New Releases I’m Excited About: Late 2022 Mystery & Suspense Fiction

Soooooo I may have been told by more than one person that the historical fiction list on Tuesday blew up some TBR lists. #sorrynotsorry I need y’all to join me in the madness that is trying to read all the books. No matter the size (or condition) of our TBR lists… Who’s ready for more?!?! We’ve made it to the day where I abandon all pretense of picking a ‘few’ (as though the contemporary & historical lists were slim lol) and surrender to my TBR list because we’ve reached my fave genre – Late 2022 Mystery & Suspense New Releases (September-December).

I apologize for not having this post up on Thursday as previously promised but there are so. many. books and not enough hours in my yesterday to get them all in one post lol. Here is the schedule of posts for the rest of the week – that I promise to stick to now –  so you can zero in on your fave genre or, you know, drool with anticipation over all of them!

Tuesday: Contemporary Fiction (non-Amish & non-mystery/suspense)
Wednesday: Historical Fiction (non-Amish & non-mystery/suspense)
TODAY: Mystery/Suspense (non-Amish)
Saturday: Amish Fiction
Sunday: Speculative/Youth
Sunday: Non-Fiction – including the book I’m MOST EXCITED ABOUT this season!!!

In my continued quest to streamline these posts I’m only selecting the few* (hahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha ok I heard it) that most caught my eye to spotlight here. I’ll also include links to ALL the September-December 2022 releases, each in their own list by month, not just the ones I’m featuring here on the blog. You can also keep up with 2022’s new books as I learn about them by bookmarking the ‘2022 Releases‘ page on my blog menu & checking it periodically!

*For today’s purposes ‘few’ = ‘nearly all’

spotlight on titles i’m most giddy about

(click on book title to go to its goodreads page if available)

FORGED
(Night Guardians #4)
Sara Davison
Mountain Brook Ink / September 5, 2022

Private Investigator Jax Rodriguez has been searching for his brother, Diego, for twenty years. When he stumbles upon another lead, he makes an agonizing decision—he will follow this last trail until it grows cold, and then he will marry the woman he loves and abandon his quest once and for all. Artist Mikayla Grant is terrified of losing another person close to her, but she has to let Jax go after his brother. Given the secrecy surrounding Diego’s disappearance, clearly Jax is heading into danger. When all contact with him is abruptly cut off, can Mikayla trust that God’s promise to never leave nor forsake Jax will be enough to bring him safely home? Or does she need to take matters into her own hands?

MURDER AND AN IRISH CURSE
(Book Magic Mysteries #4)
Melissa Bourbon
Independently Published / September 6, 2022

Armed with new information about her family’s connection to Dagda and Morrighan, from the Tuatha dé Danann, bibliomancer Pippin Lane Hawthorne is more determined than ever to stop the 2000 year old Irish curse on her family. When reporter Moira Quinn starts asking questions—and then ends up dead—Pippin discovers a personal connection that makes the quest for the truth even more personal. With the help of her West Coast cousins, bookshop owner Jamie McAdams, and her twin brother, Grey, Pippin is determined to get to the truth once and for all. But the rumblings of the curse are close to home and the clock is ticking for more than one of the Lanes. Will Pippin be able to save her family or will she be too late?

DEWEY DECIMATED
(Haunted Library Mysteries #6)
Allison Brook
Crooked Lane / September 6, 2022

Librarian Carrie Singleton is just off a hot string of murder cases centered around the spooky local library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She could really use a break—but no such luck, as she; Smokey Joe, the resident cat; and Evelyn, the library’s ghost, are drawn into another tantalizing whodunit. First, a dead body is found in the basement of the building attached to the library, and it turns out to be Carrie’s fiancé’s Uncle Alec, who Dylan hasn’t seen in years. But Alec has no intention of truly checking out, and his ghost makes itself at home in the library, greatly upsetting the patrons. Carrie and Evelyn work hard to keep Alec out of sight, but what was he doing in Clover Ridge to begin with? And why was he killed? Meanwhile, as a land dispute rages in the town council, of which Carrie is also a member, there’s another murder, this time involving a council member. Could the two murders be connected? And could Carrie be next on the hit list?

A VACATION TO DIE FOR
(Tourist Trap Mystery #14)
Lynn Cahoon
Lyrical Press / September 6, 2022

Hustling her fiancé off to a neighboring tourist town might be the only way Jill Gardner can plan her nuptials to South Cove’s in-demand police detective. But when a mystery man turns up dead at South Cove’s PD, Greg is hightailing it back home to investigate, leaving Jill to finish the vacation solo. Jill can barely get in a spa day before her own respite is spoiled by a greedy hotel guest and unexpected revelations about Max Winter, the developer conniving to buy her home out from under her. Then there’s the staffing issues at the store, the strange men seen lurking about town, and an aggressive and obnoxious family member harassing Jill’s beloved employee. It’s enough to make the bride-to-be full of jitters . . . especially when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer . . .

DANGEROUS BEAUTY
Melissa Koslin
Revell / September 6, 2022

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She’s not a victim, she’s a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she’s determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can’t stay safely over the border in America–unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her. Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him. Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom?

