Each month, Beyond The Page: A WGBH Book Club features a notable author, who takes part in a live Q&A with a WGBH personality to discuss the intricacies of that month's novel. With each monthly book selection, we also ask the author for a list of reading recommendations. For its June edition, Beyond The Page selected the latest thriller from Hank Phillippi Ryan, The Murder List. You might have missed the latest live discussion with Phillippi Ryan, but stay tuned for the full presentation, which will be available to stream on-demand shortly. And if you are looking for some good summer reads, here are Phillippi Ryan's picks:
5 recommended books in the genre of The Murder List (mystery/crime/thriller):
Phillippi Ryan: Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow. The essential legal thriller. Not just a courtroom drama—although it is—but a twisty psychological thriller that delves into the minds and passions of the lawyers, and why they make the professional—and personal—decisions that they do.
Murder on the Orient Express. Yes, an oldie, but nonetheless fascinating. The iconic Agatha Christie, queen of mystery sleight of hand, knows what readers expect in a mystery—and pulls the rug out from under them. I love the risky but touching ending, where the detective—Hercule Poirot—has a philosophical discussion with himself about the meaning of justice.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Have you read it? One of the most successful and controversial cat-and-mouse thrillers ever in crime fiction world—people either adore it, or throw it against the wall. I thought it was incredible—groundbreaking and surprising.
The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths. This won this year's Edgar for Best Mystery. An unusual mix of academic mystery and gothic thriller, this intelligent and thought-provoking novel is endlessly surprising.
Defending Jacob by William Landay. Set in Newton, this bestselling legal thriller puts a suburban family in the midst of a heartbreaking tragedy—their teenaged son Jacob is accused of killing a classmate. The father is a lawyer. And he knows how the system works. How will he decide to protect his family?
What book you are currently reading?
Phillippi Ryan: Rachel Howzell Hall's And Now She's Gone. This comes out in the fall, but it's a gritty page-turning cat-and-mouse novel about fear and secrets and motivation. A fierce PI with secrets of her own is asked to track down a missing woman. But what if the detective decides the woman is better off not being found? Hall is a terrific and confident writer, and this book is a real treat.
What’s up next on your reading list?
Phillippi Ryan: Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas. This just arrived on my doorstep, and I am so thrilled to begin it. I am told by reviewer pals that it is luminous, compelling, and absolutely unique. A college where the students are cut off from society for three years. What could possibly go wrong? Can’t wait to read this.
Hank Phillippi Ryan has won five Agatha Awards in addition to Anthony, Macavity, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Higgins Clark Awards for her bestselling novels. As on-air investigative reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV, she's won 36 Emmys and many more journalism honors. A past president of National Sisters in Crime and founder of MWA University, Ryan lives in Boston with her husband, a nationally renowned civil rights and criminal defense attorney.
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