Hello, everyone, Michael Gortenburg here!
Finding the right book can be a tricky process. No one wants to spend hours of their time reading something only to end up hating the final chapter. As an avid reader and fan of the mystery genre, I wanted to share with you all some of my personal favorites from the last decade or so:
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (2014)
Mr. Mercedes is the first book of a trilogy by renowned horror and sci-fi author, Stephen King. The book follows former police detective, Bill Hodges, as he tries to hunt down a local serial killer before he can strike again. The killer’s point of view was a chilling and effective addition to the story. Mr. Mercedes is a classic cat-and-mouse tale with engaging characters and a thrilling mystery that keeps up the suspense. If you’re a fan of King’s previous work, or looking to explore more of his work, Mr. Mercedes is a great start.
Defending Jacob by William Landay (2012)
Defending Jacob is a crime drama that follows district attorney and family man, Andy Barber, as a shocking murder unfolds with his son at the center. Where once Andy felt welcomed and appreciated in his community, he’s now ostracized as he’s forced to examine his own son’s innocence. Both gripping and clever, Defending Jacob forces readers to examine the difficult reality of facing your family’s mistakes and the impacts of nature versus nurture. Once you’ve finished reading, you can experience the story all over again by watching the adaptation on Apple TV.
Command Authority by Tom Clancy (2013)
The last outing from Tom Clancy before his death, Command Authority is the explosive final book of the “Ryanverse.” Command Authority follows President Jack Ryan and the covert members of The Campus, a covert intelligence organization, as they try to thwart a Russian dictator’s plans. The central conflict is one that’s been built up for 30 years, starting back in Jack Ryan’s days as a young CIA analyst until his final confrontation with the assassin he could never catch.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019)
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a more recent hit, following criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber and his obsession with uncovering a woman’s motive for the brutal murder of her husband. What’s exciting about The Silent Patient is the added layer of intrigue surrounding Alicia’s sudden silence. We watch as Theo maps out her motive while also uncovering chilling parallels between the two of them. The Silent Patient offers a page-turning examination of love, betrayal and how tragedy impacts us all.
A good mystery novel should toe the line between intrigue and confusion. I hope some of these will give you the edge-of-your-seat thrill you’re seeking. If you’d like more suggestions on page turners, check out Book Riot. Aside from mystery novels, I also greatly enjoy business books. Here are some of my top picks for business success.
Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.
Michael Gortenburg 