INTO THE FOG
(Peach Blossom Orchard #1)
Karen Randau
Independently Published / September 6, 2022

Hands push Marie Jessica (“MJ”) Goodrich from a rural roadway into an icy creek. The clock is ticking for her pleading friend on the other side of the ravine. Running from flashbacks of a life-altering attack in Afghanistan, MJ takes refuge with her mother, managing Peach Blossom Orchard. But peace is elusive in a rural Oklahoma town full of secrets. After losing his wife and children in a fatal car crash, Josh Rivers doubts he deserves a second chance at love. He can’t believe his bad luck when MJ, the woman who plagues the nightmares of his military service in Afghanistan, shows up in his hometown. She claims a driver ran down and abducted her friend Kelsey. Frustrated with the county sheriff’s investigation, MJ and Josh partner to follow clues that lead to a kidnapper who demands a bizarre ransom.

HONOR BOUND
(Love and Honor #1)
Hallee Bridgeman
Revell / September 6, 2022

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord’s mortally wounded son. As part of the Army Special Forces “A-Team” on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia’s life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger–but an unwanted attraction is taking hold. With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he’s beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

SEALED WITH VALOR
(Called to Protect #6)
Laura Scott
Readscape Publishing LLC / September 6, 2022

Nico Ramirez has been searching for his teammate’s younger sister, Ava Rampart, for months. When he finally finds her, he’s stunned to discover she’s eight months pregnant. Her baby raises the stakes, and Nico knows he must protect them both from Simon, the man ruthlessly hunting Ava. When he realizes Simon has kidnapped Ava from the hospital, he needs the entire SEAL team to get her back. Ava is hiding a terrible secret, one that has kept her running from Simon and from the police. She’s grateful for Nico’s determination to keep her safe, but when she suffers pregnancy complications, there is more than Simon to worry about. If she’s not careful, her baby could be born prematurely and may not survive. Resting while on the run proves impossible. Ava places her faith in God and in Nico. She doesn’t doubt Nico’s ability to protect her, but she may have underestimated the threat he poses to her heart.

ANTIQUES, ARTIFACTS & ALIBIS
(Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery #1)
Sally Bayless
Kimberlin Belle Publishing / September 8, 2022

Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, is eager to start a new chapter of her life. She’s only been in town a few days, but already she’s settled into an apartment, made a new friend named Cleo, and adopted a lovable golden retriever named Bella. But everything is not as idyllic as it seems in Dogwood Springs. On her first day at the museum, Libby walks into her new office and finds her predecessor’s dead body. Join Libby, Cleo, and Bella as they track down a killer!

THE DARK ATONEMENT
(Cold War Legacy #2)
Sarah Hamaker
‎ Seshva Press LLC / September 12, 2022

German translator Lena Hoffman thought her grandfather died years ago. But the unexpected arrival of a cryptic postcard seems to indicate otherwise. As Lena delves into her grandfather’s past and uncovers information about him and his cancer research work in East Germany four decades ago, she unwittingly puts her own life in danger. Dr. Devlin Mills works as a cancer researcher at the National Institutes of Health and lives across the hall from Lena, although they’ve never formally met. But when Lena is nearly run down by a vehicle, Devlin finds himself thrust into the role of protector. As their lives intersect, the pair find themselves in a race to discover the whereabouts of her grandfather—and whoever wants to silence him—before the past catches up with the present.

MURDER OUT OF CHARACTER
(Peach Coast Library Mystery #2)
Olivia Matthews
‎ Hallmark Publishing / September 13, 2022

Marvey, still adjusting to life in Peach Coast, Georgia, is at a library fundraising event when she comes across a list of four names. One is the name of someone who recently died—and who may have been murdered. Another is Spencer Holt, the handsome newspaper owner who’s become one of Marvey’s best friends. The four people appear to have nothing in common other than living in Peach Coast. Spencer dismisses the list at first, but before long, he has to admit he may be in danger. As Marvey prepares for a visit from her parents, can she, Spencer, and their intrepid librarian friends stop a killer bent on long overdue revenge?

BUTTERCREAM BETRAYAL
(Cupcake Catering Mystery #5)
Kim Davis
‎ Cinnamon & Sugar Press / September 13, 2022

Intent on getting their two mischievous dogs under control, Emory Martinez and her half sister, Vannie, join a group dog training program led by Shawn Parker. With a graduation certificate just within grasp and a party to celebrate their hard-won achievements, what could go wrong? For starters, their two dogs have decided to wreak havoc during the party and tempers flare. It turns out not everyone is pleased with the dog trainer and his mother, the condo association president. Whispers of the mother and son’s misbehavior, or worse, fly amongst the barks, whines, and growls of the canines. When Emory finds the body of Mrs. Parker amidst an explosive situation, it becomes apparent there is more truth to the whispers instead of just gossip.

AS SILENT AS THE NIGHT
(Strike to the Heart #1.5)
Danielle Grandinetti
‎Hearth Spot Press / September 13, 2022

Chicago, 1933―Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity.Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers. Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.

