The New York Times Best Thrillers and Crime Fiction of 2024

Wondering about the picks for The New York Times Best Thrillers and Crime Fiction of 2024? I found two lists and gathered my thoughts, so let’s discuss!

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The New York Times Best Thrillers and Crime Fiction of 2024

Paywalls for book lists? Bah, humbug!

There seem to be multiple lists (I found two). I already have an issue with the category names. Plus, two books are on BOTH lists. What?

The first list is Best Crime Novels of 2024? I assume that includes both mysteries and procedurals, which I consider a subcategory of mysteries.

The second list is Best Thrillers of 2024 and I see a handful of slow burn suspense stories on this “thriller” list with not many true thrillers included. I object!

In any case, I will run down the tiles and give you my opinion or a bit about the book if I have not read it.

New York Times Best Crime Novels of 2024

This list (by Sarah Weinman) is heavy on historical fiction and has some new books featuring LGBTQ detectives.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (Riverhead)

• I read and enjoyed this literary mystery very much – it’s on my Best of 2024 too! Check out my Review of The God of the Woods!
• This is a historical suspense story set in the 1970s in which the daughter of a wealthy family vanishes at an Adirondacks summer camp. The procedural aspect takes a while to kick in but once the police showed up I was hooked!

Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spuffard (Faber and Faber)

• A historical mystery set in a Native American town on the Mississippi River in the 1920s.

The Hunter by Tana French (Viking)

• Book two in the Cal Hooper series. Hooper is a retired Chicago police officer who moves to Ireland for peace and quiet. Of course, he finds nothing of the kind! I tried book one and felt “eh” about it. I prefer the Dublin Murder Squad!

Rough Trade by Katrina Carrasco (MCD)

• A historical mystery featuring opium smuggling, queer characters, and murder in the 1880s Pacific Northwest.

Hall of Mirrors by John Copenhaver (Pegasus)

• Another historical in which a mystery novelist disappears in 1950s Washington DC

Blessed Water by Margot Douaihy (Zando)

• I read book one in the Sister Holliday series, and it wasn’t really for me. It features a rebellious queer nun in the South, which sounded up my alley, but the mystery was disappointing.
• Check out my review of Scorched Grace, the first book, to see if you might love this one. The 3.57 Goodreads rating suggests that this series may still not have found its audience.

Smoke Kings by Jahmal Mayfield (Melville House)

• According to the blub, a noir story of racial tensions and vigilante justice. A group of young African American men try to exact reparation for past wrongs, while a white former Alabama police officer investigates the same crimes.

May the Wolf Die by Elizabeth Heider (Penguin)

• A female detective in Naples, Italy investigates a case involving organized crime.

Nothing but the Truth by Robyn Gigl (Kensington)

• A transgender New Jersey lawyer defends a white police officer accused of killing a Black reporter.

New York Times Best Thriller Novels of 2024

This list, by Sarah Lyall, also includes The Hunter and The God of the Woods, described above on the Crime Fiction list. Make it make sense, New York Times!

Havoc by Christopher Bollen
 (Harper)

• An elderly hotel guest at a hotel in Egypt gets involved in a cat and mouse game with a Bad Seed kind of child. Sounds weird, so if you’ve read it, let me know what you thought in comments!

The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
 (Celadon)

• This sequel to The Plot (check out my recap here) wasn’t as cleverly plotted as the first book, which was a crazy, twisty tale of double-crossing and deceit, but still makes an enjoyable read. Check out my review of The Sequel.

Bright Objects by Ruby Todd
 (Simon & Schuster)

• A woman whose husband died in a hit-and-run starts dabbling in the mystical. This sounds like an interesting (?) mixture of mystery, mysticism, and romance. I think I’ll skip it, but if you’ve read it, give me your take in comments.

The Winner by Teddy Wayne
 (Harper)

• I liked the sound of this Postman Always Rings Twice-sounding story set in Cape Cod, but the Goodreads reviews (and 3.28 rating) are pretty harsh.

Nobody’s Hero by  M. W. Craven
 (Flatiron)

• A spy novel! Not usually my thing, but I’ve been watching Slow Horses and Black Doves, so maybe I’ll give it a try. Note: second in a series.

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
 (Atria)

• I really enjoyed this suspenseful epistolary story about two rival reporters trying to untangle a crazy story involving a cult and some truly mysterious murders. Check out my Spoiler Review of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels here.

What Happened to Nina by Dervla McTiernan
 (William Morrow)

• I am definitely trying this book about the family of a missing woman who, alarmed that her husband has clammed up, takes matters into their own hands! It might be a thriller and I will let you know. Library hold, come in soon!

The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
 (Tor)

• This translated Icelandic horror story features a female main character who learns she’s been doing a LOT of sleepwalking! What was she up to?
• If you are a fan of Nordic Noir (as am I) check out my list of Nordic Noir shows to watch!

Want to see more Best Mysteries and Thrillers of 2024 lists, including mine? Check out my master post!