Goodreads Most Anticipated Thrillers and Mysteries February 2023

 I like that Goodreads is putting these lists out. (Maybe they always have, but I didn't catch them until this year). If you are interested in another genre, you can do a search on "Goodreads Most Anticipate i.e. romance" and should come back with some books.

Looking at February, I see one right away I am interested in. 

The House Guest by Hank Phillip Ryan -2/7/23

About: "The House Guest is another diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from Hank Phillippi Ryan—but which character is the cat, and which character is the mouse?

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems.

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve."

I have read a couple other thrillers by Hank Phillipi Ryan and really liked them. Our Mystery Book Club also had a video chat with her a few years ago. It was very interesting and fun. 

I am not familiar with any of the remaining authors of the recommended February books, so I will pick out a few to highlight. Why have I picked these? I first read the title, then I look at the cover if the title grabs me, then I read what the book is about and go from there. True. I occasionally see authors on social media, polling readers about what grabs readers, what makes them want to read a book. That is my "process".

Of Manners and Murders: Dear Miss Hermione #1 by Anastasia Hastings - 2/7/23

About: "Of Manners and Murder is the first in the delightful new Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings.

1885: London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, "Miss Hermione," in Violet's hands.

And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent. Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she finds that Ivy is already dead.

She'll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course."

I like historical mysteries. :)

The Housemaid's Secret - The Housemaid #2 by Frieda McFadden - 2/20/23

About: "“Don’t go in the guest bedroom.” A shadow falls on Douglas Garrick’s face as he touches the door with his fingertips. “My wife… she’s very ill.” As he continues showing me their incredible penthouse apartment, I have a terrible feeling about the woman behind closed doors. But I can’t risk losing this job—not if I want to keep my darkest secret safe…

It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing fancy meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want.

It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything…

That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe.

Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to pay. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…"

This is book two. I have not read book one: The Housemaid. The cover and first line in the blurb caught my attention.


Murder Your Employer: The Master's Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes - 2/21/23

About: "From the diabolical imagination of Edgar Award–winning novelist, playwright, and story-songwriter Rupert Holmes comes a devilish thriller with a killer concept: The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, a luxurious, clandestine college dedicated to the fine art of murder where earnest students study how best to “delete” their most deserving victim.

Who hasn’t wondered for a split second what the world would be like if a person who is the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you’ve probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death. The campus of this “Poison Ivy League” college—its location unknown to even those who study there—is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate…and where one’s mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live.

Prepare for an education you’ll never forget. A delightful mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you’ll ever read." 

Well, I of course read the title and thought "What in the world..." The cover is different and read the blurb. The author's resume is interesting and I think it is a tongue in cheek/comical mystery.

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison - 2/28/23

About: "Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .
 
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately  wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
 
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.
 
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
 
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . ."

This book  interests me because of the DNA component. I am fascinated by all the thing that can be found out these days, particularly solving cold cases.

Here is the list of the other mysteries that Goodreads is "recommending" coming out in February? Maybe you know some of these authors.

The Angel Maker by Alex North: thriller

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz: psychological suspense

Device Free Weekend by Sean Doolittle: thriller

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft: thriller, debut novel

I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai: "Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by TIME, NPR, The Seattle Times, Good Housekeeping, Today, Southern Living, and CrimeReads"

Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy: "An exciting start to Margot Douaihy's bold series for Gillian Flynn Books that breathes new life into the hard-boiled genre,.

They all sound intriguing and!