It’s that time of year when everyone is making lists and checking them twice. Some are finding out who has been naughty and who has been nice. Some are making sure those in their circles of gifting know what they want for Christmas.
Here at Reading Is My SuperPower, I’m making lists too! Every day this week will feature the best books I read in 2015 from different genres.
Monday – Contemporary
Tuesday – Historical
Today’s focus is mystery and suspense.
So without further adieu and in no particular order, may I present…
The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
My Review: Goodreads (pre-blog lol)
Wow! This book has it all – suspense, mystery, romance, faith. This was one of Klassen’s best mysteries that I’ve read (so far)! I was riveted, trying to figure out the secret room & read between the lines of what everyone wasn’t saying. Such an intriguing puzzle!!! And the romance – I honestly wasn’t sure a couple of times who Abigail was going to end up with. I thought I knew… I *hoped* I knew. But I wasn’t 100% positive that I knew. All makings of a fantastic story.
Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
My Review: Goodreads
An intense Regency romance which brings to mind hints of Jane Eyre, Ethan Frome, and First Knight, Julie Klassen’s Lady Maybe held me captive from word one. This story of riveting secrets, love… polygons (too complicated for a simple triangle lol), and colorful characters reminds us of the power of our choices – past, present, and future.
Silent Night Standoff by Susan Sleeman
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-8k
Whew! This book takes off at a full-fledged sprint right out of the gate and doesn’t slow down until the epilogue! Immediately from the opening line – “The gun came out of nowhere.” – Susan Sleeman plunges the reader into a high-action case packed with the best sort of tension, drama, suspense, and of course romance. I really enjoy a good suspense story, and Silent Night Standoff falls solidly in that category. There’s no slow build-up or wasted space here. Every minute counts in the battle for Skyler’s life, and every word contributes as Sleeman unfurls the plot one page at a time.
No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-4M
If you are looking for suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat to devour the book’s pages like your life depends on it, look no further than No Place to Hide by award-winning author Lynette Eason. Toss in a sweet romance, characters who feel like friends, and gentle nudges of faith and you have the recipe for the perfect read.
Buried Secrets by Irene Hannon
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
My Review: Goodreads
A strong start to a new series, Buried Secrets introduces Mac McGregor to the St. Louis law enforcement scene familiar to readers of Irene Hannon’s other suspense novels. The case in this book might be Irene Hannon’s best yet! The villain’s POV adds an extra measure of chilling suspense to the mix as we know things that Mac & Lisa don’t, and this villain is indeed one creepy character.
Chicago World’s Fair Mystery series (3 books) by Shelley Gray
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 2014-2015
My Review: http://amzn.to/1OuZkZH
Shelley Gray’s brilliantly crafted mystery trilogy is perfect for romantic suspense fans, especially those that lean toward the historical. (Not the hysterical, mind you. Let’s save our swooning for the kisses!) The recurring theme of people being more than what they appear resonates through all 3 books and is most perfectly illustrated in the comparison to the buildings constructed for the World’s Fair. Characters whose lives seem “outwardly impressive” are proven to be “structurally unsound” while the reverse is also true just as frequently. An entertaining and compelling reminder that, while we so often look no further than the outside, God sees our hearts.
Undercover Bride by Margaret Brownley
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Publication Date: June 1, 2015
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-6o
I spent most of the book keeping pace with Maggie as she tried to decide whether or not Garrett was guilty. Just about the time Maggie & I became convinced of his innocence, Margaret Brownley would throw us another emotional curveball, and it was back to the drawing board for our case. Umm… I mean, for Maggie and Rikker’s case. I did try to help but it was like she couldn’t hear me. Then I thought I had the co-culprit figured out… only to discover I was wrong. Sigh. Clearly, a career as a Pinkerton is not in my future. 😉
Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore
Publisher: Tyndale House
Publication Date: May 21, 2015
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-63
Janice Cantore, a former Long Beach police officer of twenty-two years, is a well-established author of suspense but her books are – I’m embarrassed to say – new to me. Her newest release, Drawing Fire, was the first book of hers that I have read; it will most definitely not be my last! The suspense was sharply focused and action-packed, the characters were well-developed and likeable, and the faith element felt natural and ingrained. I was entertained from beginning to end … except that I wasn’t ready for it to be the end and kept frantically hitting my iphone with my finger until I accepted that you can’t turn pages that just aren’t there. A perfect setup for this first book in a new series!
Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-59
I thought Sabotaged could not have been a better way to end the series! We get to spend time with all of the McKennas, Reef finally has his chance to shine, and it’s all set against the backdrop of an iconic Alaskan event – the Iditarod – and the current political debates about the pipeline. It seemed a fitting way to close this chapter, pun totally intended.
Gone Without A Trace by Patricia Bradley
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: July 7, 2015
My Review: http://wp.me/p61QCL-80
Wow! Don’t plan on sleeping until you finish this book! This is movie-worthy suspense, folks. At times chilling, at others heart-stopping, but never too easy to solve. If you’re like me, then you know that there are certain tells (or clues, if you’d rather) that often give away the criminal to the reader/viewer long before the actual detectives figure it out. Well. Not in Gone Without A Trace. I didn’t nab the bad guy until just before they did. Ms. Bradley is extremely skilled at writing suspense that holds your attention (translated: make sure you have no pressing engagements before you start reading her books) and keeps you guessing.
Did I forget any of your favorites?
Come back tomorrow for my list of the best Amish fiction I read in 2015!
Great list. I’ve read all but three, but they are on my must read list — Gone Without a Trace, Drawing Fire and Undercover Bride.
You will love all three! I think your fave of the three will be Undercover Bride but I could be wrong 🙂
O Carrie! Thanks for this list. I only recently got into Christian Suspense and loving it so far. Thanks for adding to my TBR list! 😉
LOL you’re so welcome, Annie 😉
Haven’t read any of these, though several are on my wish list. I loved Deadlock by DiAnn Mills. I think the title was Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley. Deadly Additive and Rhaosody in Red by Don Taylor are good suspense reads. I might include Curiosity Keeper as the mystery part was great. Sidetracked by Brandilyn Collins was amazing. I love this genre. I obviously missed some great ones! I can’t keep up!
I have the same problem! LOL
Oh man, we have very similar tastes! I haven’t read some of these but I’m so excited to learn about them. Your blog is fab (I just discovered tonight!)
Aww thank you! Always happy to meet a kindred reading spirit 🙂