17 Must Read Mysteries from the Past Decade

by Donna Huber

I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers. Even before I started attending a local mystery book club, it was one of my go-to genres. Susan also reads a lot of mysteries and thrillers. Goodreads recently published 136 Reader-Approved Mysteries & Thrillers of the Past Decade, and I thought it would be fun to see how many we had read - 17 books! (I included books I read but didn't review on the site for myself, but Susan's recommendations are based on those she has reviewed on this site.)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. 

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

"I absolutely loved this book, and it's my new favorite Sally Hepworth novel," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy Darling Girls at Amazon

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

The world has been consumed by a fog - all but a single island where life is idyllic. One hundred and twenty-two villagers and three scientists, living in peaceful harmony. The villagers are content to fish, farm and feast, to obey their nightly curfew, to do what they're told by the scientists. Until they wake up one day with their memories wiped and the death of their leader. The death sets off a chain of reactions and the fog that has ringed the island is now encroaching. The villagers must solve the murder in order to save their island.

I enjoyed the island society and the slowly unfolding revelations. I recommended it to my post-apocalyptic book club who also enjoyed it and led to a great discussion. Check out my full review. 

Buy The Last Murder at the End of the World at Amazon

The Maid by Nita Prose

This was a very engrossing book. There are two more books and a Christmas novella in the series now, so if you haven't picked up this book yet, you can binge the whole series! Read my review.

Buy The Maid at Amazon

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

It's definitely a page turner. I loved the structure of the story. I listened to the audiobook version and it was great. Read my review.

Buy Notes on an Execution at Amazon

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Four female assassins are taking a luxury cruise to celebrate their retirement from an extra-governmental organization referred to as the Museum. However, they soon discover they are the subject of a kill order. A game of cat and mouse ensues as they race to stay alive and clear their name.

If you are familiar with Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series, then you should pick up this book. I enjoyed it more than the series. It would make a great vacation read, plus a sequel came out last year so you can keep reading about these great characters. Read my review.

Buy Killers of a Certain Age at Amazon

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

"[I]f you love quirky cozy mysteries, retired spies, or if you like it when the author makes you laugh or makes you drool with all the talk of cakes and tea," wrote Elisabeth in her review. There are several more books in the series since this one came out in 2022, so you know if you like it, there is plenty more fun ahead.

Buy The Thursday Murder Club at Amazon

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

"It's almost impossible to totally disappear no matter how much you want to get out of your life.   In this wonderful suspense novel, two women are able to disappear from their lives and start over but not without fear that they will get caught," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy The Last Flight at Amazon

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden 

"This is a wonderful mystery that is set on Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota and all of the main characters are Native Americans.  It's a real page-turner mystery but it also gives us a picture of the poor living conditions on the reservations and a lot of history about the Lakota tribe," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy Winter Counts at Amazon

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

My mystery book club read this book and loved it. I was kind of on the fence about it, but there is an excerpt at the end for another one of her books, which really grabbed me.

Buy The Last Man at Amazon

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

My mystery book club also read this one, but it was too much science fiction for them. I really liked it, which is why I picked up another one of his books (but read it with my post-apocalyptic book club instead).

Buy The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle at Amazon

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

"The Chalk Man is such a fantastic book that it's hard to believe that it's a debut novel. I can't wait to see what this author writes next. She's definitely on my list of favorite authors," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy The Chalk Man at Amazon

The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

As Slaughter is a Georgia-based author, I try to pick up her books now and again.  I loved the characters in this book, and I really liked how the plot unfolded.

Buy The Good Daughter at Amazon

The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

"Before you start reading this book I advise you to clear your calendar and find a comfortable place to read because you aren't going to stop reading until you get to the end. This book literally had me so interested that I couldn't do anything at all until the last page because I was so absorbed by the story and anxious about the outcome," wrote Susan in her review.

Buy The Breakdown at Amazon

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

"A stunning psychological novel that is told from Grace's POV and alternates between the past and the present. The plot is full of tension and plenty of twists and turns," wrote Susan in her review.

I also read this book and loved it.

Buy Behind Closed Doors at Amazon

All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

This was the first book by Miranda that I read, and I loved it. Her writing reminds me of Chevy Stevens. The storytelling was unique to me as the whole story is told backwards. Read my full review.

Buy All the Missing Girls at Amazon

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

This may have been my first Karin Slaughter novel. It was a great audiobook. It was a little strange to hear places I know being mentioned as part of the story takes place in Athens.

Buy Pretty Girls at Amazon

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

I remember that this was a book that I really wanted to read but the library didn't have it and the ebook was pricey. Someone in one of my reading groups at the time anonymously sent it to me as a gift. I absolutely loved it. A great psychological thriller. Read my review.

Buy Before I Go to Sleep 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. 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.