A Mystery Writer's Whodunit Favorites of 2021

My Sweet Girl

by Jayatissa, Amanda

Book - 2021

"If you love voicey, twisty psychological dual-timeline suspense with a flawed MC [main character], then pick this up ASAP. We follow Paloma both as ...Show more "If you love voicey, twisty psychological dual-timeline suspense with a flawed MC [main character], then pick this up ASAP. We follow Paloma both as a child adopted from a Sri Lankan orphanage and an adult caught up in the mysterious murder of her blackmailing roomie." - Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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The Collective

A Novel

by Gaylin, Alison

Book - 2021

"It’s about a grieving mother who gets in over her head when she joins a mysterious group of mothers seeking revenge against their children’s killers. It's high concept but handled in such a real way." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads "It’s about a grieving mother who gets in over her head when she joins a mysterious group of mothers seeking revenge against their children’s killers. It's high concept but handled in such a real way." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Her Name Is Knight

by Angoe, Yasmin

Book - 2021

"Like My Sweet Girl, this is a dual-timeline debut that follows a Ghanaian child on her journey from being a sex-traffic victim to an assassin in Mia...Show more "Like My Sweet Girl, this is a dual-timeline debut that follows a Ghanaian child on her journey from being a sex-traffic victim to an assassin in Miami. The story is dramatic while still being very character driven." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Dream Girl

A Novel

by Lippman, Laura

Book - 2021

"This is an updated, very modern take on a Stephen King classic about a bed-bound author being harassed by someone claiming to be a character in his ...Show more "This is an updated, very modern take on a Stephen King classic about a bed-bound author being harassed by someone claiming to be a character in his novel. It’s Laura Lippman, which should make this a must-read for anyone." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Arsenic and Adobo

by Manansala, Mia P.

Book - 2021

Garrett mentions this book along with others as having "millennial and Gen Z protagonists at the center and all the fun that comes with that." Garrett mentions this book along with others as having "millennial and Gen Z protagonists at the center and all the fun that comes with that." Show less

Available in some locations

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Grave Reservations

A Novel

by Priest, Cherie

Downloadable Audiobook - 2021

Garrett mentions this book along with others as having "millennial and Gen Z protagonists at the center and all the fun that comes with that." Garrett mentions this book along with others as having "millennial and Gen Z protagonists at the center and all the fun that comes with that." Show less

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Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

by Cosimano, Elle

Book - 2021

Garrett describes this and another book as having "fun mysteries with such cool characters. Elle’s MC [main character] is a writer way behind on her deadline (not that I know anything about that!)" Garrett describes this and another book as having "fun mysteries with such cool characters. Elle’s MC [main character] is a writer way behind on her deadline (not that I know anything about that!)" Show less

All copies in use Availability details Holds: 1 on 4 copies

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The Wife Upstairs

by Hawkins, Rachel

Book - 2021

"I also picked up The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins solely because it had a pretty cover and ended up staying up way too late reading." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads "I also picked up The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins solely because it had a pretty cover and ended up staying up way too late reading." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Mango, Mambo, and Murder

by Reyes, Raquel V.

Book - 2021

"In terms of debuts, I’ll mention two authors that I plan to stalk their entire careers. Raquel V. Reyes’ Mango, Mambo, and Murder definitely fits th...Show more "In terms of debuts, I’ll mention two authors that I plan to stalk their entire careers. Raquel V. Reyes’ Mango, Mambo, and Murder definitely fits the edgier cozy bill. The MC [main character] is a Cuban American wife and mother who gets her own cooking segment on a morning show." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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They Can't Take your Name

A Novel

by Justice, Robert

Book - 2021

"If you’re a poetry fan and/or someone who loves books that aren’t afraid to take on social justice issues, you’ll devour They Can’t Take Your Name b...Show more "If you’re a poetry fan and/or someone who loves books that aren’t afraid to take on social justice issues, you’ll devour They Can’t Take Your Name by Robert Justice. It centers on a man on death row for a crime he didn’t commit." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Zen Attitude

by Massey, Sujata

Book - 2005

"Before Sujata Massey gave us Perveen Mistry, she gave us Rei Shimura, a Japanese American English teacher living in Tokyo. I just love the character and culture in these books." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads "Before Sujata Massey gave us Perveen Mistry, she gave us Rei Shimura, a Japanese American English teacher living in Tokyo. I just love the character and culture in these books." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

Available in some locations

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Lie Down With the Devil

by Barnes, Linda

Book - 2008

"Barnes was one of my favorites, along with icons Sara Paretsky and Sue Grafton. Her PI was a six-foot redhead who was a former Boston cop." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads "Barnes was one of my favorites, along with icons Sara Paretsky and Sue Grafton. Her PI was a six-foot redhead who was a former Boston cop." -Kellye Garrett, quoted on Goodreads Show less

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Pride V. Prejudice

by Hess, Joan

Book - 2015

About an earlier title in this series Garrett says, "This made me fall in love with cozies and set up a lot of the lovable tropes we see today. It ce...Show more About an earlier title in this series Garrett says, "This made me fall in love with cozies and set up a lot of the lovable tropes we see today. It centers on a widowed bookstore owner who falls in love with the local cop while encountering murder in her college town." Show less

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Hollywood Homicide

by Garrett, Kellye

Large Print - 2017

Read Garrett's first book in her Detective by Day series. "Dayna Anderson doesn’t set out to solve a murder. All the semi-famous, mega-broke black a...Show more Read Garrett's first book in her Detective by Day series. "Dayna Anderson doesn’t set out to solve a murder. All the semi-famous, mega-broke black actress wants is to help her parents keep their house. After witnessing a deadly hit-and-run, she figures pursuing the fifteen-grand reward isn’t the craziest thing a Hollywood actress has done for some cash." - Publisher's description Show less

Available in some locations

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Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

A Mystery Master's Favorite Whodunits of 2021 - Goodreads News & Interviews

https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2219-a-mystery-master-s-favorite-whodunits-of-2021

Web Resource

The article that inspired this list. It also includes some forthcoming 2022 titles that Kellye Garrett is looking forward to reading. The article that inspired this list. It also includes some forthcoming 2022 titles that Kellye Garrett is looking forward to reading. Show less

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