction
Synopsis: Journalist Tuva finds herself embroiled in a chilling mystery in small-town, rural Sweden.
Pros: Compelling main character; atmospheric, chilling settling
Cons: You have to be just a bit patient with the beginning of this book - it really kicked in for me around page 100.
DEATH IN THE FAMILY by Tessa Wegert
Berkley; 2/18/20
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: An engrossing “locked room” mystery for Agatha Christie fans
Synopsis: Detectives are called to a private island in upstate New York where the grandson of a wealthy woman has gone missing.
Pros: Fantastic atmosphere and sense of place; clever plotting that pays tribute to classic crime fiction while still feeling fresh. Plus a cast of very suspicious characters!
Cons: No major cons, just a personal struggle with one little twist of this story that I didn’t quite buy. I can’t even really say more about it without spoiling anything, but it was very minor!
MY RATING: 5/5
THE VERDICT: must-read
Synopsis: my main lady DI Helen Grace vs. a twisted serial killer, and a race against time to save a young woman. Book 3 in the Helen Grace series - series must be read in order
Pros: even more thrills, surprises, and glimpses into Helen's personal life. Pure cop vs. killer entertainment!
Cons: none.
MY RATING: 3.5/5
THE VERDICT: read, the later books get better
Synopsis: Detective Helen Grace vs. an anonymous serial killer who kidnaps pairs of victims, entraps them, and forces them to try to kill each other.
Pros: breakneck speed plot, action-packed, binge-read worthy
Cons: limited character development can be frustrating for some readers
THE GIRL IN THE ICE by Robert Bryndza
Erika Foster Series - Book 1
Grand Central Publishing; 4/24/18
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: a familiar-yet-addictive police procedural
Synopsis: The body of a young woman is found under the ice in a pond, and Detective Erika Foster and her team must track down the killer - and connect the dots between the death of this woman and a string of recent murders.
Pros: Excellent comfort reading (okay, maybe not in subject matter - but police procedurals like this one always feel like comfort reads to me!). Just plain fun to read; will work well for fans of M.J. Arlidge.
Cons: Not the most groundbreaking plot - this storyline will feel familiar.
MY RATING: 4/5
THE VERDICT: read
Synopsis: a complex, layered cat-and-mouse, detective vs. serial killer read.
Pros: strong character development, convincing portrayal of a killer's mindset, steady pacing, thorough investigative details
Cons: some aspects of the story are slow paced—juggling all the plot threads in this book can get cumbersome
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: must-read; possibly the best in the series yet!
Pros: fast-paced, dark plot, cunning killer, Helen's most personal secrets come to light
Cons: none!
RED SNOW by Will Dean
Point Blank; 1/10/19
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: a personality-filled portrayal of small town life meets a chilling mystery
Synopsis: A disturbing murder strikes a small town in rural Sweden, and a journalist finds herself drawn into the case.
Pros: Rich sense of place/atmosphere; memorable and endearing protagonist to root for; cast of compelling, quirky characters; detailed portrayal of small-town life.
Cons: due to the story’s small-town setting, it can feel a touch repetitive at times.
THE ROSES OF MAY by Dot Hutchison (Collector Trilogy #2)
Thomas & Mercer; 5/23/17
CBTB Rating: 3.5/5
The Verdict: compelling but uneven slow-burn suspense
Synopsis: The follow-up novel to THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN finds the same FBI agents investigating another killer: this one who targets a new young woman every spring.
Pros: Compelling and endearing main characters (I seriously loved the protagonist, Priya), vivid writing. This story focuses on the lives of survivors - a concept I love!
Cons: This book just didn't do what its predecessor did. It's uneven throughout - there isn't the same tension or darkness here, and it's also lacking in the driving plotting that made THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN so fun to read.
THE SUMMER CHILDREN by Dot Hutchison (Collector Trilogy, Book 3)
Thomas & Mercer; 5/22/18
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: an addictive, character-driven serial killer thriller
Synopsis: FBI Agent Mercedes Ramirez is at the center of a disturbing case, in which a serial killer is murdering parents - and depositing their children on Mercedes’ doorstep in the middle of the night.
Pros: Everything! Fantastic character development, a killer with a terrifying M.O., heart-tugging themes explored within its pages
Cons: None! My only note - this book is best read as part of its trilogy, rather than as a standalone
SWEET LITTLE LIES by Caz Frear
Harper; 8/14/18
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: an accomplished debut and must-read for procedural fans
Synopsis: A London police officer investigates a crime with ties to her own father.
Pros: An exceptional debut! Layered plot; strong procedural elements; tough yet deeply relatable femal lead.
Cons: Lags a little bit in the middle, but quickly recovers.