FALLOUT
Carrie Stuart Parks
‎Thomas Nelson / September 13, 2022

In the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington, art teacher Samantha Williams manages to save her students when an SUV crashes into the school. Her car isn’t so lucky. Oddly, her purse—containing her driver’s license, credit cards, and other identification—is missing from the wreckage, forcing her to rely on the kindness of strangers. Never one to trust easily, Samantha is thrust into a world far different from her simple life of jigsaw puzzles, children’s books, and lectures at the library. One of the strangers who befriends her is a reporter from Spokane who is in town investigating two sets of skeletal remains that were recently discovered. When authorities discover that the driver in the school accident was shot before the crash, Samantha quickly becomes enmeshed in strange events, which turn ominous with the discovery of blackmail, murder, an abandoned town, and a secret government project.

BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP FOR DEATH
(An Emily Dickinson Mystery #1)
Amanda Flower
‎Berkley / September 20, 2022

January 1855 Willa Noble knew it was bad luck when it was pouring rain on the day of her ever-important job interview at the Dickinson home in Amherst, Massachusetts. When she arrived late, disheveled with her skirts sodden and filthy, she’d lost all hope of being hired for the position. As the housekeeper politely told her they’d be in touch, Willa started toward the door of the stately home only to be called back by the soft but strong voice of Emily Dickinson. What begins as tenuous employment turns to friendship as the reclusive poet takes Willa under her wing.  Tragedy soon strikes and Willa’s beloved brother, Henry, is killed in a tragic accident at the town stables. With no other family and nowhere else to turn, Willa tells Emily about her brother’s death and why she believes it was no accident. Willa is convinced it was murder. Viewing it first as a puzzle to piece together, Emily offers to help, only to realize that she and Willa are caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse that reveals corruption in Amherst that is generations deep.

MILLSTONE OF DOUBT
(Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery #2)
Erica Vetsch
‎Kregel / September 20, 2022

Caught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street Runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill’s owner dead of an apparent gunshot.
Even though the owner’s daughter, Agatha Montgomery, mourns his death, it seems there are more than a few people with motive for murder. But Daniel can’t take this investigation slow and steady. Instead, he must dig through all the suspects as quickly as he can, because the clock is ticking until his mysterious patronage–and his job as a runner–comes to an abrupt and painful end. It seems to Daniel that, like his earthly father, his heavenly Father has abandoned him to the fates. Lady Juliette Thorndike is Agatha’s bosom friend and has the inside knowledge of the wealthy London ton to be invaluable to Daniel. She should be in a perfect position to help with the case. Still, her instructor in the art of spy craft orders her to stay out of the investigation. But circumstances intervene, dropping her into the middle of the deadly pursuit. When a dreadful accident ends in another death on the mill floor, Daniel discovers a connection to his murder case–and to his own secret past. Now he and Juliette are in a race to find the killer before his time runs out.

COVERT DANGER
(Guardians Unleashed #2)
Jerusha Agen
‎SDG Words LLC / September 22, 2022

An assassin is on the loose in the Twin Cities, aiming to kill FBI witnesses the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency is hired to protect. Rogue CIA agent Amalia Pérez and her protection K-9 must get the edge on this deadly opponent before he kills her childhood best friend—the only man who knows her true identity. Investigative journalist Michael Barrett can’t believe his eyes when the woman he’s spent years searching for walks back into his life. But he soon fears the woman he loved is lost forever beneath the secrets Amalia wears like armor. As the assassin closes in, Amalia will risk anything to keep Michael safe—anything except believing in the God he trusts. When the layers of deception become as dangerous as bullets, can Amalia and Michael uncover the truth in time to stop the assassin from completing his lethal mission?

SCARS
(Spiritual Warfare Series #4)
Linda K. Rodante
‎Independently Published / September 23, 2022

He tried to leave the past behind, but it won’t leave him… Ex-gang member Garrett Lovett is a new creature in Christ. At least, he’s trying to be. He’s got a wholesome routine, a place on the IronWorks football team, and a pretty woman he wants to know better. But when the old gang resurfaces with the ultimatum to re-up or face consequences, Garrett has tough decisions to make. These guys know how to get to him—his addictions, his fears. When things get life-threatening, Garrett must decide if this God he’s heard about is real or not. And if so, can he rescue Garrett and those he loves before it’s too late?

GRACE IMMEASURABLE
(Shadows Over Whitman #3)
Gina Holder
‎Independently Published / September 27, 2022

Kylie just wants to run her café without people thinking she’s a damsel-in-distress. That proves difficult when a man claiming to be her half-brother reveals buried family trauma and forces Kylie to face the scars of her childhood. Peter doesn’t mean to be a knight in shining armor, but as her proverbial big brother, he decides to uncover the truth about Kylie’s semi-sibling, while trying to make peace with his own mistakes. Unearthing the past leads to a danger greater than either ever expected. In the end, who will rescue whom?

