Collection: Mystery, Thrillers, & Crime

It's been a sleepy summer for the folks of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In fact, it's been a whole four months since anyone in the Swensen family has come across a dead body--a detail that just made the front page of the local paper. And that means Hannah Swensen can finally focus on her bakery. . .or can she?

Life is never really quiet for Hannah. After all, her mother's wedding is a little over a month away and guess who Delores put in charge of the planning? Yet just when Hannah believes her biggest challenge will be whether to use buttercream or fondant for the wedding cake, she accidentally hits a stranger with her cookie truck while driving down a winding country road in a raging thunderstorm. Hannah is wracked with guilt, and things get even worse when she's arrested. . .for murder! But an autopsy soon reveals the mystery man, his shirt covered in stains from blackberry pie, would have died even if Hannah hadn't hit him. Now, to clear her name, Hannah will have to follow a trail of pie crumbs to track down the identity of the deceased, find a baker who knows more about murder than how to roll out a perfect pie crust--and get herself to the church on time. . .

Indulge In Joanne Fluke's Criminally Delicious Hannah Swensen Mysteries!

Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

"Culinary Cozies Don't Get Any Tastier Than This Winning series." --Library Journal

"Loaded with mouthwatering recipes and clever plotting, the latest Hannah Swensen mystery delights." --RT Book Reviews

"If your reading habits alternate between curling up with a good mystery or with a good cookbook, you ought to know about Joanne Fluke." --The Charlotte Observer

Cinnamon Roll Murder

"Fans of this wildly popular series will not be disappointed. Fluke has kept this series strong for a long time, and there is still plenty to enjoy for foodie crime fans." --Booklist

Devil's Food Cake Murder

"Fabulous." --Publishers Weekly

Apple Turnover Murder

"The ever popular Fluke writes engaging cozies with one part great characters, one part gentle story, and three parts the best recipes in the genre." --Library Journal

Cream Puff Murder

"Entertaining and sprinkled with tempting recipes. It's a sweet treat of a novel." --The Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)

Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories is a collection of eleven tantalizing tales of murder and other criminal pursuits--including the classic title story, the basis for the 1957 Oscar-nominated Billy Wilder film starring Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, and Charles Laughton.

A murder trial takes a diabolical turn when the wife of the accused takes the stand. . . . A woman's sixth sense--and a loaded revolver--signal premonitions of doom. . . . A stranded motorist seeks refuge in a remote mansion and is greeted with a dire warning. . . . Detective Hercule Poirot faces his greatest challenge when his services are enlisted--by the victim--in a bizarre locked-room murder.

From the stunning title story (which inspired the classic film thriller) to the rarest gems in detective fiction, these eleven tales of baffling crime and brilliant deduction showcase Agatha Christie at her dazzling best.

In Tokyo, there isn't always respect for the aged. Sometimes, it's the opposite.

After the suspicious deaths of a seventy-something woman and a student recluse, Detective Hiroshi tracks down a gang of scammers who target retirees, robbing them of their life savings. Hiroshi teams up with Detective Ishii, who's been running a women's crime task force. Together, they find out who has been ripping off the pensions, retirement accounts, and even the deeds to homes. The gang focused on shitamachi, the older, eastern side of the city, a place just waiting for urban renewal. With his personal life on hold (almost), Hiroshi finds out how complex the traditional life of Tokyo still is. With old-school Detective Takamatsu and ex-sumo wrestler Chief Sakaguchi watching his back, Hiroshi searches for who's behind the scams--and who's behind the scammers.

In the sequel to the Nebula finalist The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, Mary Jekyll and the rest of the daughters of mad scientists from literature embark on a madcap adventure across Europe to rescue another monstrous girl and stop the Alchemical Society's nefarious plans once and for all.

Mary Jekyll's life has been peaceful since she helped Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solve the Whitechapel Murders. Beatrice Rappaccini, Catherine Moreau, Justine Frankenstein, and Mary's sister Diana Hyde have settled into the Jekyll household in London, and although they sometimes quarrel, the members of the Athena Club get along as well as any five young women with very different personalities. At least they can always rely on Mrs. Poole.

