Readers of crime fiction have been very fortunate in the last few years and there have been so many terrific books in 2024 that narrowing this list to five was a challenge. The books that stand out for me are the ones that I catch myself thinking about long after I have finished the book. They are books that move me, educate me, entertain me, surprise me and allow me to see the world from a different perspective. They are the kind of books that reveal all aspects of society, the good along with the bad and everything in-between. These five books stood out for me.

5 – The Descent by Paul E Hardisty

The Descent is a suspenseful eco-thriller that is both a sequel and a follow-up to The Forcing. The similarity between the plotline set in 2024 and actual events that happened this year is chilling. A small group of multi-billionaires control most of the wealth in the world and hold power. They ignore advice provided by scientists to slow the warming temperatures; instead, they double down on their efforts to make as much profit as possible. They are not concerned about their own future, as they have been buying and building protected compounds in less polluted regions of the globe. This group is not above the manipulation of public opinion through misinformation campaigns. It sounds very familiar, doesn’t it? The 2060 plotline paints the picture of a possible future. Read the review.
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4 – Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett

Missing White Woman is a fast-paced thriller told from the perspective of Bree, a young black woman. She joins her boyfriend, Ty, for a romantic weekend in New York. They are staying in a high-end Airbnb in an affluent area of Jersey City. They have a good time in spite of Ty having to spend some time working. Bree comes down the stairs on the final day of their vacation to discover a dead woman and there’s no sign of Ty. Suddenly Bree and Ty are the focus of the police and social media. The plot explores how some people on social media often view events that are happening in a person’s life as entertainment. These people assume the role of judge and jury. Sometimes they even conduct their own investigations. Read the review.
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3 – Living is a Problem by Doug Johnstone

There are three generations of Skelf women that work together in the Skelf series. The sign outside of their family business and home reads: Natural Undertakers and Private Investigators. It is an unusual yet effective combination. The book opens with the funeral of the patriarch of a crime family. A loud noise interrupts the service. A drone flies over the graveyard and begins covering the guests with pepper spray. Is this is the beginning of a gangland war or a series of attacks against the Skelf family and those close to them? It is fascinating to see how the women respond in challenging situations. Doug Johnstone has created three complex and believable characters in Dorothy, Jenny and Hannah. Although this series involves death, it is actually very life-affirming. Read the review.
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2 – Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

John Rebus is in prison for the attempted murder of Big Ger Cafferty. He is living amongst the general population with the luxury of a single cell and has formed a quiet routine to his days. Things quickly change for him when a prisoner on his unit is found murdered in his bed. His death is a mystery as his cell was locked for the night. His roommate was unconscious from drugs and has a head injury. The locked cell suggests the possibility that a guard was involved, so the governor asks Rebus to be his eyes and ears in the prison. Rebus enjoys the opportunity to dust off his investigation skills. His interactions with fellow prisoners and former work colleagues are never dull. Ian Rankin has done a brilliant job of keeping the Rebus series fresh and entertaining. Read the review.
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1 – Guide Me Home by Attica Locke

Guide Me Home is an outstanding conclusion to Attica Locke’s Highway 59 trilogy. Darren Mathews has been through a lot since we were first introduced to his character in Bluebird, Bluebird. As his pride in being a Texas Ranger declined, his drinking increased. Darren is ashamed of the possible criminal charges hanging over his head, so he turns in his badge. He plans to propose to his girlfriend and focus on the farm. This changes when his estranged mother, Bell shows up unexpectedly seeking his help.

Bell has been working as a maid in a sorority house. She has a bad feeling about Sera Fuller, a missing student. Sera was the only black resident at the sorority house. Darren discovers that Sera had filed a police complaint for bullying against her housemates, which convinces Darren to begin an informal investigation. There are plot threads related to race, corporate greed and current American politics running throughout this novel. Locke presents a clear eyed view of America. She also shows us that “even in the worst of times, goodness can be found.” Read the review.
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