2019 has been an excellent year for crime books, whether it comes to harsh psychological thrillers or crime stories from ancient times. The year brought in some classic authors with new releases, as well as new authors who immediately gained a place in the hall of honor. It might be hard for us to decide on the top players on the market, but here are the best crime novels 2019 according to experts, critics and avid readers.
The Secret of Cold Hill by Peter James
The Cold Hill House has a dramatic history full of violent acts. When it goes up in flames, it feels like it will become a part of history. A few generations later, no one will remember it, especially as the local council develops some plans for modern housing. But as the first families get in, things start going weird. There is one thing real estate agents forgot about – no one in the house lived beyond 40 and it seems like the curse is back.
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is not a new name. The author of multiple series kicked in with one of the best crime novels 2019. Part of the Two Rivers series, the novel follows the story of Matthew Venn – a detective who decides to return to where he grew up. He comes back at the dramatic news of his father’s death, but also because of a case. Someone was found stabbed to death and the detective has to solve the case.
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
The story makes you think about things you do every now and then – are you actually in control of everything? Meet Jessica Farris. Interested in making some extra money, she decides to register for a psychology study. She thinks it is all about a few forms and questions before grabbing her money. But the strange Dr. Shields pushes things further, so Jessica soon realizes that she is no longer in control of herself, but the victim of a manipulative experiment. Can she get out of it?
The Other End of the Line by Andrea Camilleri
Andrea Camilleri’s series featuring Inspector Montalbano has gained international notoriety. This new release comes to complete the series, after 23 different stories. This time, the inspector has to investigate Elena’s death – a local hairstylist who has been murdered. The bad news is the police is busy dealing with an unusual influx of migrants, so the inspector has to solve the case by himself.
The First Mistake by Sandie Jones
After a few chapters, you will feel like you know the end – it sounds like a movie from the 1990s, yet the twist makes this book one of the best crime novels 2019. Basically, you have Alice, who has remarried and feels like she is having the best time of her life. She has a nice house, a few kids and a great career. But then, she becomes suspicious – is her husband having an adventure? She turns out to her best friend, Beth, but that could be the first mistake.
In the end, deciding on the best crime novels 2019 can be quite hard with so many great titles out there, but these top options should definitely be your starting point.