But when Mary receives a telegram that Lucinda Van Helsing has been kidnapped, the Athena Club must travel to the Austro-Hungarian Empire to rescue yet another young woman who has been subjected to horrific experimentation. Where is Lucinda, and what has Professor Van Helsing been doing to his daughter? Can Mary, Diana, Beatrice, and Justine reach her in time?

Racing against the clock to save Lucinda from certain doom, the Athena Club embarks on a madcap journey across Europe. From Paris to Vienna to Budapest, Mary and her friends must make new allies, face old enemies, and finally confront the fearsome, secretive Alchemical Society. It's time for these monstrous gentlewomen to overcome the past and create their own destinies.

Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much...an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn't be in a Maryland cemetery. But that's exactly what her brother-in-law claims.

Last year, Juniper saw the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells in Ireland. She learned how their bejeweled covers were stolen centuries ago, never to be seen again. So how could they have ended up in Rose Mallow, a small Chesapeake Bay town? Being Jewish, the Book of Kells might not be her sacred text, but as a rare books librarian, the ancient book is still sacred to her, making it important to Juniper to find out the truth.

Rose Mallow is the same place where Juniper used to summer with her sister Azalea and their grandmother Zinnia, known as Nana Z. Ever since Nana Z passed away, Juniper's avoided returning, but her curiosity is greater than her grief, so she heads down in her vintage convertible with her rescue dog Clover.

Juniper discovers that her sister Azalea has transformed their grandmother's Queen Anne style mansion into the Wildflower Inn, backing up to the Chesapeake Bay. Although Juniper isn't much of a cook, Azalea has kept their grandmother's legacy alive, filling the house with the smells of East European Jewish treats, like sweet kugels and tzimmes cake. Will coming back here feel like returning home or fill Juniper with a deeper sorrow? Can she apologize to her sister for not being there when she was needed most?

From four-time nominee of the Nobel Prize in Literature, The Invisible Man is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells considered to be influential in helping to establish Wells' status as the "father of science fiction." Wells was an influential social critic with an eye for the future. He wrote many novels and short stories that made commentary on what society would be like in his progressive vision of the world. Though his works imagined things such as alien invasions, time travel, and human experimentation, Wells is known for his predictive stories of space travel and technology like the World Wide Web.

In The Invisible Man, a scientist who is devoted to researching optics invents a way to become invisible through neither absorbing nor reflecting light. After becoming an invisible man, Griffin dresses in long-sleeved coats and gloves, keeping his face hidden by bandages and a wide-brimmed hat in order to disguise his invisibility. During a snowstorm, he stays at a local inn owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hall, who find him extremely odd and reserved. When Griffin begins to run out of money and accidentally reveals his invisibility to his landlady, things start changing for him.

The Invisible Man is the tale of a scientist and his descent into madness, as Griffin's penchant for random violence begins to take over his life and turn his world into a horrific setting he can't control. Like many of H. G. Wells' stories, The Invisible Man examines philosophical aspects of science fiction and lends cultural criticism on subjects that may seem possible only through imagination.

*BEST MYSTERY/THRILLER FOR THE YEAR* for NPR

"Come for the mounting horror and scares, but stay for a devastating examination of the nature of family secrets." - New York Times book review

"[A] scary, highly entertaining debut...that pays homage to Shirley Jackson." - South Florida Sun Sentinel

A Most Anticipated Book Goodreads * Publishers Weekly * Crime Reads * Popsugar * Bookish * #1 Loanstar Pick in Canada

An Indie Next pick!

A Library Reads Pick!

The Blair Witch Project meets Midsommar in this brilliantly disturbing thriller from Camilla Sten, an electrifying new voice in suspense.

Documentary filmmaker Alice Lindstedt has been obsessed with the vanishing residents of the old mining town, dubbed "The Lost Village," since she was a little girl. In 1959, her grandmother's entire family disappeared in this mysterious tragedy, and ever since, the unanswered questions surrounding the only two people who were left--a woman stoned to death in the town center and an abandoned newborn--have plagued her. She's gathered a small crew of friends in the remote village to make a film about what really happened.

