3 Crime Fiction Books You Won't Want to Put Down

by Donna Huber

I enjoy reading crime fiction. I debated discussing crime fiction for the letter C during the A to Z Challenge, but since I was discussing a few of the subgenres I decided to do something else for C. A couple of years ago, I joined a mystery book club where we sampled a variety of the subgenres. My favorite crime fiction has always been spy thrillers and domestic thrillers but I've come to appreciate mysteries too. Today, I have some great recommendations in all three of these subgenres.

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Command and Control by Marc Cameron

November 2024; G.P. Putnam's Sons; 978-0593422847
audio, ebook, print (464 pages); thriller

A Russian plot to seize the Panama Canal plunges President Jack Ryan into a desperate fight for his life.

I've been a long-time fan of Jack Ryan. I discovered the books (I'd seen a few movies) after I graduated college and didn't know what to read for fun as an adult. And though the series is no longer written by Tom Clancy, I enjoy Marc Cameron's take on the series. I can often forget that it isn't Clancy.

Jack is back fighting for his life. You would think now that he is president that he wouldn't be in such life-and-death situations, but then it wouldn't be the Jack we know and love.

I read this book in great chunks which is the best way to read a Jack Ryan novel - once the action starts you just want to keep turning the pages with no interruptions. 

There is a scene when a relatively new CIA analyst gets her moment in a Presidential briefing. It was reminiscent of Ryan's first time briefing the president. I thought it was a nice touch.

If you are a Jack Ryan fan then you won't be disappointed and if you are new to the series there's no problem with popping into the series with any book. (Clancy didn't write the series in chronological order so it has always been easy to enter the series at any point).  

Buy Command and Control at Amazon

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda

April 2024; S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books; 978-1668010440
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); domestic thriller

When Hazel Sharp, daughter of Mirror Lake’s longtime local detective, unexpectedly inherits her childhood home, she’s warily drawn back to the town—and people—she left behind almost a decade earlier. But Hazel’s not the only relic of the past to a drought has descended on the region, and as the water level in the lake drops, long-hidden secrets begin to emerge…including evidence that may help finally explain the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.

I forgot how much I love Megan Miranda's domestic thrillers. I just could not put this book down. 

The characters are great. I really empathized with Hazel. The interactions between the characters felt authentic. 

I liked trying to figure out the secrets before the characters did. I was pretty close to unraveling the mystery before the answer was revealed. 

There were definitely a few heart-pounding moments as I feared for Hazel.

If you enjoy dark and twisty family drama, then you will want to read this book.

Buy Daughter of Mine at Amazon

Locked in Pursuit by Ashley Weaver

May 2024; Minotaur Books; 978-1250885906
audio, ebook, print (272 pages); historical mystery

Safecracker Ellie McDonnell hasn’t seen Major Ramsey―her handsome but aloof handler in the British government―since their tumultuous mission together three months before, but when she hears about a suspicious robbery in London she feels compelled to contact him. Together they discover that a rash of burglaries in the city all lead back to a hotbed of spies in the neutral city Lisbon, Portugal, and an unknown object brought to London by a mysterious courier.

Locked in Pursuit is book 4 in the Electra McDonnell espionage mystery series. I have read the previous books, but the mysteries stand alone and enough background is given about the characters that I don't think you have to read the previous books if you want to start with this one. 

I love WWII fiction but the war is the background. It is more of a spy mystery than anything else. 

The characters are great and I felt like this book was a turning point in a lot of ways. It is a turning point for Ellie as she is seeing a life away from the criminal activity that she's been involved in. It is a turning point for relationships - I won't say much about this as I don't want to spoil anything for you. It also feels like a turning point for the series. Again I won't say much about this as it might spoil the plot.

It's not a heart-pounding thriller but it is a really enjoyable mystery. I was reading this between two heart-pounding thrillers and it was a nice change of pace and no less entertaining. It's definitely a book I could see reading on vacation.

Buy Locked in Pursuit at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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