Laura Lippman
Laura Lippman is an American author of detective fiction. She is best known for her Tess Monaghan series, which follows a former reporter turned private investigator in Baltimore. Lippman has received numerous awards for her work, including the Edgar, Anthony, and Agatha awards.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. What The Dead Know
In "What The Dead Know" by Laura Lippman, a woman claiming to be one of the two missing Bethany sisters suddenly appears after thirty years, setting off a chain of events that forces the police, the media, and the families involved to revisit the unsolved case. As the truth slowly unravels, secrets from the past are exposed, revealing the devastating impact the disappearance had on the family and the lingering effects it has had on those left behind.
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2. Murder Takes A Vacation
Muriel “Mrs. Blossom,” a middle‑aged widow who once assisted a private investigator, takes a French river cruise after an unexpected change in her circumstances. When a man she met on the trip turns up dead in Paris, she finds herself drawn into a compact mystery aboard the MS Solitaire involving a possible stolen artwork and a persistent, enigmatic companion. As she questions who to trust, Mrs. Blossom uses her quiet instincts and curiosity to peel back layers of deception without leaving the cruise.
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3. Prom Mom
Set against the backdrop of a small town, this gripping psychological thriller delves into the complexities of past mistakes and the haunting power of secrets. The story follows Amber Glass, who returns to her hometown years after a tragic prom night incident that left her ostracized and dubbed "Prom Mom." As she navigates the tangled web of her past and present relationships, Amber finds herself drawn back into the lives of those she left behind, including her high school sweetheart, Joe. With tension mounting and old wounds resurfacing, the narrative explores themes of redemption, guilt, and the inescapable pull of history.
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4. Lady In The Lake
Set in 1960s Baltimore, the story follows Maddie Schwartz, a middle-aged housewife who leaves her marriage to pursue a career in journalism. As she navigates her new life, she becomes entangled in the mystery of a young Black woman's murder, known as the "Lady in the Lake." Maddie's determination to uncover the truth leads her through a web of racial and social tensions, revealing the complexities of ambition, identity, and justice. The narrative is enriched by multiple perspectives, offering a multifaceted view of the era and the characters' intertwined lives.
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5. Baltimore Blues
In this gripping mystery set in the heart of Baltimore, an aspiring private investigator finds herself embroiled in a complex web of deceit and murder when her close friend is accused of killing a high-profile attorney. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a series of secrets and lies that challenge her perceptions of justice and loyalty. With the city's gritty backdrop serving as a character in its own right, the narrative weaves through a tapestry of suspense, unexpected twists, and the relentless pursuit of truth, all while exploring the intricacies of human relationships and the moral dilemmas they entail.
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6. Charm City
A Tess Monaghan Novel
In this gripping mystery set in Baltimore, a tenacious newspaper reporter named Tess Monaghan finds herself embroiled in a complex web of corruption and deceit following the suspicious death of a prominent local politician. As she delves deeper into the case, Tess uncovers a series of shocking secrets that threaten to unravel the city's facade of charm and respectability. With her own life at risk, Tess must navigate a dangerous landscape of power and betrayal to uncover the truth, all while confronting her own personal demons and the challenges of her evolving career.
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7. And When She Was Good
In this gripping tale of suspense and moral ambiguity, a suburban madam named Heloise navigates the complexities of her double life, balancing the demands of her illicit business with the challenges of raising her son. As she meticulously maintains her facade of normalcy, her past threatens to unravel her carefully constructed world. When a former colleague's murder draws unwanted attention, Heloise must confront her own secrets and make difficult choices to protect her future. The story delves into themes of identity, survival, and the lengths one will go to secure a better life.
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8. Dream Girl
In this gripping psychological thriller, a successful novelist finds himself trapped in his luxurious Baltimore apartment, recovering from a debilitating injury. As he battles his own demons and the haunting memories of his past, he begins to receive mysterious phone calls from a woman claiming to be the protagonist of his most famous novel. As the line between reality and fiction blurs, he is forced to confront the unsettling truth about his life, his work, and the people around him, leading to a shocking revelation that challenges everything he thought he knew.
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9. Sunburn
In a small Delaware town, a mysterious woman named Polly walks into a bar, captivating the attention of Adam, a drifter with his own secrets. As they embark on a passionate yet dangerous affair, layers of deception and hidden motives unravel, revealing a complex web of past betrayals and future ambitions. With each twist, the line between predator and prey blurs, leading to a gripping exploration of trust, desire, and the lengths one will go to escape their past.
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10. After I'm Gone
The story unfolds over several decades, weaving together the lives of a family left behind after the sudden disappearance of a charismatic man involved in shady dealings. As the narrative shifts between past and present, secrets unravel, revealing the impact of his absence on his wife, daughters, and mistress. The mystery deepens when a body is discovered, prompting a detective to delve into the tangled web of relationships and hidden truths. This gripping tale explores themes of love, loyalty, and the long shadows cast by those who vanish without a trace.
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11. By A Spider's Thread
In this gripping mystery, private investigator Tess Monaghan is hired by a wealthy Orthodox Jewish furrier to locate his missing wife and children, who have vanished without a trace. As Tess delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal that stretches across state lines and cultural boundaries. With each clue, Tess is drawn into a complex world of family secrets, religious tensions, and personal vendettas, forcing her to confront her own beliefs and values. The investigation takes unexpected turns, revealing the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones and the devastating consequences of hidden truths.
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