Book Corner News & Reviews: Mystery

Showing posts with label Mystery. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Hidden Gem Mysteries and Thrillers to End Your Summer Reading Season

If you've spent any time browsing BookTok, Goodreads, or Reddit lately, you've probably noticed the same mystery and thriller recommendations appearing again and again. While bestselling authors have certainly earned their place on readers' shelves, some of the year's most compelling page-turners never receive the same level of attention.

I still pick up bestselling mysteries from time to time, but I get just as excited when a review request lands in my inbox from a new-to-me author! Sometimes those are the books that actually surprise me the most, and they're often the ones I find myself recommending for weeks (or months) after I've finished them.

If you're looking for something different to wrap up your summer reading season, here are a few hidden gems that deserve a closer look.

Why Read Beyond the Bestsellers?

One of the greatest joys of being a book blogger is stumbling across books I might never have found otherwise. Independent authors and smaller publishers often take creative risks, exploring unique settings, fresh ideas, and unforgettable characters that stand apart from more familiar releases. These recommendations span psychological suspense, police procedurals, corporate intrigue, and historical espionage, proving there's no shortage of exceptional mysteries waiting to be discovered.

If you love psychological thrillers...

The Lonely Prisoner by Michael J. Kundu

This award-winning psychological thriller explores justice, survival, and the emotional consequences of wrongful conviction. Rather than relying on constant action, it draws readers into the lives of its characters, creating suspense that lingers long after the final chapter.

Read my full spotlight to learn why this gripping thriller stood out to me.

A Quiet Kind of Wrong by Mary Frances Hill

Secrets, relationships, and emotional conflict drive this compelling domestic suspense novel. It's the kind of story that quietly builds tension until every revelation carries real emotional weight.

Read my complete review for a closer look at this emotionally charged thriller.

If You Love Following the Investigation...

Shadows of the Missing by Lauren Carr

Cold cases, memorable detectives, and Lauren Carr's entertaining Geezer Squad make this mystery especially enjoyable for readers who appreciate character-driven investigations alongside plenty of surprising twists.

Read my review to see why this series continues to win over mystery fans.

Treacherous Hack by Kevin Chapman

Combining cybercrime with traditional detective work, this fast-paced procedural feels both timely and authentic. It's an excellent choice for readers who enjoy modern crime fiction with a technological edge.

Read my spotlight for more about this engaging police procedural.

Early Snow by Kevin Wolf

Set inside an isolated, snowbound hotel, this atmospheric mystery delivers classic whodunit vibes while keeping readers guessing until the very end. The audiobook format makes the suspense even more immersive.

Read my audiobook feature to learn why this mystery works so well in audio.

Looking for Something a Little Different?

Devious Web by Shelley Grandy

Corporate politics, family secrets, and murder collide in this smart thriller that explores ambition, loyalty, and deception. It's a refreshing alternative to more traditional crime fiction.

Read my review to discover why this corporate thriller kept me turning pages.

How to Surf a Hurricane by Todd Medema

Blending environmental themes with action and adventure, this climate thriller offers an original premise while asking thought-provoking questions about humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Read my audiobook spotlight for a closer look at this unique suspense novel.

If Two of Them Are Dead by Gina Bennett

This imaginative novel refuses to fit neatly into one genre, edging into historical fiction, espionage thriller, and speculative adventure. It's a great choice for readers looking for something genuinely different.

Visit my spotlight to learn more about this inventive historical thriller.

Which Hidden Gem Should You Read First?

Not every mystery fan is looking for the same kind of story, so here's a quick guide to help you find the best match for your reading style.

Choose The Lonely Prisoner if you're looking for a psychological thriller that explores justice, survival, and the emotional impact of wrongful conviction.

Choose A Quiet Kind of Wrong if domestic suspense, family secrets, and emotionally layered characters are your favorite ingredients in a thriller.

Choose Shadows of the Missing if you enjoy cold cases, memorable detectives, and mysteries with plenty of twists along the way.

Choose Treacherous Hack if cybercrime, modern police investigations, and fast-paced procedural fiction keep you turning the pages.

