It's that time again -- what has been your absolute favorite mystery, crime or thriller book of the year?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

It's that time of year again when we start winding down the reading year, so here's the question:

What has been your favorite mystery, crime or thriller book of the year? Since I'm going to be keeping a record of your answers and publishing a list at the end of December, pick JUST ONE book that you feel qualifies.

Remember -- choose only one book! You have until the end of the year so if you don't have a favorite at the moment, there's still plenty of time.

[Michael]

Once a Spy

Characters reminded me of the TV show "Fringe".
Good tradework, fast moving believable plotting, some lol passages. I enjoyed it.

[Thomas]

Lion Plays Rough my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Emma]

The Killing Season by Mason Cross

[Jo]

Normally, I would probably chose a John Connolly, Michael Connelly or perhaps Stephen King. But for me this year so far it has to be I AM PILGRIM. It was a riveting novel. Hope to read more from this author.

[Linda]

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango has been at the top of my list this year. Skillfully written and plays to your intellect. A very worthy read!

[Gisela]

Ugh this is a tough one. What I can say is the Scandinavians have won hands down this year and it is really difficult to chose one, but I shall opt for my ONE BOOK for "The Absent One" (Book 2 of Department Q) by Jussi Adler Olsen.

However, could also have been "The Black Path" by Asa Larssen
The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
Roseanna by Majo Sjowall and this week
Bad Wolf by Nele Neuhaus.

But for many reasons I love Department Q so I'll stick iwth Jussi Adler-Olssen.

[Michael]

I have a new contender for Favorite Author:
C.J. Box

Reading Winterkill right now. Really enjoying it.

[Sara ✨ Next Book Review Blog ✨]

I have to pick one? I seriously don't think I can.
I've read way too many books this year, I should really keep better track of them.

I've been turned onto the Helen Grace series through NetGalley by MJ Arlidge and so far I've read 3 of the 4 and have thought everyone was great.

If I'm going for the darker side, which I seem to really like the books that make my heart pump a little faster. I'd go with "Brother" by Ania Ahlborn

[Lee]

Michael wrote: "I have a new contender for Favorite Author:
C.J. Box

Reading Winterkill right now. Really enjoying it."

Been reading CJ Box for several years now and find Joe Pickett to be one of the most fascinating characters in modern crime thriller fiction. One of the best series I've found.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sara wrote: "I have to pick one? I seriously don't think I can.
I've read way too many books this year, I should really keep better track of them.

I've been turned onto the Helen Grace series through NetGalle..."

I totally get that, Sara. Unless there's a book that just really gets under my skin in a very good way, I can't usually pick a favorite either. But the point of this thread is to choose one book so I can do a tally -- kind of like the goodreads favorites but without voting.

[Barbara]

A book I thought was very well written and engaging was The English Spy by Daniel Silva.

[Bill]

So many interesting books so far. I still have a few to read so won't make my selection yet.. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "So many interesting books so far. I still have a few to read so won't make my selection yet.. :)"

I'm with you. Who knows -- I might not have read my favorite mystery/crime/thriller novel yet this year!

[Rhian]

I think I better wait until I post mine I don't want to be one of the people who doesn't post just ONE, and there's a while to go before the year is out

[Virginia]

I've just finished The Quiet Woman by Terence Faherty and I ADORED it. It's a quiet deep mystery set in Ireland. Lots of twists and turns, even a ghost. And the writing is gorgeous. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[E]

I'm completely biased, but people might enjoy Half-Built Houses, a Canadian legal mystery. Think darker John Grisham with more snow. Half-Built Houses

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

tsk-tsk and a smack with a wet noodle. Promoting your own book in the reader threads, your favorite of the year or not, is a definite no in this group.

[David]

Under A Raging Moon by Frank Zafiro. He's the only writer I've ever encountered who comes even close to the quality and reality of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Rhian wrote: "I think I better wait until I post mine I don't want to be one of the people who doesn't post just ONE, and there's a while to go before the year is out"

At this point, I couldn't post JUST ONE if I had to. I'm waiting too.

[Gisela]

Eric wrote: "I'm completely biased, but people might enjoy Half-Built Houses, a Canadian legal mystery. Think darker John Grisham with more snow. Half-Built Houses"
Well, this just made sure I won't read it, although the spiel sounds not bad. Frankly s.....

[[deleted user]]

Monster Hunter International But I have more than one! When can I post more? hehehe, trying to stay within the rules!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Linda wrote: "Monster Hunter International But I have more than one! When can I post more? hehehe, trying to stay within the rules!"

It's a favorite book poll, sort of, just like voting for your favorite crime novel on the annual Goodreads best books thing. So if you have more than one favorite, I get that, but just for the sake of this thread, please just pick your top crime read. I'll compile the results and post them . The year isn't over, so as I've said more than once, you still have time.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Kirkus has published its best of the year in crime fiction/mysteries -- and you can read about it here:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/b...

[Barbara]

Nancy wrote: "Kirkus has published its best of the year in crime fiction/mysteries -- and you can read about it here:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/b..."

Thanks Nancy. These kinds of lists are great.

[Kevin]

I would nominate "Red Notice" by Bill Browder.