BLIZZARD REFUGE
(Inspirational Mountain Rescue Collection)
Cathy McDavid
‎Love Inspired / September 27, 2022

A blizzard traps federal witness Kiera Driscoll and her seven-month-old daughter in the mountains with little hope of survival. Until Nash Myers shows up. Nash insists on sheltering them and their US marshal escort at his family cabin. Trusting a stranger feels beyond risky, yet Kiera has no choice. She must protect her baby. But as the storm closes in, so do the threats to her life…

TRACKED THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS
Rhonda Starnes
‎Love Inspired Suspense / September 27, 2022

FBI agent Sawyer Eldridge is forced into a race against time when his sister is kidnapped by a serial killer. It’s a vicious act of revenge, and to save her, Sawyer is sent on a scavenger hunt in the mountains with bodyguard Bridget Vincent. But as Sawyer and Bridget work together to follow the killer’s clues, will they find Sawyer’s sister in time or are they being led into a trap?

PURSUED IN THE WILDERNESS
(Inspirational Mountain Rescue Collection)
Loretta Eidson
‎Love Inspired / September 27, 2022

The murder of her ex-husband at a remote cabin and the discovery that the killers want to take her about-to-be-born baby sends Brooke Chandler running into the Tennessee mountains. She stumbles into the campsite of K-9 handler Trent Williston and his search-and-rescue dog, Rex. Trent vows to get Brooke and her baby to safety. But with the killers on their heels, the impending birth of Brooke’s baby and the threats of the wilderness, they must first survive…

ABDUCTION RESCUE
Laurie Alice Eakes
‎Love Inspired Suspense / September 27, 2022

Desperate to find his missing sister, Ethan McClure seeks out private investigator Melissa “Mel” Carter—only to be attacked right outside her agency’s door. Though she’s reluctant to help after her last case turned violent, Mel won’t turn Ethan away. Following a clue left by his sister is their only chance, but can they avoid becoming pawns in the abductor’s dangerous game?

SOMEONE CRUEL IN COYOTE CREEK
(The Accidental Detective #3)
Kris Bock
‎Tule Publishing / October 3, 2022

Kate Tessler is convinced her sister is trying to kill her. In fact, she might prefer death to Jen’s “50 for 50 Challenge,” where Kate will try fifty new things throughout the year she turns fifty. Still adjusting to her new underemployed life back in her childhood home in Phoenix, the last thing Kate wants is to prepare for paddle boarding, especially when she receives an anonymous message claiming that Mayor Todd Paradise is taking bribes. The author claims to have proof, including photos, and challenges Kate to publish the story. Could good guy Todd, Kate’s almost boyfriend, really be corrupt or is someone trying to set him up? Kate sets out to discover the truth, with help from her multi-generational, unconventional, and often unhelpful crew. She thrived reporting from war zones as an international war correspondent, but can she survive a deadly fundraising party, a close encounter with a taser, a turn at an open mic night, and a 100-pound dog named Whiskers?

SOUL OF A KILLER
(Books & Biscuits Mystery #2)
Abby Collette
‎Berkley / October 4, 2022

Keaton and Koby are fraternal twins who were separated as children, but now they’ve found each other and opened Books & Biscuits in the pleasant Pacific Northwest town of Timber Lake. Business is booming. But the course of bookselling never did run smooth. Mama Zola, Koby’s devoted foster mom, has taken up residence in Timber Lake. She and Pete, one of the bookstore’s quirky employees, bring a peach cobbler over to a local bible study group, and there they discover the body of someone that both of them have recently quarreled with. They find themselves suspects in the murder, but luckily Koby and Keaton are ready to sling out a side of justice.

WORD OF HONOR
(Love and Honor #2)
Hallee Bridgeman
‎Revell / October 4, 2022

FBI Special Agent Lynda Culter is investigating an ecoterrorist organization in the Alaskan wilderness when her partner is taken captive and murdered before her very eyes. The only person who can identify the key players, Lynda gets assigned to take part in a joint operation in Istanbul to take the organization down. As a woman in a Muslim country, she’ll find it much easier to move around undetected with a fake husband. Unfortunately for her, the man assigned to play the role is none other than US Army weapons specialist Bill Sanders–the man who crushed her heart into a million pieces back in college. With a cargo bay’s worth of hurt and baggage between them, these two consummate professionals must play their parts perfectly if they hope to stop those responsible for bombing oil pipelines, killing innocent civilians, and threatening to destabilize the oil markets. But love long buried has a way of resurfacing at the most inopportune times–and protecting Lynda has become Bill’s primary focus.

CONCRETE EVIDENCE
DiAnn Mills
‎Tyndale House / October 4, 2022

On the family’s Brazos River Ranch in Texas, Avery Elliott helps run her grandfather’s commercial construction business. Raised by Senator Elliott, Avery has never doubted her grandfather is the man of integrity and faith she’s always believed him to be . . . until the day she finds him standing with a gun over the body of a dead man. To make matters worse, Avery’s just discovered a billing discrepancy for materials supposedly purchased for construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam. Desperate for answers, Avery contacts FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. As Marc works to identify the dead man Avery saw, threats toward Avery create a fresh sense of urgency to pinpoint why someone wants to silence her. With a hurricane approaching the Texas coast and the structural integrity of the Lago de Cobre Dam called into question, time is running out to get to the bottom of a sinister plot that could be endangering the lives of not only Avery and her loved ones but the entire community.

