​The Devil in the White City surprised me—in the best way. I picked it up for the serial killer. Let’s be real here: H.H. Holmes is what drew me in. The whole idea of a charming murderer building a hotel of horrors during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair? Creepy and fascinating. I was ready for the true crime vibes.

But then, unexpectedly, I got completely sucked into the other half of the book—the part about the actual building of the fair. I didn’t think I’d care much about architecture or city planning or a bunch of guys arguing over blueprints, but Erik Larson somehow made it all feel epic. The stakes were weirdly high, and you start rooting for these stressed-out designers like they're action heroes in a race against time.

The pacing flips between Holmes’s sinister antics and the overwhelming, awe-inspiring task of creating the fair from scratch—and the contrast makes both parts even better. By the end, I was just as obsessed with the Ferris wheel as I was with the murder castle. Who knew?

Definitely recommend it if you like your history with a side of murder and unexpected emotional investment in urban landscaping.

Erik Larson has this wild talent for taking what should be a dry history lesson and turning it into something you tear through like a thriller. The Devil in the White City isn’t just a book about a fair and a murderer—it’s a masterclass in how to make nonfiction feel downright cinematic. When is Leo's movie coming? Never? Argh!!!

Larson doesn’t just dump facts on you—he builds them, scene by scene, with so much tension and atmosphere that you forget you’re technically learning. He writes like a novelist but sticks to the historical record, which somehow makes it even more gripping. He’ll set a scene with the creak of wood, the stink of mud, the overwhelming pressure of deadlines, and then cut to Holmes luring another victim with eerie calm. The contrast is genius. One side is a mad dash to build a utopia; the other is slow, calculated evil unfolding behind closed doors.

What makes it obscenely entertaining is how he casts real people like characters in a prestige drama. Daniel Burnham, the architect trying to hold the fair together, becomes this tortured, ambitious protagonist. Holmes, of course, is chilling—but never a cartoonish villain. Larson lets the creepiness unfold subtly, which makes it even worse (in a good way). Even side characters feel alive and distinct. It’s like history woke up, got dressed, and said, “Let me tell you a wild story.” This was easily as entertaining as any crime novel.

Give his books a try—this is a great one to start with. Larson doesn’t just recount events—he resurrects them. And somehow, he makes the bureaucratic nightmare of planning a world’s fair feel just as suspenseful as tracking a serial killer. That’s a magic trick not many writers can pull off.

Check the book out at the library, or we have the audiobook on CDs. You can also download the eBook or audiobook directly to your device with the Libby app with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

This book goes hard. Really hard. S.A. Cosby takes us to a small Southern town with big secrets, and the result is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster that’s part murder mystery, part social commentary, and completely impossible to put down.

The story follows Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff in a deeply divided Virginia county, as he investigates a horrifically disturbing crime. What starts as one murder quickly unravels into something much darker, and Titus ends up confronting not just a killer, but the deep-rooted racism and hypocrisy baked into the town's history.

Cosby's writing is sharp, raw, and real. He’s got a way with words that hits you right in the gut—one minute you’re caught in a tense shootout, the next you’re reflecting on trauma, justice, and what it means to do the right thing in a messed-up world.

Titus is a total standout—flawed, principled, tired, but relentless. He’s the kind of character you root for because he’s trying so hard in a place that’s actively working against him.
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If you’re into crime thrillers with depth, soul, and a little blood on the page, All the Sinners Bleed is your book. S.A. Cosby is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Get it at the library or download the audiobook or eBook.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Wow. This book is a trip. If you’re looking for a straightforward horror story, this isn’t it. But if you love psychological horror that keeps you second-guessing everything, The Last House on Needless Street is an absolute must-read.

The story centers around Ted, a recluse who lives in a boarded-up house near the woods with his cat, Olivia (who has her own chapters—yes, really), and his daughter, Lauren, who sometimes just… disappears. Then there’s Dee, a woman determined to figure out what happened to her missing little sister, who vanished years ago. The way these threads come together is nothing short of mind-blowing.

The writing is unsettling in the best way. It messes with your head, making you question every character and every detail. And when the truth starts to unfold? It’s equal parts shocking, heartbreaking, and completely brilliant. Ward does an incredible job exploring trauma and survival in a way that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading.

That said, this book isn’t for everyone. It’s slow at times, and the multiple perspectives (especially the cat’s) can feel disorienting. But if you stick with it, the payoff is so worth it.
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Final thoughts? This is one of those books that lingers in your brain, making you want to reread it just to catch all the clues you missed. Creepy, emotional, and totally unique—I highly recommend it.

Get the book at the library or download the eBook or audiobook.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

After his wife is killed in a mass shooting, Aaron discovers a mysterious hotel receipt, sending him on a desperate quest for answers in Ronald Malfi's Come With Me. His search unravels Allison's secrets and exposes a terrifying truth. Malfi is the master of creating chilling atmosphere where the familiar becomes sinister, and the setting itself amplifies the dread. The novel delves deep into the characters' heads, exploring their vulnerabilities and hidden darkness. The pacing builds suspense to a fever pitch, delivering unexpected and impactful scares. While touching on genre tropes, Malfi's unique voice and fresh twists keep readers guessing. He has easily become one of my favorite authors. Come With Me is a captivating and thought-provoking read for those that like a spooky thriller, tapping into our deepest fears.

