Crime & Mystery Books For Adults Novels & Stories

I walked downstairs to my boutique with a mug of coffee in my hand and a book which I'm currently reading. It was still raining outside making a puddle of water in different places on the street. I sat down in front of my counter and took a sip of my coffee. "Um, heavenly." I said and put the mug on the counter in front of me as I opened my book and started to read. I was reading a criminal novel. I only read three genres and that is romantic, criminal and fantasy.

Then there were his psychology books and books on wilderness craft. His gaze fell on a small cluster of volumes of English literature, some that Faith had convinced him to try. While he couldn't bring himself to read them, he hadn't been able to part with them, either. The top shelf held an extensive collection of contemporary bestsellers, and it was one of those he chose, a mystery thriller, as he heard the first roll of thunder. "Yep, Bear, it seems like a 'dark and stormy night' kind of night." He gave the dog a pat as he settled down in his chair.

He is kind and humorous, and when he speaks of being president one day, I believe him. “Governor Smith, how are you?” My husband greets him with the same excitement and extends his hand. This is how this world is, crime and capital go hand in hand. There is no definitive line between those who create laws and those who break them. There is only recognition and understanding of power. I used to have power once. “And Mrs. Cattaneo, how are you?” I extend my arm like a robot, and pretend to be delighted when he kisses my hand.

Other Books by the Author . . . 1. Baby's Daddy — Pregnancy-Romance/Mystery 2. The Third Side of the Coin — Horror/Suspense 3. Her Dilemma — Pregnancy-Romance/Billionaire 4. The Rancher's Heart — Romance/Single-Father 5. A Week of Batching — Mystery/Suspense . 6. Chronicles of an Amnesiac — SciFi/Mystery/Short Story 7. On Air — Billionaire/Pregnancy-Romance/Mystery

Kicked against his hand playfully. “Never heard of it.” “It’s about caring more about getting someone in prison than committing the crime,” She paused. Staring blankly at the cover. “Well, it’s mostly about only finding women interesting when they’re whorish or evil.” “Maybe you should be reading something happier.” He was now sat beside her, the mattress bending to his weight, her dress crept up the backs of her thighs. “Maybe staying away from books about crime for the time being.” It was hard not to stare at her backside and wonder whether she was without any underwear or in a G-string. After all, they were talking about her father, however veiled it were.

I use my backpack as a shield against the cold raindrops and run through the darkness that rules the university parking lot. My criminal law class ended fifteen minutes late, so the area feels even more desolate than usual. There’s a guard booth just a few meters away, but I get the same bizarre sensation I’ve had the past few nights: the back of my neck prickling, a warning deep in my mind, like someone is watching me from the shadows.

One that would give me a chance at finding a man who would be willing to take whatever I have to “offer.” What the hell did she mean, “offer”? Is it a holiday-themed bazaar? Auction? I’m not sure, but something about the latter — the event being an auction — feels likely. But then again, I haven’t spent twenty-years in the publishing industry without developing a “sense” for language and its use. And “offer” seems like a particularly important, conscious choice. While making my way from the main lodge area to the area that acts like the hotel, I think, Do I really want to go to that kind of thing, though? What if it ’s creepy? Weird? Dodgy?

I replied, shaking his hand briefly before pulling it back, a tingle left in its place. “So, Kalia, what’s so captivating in that book of yours that you almost missed the best coffee in town?” He nodded toward my cup. I tilted my head, considering him. “You are assuming I don’t already know that this place has the best coffee.” He raised an eyebrow. “Fair enough. But now I’m curious about the book.” I held it up, the cover facing him. “It’s a mystery novel. Keeps me on my toes.” He leaned in slightly, intrigued. “A mystery, huh? So, you like solving puzzles?”

I beamed. "Crazy, isn't it?" "Fucking crazy, for real." "First, we put THE DA VINCI CODE by DAN BROWN here." He picked out the book and inserted it in the center line of the shelf. He put HOW TO STOP TIME by MATT HAIG, followed by EVERGREEN by NAOMI HIRAHARA. "Then KISS THE GIRLS by JAMES PATTERSON." He put it next to the first book. "I've read that." I went on in a spur of excitement. "It's a thriller and mystery novel about a detective who's trying to track down a serial killer. So many twists and cliffhangers. Total page-turner." I giggled.

I was delighted to uncover new layers beneath this prickly barista's tough exterior. "So mysteries are your favorite books? Any current authors you'd recommend?" I asked, genuinely curious to know more about her tastes. Aria's eyes lit up, clearly passionate about this topic. "Oh yes! I just finished a great atmospheric thriller by Ruth Ware. And Jean Kwok writes amazing psychological suspense." I smiled as she rattled off a whole list of mystery writers and descriptors for why she loved them. Her enthusiasm was captivating. "I may have to check out some of those. I tend toward action thrillers, but I'm open to new things," I said.