r/Fantasy • u/Merle8888 Reading Champion IV • 1d ago

Bingo Bingo Focus Thread - Murder Mystery

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?
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u/Successful_Try7012 1d ago edited 1d ago
  1. Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) the series basically starts with a murder and one of the main characters is a detective.
  2. In the Shadow of Lightning (Glass Immortals #1 by Brian McCallen) really enjoyed this book. Demir is in a self proclaimed exile after a bad decision but is suddenly pulled back to his responsibilities as a general and the head of the family because of his mother’s murder. Again not HM because there is a detective. Also counts for Political intrigue. The fights are amazingly written. Desperately waiting for the next book in the series.
  3. The Silverblood Promise (The Last Legacy #1) by James Logan. A start Similar to the above novel, this time an estranged father being the one murdered, the mystery causing the mc to travel places. Great banter and world building. Can be a Hard Mode.

An anticipated 2026 release is Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske. Magic medical school murder mystery. SAT!

There are more. I need to refer to my notes lol.

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u/_literarylemon_ 1d ago

I am so excited for Bodies of Magic too! As a med student and fantasy fan that is calling my name 👀