There are many great books and short stories that are sprinkled with sharp, witty and otherwise quirky references to the game of bridge, to bridge players and to bridge clubs – but bridge fiction is also an entire genre that stands on its own, and it’s a genre that remains an unexplored frontier for many players.

Here are a few suggestions for engaging, exciting and captivating bridge fiction that any bridge player should add to their reading list for the year.

The Cardturner

By Louis Sachar

I was first introduced to bridge fiction going beyond Agatha Christie by my first bridge editor through a recommendation in the direction of The Cardturner, and I’ve been hooked on the genre ever since. It was first published in 2010, and it tells the story of a relationship between a bridge newcomer and a mysterious uncle who requires what’s called a cardturner due to impaired sight.

Murder at the Bridge Table

By Matthew Granovetter

A great deal of bridge players know Matthew Granovetter from his books, and another great deal of bridge players will know him in person or from sharing the bridge table. Here’s a great book that mixes murder mystery and bridge instruction to culminate in one of the most interesting ways you’ll ever be taught anything about bridge. If you’re a fan of authors like Kathy Reichs or you have a knack for forensic thinking, here’s a good book to add to your list.

Bridge Behind Bars

By Julian Pottage and Nick Smith

Bridge Behind Bars is legal and bridge fiction combined. It’s great for fans of books by writers like James Patterson and John Grisham. It tells the story of freshly locked-up fish and bridge player Timothy Newman in Great Yarborough Prison – and how he forms alliances on the inside through the game of cards.

Death in Duplicate

By Carole Coplea

Death by Duplicate was author and bridgeur Carole Coplea’s debut novel, worth a read for any fan of old-school detective novels, forensic or procedural fiction – or of course, bridge in general.

What happens when bridge players start dying off at Kensington College?

(Well, you didn’t think I’d say it here: Read the book to find out for yourself.)

Enterprising Bridge Tales: The Next Generation

By Marc Smith

Enterprising Bridge Tales: The Next Generation is a great bridge book that puts together great science-fiction and great bridge fiction. It’s an undeniable bridge fiction classic that you should read if you haven’t gotten around to it yet. Meet James T. Quirk and add this one to your reading list, or step back and read Enterprising Bridge Tales: The Original Stories by the same author first.

Arrow Through the Heart

By David Bird and Marguerite Lihou

David Bird is a prolific bridge writer and teacher, and his books always end up being a lot of fun, particularly if you enjoy the setting of famous characters transposed to the world of bridge. Arrow Through the Heart is a great collection of illustrated works that’ll put together Robin Hood and the game of bridge so natural that you’ll believe he’s played forever.