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Mysteries Afoot: January’s Page-Turners You Can’t Afford to Miss 

There’s a certain kind of joy in sinking into a twisty mystery when the weather’s cold and the world outside feels a little gray. This month, we’re diving into some of the best mainstream mystery releases, from beloved series veterans to nail-biting standalone thrillers. Grab your detective hat and get ready to sleuth—January’s got a lot to offer. 
The Big Empty”: A Cold Case Gets Hot 
 
Robert Crais is back with another pulse-pounding entry in the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series. In The Big Empty, Traci Beller, a social media influencer with a knack for getting her way, hires Elvis to investigate her father’s decade-old disappearance. But when the sleepy town of Rancha reveals a sinister underbelly, Elvis and his ever-stoic partner, Joe Pike, find themselves on the trail of far more than a missing persons case. 

Crais masterfully ratchets up the suspense as the duo uncover a horrifying conspiracy that flips their understanding of victims and villains. Fans of the series will relish Elvis’s sharp wit and Joe’s no-nonsense grit as they unravel a mystery steeped in secrets and shadows. With its twisty plot and explosive finale, The Big Empty“might just leave you wanting to dive back into the earlier books if you’re new to this dynamic duo. Get it here. 

Holmes Is Missing: When the Smartest Man in the Room Disappears 
 

James Patterson, teaming up with Brian Sitts, delivers a modern twist on detective tropes in “Holmes Is Missing.” Brendan Holmes, the cerebral powerhouse of Holmes, Marple & Poe Investigations, vanishes just as a high-stakes case of child abductions lands on the agency’s doorstep. 

Left to fend without their strategic mastermind, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe face mounting pressure to solve both their cases: the kidnappings and Holmes’s mysterious absence. Patterson and Sitts weave a tale that’s as clever as it is thrilling, balancing a complex plot with the human drama of the trio’s evolving dynamic. With sharp dialogue and some jaw-dropping reveals, this book cements its place as a must-read for fans of clever mysteries with a dash of emotional depth. Get it here. 
 
Shattering Dawn: Psychic Powers, Stalkers, and Suspense 
 
Jayne Ann Krentz caps off her “Lost Night Files” trilogy with Shattering Dawn, a story as eerie as it is compelling. Amelia Rivers hires private investigator Gideon Sweetwater after a stalker begins closing in on her. What starts as a simple protection job quickly spirals into something far more sinister, tied to a night Amelia and her friends can’t remember. 
 
Krentz knows how to blend the paranormal with heart-pounding suspense, and this final entry delivers on both fronts. The chemistry between Amelia and Gideon crackles, even as they’re forced to confront their own doubts about each other. Set against the chilling backdrop of a hotel with a tragic past, Shattering Dawn is a fitting conclusion to a series that keeps readers on edge until the very last page. Get it here. 

She’s Not Sorry: ICU Drama Meets Psychological Thriller

Mary Kubica spins another captivating web in She’s Not Sorry, a novel that will have readers questioning everyone’s motives. Meghan Michaels is just trying to survive the chaos of single motherhood and a demanding nursing job when Caitlin, a patient with a traumatic brain injury, lands in her ward. The story of Caitlin’s fall unravels into a mystery of its own—was it an accident, or was she pushed

 

Kubica expertly ratchets up the tension as Meghan digs deeper into Caitlin’s case, only to find herself caught in a spiral of suspicion and danger. The book’s sharp pacing and psychological depth will keep readers up late into the night, flipping pages and questioning every character’s role in the mystery. Get it here. 

New Mysteries 

And there you have it—four incredible mysteries to jumpstart your 2025 reading list. From cold cases to paranormal powers, this month’s releases promise to keep your mind spinning and your heart racing. Put on your thinking hat, real or metaphoric, and let yourself get lost in these stories.

Until next time, happy sleuthing.

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Michael Redmon

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