BODY OF EVIDENCE
(Triple Threat #3)
Irene Hannon
‎Revell / October 4, 2022

Forensic pathologist Grace Reilly has seen her share of unusual deaths in rural Missouri. But when she begins to notice a curious pattern in autopsies of elderly residents whose demise appears to be natural, she takes her concerns to Sheriff Nate Cox. Nate is skeptical about the link Grace is seeing between the deaths–and her suspicions of foul play. But her persistence is compelling. Once she finally convinces him her theory is credible and they join forces to investigate, danger follows. Because exposing the truth could destroy several lives–including Grace’s.

WITHIN THESE GILDED HALLS
Abigail Wilson
‎Thomas Nelson / October 4, 2022

After studying art for two years under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is determined to carve a new, happier future and is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation—the first real test of her talent. Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish the detailed trim work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. She finds herself in the perfect position to uncover the answers she craves about her beloved teacher’s death as well as fulfill the promise she made regarding the treasure. If only she can do so before Lt. Burke leases the house. But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe. Soon enough, Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person with knowledge of the clues—and worse, she’ll need Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she wasn’t so attracted to the gentleman. And why is she exactly? She’s always had far greater plans for her life than an uncomfortable romance with a former military lieutenant.

DEFENDING HONOR
(Elite Guardians Collection #3)
Kelly Underwood with Lynette Eason
‎Sunrise Publishing / October 4, 2022

Bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never get involved with a client, never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it. Billionaire Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but he’s put that behind him—or so he thinks. When his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident, he must take the helm of the family business and carry on the family legacy. But someone doesn’t want him at the helm. They want him dead. Preston is going to need someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is…a fake marriage. Laila needs to pull off acting as the trophy wife to the country’s most eligible bachelor. With the eyes of the paparazzi on them, she’ll have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love. Only problem is, the danger is closer than they both know…and time is running out.

THE PREMONITION AT WITHERS FARM
Jaime Jo Wright
‎Bethany House / October 11, 2022

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett VanHilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor, George Wasziak, convinced she practices quackery. It doesn’t help that her mother, Maribeth VanHilton, is a Spiritualist who regularly offers her services to help others speak to their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she relies on both George and an intriguing newcomer for help. In the present day, life has not developed the way Molly Wasziak dreamed. Facing depression after multiple miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband’s purchase of a new farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a vintage web of deceptions, made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds in the old farmhouse. Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time silence their truths forever?

CIRCLE OF VENGEANCE
(Star Cavanaugh Cold Case #2)
Ramona Richards
‎Bethany House / October 18, 2022

Twenty-five years ago, a body was discovered in the Turney family barn–and folks around town were all too ready to believe that killing blood ran through all the Turney’s veins. Every member of the family came under suspicion, their reputations crumbled to pieces, and with no convictions, no one could be cleared. Daughter Jill, now a Chicago lawyer, is ready for this case to be solved and for her broken family to be repaired at last. Who better to find the answers than cold-case P.I. Star Cavanaugh? But as Star begins to dig into generations-old secrets, the killer resurfaces to make sure none of those skeletons leave the closet–no matter what the cost. As the danger mounts, Star again joins forces with police chief, Mike Luinetti, and begins to uncover truths that the whole town has kept hidden. But becoming the target of the determined killer isn’t the way Star wants to find the answers. It’s a race to solve the case before it becomes a matter of her life or death.

WREATHED IN DISGRACE
(Coventry #8)
Robin Patchen
‎JDO Publishing / October 18, 2022

Everybody believes movie star Denise Masters abandoned her family to pursue her dream, but the truth is much more complex. For years, she’s longed to return to Coventry to repair her relationship with her daughter, but contractual obligations–and fear of being rejected–have kept her away. When a serial killer targets Hollywood actors, Denise decides to spend the Christmas holidays in New Hampshire. She will finally face the disgrace of her past. Private security agent Jon Donley figures the woman he’s been hired to guard will turn out to be a paranoid, privileged prima donna. Instead, the more he gets to know Denise, the more he likes her. But he’s not being paid to get involved with her. His job is to keep her safe while he figures out what links her to the other victims. But the serial killer on the west coast isn’t the only danger they face. A second one is closing in fast, threatening not just Denise but the little girl she’ll stop at nothing to protect.

TEXAS BETRAYAL
(Inspirational Cold Case Collection)
Susan Gee Heino
‎Love Inspired / October 25, 2022

When Willie Henner discovers her mother’s remains buried on the family ranch, she’s determined to do whatever it takes to solve the murder—even if that means working with Sheriff Jake Richards. Twelve years ago, Jake betrayed Willie and tore her family apart. Now he’s the only person who can help her find a cold-blooded killer hidden among the close-knit community of Laurel County, Texas.

EVIDENCE UNCOVERED
(Inspirational Cold Case Collection)
Jacquelin Thomas
‎Love Inspired / October 25, 2022

With young New Orleans women turning up dead, FBI agent Lanier Barrow is sure that the Crescent City Strangler is back. But proving it to distrustful lead detective Daniel Jordan means she must hide her tragic connection to the case. And with their uneasy partnership already troubled, even more dangerous secrets will put their lives on the line…

ABDUCTION COLD CASE
Connie Queen
‎Love Inspired Suspense / October 25, 2022

Finding a mysterious file on her desk sends psychologist Kennedy Wells chasing down clues to solve a twenty-six-year-old kidnapping—and straight into a violent assault. When Texas Ranger Silas Boone comes to Kennedy’s rescue, he can’t help but wonder at her resemblance to the long-missing girl. With someone willing to kill to end the investigation, can they uncover the truth…and live to see Christmas?

