Mind-Boggling Mysteries By LGBTQ+ Authors

Being a British criminal barrister, Rob Rinder knows a thing or two about the justice system and is able to weave this knowledge into the plots of his books. The first book from Rob Rinder released in 2023 explores the death of policeman, Grant Cliveden. All evidence points to Jimmy Knight, someone who has been convicted of multiple offences before. It’s Adam Green’s job to defend him, which won’t be an easy task, especially as he’s a trainee barrister, and it’s his first case.

With plenty of twists and courtroom dramas, this title is certainly one to add to your TBR if you love a murder mystery!

Val McDermid shares the Queen of Crime title with the iconic Agatha Christie, so it makes sense to include just one of her many crime novels in this list!

Allie Burns is chasing her first big scoop, and as one of few women in the newsroom, she needs something big for the boys to take her seriously. Soon, Allie and fellow reporter Danny Sullivan are making powerful enemies with their investigations - and Allie won't stop there. When she discovers a terrorist threat close to home, she devises a dangerous plan to make her name. But it’s not easy being a woman in a man's world, and putting a foot wrong could prove fatal…

I crowned The Betrayal of Thomas True my favorite read of 2024 and I still think about it often! This book perfects so many genres (which I always find an incredible achievement) and there is such a brilliant mystery running throughout, where we follow the clues to uncover a traitor.

Thomas True arrives in London with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London’s hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses. But to the horror of all mollies, there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices who are punishing mollies with death. Can the traitor be uncovered before it’s too late?

A body is found bricked into the walls of a house and the victim is linked to an old missing person’s case. It’s DS Adam Tyler’s job to find out what happened, but he soon realises his compromising connection. And someone in the city knows exactly what happened to the body, someone who is watching Adam closely…

Firewatching has been described as bold and brilliant, clever and compulsive. A perfect start to a series for fans of Adrian McKinty, Tana French, Steve Cavanagh and Sharon Bolton.

Scott Jericho is a disgraced former detective, fresh out of jail. He thinks he’s worked his last case, but when a series of murders comes to light that echo a century-old fairground legend, a legend Jericho knows well, he needs to unpick this deadly mystery himself.

He knows that more murders will follow. As a direct descendant of one of the legend’s victims, is Jericho next on the killer's list? Killing Jericho is the first book in the Scott Jericho series, and was shortlisted for multiple awards in 2024. If you love suspense and mystery, this is certainly one for you.

If you love a book that keeps you guessing until that glorious final page, The Last Place You Look will certainly tick that box. Sarah Cook disappeared fifteen years ago, the same night her parents were brutally murdered in their suburban Ohio home. Her boyfriend Brad was convicted and sits on death row, though he always maintained his innocence.

With his execution only weeks away, his devoted sister, insisting she has spotted Sarah at a local gas station, hires PI Roxane Weary to look again at the case. A dark, twisted blend of mystery and thriller, great for fans of Sue Grafton and Dennis Lehane.

Described as ‘Agatha Christie meets RuPaul’, Murder in the Dressing Room follows Joe, a shy hotel accountant by day, who transforms into Misty Divine by night, an upcoming star of the London drag scene. When Misty’s mentor is found dead in her dressing room, Misty finds herself in the spotlight… and becomes a prime suspect in the murder case.

This is the story of uncovering a killer, with everything you love in a traditional mystery, but with added sass and sparkle, and a whole new interesting perspective! Brilliantly plotted, full of twists and red herrings, and has an unforgettable cast of characters that you’ll fall in love with. It’s a witty, cozy murder mystery, the perfect read for fans of Janice Hallett and Tom Hindle.