Staff Picks - New 2017 Thriller/Suspense (Part 2)

A multi-layered police procedural told from alternating viewpoints, Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner (Missing, Presumed, 2016) again features DS Manon, a strong female detective investigating a murder in Cambridge. While working the case, Manon is pregnant, exhausted, and stressed as she struggles to parent her newly adopted son, Fly, who is 12 years old and angry at the world. An added twist will make you doubt how well you can ever really know someone. Though a sequel, this could easily be read as a stand-alone. I look forward to seeing more of DS Manon in the future!

Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda is told from the first person point of view of husband Paul, over the period of 24 hours. The title made me think the book might be silly, so I put off reading it. Boy, was I wrong! When I finally picked it up, I couldn't put it down and dragged into work sleep-deprived the next day. I absolutely love getting into the mind of a character completely, and once you get to know Paul, you understand the simplicity of the title. Paul surprises his wife, Mia, with an overnight trip to their cottage, just the two of them, while their two small children stay behind. As the day unfolds, and layers come off to reveal more layers, Rouda amps up the suspense. At first I was not sure the ending was satisfying. The more I really thought about it, the more I realized it was perfect! Really glad I discovered Kaira Rouda.

Are You Sleeping has been compared to Serial (audio Podcast) hosted by Sarah Koenig, and Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood  (2015) which I absolutely devoured in one sitting, so it took no convincing for me to read this book! Are You Sleeping is told from the alternating viewpoints of Josie, who suffered unspeakable trauma as a child, and Poppy Parnell, annoying investigative journalist determined to reinvestigate the murder of Josie's father thirteen years prior. Josie has distanced herself from her past with layers of lies for her own protection, but Poppy's (a character you love to hate) podcast goes viral. Suddenly, Josie has no choice but to reveal herself and fears losing her boyfriend, Caleb, when the truth is revealed. Though a twisty, satisfying thriller, Are You Sleeping is also about relationships, redemption, and the power of forgiveness.

Beth Moore
Information Specialist