Lori Rader-Day has published fiction in numerous publications including TimeOut Chicago, Southern Indiana Review, Crab Orchard Review, Good Housekeeping, and The Madison Review, which awarded her the 2008 Chris O'Malley Prize in Fiction. She teaches mystery writing at Story Studio Chicago/North Shore. Her first novel, The Black Hour, was published in 2014.
Mask of the Deer Woman (2025) Laurie L Dove "A compelling and sinister story that brings to life the real, shocking epidemic of violence against native women, led by a complex character divided from her own identity and history."
The Case of the Missing Maid (2024) (Harriet Morrow, book 1) Rob Osler "In The Case of the Missing Maid, stalwart Harriet Morrow is the first woman detective at The Prescott Agency in 1890s Chicago, ready to pry at secrets even while living with a few of her own. Given one chance to prove herself, Harriet sets out in search of a servant missing from a grand household - but what she might uncover is a fulfilled queer life, free to discover joy, friendship, love, and her own true potential."
Not the Killing Kind (2024) Maria Kelson "Not the Killing Kind makes the reader understand the depth of an adoptive mother's love and the risks and rewards of raising a child in a complex, dangerous world. Kelson's debut adds a lyrical and important voice to crime fiction."
Northwoods (2024) Amy Pease "If you're going to these Northwoods for peace and quiet, think again. Amy Pease's debut novel is a gorgeously rendered character study of a man, a mother, and a place with far too much going on under the surface. The perfect lakeside reading."
Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen (2023) Sarah James "The Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen delivers the humor, wit, and dazzle of WWII-era Hollywoodland while asking darker questions about the seductive price of fame and trade-offs artists make to earn a living."
Dark Ride (2023) Lou Berney "Put your to-be-read pile to the side. A new book from Lou Berney should go to the top of your agenda."
Don't Forget the Girl (2023) Rebecca McKanna "McKanna punctuates the 'girl' thriller phenomenon and punctures our societal fascination with true crime with a page-turner that gives voice to the victim. A talented new voice in crime fiction."
Hide (2023) (Detective Harriet Foster, book 1) Tracy Clark "Tracy Clark's not-so-hidden talent is for conjuring characters who are engaging and achingly real. Detective Harri Foster is a stellar recruit to her new team and to our crime fiction shelves. Hide is a page-turner with heart."
In the Dark We Forget (2022) Sandra SG Wong "With In the Dark We Forget, Sandra SG Wong sends her enigmatic protagonist on a journey from terror to truth and, in an inclusive novel that shows off Western Canada's wild landscape and diverse population, delivers a pulse-quickening story about the complexities of family, memory, identity, and luck."
Like a Sister (2022) Kellye Garrett "Like a Sister combines the voice and humor Kellye Garrett fans have always loved with a twisting and surprising story sure to attract new readers. Domestic suspense for the Instagram gen. #lovedit."
All Her Little Secrets (2021) Wanda M Morris "Wanda M. Morris’ All Her Little Secrets heralds the arrival of a new and necessary voice in thrillers. This debut is at turns heart-pounding and heart-breaking."
The Mother Next Door (2021) Tara Laskowski "Ivy Woods Drive is an idyllic place to live--and the moms keep it that way, no matter what. In The Mother Next Door, Tara Laskowski plans the perfect suburban Halloween party, filled with tricks and treats both, as well as secrets, lies, and murder."
The Stranger Behind You (2021) Carol Goodman "You can always call upon Carol Goodman when you need an atmospheric and twisting tale. Full of half-truths and vengeful ghosts of the past, The Night Visitors will inspire readers to linger long into the night."
The Lady Upstairs (2020) Halley Sutton "The Lady Upstairs is seductive, and as sharp as a knife sliding between your ribs. Feminist noir that should scare a few awful men into better behavior. Loved it."
Unspeakable Things (2020) Jess Lourey "Part suspense, part coming-of-age, Jess Lourey’s Unspeakable Things is a story of creeping dread, about childhood when you know the monster under your bed is real. A novel that clings to you long after the last page."
Curious Toys (2019) Elizabeth Hand "Elizabeth Hand crafts a story that is, to borrow her own phrasing late in Curious Toys, 'gruesome but peculiar, ' a fun-house mirror of a novel filled with Chicago history and detail. Dark and thrilling."
The Long Call (2019) (Two Rivers, book 1) Ann Cleeves "In The Long Call, Ann Cleeves builds a prism of a world, multi-faceted, complex, and as brilliant as a diamond. Fans of Vera and Jimmy will love Matthew Venn."
Bad Axe County (2019) (Bad Axe County Mysteries, book 1) John Galligan "Fast-paced and utterly addictive. I loved Heidi kick, the Dairy-Queen-turned-sheriff. Long may she reign."
Leave No Trace (2018) Mindy Mejia "Mindy Mejia's LEAVE NO TRACE leaves the reader breathless: Daring characters, a suspenseful story you will tear through, and the ticking clock of an approaching dark, cold Minnesota winter. Riveting."
Yesterday's News (2018) (Clare Carlson Mystery, book 1) R G Belsky "Belsky's behind-the-headlines story of the story news director Clare Carlson can't let go has enough twists to keep even the best-read fan on their toes. Yesterday's News is a thriller about truth, lies--and how much of each we're willing to live with."
Scot Free (2018) (Last Ditch Mystery, book 1) Catriona McPherson "Scot Free is a proper cuppa Scottish mystery served under harsh California sunshine—and everyone's a little crazy from the heat. Lexy and her Last Ditch friends are charming, weird, and laugh-out-loud funny. A real treat."
The Secrets on Chicory Lane (2017) Raymond Benson "The Secrets on Chicory Lane has a premise to envy: A killer and the girl next door meet one last time before execution day. How much do we know the people we have spent our lives with? Raymond Benson explores the nature of evil and how little chance we have to recognize it when we see it, or escape it, if we do."
Path into Darkness (2017) (County Clare Mystery, book 3) Lisa Alber "Lisa Alber's mysteries are atmospheric-brooding, complex, and featuring enough twists and turns to keep you guessing."
The Last Place You Look (2017) (Roxane Weary, book 1) Kristen Lepionka "In The Last Place You Look, a talented new voice in crime fiction gives us the seedier side of a Midwestern community and a character worth following anywhere she trespasses. A wonderful debut."
Unreliable (2017) Lee Irby "Lee Irby's Unreliable is just that - a wild ride of a story you can't trust but won't want to put down."
Heart of Stone (2016) (Ellie Stone Mystery, book 4) James W Ziskin "Ellie Stone can hold her own (and her Scotch) against anyone, but what happens to a tough girl reporter on vacation when her defenses are down? When a lakeside accident doesn't add up, Ellie takes on the story. "Heart of Stone" is a big-hearted crush of a novel, brimming with rekindled kinship, forgiveness, love, and characters who will make readers feel true heartbreak."
The Semester of Our Discontent (2015) (Lila Maclean Academic Mystery, book 1) Cynthia Kuhn "Takes the reader into higher education's secrets and shadows, where the real lesson is for the new professor--how to stay alive. If you're smart, you'll read this book."
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc (2015) (Anna Blanc Mystery, book 1) Jennifer Kincheloe "The best kind of romp: fast, funny, and fabulous. Anna may be innocent of most of life’s mysteries as she stumbles toward freedom for herself and justice for those around her, but her heart is in the right place—and she’ll steal yours. Jupiter! You’re going to love this book!"
