4 new cozy mysteries and eerie thrillers to get lost in

The Plot Thickens

Trudge around a peculiar forest or second-guess a trip to an isolated, historic castle in this month’s selection of cozy mysteries and eerie thrillers. When diving into the curious and curiouser, remember, dear sleuths, that the simplest explanation is often the best.

“One of Us Knows” by Alyssa Cole (William Morrow, $30). The classic locked-room whodunit and unreliable narrator tropes get turned on their head (or should I say, inside their head) in this newest release from the author of the Edgar Award-winning novel “When No One Is Watching.”

Channeling just as many Jordan Peele vibes as that 2020 debut thriller, “One of Us Knows” blends mystery and commentary on society and mental health for a riveting, gothic nail-biter. Kenetria “Ken” Nash, a “headmate” (yes, like a roommate of the head) of a woman with dissociative identity disorder, awakens after six years of inactivity, finding herself traveling to a new job as a caretaker for a castle located on an isolated island. 

The tension begins building immediately with the disappearance of Della, the headmate who has been leading the system of personalities during Ken’s extended absence, and things become even more bizarre and unsettling upon arrival at the estate. The castle looks exactly like the one the headmates share inside Nash’s head. As intrigue and suspense swell internally and externally, “One of Us Knows” transcends a simple page-turner as Cole explores trauma, privilege and violence toward women — with a sprinkling of Cole’s specialty: romance. 

“The Night in Question” by Susan Fletcher (Union Square & Co., $28.99). Equally heartbreaking and heartwarming, Susan Fletcher has crafted a tender, inspiring mystery ideal for those looking for a feel-good read full of prospects and possibilities.

After 87-year-old Florrie Butterfield relocates to the adult assisted living facility Babbington Hall, following an accident that left her with one leg, Florrie has come to accept that she’s done with new experiences. But having lived a rich life filled with exciting adventures, she settles into this next chapter with grace and happiness. When death suddenly befalls one of the facility’s residents alongside an incident with Babbington’s manager, Florrie is convinced foul play is involved and commits herself to solving the case. 

More of a reflection on the past than a mystery/thriller, “The Night in Question” is a joyful reminder that age is just a number and that it’s never too late for redemption, truth or fresh pursuits. Fletcher’s emotional, adept storytelling transcends the page and will provide hope to readers regardless of their position in life.

“The Extinction of Irena Rey” by Jennifer Croft (Bloomsbury, $28.99). “The Extinction of Irena Rey” is translator Jennifer Croft’s — whose most notable works include translating Olga Tokarczuk’s “Flights,” for which she won the 2018 International Booker Prize — first foray into novel writing. Well, “first,” depending on how you view translations. As expressed in the “warning” note from the novel’s fictional translator, Alexis Archer, which kicks off the intertextual discourse, “Translating is being forced to write a book again.” 

While the plot gets a little sticky to contextualize with its numerous explorations, “The Extinction of Irena Rey” is a novel written about a novel centering around a group of eight translators and famous Polish author Irena Rey who go missing with zero explanation (a whimsical forest setting adds further ambiguity and intrigue.)

There are a lot of moving parts, however Croft never misses a beat, drawing upon her translation background to deliver a juicy, bordering on absurd, intricate mediation on celebrity, communication, nature and the art of language. 

“The Last Word” by Elly Griffiths (Mariner Books, $27.99). Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series may have come to an end for now, but never fear: the British novelist is back with a fresh detective case, featuring partners Edwin and Natalka from “The Postscript Murders” — although “The Last Word” can certainly be enjoyed as a stand-alone release.

Not that Natalka has been hoping for someone to die, but the small cases that have made their way to her and Edwin’s detective agency have been less than fulfilling. So when Melody Chambers, a Shoreham, Sussex, romance author, is found deceased, the pair are excited about something more substantial than spying on a cheating spouse.

Soon after, several local writers and authors meet the same fate as Chambers. The common thread is Battle House, a writers retreat Edwin and Natalka’s boyfriend, Benedict, decide to attend to uncover what’s really going on. With hilarious dynamics between the well-crafted characters and an addicting plotline, “The Last Word” will have readers running for their own detective hats as the bodies and clues begin to mount.