These thrillers will keep readers guessing. Good books to read by the fire on a cold winter day — of which we’ve certainly had plenty.

The Bone Chamber

By Robin Burcell

Harper, 2009, $7.99

FBI forensic artist Sydney Fitzpatrick returns in another book that offers a thrill-a-minute. Sydney is asked to do a forensic sketch of an unidentified skull. When she realizes that the woman is the daughter of the ambassador to the Holy See, Sydney knows that there is more to this case than meets the eye.

When her friend, a forensic anthropologist, is killed, there’s no way that Sydney’s going to be kept out of the loop, much to the dismay of Griffin, member of a top secret team called ATLAS.

The public seems to be fascinated by any talk of the Templars and Freemasons due to films like “National Treasure,” and this book will appeal to them especially.

The Sacred Blood

By Michael Byrnes

Harper, 2009, $7.99

Read “The Sacred Bones” first if you can. This book stands alone, but it’s probably much more enjoyable when you know the complete back story.

Charlotte Hennesey, an American geneticist, is in possession of some knowledge that people will kill for — and already have.

It’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys in this fast-paced thriller.

Dead by Midnight

By Beverly Barton

Zebra, 2009, $7.99

This book is one of Barton’s series featuring Griffin Powell, his wife, Nicole, and their private investigation firm. Oh, my, it’s a good one!

A serial killer is targeting actors who appeared in a pornographic film several years earlier. He believes he can end his obsession with the movie once all of the actors are dead.

One of his intended victims is Lorie Hammonds, who returned to her hometown nine years ago and has tried to put her past behind her. When Lorie receives a threatening note, she throws it away, but when a second arrives, she consults Maleah, who has recently become her best friend’s sister-in-law, and just happens to work for Powell Investigations.

Meanwhile the agency has taken on two other cases, and it doesn’t take long for them to realize all of the cases are connected.

Barton delivers a fast-paced thriller sure to please her fans.

Born to Run

By James Grippando

Harper, 2009, $7.99

Grippando brings back Jack Swyteck, a Miami attorney who always finds himself in the middle of a dangerous situation. When Jack’s father, Harry, a former governor, is tapped to be the new vice president following the death of his hunting buddy, Jack is perfectly willing to go to Washington for the confirmation proceedings.

It’s while there that he meets the vice president’s wife and daughter and finds that the vice president’s death may not have been due to a medical condition. Jack starts poking around, and before he knows it, he’s being pursued by all sorts of criminals. Lots of action, a little romance and a good mystery.

The Disappeared

By M.R. Hall

Simon and Schuster, 2009, $24.99

Jenny Cooper is a coroner in South Wales. She is approached by the mother of a young Muslim man who has disappeared and asked to find out how he died. The problem is that there is not a body. The mother is sure that her son did not go to Pakistan as the police have tried to convince her.

Jenny agrees to at least see if she can find enough evidence to convene an inquest and soon discovers that there are many people who want her to let this situation alone. That is enough to make Jenny sure that she’s going to see justice served — at any price.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com or (910) 693-2475.