APRIL 2024: Must Read Mysteries

Check out these Ebooks and Eaudiobooks on HOOPLA and LIBBY!


LIBBY
The Expectant Detectives / Kat Ailes

“The Expectant Detectives” follows the story of Alice and Bob, a couple expecting their first child while solving a series of mysterious thefts in their neighborhood. Juggling pregnancy hormones and detective work, they navigate clues and suspects, including quirky neighbors and family members. As they delve deeper, Alice’s sharp intuition and Bob’s logical reasoning complement each other, leading them closer to the truth. Amidst impending parenthood, they unravel the culprits’ motives, uncovering surprising connections within their community. Through humor and suspense, the novel explores themes of love, parenthood, and the unexpected adventures life brings.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
A Deadly Promise / Rachel Amphlett
When a woman’s mutilated body is discovered in a remote countryside property, Detective Kay Hunter is faced with one of the most challenging investigations of her career. Then a second body is found in a run-down storage facility. With two families demanding justice, Kay is under pressure from her superiors to deliver a swift result. When a third victim is found just a short distance from her own incident room, Kay realizes that the killer has no intention of stopping.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
Death of a Spy / M. C. Beaton

Scottish police officer Hamish Macbeth investigates the murder of a foreign intelligence agent in the tranquil village of Cnothan. Despite the locals’ apparent disinterest, Hamish digs deeper, uncovering secrets and suspects among the tight-knit community. With his keen instincts and unconventional methods, Hamish navigates through a web of lies and deceit, ultimately unveiling the truth behind the spy’s demise. Along the way, he confronts personal challenges and romantic entanglements, adding depth to the fast-paced mystery. Beaton’s signature wit and vivid characters shine in this engaging installment of the Hamish Macbeth series.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
The Atlas Maneuver / Steve Berry

Set in the waning months of World War II, “The Atlas Maneuver” follows former government agent Cotton Malone as he’s drawn into a high-stakes race to uncover a long-lost treasure tied to the history of the Ottoman Empire. As Malone maneuvers through a labyrinth of clues and adversaries, including a shadowy organization known as The Atlas, he must decipher ancient manuscripts and outmaneuver dangerous foes. With the help of allies and his own resourcefulness, Malone races against time to prevent a global catastrophe and unravel the secrets of the past. Berry’s trademark blend of historical intrigue and pulse-pounding suspense makes “The Atlas Maneuver” a gripping thriller.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
Three-inch Teeth / C. J. Box

When the outlaw he locked up years ago is released from prison, determined to exact revenge on the six people who sent him away, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, with a grizzly bear on a rampage, soon discovers he’s one of those six people.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
The Missing Witness / Allison Brennan

Detective Kara Quinn returns to Los Angeles to testify against a human trafficker, only to find chaos when the accused is shot. With few reliable witnesses, a crucial whistleblower vanishes. As more deaths follow, it’s clear knowledge is deadly. Racing against time, Quinn and FBI agent Matt Costa uncover LAPD and FBI secrets, forcing Quinn to question everything. With lives on the line, they must find the missing witness and unravel a web of conspiracies before it’s too late, diving into the depths of corruption plaguing Los Angeles.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook


HOOPLA
Harbor Lights: Stories / James Lee Burke

“Harbor Lights” is a captivating collection of short stories by bestselling author James Lee Burke, showcasing his talent for crafting gripping narratives. From the Gulf of Mexico marshlands to the Colorado plains, Burke takes readers on a journey through the American South, exploring themes of love, friendship, violence, survival, and revenge. The collection includes a never-before-published novella alongside eight compelling tales. Readers encounter a father-son duo witnessing a German submarine attack, a girl facing neo-Nazi threats while her father navigates new love, undercover union organizers entangled with a Hollywood actor’s dark secrets, and an oil rig worker seeking justice in South America. With nuanced characters, lyrical prose, and evocative settings, Burke masterfully weaves together stories that resonate with unexpected heroes and moments of shocking violence, showcasing his unparalleled storytelling prowess.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


