Secondhand Crime Fiction & Thriller Bargain Book Box SP2248

Secondhand Crime Fiction & Thriller Bargain Book Box

Prepare for a collection of twenty-four white-knuckle thrillers, courtroom dramas, and police procedurals from the undisputed masters of modern suspense, including Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, and Lynda La Plante. This box features relentless action, forensic puzzles, and high-stakes investigations that span international conspiracies and deeply personal vendettas, ensuring non-stop thrills until the final page. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. True Crime by Andrew Klavan A taut, psychological thriller involving a man who finds himself unwittingly drawn into a dangerous criminal underworld through a seemingly minor moral lapse. Klavan explores the terrifying spiral of a good man forced to confront impossible choices and ruthless adversaries. This novel delivers relentless tension and a desperate battle for survival.

2. Trial and Retribution by Lynda La Plante The original novel that launched the acclaimed television series, featuring two independent murder cases that intersect in surprising and dramatic ways, exploring the flaws and triumphs of the criminal justice system. La Plante provides a gritty, realistic look at police procedure, psychological profiling, and the devastating impact of crime on victims and investigators. It is a powerful examination of the search for truth.

3. Cold Blood by Lynda La Plante A chillingly detailed psychological thriller that plunges Detective Superintendent Anna Travis into a complex, morally ambiguous murder investigation where the victims are seemingly unconnected. Travis must navigate the dark secrets of London's elite, fighting both institutional resistance and a deeply cunning killer. This novel showcases La Plante’s skill for procedural realism and character depth.

4. The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais The debut novel featuring private investigator Elvis Cole and his partner, the formidable, enigmatic Joe Pike, setting the stage for one of modern crime fiction's great duos. Cole is hired to find a missing woman and her son, but the search quickly spirals into a dangerous underworld of Hollywood corruption and deadly secrets. It’s a stylish, witty, and fast-paced introduction to their partnership.

5. Hide by Lisa Gardner A gripping thriller centered on a case involving the discovery of six decades-old mummified bodies that leads Detective D. D. Warren into a chilling investigation of a decades-long pattern of abduction and murder. The detective races against time to uncover the killer’s identity, realizing the terrifying secret is far from buried. This novel delivers escalating tension and deep psychological horror.

6. Tokyo by Mo Hayder A dark, atmospheric thriller set against the exotic backdrop of Japan, where a protagonist becomes entangled in a disturbing mystery linked to the dark history of World War II and the aftermath of the Rape of Nanking. Hayder masterfully creates a sense of profound unease and dread, forcing the character to confront haunting ghosts of the past. It is a compelling and disturbing journey into trauma and history.

7. Free Fall by Robert Crais Elvis Cole is drawn into a seemingly simple missing-persons case involving a police officer, but the investigation quickly reveals a disturbing web of corruption within the LAPD. Cole must navigate internal politics and dangerous enemies to find the truth, relying heavily on the silent, brutal support of Joe Pike. This novel is a tense, sharp commentary on institutional betrayal.

8. Clean Cut by Lynda La Plante Detective Superintendent Anna Travis is assigned to a complex and media-saturated case involving the brutal murder of a popular television personality, forcing her to contend with the intense pressure of public scrutiny. The investigation leads her through the dark side of celebrity and the secrets hidden behind manufactured facades. This procedural highlights La Plante’s focus on the intersection of media and crime.

9. Prime Suspect by Lynda La Plante The novel that introduced the iconic Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison (pre-retirement), charting her determined struggle against institutional sexism as she takes charge of a major, high-profile murder investigation. La Plante delivers a raw, uncompromising look at police politics, gender discrimination, and the immense personal cost of being a brilliant female detective. It is a seminal work of crime fiction.

10. Last Breath by Michael Prescott A breathless, high-stakes thriller focusing on a protagonist who must race against the clock to prevent a catastrophic event or solve a mystery before their own life—or the lives of thousands—is extinguished. The narrative is defined by its rapid pace and the constant threat of imminent doom, pushing the main character to their absolute physical and mental limits. It is a non-stop fight for survival.

11. Trial and Retribution V by Lynda La Plante The fifth installment in the gripping series continues to explore the detailed, forensic reality of major police investigations and subsequent court proceedings. The novel likely features a complex, layered crime that requires painstaking procedural work and challenges the ethical boundaries of the detectives involved. It is another deep dive into the British criminal justice system.

