In 2003, Michael Koryta became the youngest winner of the annual St. Martin's Press / Private Eye Writers of America 'Best First Private Eye Novel' contest.
Michael lives in Bloomington, Indiana, where he attended Indiana University, earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Previously an award-winning newspaper reporter, he now works for a detective agency in Bloomington and also teaches for the Indiana University School of Journalism.
King Sorrow (2025) Joe Hill "King Sorrow is an epic that will linger with you long after the last page is turned, a timeless tale that's also a haunting time capsule. Joe Hill somehow delivers it all, from the terrifying to the hilarious to the heartbreaking. A relentless and thoughtful tour de force, King Sorrow proves Joe Hill is one of the great storytellers of our generation."
Mississippi Blue 42 (2025) (FBI Special Agent Rae Johnson, book 1) Eli Cranor "Former college quarterback Eli Cranor scores big with Mississippi Blue 42, a fun, provocative crime novel that takes aim at the heart of the American game."
The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne (2024) Ron Currie "The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne reads like a French-Canadian The Godfather, with the toughest women this side of Carmela Soprano. Beautifully written, with a wonderfully rendered, authentic Maine setting that you won't find on a postcard, this is the rare novel of equal appeal to fans of Elizabeth Strout and Dennis Lehane."
Memorials (2024) Richard Chizmar "You'll never view a country roadside in the same way once you've finished Memorials. Chizmar knows where both stories of terror and stories of the heart lurk - and best of all, he understands that they're found in the same places. Buckle up for a haunting ride."
House of Bone and Rain (2024) Gabino Iglesias "Thoughtful and violent, lyrical and muscular, House of Bone and Rain is a mystical, moving powerhouse that never lets up -- and lingers long after the last sentence. Buy this book and welcome the storm."
Lake County (2024) Lori Roy "Lake County is the best book yet in Lori Roy's remarkable career, a beautifully written blend of suspense and heartache, where Hollywood longings intersect with Florida crime syndicates in an ever-intensifying squeeze. An atmospheric, haunting read."
The New Couple in 5B (2024) Lisa Unger "Lisa Unger keeps finding new ways to prove she's among the best in the business. Packed with heart, tension, and fever-dream fear, The New Couple in 5B delivers domestic suspense with a gleaming Gothic edge that would make the great Ira Levin proud."
The House of Last Resort (2024) Christopher Golden "Christopher Golden is one of those rare writers with range and consistency. I'll follow him anywhere. From its eerie, exotic setting to its claustrophobic creepiness, The House of Last Resort delivers!"
Distant Sons (2023) Tim Johnston "Tim Johnston returns in dazzling form with DISTANT SONS, an intricate, haunting novel sure to resonate with fans of Dennis Lehane, Peter Heller, and James Lee Burke. Johnston's plot is tense and his pacing swift, but he's after bigger game here, with questions of identity, intentions, and legacies merging in a tale that will linger long after it is finished. He's also one of the finest prose stylists in the game, stacking polished sentences with a master's touch. Don't miss this one."
Blood in the Holler (2023) David Sangiao-Parga "A fast-paced, wild ride with an original setting and a confident, authentic voice, Blood In The Holler is great, gritty fun, and David Sangiao-Parga is a writer to watch."
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge (2023) (Mrs. Plansky, book 1) Spencer Quinn "Mrs. Plansky's Revenge is a triumph that pits an original, memorable, and deeply human protagonist against a plausible threat, then takes us on an unexpected, thrilling, and satisfying journey. Heartfelt, thoughtful, and always suspenseful."
Flags on the Bayou (2023) James Lee Burke "James Lee Burke is an American icon, a writer of peerless prose and unmatched depth, a storyteller who faces down the darkness and guides us toward the glimmers of light. With Flags on the Bayou, he doesn't back down from the horrors of American history, but brings to life those who perpetuated unspeakable evil and those who fought nobly against it, reminding us all that while the horrors may endure, so does the potential for grace, beauty, and redemption."
A Line in the Sand (2023) Kevin Powers "Sure to rank among the year's best thrillers, A Line in the Sand is a tense, twisting, and thoughtful story of the intersection between grief and greed - and the human lives crushed in the middle. Kevin Powers writes with uncommon grace, delivering the rare novel that is both propulsive and contemplative, calling to mind writers as varied as Tim O'Brien and Michael Connelly."
No Second Chances (2022) Rio Youers "No Second Chances is a one-sitting read. Rio Youers writes with both muscle and heart, and his latest noir-meets-thriller is a literary sports car, loaded with style and speed. Jump in - and buckle up."
The Guide (2021) Peter Heller "Peter Heller is the poet laureate of the literary thriller, and The Guide offers further proof for the case. Powered by Heller's trademark prose, which alternately thunders and eddies like his beloved western rivers, this sinister and soulful story unfurls so skillfully that it's easy to ignore all the layers beneath—but you shouldn't. Heller writes about the eternal questions and the exquisite details, and he knows the places where they intersect in the human heart and the natural world."
Razorblade Tears (2021) S A Cosby "Following Blacktop Wasteland was one hell of a challenge, but S. A. Cosby doesn't merely deliver, he ups his game with Razorblade Tears, a story that addresses the big questions while never losing sight of the characters at its core. Taut, tense, and thoughtful, Razorblade Tears confirms Cosby as one of the most important new voices in contemporary fiction, period."