LIBBY
The Waters / Bonnie Jo Campbell

Set in the Great Massasauga Swamp near Whiteheart, Michigan, “The Waters” holds mystical allure, presided over by the herbalist Hermine Zook, known as Herself. Herself’s daughters, including the enigmatic Rose Thorn, are estranged, leaving Herself’s granddaughter, eleven-year-old Dorothy “Donkey” Zook, to wander the swamp in search of truths. As Donkey yearns for family and understanding, secrets, love, and violence converge, disrupting her sheltered existence. The community’s simmering rage divides them, with Rose Thorn as the only connection. Amidst the lush landscape, Donkey grapples with her heritage and the impending upheaval, unaware of the impending storm that will shatter her childhood innocence. “The Waters” becomes a metaphor for both the physical and emotional landscape, where family bonds and community rifts intertwine in a captivating narrative of love, loss, and resilience.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
Fragile Designs / Colleen Coble

After her husband Eric’s unsolved murder, Carly Harris struggles to provide for herself and their son. When her grandmother suggests turning their family home into a bed-and-breakfast, Carly uncovers a hidden family secret and a valuable heirloom. Seeking help from detective Lucas Bennet, despite their past tensions, they unravel a mystery leading to the Russian mafia. As they grow closer, they realize their bond is more valuable than any treasure. However, danger lurks, threatening Carly and her loved ones. Despite Lucas’s determination to protect them, they’re all vulnerable to unforeseen peril, leaving Carly to wonder if their newfound love is worth the risk.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
The Busy Body / Kemper Donovan

After a very public defeat, former Senator Dorothy Gibson retreats to her home in rural Maine, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Soon the two women are drawn into a mystery when a neighbor dies under suspicious circumstances and find their investigation unfolding in a way no one could’ve ever expected.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
End of Story / A. J . Finn

In “End of Story”, readers enter the realm of Sebastian Trapp, a secluded author famous for a detective series and marred by personal tragedy. Two decades ago, on New Year’s Eve, Trapp’s first wife and son vanished, leaving him under public scrutiny. Now facing terminal kidney failure, he invites Manhattan critic Nicky Hunter to his Victorian San Francisco home to help him write his memoir, much to his family’s dismay. As Nicky delves into Sebastian’s enigmatic life, a cat-and-mouse pursuit ensues, revealing layers of deception and intrigue. Both charismatic yet dubious, Nicky navigates Sebastian’s labyrinthine past, unraveling its deepest secrets.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
A High Tide Murder / Emily George

The owner of a café serving CBD-infused edibles and drinks helps investigate when a top contender at a local surf competition seemingly takes his own life.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
The Smoke in Our Eyes / James Grady

In this noir-tinged coming-of-age tale set in 1950s small-town Montana, 10-year-old Lucas Ross navigates the complexities of adolescence following the death of local teen Earl Klise in a car accident. Lucas observes as the fabric of rural Martin County begins to unravel, exacerbated by the arrival of his progressive teacher, Jordan Smith, whose unconventional methods stir controversy. Tensions escalate when Jordan becomes involved with coworker Neal Dylan, enlisting Lucas to assist with Neal’s troubled family. Meanwhile, Earl’s mother seeks vengeance against the accident’s survivor, Hal Hemmer. Despite the looming threat of violence, the narrative primarily focuses on domestic tragedy, offering a poignant exploration of nostalgia and character depth amidst the backdrop of small-town life.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
Watch Where They Hide / Tamron Hall

After leaving her abusive husband in rural Indiana, Marla Hancock disappears, leaving her sister Shelly desperate for answers. With little support from local authorities or media, Shelly turns to TV journalist Jordan Manning for help. Known for her investigative prowess and vigilante edge, Jordan takes on the case despite pressure to prove herself as a young Black professional. As Jordan digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets and scandals, putting her own life at risk. Despite the challenges, Jordan remains undeterred, determined to find Marla and bring justice to light.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