EXPLOSIVE CHRISTMAS SHOWDOWN
(Crisis Rescue Team #2)
Darlene L. Turner
‎Love Inspired Suspense / October 25, 2022

With criminal investigative analyst Olive Wells at the center of a bomber’s dangerous game, she’ll do anything to catch the culprit—even work with her ex-fiancé and his K-9 detector dog. But with the Christmas rampage drawing ever closer, Zac Turner’s convinced the attacks are personal. Can they piece together their ties to the bomber…before another gift explodes?

RESCUE MISSION
(Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit #8)
Lynette Eason
‎Love Inspired Suspense / October 25, 2022

With a baby still missing after months of searching, Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit handler Lucas Hudson and his furry partner must protect the only witness as she recovers from amnesia. But the kidnapper wants Kate Montgomery silenced—permanently. Now hiding in the icy Montana mountains might be the key to their survival and to triggering Kate’s memories of the night baby Chloe Baker disappeared…

CROSS THE LINE
(Holly #4)
C.C. Warrens
‎Independently Published / October 31, 2022

Holly’s quiet evening at the investigative agency takes a curious turn when a frantic woman shows up on the doorstep after closing with a tale about a missing prostitute. With JGH Investigations in financial distress, and a client who can’t afford their services, Holly decides to tackle this investigation on her own time. She soon learns, however, that this missing girl isn’t just missing—she’s been taken. Holly’s questions dredge up more danger than answers, and if she’s not careful, she might disappear just like the girl she’s trying to find, the girl some people believe is already dead. Determined to keep Holly safe, Jordan joins the investigation, and together, they wade through a world of prostitution, wealth, and lies in search of the truth. But the truth is hard to find, when even the witnesses have secrets.

DEAD AND GONDOLA
(Christie Bookshop #1)
Ann Claire
‎Bantam / November 1, 2022

Ellie Christie is thrilled to begin a new chapter. She’s recently returned to her tiny Colorado hometown to run her family’s historic bookshop with her elder sister, Meg, and their friendly bookshop cat, Agatha. Perched in a Swiss-style hamlet accessible by ski gondola and a twisty mountain road, the Book Chalet is a famed bibliophile destination known for its maze of shelves and relaxing reading lounge with cozy fireside seats and panoramic views. At least, until trouble blows in with a wintery whiteout. A man is found dead on the gondola, and a rockslide throws the town into lockdown—no one in, no one out. He was a mysterious stranger who visited the bookshop. At the time, his only blunders were disrupting a book club and leaving behind a first-edition Agatha Christie novel, written under a pseudonym. However, once revealed, the man’s identity shocks the town. Many residents knew of him. Quite a few had reason to want him dead. Others hide secrets. The police gather suspects, but when they narrow in on the sisters’ close friends, the Christies have to act. Although the only Agatha in their family tree is their cat, Ellie and Meg know a lot about mysteries, and they’re not about to let the situation snowball out of control.

A BOOK CLUB TO DIE FOR
(Beloved Bookworm Mystery #3)
Dorothy St. James
‎Berkley / November 1, 2022

The Cypress Arete Society is the town’s oldest and most exclusive book club. When Trudell Beckett, the town’s spunky assistant librarian, is invited to speak to the club about the library, its modernization, and her efforts to bring printed books to the reading public, Trudell’s friend Flossie invites herself along. Flossie has been on the book club’s waiting list for five years, and she’s determined to find out why she’s never received an invitation to join. When Tru and Flossie arrive early for the book club, they’re shocked to find the club leader, Rebecca White, dead in the kitchen. The main suspect: Detective Jace Bailey’s mother, the host for the evening. With Jace removed from the case due to the conflict of interest, Trudell must help him investigate and prove his mother’s innocence in a case where nothing is as it seems.

IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT SHEAR
(Riverbank Knitting Mystery #3)
Allie Pleiter
‎Berkley / November 1, 2022

The holiday season looks merry and bright for Libby and her friends at Y.A.R.N. The store is expanding for a holiday boom, and she’s gathered Collinstown’s businesses to decorate a community Christmas tree. Dashing “Gallant Herdsman” Vincenzo Marani arrives to showcase the rare vicuña, whose coat produces the world’s most luxurious yarn. It’s a perfect yuletide—until Libby’s ex-husband, Sterling, turns up in town…and then turns up dead. The murder unravels Libby’s life faster than a hand-knit Christmas stocking. The luxe yarn goes missing, Sterling’s domineering family comes to town, and the vicuña attempt an escape. If Libby can’t stitch up a solution to the case, she may be trading in her knitting needles for a set of handcuffs.