Want to read it? Reserve the book at the library, or the eBook with your SPL card.

The Fletchers—Step, DeAnne, and their kids—just moved to Steuben, North Carolina. It's the early '80s, and this small town has a big problem: kids are vanishing. Step's a software developer (who, hilariously, thinks PCs are a fad), and they're a devout Mormon family (as is the author), so you get a real feel for their life. They're dealing with their own stuff, too, so they're kind of distracted when their eight-year-old, Stevie, starts spending all his time with his imaginary friends, which was not a great choice. Turns out, those "friends" know way more than anyone realizes. It's a slow burn, but  things get creepy. And get ready to cry—this book will destroy you. Have tissues ready, preferably the whole box. I think about this book years later.

Reserve the audiobook online with your library card. If you prefer a physical copy, contact us about getting one through interlibrary loan.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

C.J. Box is best known for his three series, but he also offers a handful of standalone novels--Blue Heaven happens to be my favorite.

In northern Idaho, retired police officers commit a murder witnessed by a 12-year-old girl and her little brother. The trouble deepens when these corrupt ex-cops already know the kids' identities and the details of their mother's search. They manage to persuade the overwhelmed rural sheriff to bring them on board for the investigation.

The children’s unexpected salvation comes from an old-school rancher on the brink of foreclosure. Yet, in a community now overrun by affluent newcomers fleeing the city, he finds himself unsure of whom to trust. How can he possibly protect these kids when he doesn't even know who his real enemy is?

This story struck a personal chord as it mirrors the loss of family farms, blending a ticking-clock thriller fueled by greed over land deals with a heartfelt portrayal of small communities uniting in the face of adversity.
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Overall, it was a fantastic read.

Interested? Reserve the physical copy at the library, or the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card.

​Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

The Sympathizer is a thrilling mix of spy thriller and historical drama set during and after the Vietnam War. The nameless narrator—a conflicted double agent—struggles with divided loyalties between communist Vietnam and capitalist America, all while delivering sharp, sarcastic insights. With twists, dark humor, and a deep dive into identity and betrayal, this book is a solid, thought-provoking read that hooks you from the beginning and keeps you on your toes, never knowing where it will go.

Reserve the book from the library or get the eBook with your SPL card.

Viet Thanh Nguyen won the Pulitzer for this novel and well as many other awards, and he certainly deserved all of them! It has since been made into an HBO series starring Robert Downey Jr. playing multiple roles that the narrator meets during his life. Hoa Xuande of Cowboy Bebop plays our narrator, and Sandra Oh also stars. The showrunner and director of several episodes is Park Chan-wook, famous for Decision to Leave and the Vengeance Trilogy (Oldboy, Lady Vengeance, and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) which can be viewed on Kanopy with your SPL card at the time of this post.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias is a raw, gut-punch of a story that’s equal parts crime thriller, horror, and heartbreaking drama. It follows Mario, a grieving father drowning in debt after his daughter's illness. Desperate to make things right, he takes a job with a cartel, and things spiral into a brutal nightmare. Think Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul with a sprinkle of supernatural.

The writing is sharp and vivid, pulling no punches as it dives into grief, faith, classism, racism, and the ugly choices people make when life leaves them no way out. It’s dark, gripping, and totally unforgettable—perfect if you’re into gritty, no-holds-barred fiction that keeps space in your brain forever.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Interested? Click here to reserve! An audiobook version is available to reserve with your SPL card as well. 

After 30 years in prison for causing a child's death, Vincent King is finally released. He went to jail at 15, turned in by his best friend, Walk, who’s now the local chief of police. Walk keeps an eye on Vincent’s ex-girlfriend, Star, a struggling drug addict, and her kids: 13-year-old Duchess, who’s had to grow up too fast to care for her little brother, Robin.
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They all still live in the same small California town where it all started. Then, a body is found. Secrets unravel, tensions rise, and the big question looms: who did it?

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker is an emotional rollercoaster of a crime thriller with so much heart. It’s got a gripping plot, but what really stands out are the unforgettable characters, especially Duchess, the tough-as-nails, complex girl the story revolves around.

The writing is beautiful, full of raw emotion and small-town drama, with twists that keep you hooked. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful all at once—a truly memorable read. If you love character-driven stories with a side of suspense, don’t miss this one! It may be my favorite book ever.

We have it available to reserve, plus Large Print and Audio CD copies for checkout. How about a downloadable audiobook or ebook? No, really. Read it. Please. Then come and tell me what you thought.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian

Yeah, it's really long. But, Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky is a wild, dark ride. It’s all about Raskolnikov, this broke student who murders someone and then spirals into guilt and some seriously deep thoughts about right and wrong, all while balancing a ton of drama with his family and friends, plus dodging the law.

The story is intense but also super gripping, and you can’t help but get pulled into his messed-up head. It’s got big ideas about human nature and justice, but it’s also just a really good story. Definitely worth a read if you’re up for something heavy but unforgettable.

​Aimee, IT Librarian

​Interested in this book? Click here to reserve it in the catalog! Use your SPL to reserve the eBook or audiobook if you prefer those formats.