HOOPLA
The Nubian’s curse: A Benjamin January Historical Mystery / Barbara Hambly

In December 1840 New Orleans, Benjamin January, a musician and amateur sleuth, plans a tranquil holiday with his family. However, the arrival of an old friend, Persephone Jondrette, disrupts his plans, bringing news of Arithmus, a Sudanese man with extraordinary mental abilities whom January last encountered in France fifteen years prior during a ghost-hunting expedition. The expedition’s leader, Deverel Wishart, was found dead with a horrified expression on his face, and Arithmus vanished thereafter. January is determined to uncover the truth behind Wishart’s death and clear Arithmus’s name. As he delves deeper into the mystery, January faces unexpected danger and uncovers unsettling truths about the incident from his past, leading to a suspenseful journey filled with supernatural elements and historical intrigue.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


HOOPLA
Of Hoaxes and Homicide / Anastasia Hastings

Violet Manville and her refined half-sister Sephora, longing for excitement, embrace a new mystery when Violet, acting as her alter-ego Miss Hermione, receives a distressing letter from a heartbroken mother regarding her daughter’s involvement in a cult, the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. The cult’s eerie reputation, fueled by rumors of human sacrifices and a ghost haunting Alburn Abbey, captures public fascination. To their dismay, they discover the runaway daughter is Margaret, Sephora’s dear friend. Determined to rescue her, Violet heads to the cult’s compound in Nottingham, aided by their loyal housekeeper Bunty. Amidst their investigation, they encounter Eli Marsh, and the discovery of a poisoned cult member adds urgency to their mission. As they navigate danger and deception, Violet and Sephora find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue beyond their expectations.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook


LIBBY
The Ghost Orchid / Jonathan Kellerman

In a city where reinvention is common, LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis encounters a baffling case: two bodies are found in a Bel Air pool. The victims are Gio Aggiunta, the playboy heir to an Italian shoe empire, and a gorgeous, even wealthier neighbor named Meagin March. The absence of forced entry and forensic evidence perplexes Milo, prompting him to seek help from psychologist Alex Delaware. As they delve into the victims’ troubled pasts, they uncover hidden secrets and blurred identities. Was Meagin March’s past catching up to her, or did Gio’s family connections pose a transcontinental threat? Their investigation takes them into the darkest corners of Los Angeles, revealing shocking truths and highlighting the danger of buried secrets.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
The Lantern’s Dance / Laurie R. King

Following a Transylvanian case, Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes visit Holmes’ son Damien Adler, and his family, in France. Discovering the family fled due to a threat, Mary and Sherlock find crates of memorabilia belonging to Holmes’ granduncle, Horace Vernet, including a cryptic journal. Russell deciphers the code, unveiling connections to Damian and Sherlock Holmes. As they untangle the past’s secrets, they realize its relevance to the present, prompting Russell to explore ties between the journal, a lantern, and Holmes himself. The investigation suggests hidden facets of Holmes’ history even he may overlook, urging them to confront mysteries that transcend time.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


LIBBY
No One Can Know / Kate Alice Marshall

Emma Palmer – pregnant and facing financial strain – reluctantly returns to her childhood home in Arden Hills, where her parents were murdered fourteen years ago. Secrets linger as Emma reunites with her estranged sisters, Juliette and Daphne. Emma harbors the truth of what she witnessed that fateful night, keeping silent even when accused. However, her presence reignites old rivalries and forces long-buried secrets to surface. As Emma delves into the past, she uncovers more questions than answers. She struggles with her sisters’ determination to conceal the truth and her own guilt for keeping silent, realizing the perilous consequences of revealing the whispered words: “No one can know.”
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
The Wild Side / Fern Michaels