DEADLY CONCLUSION
(Deadly Secrets #3)
Kathy Harris
‎Iron Stream / November 1, 2022

In the thrilling conclusion of the “Deadly Secrets” series, dog trainer Keely Lambert breaks in Titan, a new shepherd, during a rescue mission to find little Conner Wells. Aided by childhood friend, Beau Gardner of the TBI and Conner’s uncle, Keely finds the boy deep inside Beaman Park. But Conner is not all that Keely found. On the way back to the welcome center, she notices something sticking out of the dirt―the military dog tags of her father who disappeared more than two decades before. The discovery sets Keely on a hunt to unearth her father’s killer, only to be thwarted by multiple setbacks―the murder of Beau’s father, the kidnapping of her mother, and her kennel being set on fire in the middle of the night. After Keely is kidnapped herself, Beau leads a manhunt to find her before the outcome reaches a deadly conclusion.

HONOR’S REFUGE
(Love and Honor #3)
Hallee Bridgeman
‎Revell / November 1, 2022

When she was just five years old, Melissa Braxton watched her father take her mother’s life. Separated from her sister, Lola, at that time, Melissa grew up with a strong desire to help those stuck in abusive relationships. It’s why she became a family therapist and opened a domestic abuse shelter. After losing a leg to a gunshot wound in the line of duty, Phil Osbourne has felt like a man without a purpose–until he hears Melissa’s story and decides to use his Special Forces contacts to track down her missing sister. He knows what he discovers will break Melissa’s heart. What he doesn’t realize is that helping the women reunite will bring the cartel down on them like the Category 5 hurricane striking Miami.

SUNDOWN
(Sky King Ranch #3)
Susan May Warren
‎Revell / November 1, 2022

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn’t trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled–and smart–woman. A few of her stories prove true–he’s found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets. But Colt’s not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it’ll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they’ve vowed to protect.

TARGETED
Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Natalie Walters
‎Revell / November 1, 2022

Get ready for triple the excitement, intrigue, and romance with three heart-stopping stories from your favorite romantic suspense authors! In On the Run, Lynette Eason introduces you to IT Specialist Daria Nevsky, a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead–and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone. In Deadly Objective, Lynn H. Blackburn throws physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper into an impossible situation. They don’t know why the vice president’s son seems to be in the crosshairs of a killer, but they’ll sacrifice anything to keep him safe. In Caught in the Crosshairs, Natalie Walters pits former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman against his colleague, CIA officer Claudia Gallegos, when Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. Can he prevent a coup that would put America at risk?

MADE OF STEELE
(Steele Guardians #4)
Susan Sleeman
‎Edge of Your Seat Books, Inc. / November 1, 2022

When Teagan Steele faces her hardest challenge since taking over her family’s security company, she has to dig deep to figure out how one of their clients smuggled antiquities into this country, and what they did with them. And she has to clear Steele Guardians of any charges of collusion and wrongdoing. When she comes face-to-face with undercover ICE agent, Drew Collier, who is deep in the smuggling ring, she has to work hard to keep her emotions in check and herself professional at all times. Despite her best efforts, Teagan and Drew grow closer, but a new threat soon puts their budding relationship to the test and their lives in grave danger.

SEALED WITH A CHRISTMAS PROMISE
(Called to Protect #7)
Laura Scott
‎Readscape Publishing LLC / November 1, 2022

After months of searching, former SEAL turned cop Bryce Flynn and his K9, Kirby, has finally found Callie Burgess. He needs to question her about her former boyfriend, a member of the Desert Death Rays motorcycle gang, who was recently murdered. But when shots are fired through the window of the diner where she’s working, he realizes she’s in danger too. After being betrayed by a police officer in the past, Callie doesn’t trust cops. But when a gunman comes after her, she has little choice but to accept Bryce’s promise to protect her. Her life is in shambles—no money, no job, no place to live. The only redeeming factors are the stray puppy she’s found and Bryce himself.

REFUGE UP IN FLAMES
(Inspirational Mountain Rescue Collection)
Shirley Jump
‎Love Inspired / November 29, 2022

After his daughter breaks her arm and an arsonist stalks their small Colorado town, widower Mike Byrne decides to spend Christmas at their mountain cabin. But when Julia Beaumont, Ginny’s reluctant occupational therapist, makes a surprise visit just before a snowstorm hits, Mike is forced to share their refuge. Only, the arsonist is closer than they think and nowhere is safe. Least of all the treacherous, snow-covered Rockies…

DEADLY MOUNTAIN TREASURE
(Inspirational Mountain Rescue Collection)
P.A. DePaul
‎Love Inspired / November 29, 2022

Nicole Witten didn’t expect to inherit trouble along with her late uncle’s property. But after digging up an ancient sword in her garden, she becomes part of a decades-old heist—and the target of a dangerous thief. Now trapped in the Poconos with her dog, Waffles, Nicole must partner with Detective Troy Hollenbeck to survive the perils of the mountain…if the killer doesn’t catch them first.

