Tag Archives: Murder & Attempted Murder

This page lists books that contain trigger warnings for the depiction of murder and attempted murder.

See also Genocide and mass murder, and War themes & military violence.

Exo by Fonda Lee

Exo by Fonda Lee

It’s been a century of peace since Earth became a colony of an alien race with far reaches into the galaxy. Some die-hard extremists still oppose alien rule on Earth, but Donovan Reyes isn’t one of them. His dad holds the prestigious position of Prime Liaison in the collaborationist government, and Donovan’s high social standing along with his exocel (a remarkable alien technology fused to his body) guarantee him a bright future in the security forces. That is, until a routine patrol goes awry and Donovan’s abducted… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Murder
  • Torture

The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee

The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee

The rapidly changing city of Janloon is ruled by jade, the rare and ancient substance that enhances the abilities and status of the trained Green Bone warriors who run the island’s powerful clans. Pulo Oritono is not one of those warriors. He’s simply an apprentice jade setter with dreams of securing clan patronage and establishing a successful business. His hopes are dashed, however, when a priceless jade weapon is stolen from the shop where he works… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Racism
  • Drug use
  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Emesis
  • Murder
  • Torture

Wriggle and Sparkle by Megan Derr

Wriggle & Sparkle by Megan Derr

Lynn is a kraken shifter in every way: detailed, tenacious, resilient, and hard-working. Also possessive, vain, arrogant, and demanding. It makes him an excellent agent for the Federal Bureau of Paranormal Security and Investigation—and impossible to work with, as the long list of partners who have transferred away from him will attest. His newest partner is a unicorn, possibly the worst type of paranormal for work that often turns ugly and violent. Everyone knows unicorns are too delicate for such things. Then Anderson proves to be a unicorn like no other, the kind of partner Lynn has always wanted—the kind of partner he… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Pregnancy mentioned
  • Murder
  • Kidnaping & hostage situation

The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn

The Bird Tribunal by Agnes Ravatn

TV presenter Allis Hagtorn leaves her partner and her job to take voluntary exile in remote house on an isolated fjord. But her new job as housekeeper and gardener is not all that it seems, and her silent, surly employer, 44-year-old Sigurd Bagge, is not the old man she expected. As they await the return of his wife from her travels, their silent, uneasy encounters develop into a chilling, obsessive relationship, and it becomes clear that atonement for past sins may not be enough.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Slut-shaming
  • Cheating
  • Death of a spouse recounted
  • Murder
  • Animal death

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Micah will freely admit that she’s a compulsive liar, but that may be the one honest thing she’ll ever tell you. Over the years she’s duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents, and she’s always managed to stay one step ahead of her lies. That is, until her boyfriend dies under brutal circumstances and her dishonesty begins to catch up with her. But is it possible to tell the truth when lying comes as naturally as breathing? Taking readers deep into the psyche of a young woman who will say just about anything to convince them—and herself—that she… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Death of a boyfriend
  • Murder

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side. And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death. Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Knife & sword violence and stabbing
  • Animal death mentioned

Circle of Shadowsby Evelyn Skye

Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

Sora can move as silently as a ghost and hurl throwing stars with lethal accuracy. Her gemina, Daemon, can win any physical fight blindfolded and with an arm tied around his back. They are apprentice warriors of the Society of Taigas—marked by the gods to be trained in magic and the fighting arts to protect the kingdom of Kichona. As their graduation approaches, Sora and Daemon look forward to proving themselves worthy of belonging in the elite group—but in a kingdom free of violence since the Blood Rift Rebellion many years ago, it’s been difficult to make their mark… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Murder
  • Loss of autonomy (mind control)

Castles by Julie Garwood

Castles by Julie Garwood

Orphaned and besieged, Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Colin, younger brother of the Marquess of Cainewood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society. But when Alesandra was nearly abducted by her unscrupulous countrymen, the fighting instincts that won Colin a knighthood for valor were kindled. Deceiving himself that he wanted only to protect her, Colin swept her into a union meant to be a marriage in name alone, yet Alesandra’s tender first kiss and hesitant… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Death of a parent recounted
  • Murder, on-page

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

With an iron fist, the Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion and, in the name of the greater good, forbidding the personal ownership of books. Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower, doomed to a life apart from… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Classism
  • Terrorism
  • Involuntary breeding programs involving minors
  • Child abuse
  • Parental abandonment
  • Trauma (central theme)
  • Panic attacks, on-page
  • Blood & injury depiction
  • Hospitalisation
  • Emesis
  • Murder & attempted murder
  • Graphic psychological and physical torture, off-page
  • Gun violence
  • Physical assault
  • Fire
  • Explosion
  • Car accident
  • Kidnapping
  • Imprisonment
  • Disappearance of a loved one
  • Animal attack

People Like Us by Dana Mele

People Like Us by Dana Mele

Kay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet, but the past is past, and she’s reinvented herself entirely. Now she’s a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl’s body is found in the lake, Kay’s carefully constructed life begins to topple. The dead girl has left Kay a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate suspect after suspect, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of a murder investigation… Read more.

Goodreads • The Story Graph

Trigger & Content Warnings

  • Ableism
  • Classism
  • Teacher-student relationship
  • Parent with depression mentioned
  • Suicide, recounted & on-page
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Recreational drug use & doping mentioned
  • Dead body
  • Death of a friend, recounted & on-page
  • Death of a brother recounted
  • Murder
  • Drowning
  • Death of a pet cat
  • Bullying