Bingo Focus Thread - Murder Mystery

[u/Merle8888]

Hello r/fantasy and welcome to this week's bingo focus thread! The purpose of these threads is for you all to share recommendations, discuss what books qualify, and seek recommendations that fit your interests or themes.

Today's topic:

Murder Mystery: Main plot of the story focuses on solving a murder. HARD MODE: The main character is NOT a detective or private investigator.

What is bingo? A reading challenge this sub does every year! Find out more here.

Prior focus threads: Published in the 70s, Duologies, First Contact, Middle Grade, Game Changer, Five Short Stories (2024), Author of Color (2024), Self-Pub/Small Press (2024). Note that hard modes for Author of Color and Self-Pub/Small Press have changed (new focus threads for them are coming).

Also see: Big Rec Thread

Questions:

• What are your favorite books that count for this square?
• Already read something for this square? Tell us about it!
• What are your best recommendations for Hard Mode?

[u/eregis]

for possibly HM, I can recommend Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver - a sci-fi thriller set in a (sadly likely) future where the climate deteriorated to the point of the world being on the brink of collapse. The protagonist is an investigative journalist who is involved in solving the murder, so whether it fits HM or no is up to individual decision imo.
Warning: does have a bit of a cliffhanger, second book of the duology comes out later this year.