Choose Early Snow if you love atmospheric mysteries, isolated settings, and classic whodunits where everyone is a suspect.

Choose Devious Web if corporate intrigue, family drama, and technology-driven suspense sound like your kind of thriller.

Choose How to Surf a Hurricane if you're interested in environmental thrillers that blend action, adventure, and timely real-world issues.

Choose If Two of Them Are Dead if historical fiction, espionage, and speculative twists make for your perfect page-turner.

Explore More Mystery and Thriller Fiction Novels

These are only a few of the many mysteries and thrillers featured here on Book Corner News & Reviews. If you're always searching for your next page-turner, please take a few minutes and explore my growing collection of book reviews, author interviews, audiobook features, and book tour spotlights. You never know when you'll discover your next favorite author here on our site!

Looking for more? Check out this list of page-turning mysteries & thrillers you'll be glad you found!

As I said--I still pick books from the bestseller lists sometimes too and these are some of my favorite bestseller mysteries and thrillers on Amazon.

The Last Word

Some of my most memorable reads have been books I wasn't actively searching for—they simply crossed my path at the right moment. That's one of the reasons I love sharing these recommendations. Every hidden gem has the potential to become someone's new favorite book.

Now I'd love to hear from you!

What's the best mystery or thriller you've discovered that more readers should know about? Share your recommendations in the comments—I always enjoy adding new titles to my ever-growing TBR.

Thrillers Read more

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Angela Thompson 10:11 AM 1

Non-Fiction Review Spotlight: A Soul on Trial by Robin R. Cutler

I love mysteries, true crime, and historical research, so the novel that I am featuring today fits the bill perfectly! Learn about nonfiction novel A Soul on Trial and author Robin R. Cutler, read my thoughts on the book and pick up a copy of this book today!

Book Title:  A Soul on Trial: A Marine Corps Mystery at the Turn of the Twentieth Century by Robin R. Cutler
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 365 pages (442 with back matter)
Genre: Literary Non-Fiction, History
Publisher: View Tree Press
Release date:  May 20, 2026
Content Rating: PG +M: The M rating is because the book is about whether or not a young man committed suicide. There is a brawl and an autopsy described in detail but minimal violence, no sex no abuse, adultery or abortion.

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about the book

Secrets, Spirits, Scandal, and a Nation Watching
A murder mystery, ghost story and courtroom drama from the Progressive Era

The death of a young Marine Corps lieutenant in 1907 creates a sensation when his mother, his sister, and his ghost challenge the Navy's suicide verdict.

A Soul on Trial is the true story of an unprecedented conflict between democratic values and military justice in the age when the modern mass media was born. It is also a tale of the power of the press a century ago, and of the lives of young officers whose private battles were often as challenging as their professional ones. After her son died under mysterious circumstances in 1907, Rosa Brant Sutton came 3000 miles from Portland, Oregon, to challenge the Navy’s suicide finding. Inspired by her Catholic faith and several alleged postmortem visits from her beloved “Jimmie,” she embarked on a crusade to save his soul from the stigma of a mortal sin– a sin that would keep him out of heaven.

Rosa’s spiritual journey soon became a political one that would take her through the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., to a courtroom in Annapolis, and, finally, face-to-face with Jimmie’s corpse in Arlington Cemetery. This book also explores the values of a proud and honorable Marine Corps forced into the center of public discourse by Rosa’s uninhibited pursuit of justice. The Corps’ brilliant judge advocate, Henry Leonard, already a combat hero at thirty-three, was the perfect foil for Mrs. Sutton, her renowned attorney, and America’s relentless reporters when the naval inquiry opened in Annapolis in 1909.

By then, millions of Americans had a stake in this confrontation between a patriotic mother and her own government in a military forum. Rosa’s story was irresistible to Progressive Era journalists and high-ranking military officials who joined with members of Congress in a search for verifiable truth that played out on a national stage. In order to save her son’s reputation and defend her own sanity, Rosa ultimately turned to James Cardinal Gibbons, the highest official in the American Catholic Church, and Dr. James Hervey Hyslop, America’s foremost psychical researcher. Hyslop commissioned a detailed field study of her paranormal experiences as part of his research on whether or not the dead communicate with the living. With the press corps as a catalyst, these two men helped Rosa achieve an American brand of justice, as well as redemption both for Jimmie and for herself.