HUNTED IN ALASKA
Jill Elizabeth Nelson
‎Love Inspired Suspense / November 29, 2022

No legitimate plane should be near Hayley Brent’s remote Alaskan cabin this time of year—and her fears are confirmed when gunshots fly her way. When one of the weapon-smugglers on board claims to be an undercover ATF agent, Hayley must decide fast whether she believes him because with vicious pursuers and a blizzard closing in, Sean O’Keefe may be her only hope of surviving…

CHRISTMAS CRIME COVER-UP
(Desert Justice #5)
Dana Mentink
‎Love Inspired Suspense / November 29, 2022

When an ATV tries to run her down in Death Valley, animal rescuer Nora Duke knows it’s a sign she never should have returned. Now she’s stuck on Seth Castillo’s ranch until Christmas with a pregnant donkey—and a criminal desperate to silence her. Facing her past is as terrifying as uncovering a killer’s twisted plan. But can Seth convince her to stay…if they live through the holidays?

ROAST DATE
(Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #5)
Heather Day Gilbert
‎WoodHaven Press / December 20, 2022

After much cajoling, Macy gives in to her neighbor, Vera, and agrees to come to her book club’s Christmas party so she can share about the cafe. While public speaking isn’t Macy’s thing, she wants to brighten Vera’s lonely holiday season…and she can sell a little house blend on the side. When a lively book discussion spirals into a public roast of the mayor—who happens to be sitting in their midst—things get uncomfortable. Soon afterward, the mayor shows up dead in Vera’s bathroom, and no amount of gingerbread cookies or eggnog can restore Vera to the club’s good graces. ‘Tis the season for Macy to find the murderer, or else Vera might be taking a long winter’s nap in a jail cell.

BOOKCLUBBED TO DEATH
(Mystery Bookshop #8)
V.M. Burns
‎Kensington / December 27, 2022

After the local library in North Harbor, Michigan, is flooded in a storm, Sam offers her bookstore as a new venue for the Mystery Mavens Book Club. Unfortunately, she immediately runs afoul of the club leader, Delia Marshall, a book reviewer who can make or break careers—something Sam can ill afford with her debut historical mystery soon to be published. But the next morning, Sam opens her shop to find the unpleasant woman dead on the floor, bashed with a heavy—apparently lethal—tome: the Complete Works of Agatha Christie. While Sam is busy writing her latest British historical mystery in which the queen mother is suspected in the murder of a London Times correspondent, a pair of ambitious cops suspect Sam of the real-life crime. When she gathers Nano Jo and their friends from the Shady Acres Retirement Village to review the case, they discover every one of the Mavens had a motive. With her novel about to hit the stores, Sam must find out who clubbed Delia before a judge throws the book at her . . .

KILLER PAST
(Inspirational Cold Case Collection)
Ali Olson
‎Love Inspired / December 27, 2022

Fifteen years ago, Gustavo Rodriguez’s small town was rocked by a scandal involving theft and forgery. Now back with his young daughter, he discovers a rare book at his new ranch—a clue to solving the community’s strangest case. His ex, Jeanette Lawson, agrees to help…but their investigation takes them to places darker than theft. Secrets point to murder…and a killer who wants to stay hidden.

BURIED RANCH SECRETS
(Inspirational Cold Case Collection)
Lisa Childs
‎Love Inspired / December 27, 2022

When a body is found on his family ranch, single dad Cody Shepard will do anything to help find the murderer, even work with FBI agent Bethany Snow, the woman who broke his heart. But the shocking identity of the victim reveals painful secrets about Cody’s past and sets off a deadly chain of discoveries…and a new threat.

RETRIBUTION AT THE RANCH
Lenora Worth
‎Love Inspired Suspense / December 27, 2022

Private investigator Marco Landon accomplishes his assignment and finds reclusive heiress Amelia Garcia in a Texas cabin—only to be shot at outside her door. Now as they run for their lives, Marco is determined to do everything in his power to protect Amelia. But can they figure out why someone is dead set on stopping her from inheriting the Rio Rojo Ranch?

FRAMING THE MARSHAL
Sharee Stover
‎Love Inspired Suspense / December 27, 2022

After a brutal attack, US marshal Riker Kastell regains consciousness only to find a murdered gang member in his mudroom. Even worse, Eliana Daines—his ex-sweetheart—has a DNA program that pinpoints him as the murderer. And Eliana’s technology has them both targeted by criminals. Now he and his K-9 must protect Eliana…and find the killer who looks just like Riker before they become the next victims.

TEXAS SMOKE SCREEN
(Quantico Profiles #3)
Jessica R. Patch
‎Love Inspired Suspense / December 27, 2022

FBI profiler Vera Gilmore has the scars—both outside and in—to remind her how deadly fire is. Now homicide detective Brooks Brawley—her once sweetheart—needs her help with a serial arsonist and murderer in his small Texas town. But almost immediately, Vera becomes a target. Will staying at Brooks’s ranch with him and his daughter keep them all safe…or put them right in the killer’s path?

But wait! There’s more!!!

there’s no way I could have included every mystery & suspense release for September-December, so I’ve compiled all the new releases by each separate month in these Amazon lists.

add these to your wish list

What about you? Which Late 2022 Mystery & Suspense New Releases are you most anxious to read? What makes you excited about these books?

If you don’t see your book mentioned here OR in my amazon lists, I apologize! It’s impossible to keep up with all the books LOL! Please feel free to leave your release info for Christian / clean mystery & suspense fiction (not Amish) in the comments.