I'm not sure if it qualifies, because it is non-fiction, a true story. However, it reads better than any thriller I have read during the year. The impact of the narrative was intensified because of the real-life danger the author faced, and continues to face.

Kevin Scott Olson

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Kevin wrote: "I would nominate "Red Notice" by Bill Browder.

I'm not sure if it qualifies, because it is non-fiction, a true story. However, it reads better than any thriller I have read during the year. The i..."

Oh my gosh. I love the phrase "the kleptocrat-in-chief" a reviewer used to describe Putin.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

So no one else has a singular favorite crime/thriller/mystery book for the year? Come on, just play along.

[Laurie (Kwiltreader)]

Since I just finished it, this Louise Penny will be my pick for the year.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins is my choice. It is seriously frightening and very well written, based on a real-life horrific crime. Just a great book all around.

[Bill]

I've had a few five star mystery reads this year, but I guess I'll go with The Soft Talkers by Margaret Millar. I loved how it was written, the story itself and the mystery. Excellent.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)]

Definitely the Lucy Kendall series from Stacy Green

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirkus has published its best of the year in crime fiction/mysteries -- and you can read about it here:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/b..."

Thank..."

I've sort of been keeping track of the lists when I find them -- here are NPR's picks:

http://www.crimesegments.com/2015/12/...

[Stephanie]

I'm new to this group & just got back into reading mysteries this month. (Was on a damn romance kick) So my list isn't very big at all, I believe like 3 whole books. The one that stuck out the most for me was, Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter! Next year I'll probably have a 10-page list :)

[Michael]

I read C.J. Box for the first time this year. The novel Blue Heaven turned out to be delight, especially the ending. A few other books were great reads, but this one is at the top.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Thanks, Mike and Stephanie!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Well, distilling it down (and not including entire series), here's what we have so far for absolute favorite mystery/crime/thriller/novels of the year:

Once a Spy, by Keith Thomson
Lion Plays Rough, by Lachlan Smith
The Killing Season, by Mason Cross
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes
The Truth and Other Lies, by Sascha Arango
The Absent One, by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Winterkill, by CJ Box
The English Spy, by Daniel Silva
The Quiet Woman, by Terence Faherty
Under a Raging Moon, by Frank Zafiro
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice, by Bill Browder (true crime)
The Nature of the Beast, by Louise Penny
Harriet, by Elizabeth Jenkins
The Soft Talkers, by Margaret Millar
Pretty Girls, by Karin Slaughter
Blue Heaven, by CJ Box

There's still time if anyone wants to add their favorite book from 2015.

[Tom]

I will add The Cleaner by Paul Cleave. What a fun read. I am reading the sequel now Joe Victim and it also really good.

[Bill]

I've only read one book on that list, the one I added.. lol. I will have to check the others out.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "I will add The Cleaner by Paul Cleave. What a fun read. I am reading the sequel now Joe Victim and it also really good."

I've heard nothing but good things about his work.

[Thomas]

Nancy wrote: "Well, distilling it down (and not including entire series), here's what we have so far for absolute favorite mystery/crime/thriller/novels of the year:

Once a Spy, by Keith Thomson
..."
The Absent One is on my tbr list

[Paris (kerbytejas)]

Stephanie wrote: "I'm new to this group & just got back into reading mysteries this month. (Was on a damn romance kick) So my list isn't very big at all, I believe like 3 whole books. The one that stuck out the most..."

I agree Pretty Girls would be my pick for great book of the year ( i didn't have many 5 star reads this year) - and this was a gritty, well written book.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

I'll add The Children Return

[Linda]

I would add The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango. One of my few 5 star books this year. So well written!

[Bill]

Donna wrote: "I'll add The Children Return"

One of my favourite mystery series, Donna. Although I may be falling behind.

[Judy]

I loved Karin Slaughter's Pretty Girls - Yes, there is some graphic violence, but it's a great read.

[Amy]

I can't wait to read that one in the New Year, Judy! I'm number nine now at the library for it. It's sold out everywhere here.

[VickiLee]

I really enjoyed reading some of the novels mentioned. I'll throw "Mr. Mercedes" into the mix. Stephen King, as he so often does, created some fascinating characters.

[Angela]

An Evil Mind
The best crime thriller I have read, brilliant writer that Chris Carter!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

a few days left, my friends -- so far, here are the group favorites:

Once a Spy, by Keith Thomson
Lion Plays Rough, by Lachlan Smith
The Killing Season, by Mason Cross
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes
The Truth and Other Lies, by Sascha Arango (x2)
The Absent One, by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Winterkill, by CJ Box
The English Spy, by Daniel Silva
The Quiet Woman, by Terence Faherty
Under a Raging Moon, by Frank Zafiro
Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice, by Bill Browder (true crime)
The Nature of the Beast, by Louise Penny
Harriet, by Elizabeth Jenkins
The Soft Talkers, by Margaret Millar
Pretty Girls, by Karin Slaughter (x2)
Blue Heaven, by CJ Box
Brother, by Ania Ahlborn
The Cleaner, by Paul Cleave
The Children Return, by Martin Walker
Mr. Mercedes, by Stephen King
An Evil Mind, by Chris Carter