Melanie Drake, now a school guidance counselor in Virginia, leads a tranquil life far removed from her previous high-stakes career in covert operations. However, when her former supervisor, Rich Patterson, reaches out with a specialized assignment, Melanie is drawn back into the world of espionage. Tasked with infiltrating a group of influential billionaires who gather for secretive dinners with high-class escorts, Melanie must use her skills to gather vital intelligence for national security. Despite the risks, Melanie is determined to succeed. But as she navigates this dangerous world, she realizes that the stakes are higher than ever, with ruthless adversaries willing to resort to any means to eliminate her. Melanie’s loyalty is put to the ultimate test as she races against time to uncover the truth while safeguarding her own life.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


LIBBY
The Night of the Storm / Nishita Parekh

As Hurricane Harvey threatens Houston, single mom Jia Shah faces mounting challenges: her son Ishaan’s suspension, the aftermath of divorce, and now, a mandatory evacuation order for their apartment complex. Jia reluctantly accepts her sister Seema’s offer to stay in her upscale Sugar Land home, despite concerns about her sister’s husband’s behavior. When unexpected guests arrive, tensions simmer. As the storm intensifies, a death occurs, sparking suspicion. With her ex-husband scrutinizing her, Jia must protect her son and uncover the truth before she’s wrongly accused – or becomes the next target in this tumultuous family drama amidst the chaos of the hurricane.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LIBBY
Holmes, Marple & Poe / James Patterson

Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe open a private investigating company together and their daring methodology and news-making solved cases would make their last-namesakes proud and attract the attention of an NYPD detective.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
Girl, Forlorn / Blake Pierce

FBI Agent Ella Dark has studied serial killers from the time she could read. Devastated by the murder of her own father, Ella has gained an encyclopedic knowledge of murderers. Now a new killer strikes, warning his victims beforehand in a twisted game, and Ella finds herself in the race of her life to save the next one before it’s too late.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook


HOOPLA
The Clinic / Cate Quinn

“The Clinic” by Cate Quinn follows Beth, a young woman searching for her missing sister, Tanya, who disappeared after attending a fertility clinic in rural Scotland. Beth joins a support group for those affected by the clinic’s practices, where she meets Ruby and Alex, also looking for loved ones. As they dig deeper, they uncover dark secrets about the clinic, its founder, and the unethical experiments conducted on vulnerable women. Tensions rise as they confront the truth, putting their own lives at risk. Amidst the gripping suspense, the novel explores themes of family, betrayal and the quest for justice.
FORMAT(S): Ebook


HOOPLA
Fish Out of Water / Katie Ruggle

When Dahlia Weathersby’s sister disappears on what should have been a simple day hike, Dahlia immediately heads deep into the Colorado Rockies to find her. Knowing she’ll never survive the mountains alone, she convinces the local, adorably grouchy survival expert Winston Dane, to be her guide. All it takes is a good helping of Dahlia’s charm – and just the teeniest bit of blackmail – before she’s got all six-foot-something of him wrapped around her finger. But even with her very own mountain man in tow, things aren’t going to be easy. With everything the wilderness has to throw at them, it’ll take more than charm and some city girl ingenuity to make this trek anything but a disaster waiting to happen…and an adventure she’ll never forget.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


HOOPLA
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect / Benjamin Stevenson

In Stevenson’s gripping closed-circle mystery sequel, author Ernest Cunningham navigates golden age tropes in a satisfying whodunit. Invited to the Australian Mystery Writers’ Festival aboard the Ghan, a luxury train, Cunningham becomes embroiled in a murder investigation when one of the panelists is found dead. With Cunningham as both suspect and sleuth, Stevenson crafts a scrupulously fair narrative, teasing clues and humor throughout. Cunningham’s direct address to readers promises reliability, hinting at a crucial comma clue and multiple victims. Stevenson’s skillful blend of humor and clever plotting culminates in a deliciously satisfying finale, solidifying his status as a genre specialist.
FORMAT(S): Eaudiobook & Ebook


LP: April 2024