Must Read Mystery Books in Preparation for Bouchercon!

What is Bouchercon? 

Bouchercon is the world’s premier mystery and crime fiction convention, held annually since 1970 in honor of critic and author Anthony Boucher. It brings together readers, writers, publishers, editors, and agents for four days of panels, guest interviews, and events. This year will be at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre with events running from October 21-25.  

FESA at Bouchercon

FESA has been chosen as the partner charity for Bouchercon 2026! 

Kid’s Bouchercon 

The Calgary Public Library in partnership with Bouchercon 2026 is putting on an exciting day of learning from a variety of mystery authors! With a keynote speech by Kevin Sands, author of the popular books series Blackthorn Key and Thieves of Shadow. If your child loves to tuck into a good book and would love to hear the inside scoop, register here. 

Now on to the fun part...A Book List! 

Curious about the amazing authors visiting as special guests for Bouchercon? Read on for a book list featuring special guest authors! 

Adult Fiction 

Still Life by Louise Penny

• Still Life is an award-winning debut novel by Louise Penny. Still Life is the first book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. This detective mystery brings you to the fictional Quebec town of three pines where Armand must solve a murder case. 

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee 

• A Rising Man is the award-winning debut novel by Abir Mukherjee. It combines vivid historical fiction with crime and mystery. A Rising Man is the first book introducing Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham and Seargent Banerjee. 

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs 

• Deja Dead is Kathy Reichs award winning debut novel and the first book in the Temperance Brennan series, the series that inspired the hit TV show “Bones”. 

The Gray Man by Mark Greaney 

• The Gray Man is the first book in “The Gray Man” series by Mark Greaney. This book was adapted into the popular film Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. This book is an action-packed mystery crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. 

Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier 

• Heart of Glass is the most recent book released by Jennifer Hillier. This mystery thriller reviewed by the New York Times as being absolutely terrifying will have you clutching your book, eagerly flipping through the pages. 

Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delaney 

• Elementary, She Read is the first book in Vicki Delaney’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. If you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery, then Vicki Delaney has you covered. As Canada’s most prolific mystery author, she has plenty of cozy mysteries to choose from!

When You Find Me by P.J. Vernon

• When You Find Me is P.J. Vernon’s debut novel. This mystery is perfect for fans of mystery thrillers and psychological suspense. Including a missing husband, a strange ally and dark truths. 

Young-Adult Fiction

Virals by Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

• Virals is the first book in the Virals series by Kathy Reichs co-authored with her son Brendan Reichs. This story features Temperance Brennan’s niece and her group of friends who develop animal-like gifts and work to solve a mystery.

  
  

Children's Books

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands 

• The Blackthorn Key is the award-winning first book in the Blackthorn Key series. This middle grade series is perfect for kids who love mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. 

Attending Bouchercon

If these books sound perfect to you, and you're a fan of mystery and crime fiction then you may want to check out Bouchercon! Until September 30th you can still register to attend Bouchercon.

Bouchercon 2026 will be held at the TELUS Convention Centre in Calgary from October 21-25.