But there will be no turning back.

Not long after they've set up camp, mysterious things begin to happen. Equipment is destroyed. People go missing. As doubt breeds fear and their very minds begin to crack, one thing becomes startlingly clear to Alice:

They are not alone.

They're looking for the truth...
But what if it finds them first?

Come find out.

Murder at Hatteras tells the story of a young Ohio couple, Marla and Gabe Easton, who move to the Outer Banks to escape their stress-filled world in hopes of conceiving their first child. When Gabe discovers the body of a strangled girl along the beach, he fears the killer may live in his apartment complex and realizes Marla may be the fiend's next target. When the killer strikes again, this strange case takes on even darker tones. Hatteras Island, a narrow barrier strip of sand and marshland often exposed to dangerous hurricane winds is the perfect setting for this tale of twisting plotlines and ominous tone. Book reviewer and Hatteras Island resident, Gee Gee Rosell, commented, "Wow. This guy can write! If you like any of the best selling suspense/mystery writers (Flynn, Coben, Child, Patterson) give Joe Ellis a try for a refreshing change. He's every bit as good and you'll also get a big dose of Hatteras Island color!"

Don't miss a moment of the beloved, bestselling series where spies-in-training navigate double crosses, secret missions, friendship, and first love-now with a bonus epilogue!

After the excitement of the fall, all Cammie Morgan wants is peaceful semester at school. But that's easier said than done when you're a CIA legacy and go to the premier school in the world...for spies. Cammie may have a genius I.Q., but there are still a lot of things she doesn't know. Like, how much trouble is she really in after what happened last semester? What will happen with Josh? And above all, why is her mother acting so strangely?
Despite Cammie's best intentions to be a normal student, danger seems to follow her. She and her friends learn that their school is going to play host to some mysterious guests-code name: Blackthorne. Then she's blamed for a security breach that leaves the school's top secret status at risk. Soon, Cammie and her friends are crawling through walls and surveilling the school to learn the truth about Blackthorne and clear Cammie's name. Even though they have confidence in their spy skills, this time the targets are tougher (and hotter), and the stakes for Cammie's heart-and her beloved school-are higher than ever.

Unlock the mysteries of the hit horror video game Bendy and the Ink Machine in this terrifying, in-world guidebook!

Dreams do come true at Joey Drew Studios!Welcome to Joey Drew Studios! As a new animator, it's your job to carry on Mr. Drew's legacy of iconic characters like Bendy, Boris the Wolf, and Alice Angel! In this handy guidebook, you'll learn how to get around the studio, operate our state-of-the-art Ink Machine, and work well with our dedicated staff of creatives and crew members. Mr. Drew himself has even included a walk-through of all the tasks you'll need to complete to make it out of your first week alive, as well as an excerpt from his memoir The Illusion of Living, to inspire you to carry our company mission forward.In time, we hope you'll find a home here at our studios. Who knows? After a while, you may never want to leave!Don't miss this terrifying in-world guidebook, your key to unlocking the mysteries of Bendy and the Ink Machine!

What do you do when you're so empty inside, you feel nothing?

When all you've ever known was pain?

You run. That's what I did-I ran away without once looking back.

People say starting over is the best way for a new beginning, but that's far from the truth if you end up back where you began. Sometimes life likes to throw lemons at you really hard until there's nothing left to do but make lemonade.

I've known pain, but not the kind that messes with my heart.

That is until Logan, Dalton, Tey, and Nicholas came into my life without a warning label.

I'm not prepared, and I'm afraid after fighting since day one...they might just be the reason I finally break.

Eisner Award-winning cartoonist James Kochalka mixes up another silly and spunky adventure for Banana Fox, the smoothie-sipping sleuth!

Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers.

Eisner Award-winning cartoonist James Kochalka returns with another uproariously funny caper for Banana Fox to sniff out in this critically acclaimed series from Graphix Chapters!

