What To Read

The 2023 Edgar Nominees for Best Mystery Novel

This year's nominees for the most prestigious award in mystery writing include Gabino Iglesias' "barrio noir" thriller, an innovative take on serial killer fiction, and Nita Prose's runaway success debut that is coming soon to a screen near you.

Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben •

Jan 26th, 2023

Named for the patron saint of mystery, Edgar Allan Poe, the Edgar Awards, or “Edgars” as they are commonly known, are presented annually by the Mystery Writers of America. The awards traditionally cover the best books, short stories and television shows in the mystery, crime, suspense and intrigue genres released during the past year.

Check out some of the buzz that we've seen on Tertulia for the Best Novel nominees below. The full list of all Edgar nominees, including Magpie Murders (for TV) and Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman (for biography), is also listed below. Winners will be revealed at an award ceremony on April 27.

Devil House by John Darnielle

Darnielle is perhaps best known as the founder and longtime frontman of the indie rock band "The Mountain Goats," but his latest novel underscores his talent as a fiction writer.

Critic Zack Ruskin described Devil House as "a gripping murder mystery, a meditation on place and a metafictional dissection of the true-crime genre." While NPR's Linda Holmes said, it was "one of the most fascinating books [she] read this year."

Like a Sister by Kellye Garrett

Out in paperback on February 7, this thriller follows an estranged sibling's quest to find the truth about her reality TV star half-sister's death.

Culture critic Carole V. Bell praised the book for painting "a multidimensional portrait of people often overshadowed by stereotype."

Gangland by Chuck Hogan

A New York Times Best Crime Novel of 2022, this fictionalized tale of one of Chicago's most infamous real-life mob bosses was called "colorful, engaging, and bloody; a richly satisfying crime story" by Kirkus. You may be familiar with The Town (Prince of Thieves), Hogan's earlier hit book which was made into a film starring Ben Affleck. Given the response to the book, we imagine that Gangland is destined for the big screen as well!

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

"Evocative writing, rich characters and a blood-curdling tale of race, poverty, greed, vengeance, and religion. Five stars." This is what Pulitzer winner and Edgar Award nominee, Bryan Gruel, had to say about Iglesias' latest genre bending thriller, which appeared on many outlets' best books of 2022 lists, including NPR.

Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka

Newly out in paperback, author Matt Bell declared this the best crime novel he'd read in ages, highlighting the book's structure, which follows a male serial killer's story through the eyes of various women connected to him "by birth, love, and violence." Meanwhile in The Guardian, Alison Flood said the book was "devastating in its impact and impossible to look away from."

The Maid by Nita Prose

This hit debut mystery was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2022 by Reader's Digest and has made numerous other best-of-the-year lists. Books editor and travel writer Zoe West praised the book's cast of "completely adorable characters, not least Molly who is one of the most lovable heroines you’ll ever come across." Keep your eyes and ears out for the film adaptation produced by and starring Florence Pugh, which is reportedly in the works from Universal.