As H. Michael Gelfand wrote in the Journal of American History, A Soul on Trial explores “one of the most remarkable cases of a civilian challenging the power of the U.S. military in American history… [and it is] a testament to the power that one ordinary individual can wield when determined to seek justice.” Plus, “. . . it is narrative history at its finest.”

my review

A Soul on Trial took a little while to settle into. I'll admit, A Soul on Trial wasn't a book I fell into right away. The beginning is loaded with historical information, and I had to take my time instead of racing through it. There were a few points where I wondered if there was almost too much detail. But somewhere along the way, that changed. Those extra facts and little pieces of history started to click, and I realized they were giving the story its foundation. By the time I reached the end, I was glad the author didn't take shortcuts. The research is obvious, and it made the story feel much more believable and gave me plenty to think about after I closed the book.

Expect parts of the book to linger with you after the last page. I was drawn to Rosa Sutton and her determination to find out what really happened to her son, James. As a mother, you can understand why she refused to accept the answers she was given, and I couldn't help but admire her faith and persistence. Her story also hit close to home for me. I had a family member who died under questionable circumstances on a military base in Vietnam. His death was ruled a suicide, but our family never believed that was the whole truth, especially because he had spoken out against the drug trade on the base. His parents both passed away without ever getting the answers they wanted, so reading about Rosa's fight for the truth made me think of them more than once. That personal connection made this book even more emotional for me.

The author did a wonderful job connecting military history, the courtroom case, spiritualism, and the time period without losing sight of the people at the center of it all. It's a book that gives you a lot to think about long after you've finished it.

Would I recommend A Soul on Trial? I'd definitely recommend A Soul on Trial if you enjoy true crime stories, historical mysteries or books that really make you stop and think. It's not an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat read, but that's not what it's trying to be. Instead, it's a well-researched story about a family searching for answers and refusing to give up. If you don't mind taking your time with a book, I think this one is well worth picking up.

buy the book

Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
add to goodreads

meet the author

Historian, filmmaker and blogger, Robin Cutler’s early life was split between Manhattan and a farm in rural Virginia. An only child, she never felt like one because of the menagerie collected by her mother, Jane Hall, a former screenwriter at MGM. Robin’s siblings included a rescued ocelot, German Shepherds, farm cats, snooty cats, and a screech owl (Sidney), who could not fly but travelled on Eastern Airlines in a modified Nantucket basket.

Robin decided she wanted to be a historian in the ninth grade. Highlights of her career include working for the National Endowment for Humanities, co-producing an Emmy-nominated dramatic series for PBS, collaborating with several Native American tribes to chronicle their histories and culture on film and video, and publishing three nonfiction books.

She discovered the extraordinary story told in A Soul on Trial in family papers. She was astonished that Rosa Sutton’s effort to learn the truth about her oldest son’s death created a national sensation between 1907 and 1910. Although Rosa was convinced Jimmie’s ghost came to her several times, he has never visited Robin. Rosa was Robin’s great grandmother.

For much more see the book on Robin's website.

connect with the author: website ~ X ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Readers Read more

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Angela Thompson 7:01 AM 1

Dark Fantasy Mystery Spotlight: The Cassie Black Trilogy by Tammie Painter

This morning, I have a unique trilogy to share--this series blends humor, dark fantasy and mystery into one! Check out The Cassie Black Trilogy (that includes more books than the usual "trilogy", learn about author Tammie Painter, read a quick excerpt, and enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Work at a funeral home can be mundane.

Until you accidentally start bringing the dead back to life.

The Undead Mr. Tenpenny

The Cassie Black Trilogy Book 1

by Tammie Painter

Genre: Humorous Dark Fantasy Mystery

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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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about the book

Work at a funeral home can be mundane. Until you accidentally start bringing the dead back to life.

