Troy Lambert Stories
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10 Underrated Mystery Novels That Deserve More Hype
One of these might just become your new favorite.
There’s nothing wrong with a good bestseller — but let’s be honest, some of the best mystery novels don’t get the spotlight they deserve. Whether it’s an indie gem, a backlist title that slipped through the cracks, or a lesser-known debut that packed a serious punch, these are the books mystery lovers should be talking about.
If you’re looking to branch out beyond the usual suspects, these 10 underrated mystery novels are the perfect place to start.
🔍 10 Teaching Moments by Troy Lambert
Award-winning, emotionally layered, and gripping from page one.
When PI Max Boucher is called to a small-town Idaho case, he expects to track down a missing horse. Instead, he finds a body, a web of secrets, and a killer who may know more about Max’s own past than he’s ready to confront.
Smart, intense, and sharply written, Teaching Moments is more than a mystery — it’s a personal reckoning in noir form.
“Sharp, nail-biting prose that will keep you turning page after page.” – Vincent Zandri
🕵️♂️ 9. IQ by Joe Ide
Sherlock Holmes meets South Central L.A.
Isaiah Quintabe is a brilliant, street-smart detective with no badge, no budget, and no shortage of cases. Fast, funny, and full of unexpected heart, this is one of the most unique series starters in modern mystery.
🔥 8. The Wrong Man by John Katzenbach
A psychological thriller that hits like a panic attack in slow motion.
When a woman has a one-night stand with the wrong guy, she ends up stalked, hunted, and manipulated in a mind-bending game of control. It’s taut, terrifying, and criminally under-read.
📸 7. The Last One by Will Dean
Reality TV meets end-of-the-world paranoia.
Part thriller, part psychological horror, this novel explores what happens when a woman is trapped on a wilderness survival show… and no one tells her the world has changed outside the cameras. Eerie, unsettling, and unforgettable.
⚖️ 6. A Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller
Atmospheric crime in Appalachia with real literary weight.
This one hits hard — blending courtroom drama, social commentary, and slow-burning suspense in a story where the setting is just as alive (and just as guilty) as the suspects.
🧠 5. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
A mind-bending cat-and-mouse game between genius and justice.
A woman murders her abusive ex. A brilliant mathematician helps cover it up. And a physicist smells something off. The result? A quiet masterpiece of precision and emotion. Don’t miss this one.
🧥 4. The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill
A reluctant coroner in 1970s Laos solves crimes — and defies regimes.
Dr. Siri Paiboun didn’t ask to be Laos’ only coroner, but that doesn’t stop him from uncovering uncomfortable truths. Rich with culture, dark humor, and political bite, this one’s a cult favorite for good reason.
❄️ 3. The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
The origin of Sheriff Walt Longmire, and the birth of modern rural noir.
Before Netflix discovered him, Longmire was solving crimes in Absaroka County with wit, weariness, and a deeply personal sense of justice. A slow burn worth every page.
🧩 2. The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson
A twisty noir debut about the secrets we bring home.
When travel writer Lily Moore returns to New York after her sister’s apparent suicide, she uncovers a tangle of lies, loss, and dangerous truths. Atmospheric and razor-sharp.
🕯️ 10. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
Mystery meets Navajo tradition in this groundbreaking series opener.
Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee novels are legendary — but this first entry still doesn’t get the love it deserves. Beautifully written, culturally rich, and quietly haunting.
💬 Let’s Add to the List
What’s your favorite underrated mystery novel?
Drop it in the comments and help us shine a light on more amazing stories that deserve a second look.
And if you haven’t read Teaching Moments yet, now’s the time to meet Max Boucher — before his next case finds him.