6 novels to read during National Mystery Month

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson (2019) addresses the topics of family relationships and perseverance. Seventeen-year-old Pippa  Fitz-Amobi is intrigued by the murder of Andie Bell, who was killed five years prior. Andie’s boyfriend at the time, Sal Singh, was accused of killing her. However, Pippa’s search for clues and a motive leads her to believe someone else is responsible for Andie’s murder.

“Hotel Magnifique” by Emily J. Taylor (2022) centers on a mysterious hotel that is revealed to two sisters, 17-year-old Jani and 13-year-old Zosa, who live in an orphanage because their parents are dead. Jani and Zosa are the only two who can see the structure, which shows up for one day every 10 years. However, the hotel is not quite as it seems.

“I Have Some Questions for You” by Rebecca Makkai (2023) is about successful professor Bodie Kane, who is trying to overcome her grief after her New Hampshire boarding school roommate, Thalia Keith, was murdered during her senior year. Bodie asks around to see if her suspicions about someone else being the murderer are correct.

“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus (2017) follows four high school students who are suspects in the murder of their classmate, Simon Kelleher. Investigators believe one of these students is responsible for Simon’s death. Each student had a motive for killing Simon, and they keep secrets to protect themselves from being charged with murder.

“The Family Across the Street” by Nicole Trope (2021) is set in Sydney, Australia, where Katherine and John West live with their five-year-old twins. After hearing gunshots coming from the West family’s house, Gladys and Lou, who live across the street, set out to understand what is really happening on their block.

“You Won’t Believe Me” by Cyn Balog (2023) explores the horrifying reality of 16-year-old Willow Lafayette, who wakes up to realize she is imprisoned in a strange place. Willow tries to figure out what has happened, but none of her fellow captives are willing to talk because they are overwhelmed by fear. Desperate to make it out alive, Willow realizes she has to fight hard to survive.