With the year 2021 at a close and a new year beginning, it’s a perfect time to reflect on last year’s highlights. At the end of every year, major news publications release their best books lists. Since many people’s New Year’s resolutions may include reading more books,  here’s a recap of some of them! 

 These are the top four Mysteries and thrillers according to Time and Goodreads: the Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and lastly The Cousins by Karen M McManus. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
It seems like the Firekeeper’s Daughter has made its rounds on many bestseller lists. For one, the novel has won the Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction. It’s also listed as one of Time Magazine’s Top 10 Young Adult and Children’s Books, during 2021. 

This story is about an eighteen-year-old biracial girl who is thrust into an FBI investigation involving a murder, even while she is taking care of her frail mother. Despite being Angeline Bouelly’s debut work, this is a perfect book for any Mystery / Thriller lover out there. Also, for film lovers, this story will be adapted into a miniseries for Netflix.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Hawthorne Legacy is the 2nd book in the popular Inheritance Game series. Though a sequel, it‘s listed as one of the 20 most popular Young adult reads of 2021 (according to Time) and was also nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award. 

In this story Avery Gambs tries to figure out her relationship to the Hawthorne family, and why she has been left a wealthy stranger’s inheritance. This book also has elements of fantasy, discusses coming of age, and has a hint of romance.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Ace of Spades is the debut novel of British Nigerian author Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, a story that was listed on NPR’s Book Concierge and is another one of the 20 most popular Young Adult books (Time).
The novel depicts the story of high schoolers Devon and Chiamaka, who were selected as senior class prefects. It all seems great… until an anonymous bully starts to tell secrets. The two must figure out a way to stop the bully in this YA thriller.

The Cousins by Karen M McManus
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus is a YA thriller about cousins Jonah Milly and Aubrey, who have never met each other or their grandmother. In the opening, the two visit their grandmother’s island for the summer. Though they think that it’s just to have a good time… they soon discover that their plans are not what they seem to be.

This book has been listed as one of the 20 best Young Adult fiction books by Time and as one of the New York Times bestsellers. The author, Karen M. McManus is well known for writing YA mysteries. Another popular one to check out is the duology One of Us Is Lying and One of Us is Next; One of Us Is Lying has been adapted into a series by Peacock.

It seems like some of the best Young adult books are mysteries and thrillers. But, they’re only a fraction of all of the books that are out there. You can always find more at the DHS or Dublin Library. Happy reading!