Three Of Our Favorite Mystery Novels From 2023

Hello Readers!

Great to be with you once again. 

This week, we wanted to share three mystery novels from the last year that showcase authors at the top of their game. As authors with a mystery novel coming out soon, it's important to pay attention to who is at the height of the genre. Where do we want to be? What are we aiming for? Who is there now? With all the great mystery novels that came out last year, we picked these three excellent yarns to highlight. 

Let's jump in. These are in no particular order.

Blood Sisters by Vanessa Lillie

Syd Walker is an archeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs who is called back to her hometown in Oklahoma after two women disappear. One of them is her sister, and Syd will stop at nothing to find out what happened to her. This is a page-turner from the jump, and echoes the real-life plight of missing Native American women. Author Vanessa Lillie is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and previously wrote Little Voices and For the Best, both of which were bestsellers. Like the reviews say, the story of Syd and her sister Emma Lou is gripping, binge-worthy, and profound--offering insight into the history that binds us and the elusiveness of truth. We recommend.

Hollow Beasts by Alisa Lynn Valdés

East Coast academic Jodi Luna loses her husband suddenly and decides to leave New England for New Mexico, where she grew up. In addition, she starts training to be a game warden. Her new mission is to protect the land. After catching a poacher on her first case, things get messy. The poacher is connected to a white supremacist group kidnapping women of color. When the local sheriff refuses to help, Jodi teams up with a young deputy to fight the terrorist group. This novel is loaded with action and suspense and feels like a Western and Mystery novel together. Time magazine named author Valdés one of the most 25 influential Hispanic people in the United States. We love to see it, and the strong female lead too. Highly recommend!

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann

Dark comedy combined with murder mystery makes for a fun, witty trip to the English countryside. There's been a murder next door to a retirement home, and when the police show up, Agnes Sharp and the other residents have to hide their own little murder from the police. Maybe they could even pin their murder on the other murderer. From there, things get wacky. We won't spoil any of it for you, but there's an enterprising tortoise and a dog named Brexit in this black comedy with colorful characters from Leonie Swann, who originally wrote the story in German. It's been translated by Amy Bojang. Original, sweet, and dark, this is a great read.

Did you read a great mystery novel from 2023? Have you read any of the three on our list? Let us know!

That's all for now. 

Until next time, dear readers.

~2authors