"...a clever, hilarious romp through a new magical universe" --Sarah Angleton, author of Gentleman of Misfortune

Cassie Black works at a funeral home. She's used to all manner of dead bodies. What she's not used to is them waking up. Which they seem to be doing on a disturbingly regular basis lately.

Just when Cassie thinks she has the problem under control, the recently deceased Busby Tenpenny insists he's been murdered and claims Cassie might be responsible thanks to a wicked brand of magic she's been exposed to. The only way for Cassie to get her life back to normal is to tame her magic and uncover Mr. Tenpenny's true killer.

Simple right?

Of course not. Because while Cassie works on getting her newly acquired magic sorted, she's blowing up kitchens, angering an entire magical community, and discovering her past is more closely tied to Busby Tenpenny than she could have ever imagined.

If you like comic fantasy whodunits with plenty of wry humor, a cast of unforgettable characters, a touch of paranormal mystery, and piles of pastries, you'll find it hard to pry yourself away from this first book of the Cassie Black Trilogy.

Note: While this book delivers a contemporary fantasy tale with snarky giggles and a few hexes, it's fairly clean with only an itty-bitty bit of light cursing, one fight scene, and no hanky panky or sexual situations.

The Cassie Black “Trilogy” has now grown to a very un-trilogy-like six books that include…

The Undead Mr. Tenpenny (#1 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 1.0)
The Uncanny Raven Winston (#2 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 1.0)
The Untangled Cassie Black (#3 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 1.0)
The Unusual Mayor Marheart (#1 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 2.0)
The Unbearable Inspector Oberlin (#2 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 2.0)
The Unexpected Mr Hopkins (#3 of The Cassie Black Trilogy 2.0)

catch up on the whole "trilogy"

Amazon

What readers have to say about the series so far...

"Wow and wow again! I absolutely loved this book! You get such a feel for the characters and the story is so fast paced you don't want to put it down."

"More, please!"

"I was unable to put this down when I started reading it. The author combines humour with a fast paced murder mystery all packed into a funeral home."

"…suffused with dark humor and witty dialogue..."

"Cassie Black, won me over in the first book of this series, and she doesn’t disappoint in this one!!!"

buy the book

**On Sale for Only .99cents!**

Amazon * Author’s Site * Goodreads

read an excerpt

READ A SAMPLE OF THE UNDEAD MR TENPENNY HERE

The Uncanny Raven Winston

The Cassie Black Trilogy Book 2

about the book

There's nothing like an evil wizard to ruin a perfectly good trip to London.

Ever have one of those weeks? You've taken an overdose of magic, you've melted a twelve-year old girl, and Magic HQ has sent a letter "requesting" you come by to discuss your magic control issues.

No? Just me, then?

I don't want to go. I've got a boss in a wheelchair (my fault), a zombie cat who demands his treats on schedule, and no interest in sorting out the quirks of another magical community.

But when someone slips me information tying my parents' disappearance to HQ, I can't pack my bags quickly enough.

I'm soon destroying historical displays, befriending befuddled ghosts, and focusing more on uncovering the truth about my past than on learning how to rein in my magic. Which, considering what might happen if I fail the test HQ has for me… Well, best not to think about that.

This second book of the Cassie Black Trilogy squeezes you through a magic portal, lodges you in a hidden corner of the Tower of London, and plunges you into a tale of mysterious mishaps, peculiar ravens, and TV-binging trolls.

If you like contemporary fantasy with unforgettable characters, snarky humor, and a touch of paranormal mystery -- or if you've ever wondered what those garden gnomes are really up to -- you'll find it hard to pry yourself away from The Uncanny Raven Winston.

The Cassie Black Trilogy is a fish-out-of-water tale that takes you from the streets of Portland to the Tower of London. It's got magic and mystery, pastries and zombies, sentient gnomes and an evil wizard...because there's always an evil wizard, isn't there?

buy the book

**Get it On Sale at Smashwords discounted for the month of July!**

Amazon * Author’s Site * Smashwords * Goodreads

The Untangled Cassie Black

The Cassie Black Trilogy Book 3

about the book

Sometimes taking an overdose of magic is the least of your problems.