Booie Hoo!

Banana Fox's late fees have landed him in library jail! And when a familiar foe is found around town and a giant book-eating robot is unleashed, it looks like Sharyanna and William need to step in to save the day. The junior detectives put their heads together, but when their investigation runs cold, an unlikely hero emerges and proves his own sleuthing skills! But without Banana Fox's help, can the trio put Sour Grapes Jr. behind bars for good?

After a masked figure scares Seth and Julia in the Whacky Shack, strange things start happening. Some say the ride is haunted by an angry ghost.

Who is causing all the trouble? Is it related to the award ceremony happening in a few days? From the ambitious journalist to the pushy salespeople, there is no shortage of suspects in this Waldameer mystery.

Join Seth, Julia, Tyren, and Semira as they race to protect one of Waldameer's most beloved rides!

A darkly compelling coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Donna Tartt's The Secret History or Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies.

It is the fall of 1995 at Rocky Barrens University, hidden amidst the pine trees and starry skies of Northern Ontario. Aurelle Taylor, daughter of a world-famous fashion designer becomes the closest friend of burgeoning painter Diana Martin; they have bonded over a mutual desire to escape their wealthy families and personal tragedies and begin new lives as students at RBU.

They are closer than lovers, they are like one thing, intoxicated by their own bond, falling into the hedonistic seduction of the woods and the water at a university that is more summer camp than campus. Diana, who has lived her life under the shadow of her sadistic older brother, rockets to fame with a series of scandalous portraits of Aurelle, whose response is to tumble further into a drug-fueled escapism. Diana must choose whether to rescue her kindred spirit from destruction, or to abandon Aurelle for the fame she has forever thirsted after.

The lines between love, envy and obsession blur in Laurie Petrou's utterly enthralling, unceasingly tense second novel.

A Most Anticipated Novel by Pop Sugar * Book Riot * Betches * Bustle * and more!

"Utterly spellbinding....Witchcraft meets thriller."--Pop Sugar

Two sisters go missing on a remote Scottish island. Twenty years later, one is found--but she's still the same age as when she disappeared. The secrets of witches have reached across the centuries in this chilling Gothic thriller from the author of the acclaimed The Nesting.

When single mother Liv is commissioned to paint a mural in a 100-year-old lighthouse on a remote Scottish island, it's an opportunity to start over with her three daughters--Luna, Sapphire, and Clover. When two of her daughters go missing, she's frantic. She learns that the cave beneath the lighthouse was once a prison for women accused of witchcraft. The locals warn her about wildlings, supernatural beings who mimic human children, created by witches for revenge. Liv is told wildlings are dangerous and must be killed.

Twenty-two years later, Luna has been searching for her missing sisters and mother. When she receives a call about her youngest sister, Clover, she's initially ecstatic. Clover is the sister she remembers--except she's still seven years old, the age she was when she vanished. Luna is worried Clover is a wildling. Luna has few memories of her time on the island, but she'll have to return to find the truth of what happened to her family. But she doesn't realize just how much the truth will change her.

Before there was Lois Lowry's The Giver or M. T. Anderson's Feed, there was Robert Cormier's I Am the Cheese, a subversive classic that broke new ground for YA literature.

A boy's search for his father becomes a desperate journey to unlock a secret past. But the past must not be remembered if the boy is to survive. As he searches for the truth that hovers at the edge of his mind, the boy--and readers--arrive at a shattering conclusion.

"An absorbing, even brilliant job. The book is assembled in mosaic fashion: a tiny chip here, a chip there. . . . Everything is related to something else; everything builds and builds to a fearsome climax. . . . [Cormier] has the knack of making horror out of the ordinary, as the masters of suspense know how to do."--The New York Times Book Review

"A horrifying tale of government corruption, espionage, and counter espionage told by an innocent young victim. . . . The buildup of suspense is terrific."--School Library Journal, starred review

An ALA Notable Children's Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare
A Library of Congress Children's Book of the Year
A Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award Nominee