The Last Commandment (2021) (Austin Grant of Scotland Yard, book 1) Scott Shepherd "Scott Shepherd is a marvelous storyteller, and The Last Commandment is further proof of his abilities. Smart, funny, and layered with a terrific sense of time and place, the story rockets from one twist to the next while always deepening the questions of family, trust, and the weight of old sins. A gem of a thriller, not to be missed."
Dark Currents (2021) Doug Burgess "Dark Currents is first-class fiction, a multilayered and original mystery underscored by fine writing, fully developed characters, and a wonderful sense of place. Doug Burgess writes with humor and poignancy while creating an eerie, atmospheric tale that is sure to please."
Safe (2020) S K Barnett "Safe is everything you want out of a thriller and then some. Emotionally fraught storytelling with crisp prose and perfect pacing in service of one hell of a twisting journey home."
The Deep (2020) Alma Katsu "Alma Katsu is a fantastic writer, with a unique ability to blur the lines of history, horror, humanity, and tragedy. Think Diana Gabaldon by way of Charlaine Harris. As with her exceptional novel, The Hunger, in The Deep Katsu takes on an infamous tragedy and adds her own haunting twists. A marvelous new addition to Katsu’s already impressive body of work."
The Boatman's Daughter (2020) Andy Davidson "The Boatman's Daughter is a beautifully written Gothic chiller that will draw you in and hold you tight. Wild and wonderful--a sentence-by-sentence delight."
The Wild One (2020) (Peter Ash, book 5) Nick Petrie "Nick Petrie's exceptional writing has earned him comparisons to many of the thriller-genre greats, but The Wild One announces that period has come to an end: Petrie is setting the bar, not reaching for it."
How Quickly She Disappears (2020) Raymond Fleischmann "Raymond Fleischmann is going to be one of the buzz names for the new year...A beautiful blend of high tension and literary elegance, both deeply moving and immediately engaging."
The Extinction Agenda (2019) (Extinction Agenda, book 1) Michael Laurence "The Extinction Agenda is a pedal-to-the-floor thriller. Michael Laurence writes in the high-concept, high-action spirit of Crichton by way of Clancy but in a style all his own. Clean, crisp prose and a great visual eye make this one sizzle."
Kill Monster (2019) Sean Doolittle "This bold, ambitious, and wildly entertaining supernatural thriller is a true joy. Kill Monster hits on every cylinder, delivering action, suspense, thrills, and chills all with originality and wit, and in the midst of the excitement offering a father-son story of deep emotional resonance. A page-turning winner."
The Night Agent (2019) Matthew Quirk "Matthew Quirk is rapidly proving himself to be among our finest thriller writers, and The Night Agent is the latest undeniable evidence. Quirk writes rapid-fire, page-turning action with unusual grace and intelligence, and his latest American nightmare is guaranteed to keep readers up late."
The Girl From Blind River (2018) Gale Massey "With this dazzling debut, Gale Massey arrives as a rare talent, a writer's writer who should be read by the masses. The Girl From Blind River is a swift and thrilling story anchored by compelling characters and scored by graceful prose. The novel is both timeless and timely, and is sure to be one of the must-reads of 2018."
The Darkest Time of Night (2018) (Darkest Time of Night, book 1) Jeremy Finley "The Darkest Time of Night is a gripping and graceful thriller that conjures moody atmosphere and haunting circumstances into a rich read. Perfect for fans of the X-Files, Whitley Strieber, and Stranger Things, author Jeremy Finley delivers the goods in this compelling novel that will have you turning pages -- and turning up the lights."
The Anomaly (2018) (Anomaly Files, book 1) Michael Rutger "THE ANOMALY is my type of story -- terrific writing from a confident storyteller who lets the suspense build; a tense tale based on a true story of old mystery; a wilderness adventure, and a beautifully chilling twist. What more could you want? Sure to be in the mix with the best thrillers of the year, it's a thrilling and haunting read from first page to last."
Alex Grecian "Alex Grecian is a consummate storyteller, and The Saint of Wolves and Butchers may be his finest work to date. Diabolical plotting, compelling characters, and razor-honed prose drive this thriller of old secrets and high stakes across eras and a beautifully rendered American landscape. Don't miss it."
Bluebird, Bluebird (2017) (Highway 59, book 1) Attica Locke "Attica Locke is a must-read author who writes with power, grace, and heart, and Bluebird, Bluebird is a remarkable achievement. This is a rare novel that thrills, educates, and inspires all at once. Don't miss it."
Two Days Gone (2017) (Ryan DeMarco Mystery, book 1) Randall Silvis "An absolute gem of literary suspense, pitting ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and told in a smooth, assured, and often haunting voice, Two Days Gone is a terrific read."
The Hatching (2016) (Hatching, book 1) Ezekiel Boone "It's been too long since someone reminded us that spiders are not just to be feared, but also may well spell doom for mankind. Fortunately, Ezekiel Boone has upped the ante on arachnophobia. This is a fresh take on classic horror, thoroughly enjoyable and guaranteed to leave your skin crawling."
Purgatory Chasm (2011) (Conway Sax, book 1) Steve Ulfelder "Holds a hot, ominous idle just until Ulfelder engages gears and hits the gas, pinning you back against the seat, hopeless to leave before the end of the ride. One of those rare debuts that leaves you immediately eager to see what is next."
Pitch Dark (2011) Steven Sidor "Pitch Dark is a propulsive, layered and brutal read... A reader can't hope for more than to discover a writer possessed of both true talent and true passion. Discover Steven Sidor."