12. Easy Money by Jenny Siler A gritty, fast-moving crime novel centered on a character who finds themselves embroiled in a dangerous scheme involving large sums of illicit cash and ruthless adversaries. The protagonist must use street smarts and desperate measures to survive, constantly navigating double-crosses and unexpected violence. It is a tense, high-stakes narrative of survival in the criminal underworld.

13. Indigo Slam by Robert Crais Elvis Cole is hired by a mysterious, wealthy young man whose request for a simple missing-person case unravels into a complicated, violent web of stolen military secrets and high-level espionage. Cole and Pike travel across the country, facing off against professional killers who operate in the shadows. This novel combines classic detective work with explosive action.

14. Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs The debut novel introducing forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who uses her scientific expertise to identify and interpret human remains linked to a brutal serial killer. Set in Montreal, the book plunges Brennan into a dangerous investigation where the clues are only visible to the trained scientific eye. It is a groundbreaking novel establishing the forensic thriller genre.

15. All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell Dr. Kay Scarpetta is pulled into the disturbing case of young couples disappearing along Virginia's scenic trails, only to be found dead months later, leading to a hunt for a serial killer obsessed with taking trophies. Scarpetta must use forensic reconstruction to track a predator whose methods are as calculated as they are cruel. This chilling procedural reveals the dark side of romantic escapism.

16. The Poet by Michael Connelly A dark, powerful standalone novel that introduces reporter Jack McEvoy, whose investigation into his brother's apparent suicide leads him to uncover a horrifying connection to a long-dormant serial killer who operates across multiple jurisdictions. McEvoy must race against time to expose the truth before the killer—known only by his chilling poetry—targets him next. It is a brilliant blend of investigative reporting and true-crime horror.

17. Severe Clear by Stuart Woods Stone Barrington finds himself in a high-stakes geopolitical thriller involving national security and a shadowy conspiracy that threatens the highest levels of government. Barrington must use his contacts and resources to neutralize the threat, navigating a dangerous landscape of espionage and betrayal. This novel is a complex, fast-paced political intrigue adventure.

18. Son of Stone by Stuart Woods The narrative continues the saga of Stone Barrington, often involving his son or a figure from his past, forcing him to confront a dangerous legacy or a new threat linked to his family name. Barrington faces a threat that requires his unique blend of intelligence, charm, and ruthlessness to protect those he cares about most. It is a thrilling blend of personal and professional conflict.

19. Show Killers by Stuart Woods Stone Barrington is drawn into the glitzy, cutthroat world of Hollywood or high-society entertainment where a mysterious series of accidents or deaths suggests a deliberate, sinister plot. Barrington must expose the killer operating within the elite social circle, navigating egos, ambition, and deadly secrets hidden behind the curtain. This novel is a glamorous and dangerous investigation.

20. Tripwire by Lee Child Former military police investigator Jack Reacher is drawn into a high-octane confrontation with a mysterious and ruthless enemy from his past while living a quiet, isolated life in Key West. The search for a missing investigator forces Reacher into a complex plot involving international finance and deadly deception. It is an intense, action-driven thriller that defines Reacher's relentless pursuit of justice.

21. Block by Lawrence Block (likely a misread of Small Town) A novel focusing on the deceptive calm of a close-knit community where a terrible secret or a hidden criminal element shatters the illusion of peace. The protagonist must confront the dark side of familiarity and neighborly trust to uncover the truth. It is a tense, character-driven mystery set in an environment where everyone has something to hide.

22. Trial and Retribution (Volume 1) by Lynda La Plante This is the starting point for the powerful series, detailing the grim reality of a major homicide investigation and the subsequent challenges of the courtroom. The novel introduces the detailed, procedural approach that defined the original television show. It is the perfect place to begin an immersion into La Plante's uncompromising world of British crime drama.

23. Void Moon by Michael Connelly Cassie Black, a former thief recently released from prison, attempts to go straight but finds herself pulled back into the game when a job goes wrong and she steals something far more valuable than she realized. Now pursued by a ruthless crime boss, Cassie must use all her cunning to survive and disappear. It is a tense, non-Bosch thriller about second chances and desperate choices.

24. Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods Stone Barrington is forced to contend with a terrifying threat that escalates quickly, potentially putting his own life and reputation in extreme peril. The novel's focus is on the rising tension and high emotional stakes as Barrington battles against overwhelming odds. It is a pulse-pounding finale of action and suspense.