Not only has Cassie Black just lost two people through a magic portal, but her archenemy, the Mauvais, is threatening to destroy city after city if Magic HeadQuarters doesn't hand her over to him.... a proposal HQ isn't exactly saying no to.

As the Magic higher ups debate her fate, Cassie refuses to sit by and watch the grass grow between the toes of the surveillance gnomes. Biting back her life rule to never get involved, she knows the only way to stop the Mauvais is to go after him herself.

Which is exactly what he wants. Because the instant Cassie falls into his hands, the Mauvais will gain the unlimited power he’s always craved.

So don't get captured, right? Easy for you to say.

Trouble is, there's a traitor within HQ who's proving to be more devious, more powerful, and with more tricks up the sleeve than anyone could have ever guessed.

In this page-turning conclusion of the Cassie Black Trilogy, the curses are flying, the pastries are plentiful, the bookworms are slithering, and the magical batteries are charged to capacity.

If you like contemporary fantasy filled with dark humor, paranormal mystery, and a cast of unforgettably quirky characters, you’ll love the twists and turns of this conclusion to the first Cassie Black Trilogy.

buy the book

**Get it On Sale at Smashwords discounted for the month of July!**

Amazon * Author’s Site * Smashwords * Goodreads

about the author

Author of humorous fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps

Many moons ago I was a scientist in a neuroscience lab where I got to play with brains and illegal drugs. Now, I take wickedly strong tea and turn it into comic fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps that I hope give you a giggle.

My tales run the gamut from the ever-expanding Cassie Black Trilogy with its wryly humorous paranormal mysteries to the comical fantasy whodunits in The Circus of Unusual Creatures, and from light-hearted novellas celebrating my love of books to short fiction in which I really flex my myth-loving and humor-craving muscles!

When I’m not creating worlds or killing off characters, I can be found gardening, planning my next travel adventure, concocting some sort of mess in the kitchen, or working as an unpaid servant to one very spoiled cat and some very demanding squirrels.

connect with the author

Website * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

enter the giveaway

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter The Cassie Black Trilogy Giveaway Here

Readers Read more

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Angela Thompson 6:29 PM 0

Mystery Release Blitz: A Weaponized Mind by Bruce M. Perrin

Today, I have a murder mystery to share in our book release blitz spotlight! Learn about A Weaponized Mind and author Bruce M. Perrin!

The Mind Sleuth Series

Murder Mystery

Date Published: June 23, 2026

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Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
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about the book

Sometimes, Wilford DeBeer’s high-risk, high-reward financial plans worked, and when they did, the clients of DeBeer Wealth Management lauded his brilliance. Unfortunately, sometimes they didn’t, and people lost their businesses, their retirements, and sometimes their lives. So, when Henry Jansen, who was caddying a round of golf for DeBeer, pulled a gun and killed him, the reason seemed obvious.

It wasn’t. Jansen had never been a DeBeer client.

Four days later, Jansen was identified as the shooter. But before the police could locate and arrest him, he was found dead in an alley near downtown Denver. At that point, suspicion pivoted to DeBeer’s many disgruntled clients. One of them must have hired Jansen as their instrument of retaliation, then killed him to cover their involvement.

This theory, too, led nowhere as the investigation stalled after three months.

Frustrated by the apparent lack of progress on the case, Lauren Beckwith, Jansen’s cousin, hired Private Investigator Rebecca Marte to continue the hunt. And while Rebecca apparently retrod much of the same ground as the police detectives, she must have done something different, because before she knew it, she was fighting for her life in a diabolical trap set by Jansen’s killer.

about the author

If you’re interested in what I’m like in something more detailed than what will fit in this space, I’d say, buy any of my books. That overly analytic guy (read geek) is me. OK, I’ve never saved the day like the heroes in my books, but we think alike. I’m interested in technology and psychology (my formal background) and enjoy writing about where they meet, now and in the future. In addition to pounding the keyboard, I like to tinker with home automation and I’m an avid hiker. When I’m not on the trails, you’ll find me at home with my wife and our dog in Aurora, CO.

For a closer look at my writing life, book reviews, and progress on my upcoming novels, please join me at brucemperrin.com.

connect with the author

buy the book