This year’s selection of crime and thriller releases promises to captivate readers from the outset, featuring both established authors and emerging talents with compelling narratives that demand attention, reports BritPanorama.
Familiar names such as John Grisham and Dan Brown return with familiar styles but fresh twists, while newer writers introduce sharp, unpredictable mysteries that engage and perplex readers. Genres range widely, from psychological tension to slick noir, and from intense police procedural to clever cosy whodunnits.
The vitality of the genre is evident, showcasing a rich diversity of voices and styles as books continue to resonate with readers looking for gripping stories that offer both suspense and depth.
The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer
A rare sea bird egg found in 1926 reshapes a young girl’s future, later resurfacing when Patrick Fort discovers his friend bound and robbed, with the egg missing. This unique mystery is structured to keep readers engaged.
Bantam, £16.99
Clown Town by Mick Herron
The ninth Slough House novel presents a captivating blend of satire and politics, as the past returns to threaten the control of first desk Diana Taverner.
John Murray, £22
A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish
When a new neighbour moves into her pristine community, retiree Gwen’s unexpected friendship unravels against a backdrop of shocking crime that impacts the whole area. Candlish is adept at creating taut, character-driven thrillers.
HQ, £16.99
The Day of the Roaring by Nina Bhadreshwar
After a headteacher’s body is unearthed in an abandoned school, Detective Inspector Diana Walker navigates a web of secrets in Sheffield. This rich crime novel examines much more than the standard police procedural.
Hemlock Press, £16.99
Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon
This noir set in the Depression era offers a typically wild, genre-blurring adventure as private eye Hicks McTaggart navigates swing halls and espionage.
Jonathan Cape, £22
Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
Gregory shifts the focus of Tudor history to Jane Boleyn, highlighting the perilous nature of court politics and the constant threat of a king whose affections can swiftly lead to destruction. Gregory is noted for her unputdownable historical fiction.
HarperCollins, £25
Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson
This ingenious mystery unfolds in reverse, beginning with a wife who commits murder, then exploring the couple’s dangerous secret and history. An adaptation featuring Julia Roberts is already underway.
Faber, £18.99
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
In this layered and unsettling narrative, a couple experiences a life-altering event after a stranger enters their home. Dean’s writing has garnered respect from contemporaries like Stephen King.
Hemlock Press, £16.99
All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
Following a schoolboy’s disappearance, the life of a single mother complicates when she discovers her own son was the last person to see him. This intriguing mystery is poised for adaptation into a series.
Fourth Estate, £16.99
Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
After an eight-year hiatus, Robert Langdon returns, racing through Prague’s darker corners to locate a missing woman while unraveling a global conspiracy. The book has all the hallmarks of a typical crowd-pleaser, engaging both action and intellectual puzzles.
Bantam, £25
Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Khan
Khan reinterprets the character of Bond’s Q in a novel supported by the Ian Fleming estate, offering an engaging narrative filled with promise for future installments.
Zaffre, £20
The Widow by John Grisham
As lawyer Simon’s wealthy new client falls ill, her carefully crafted story begins to unravel, leading to a classic Grisham tale full of twists involving money, lies, and misjudged trust.
Hodder & Stoughton, £22
A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant
Long settled into retirement in Birmingham, Miss Hortense’s quiet life is upended when an unidentified man is found murdered nearby, prompting her to step into the role of amateur sleuth.
Baskerville, £16.99
What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham
Detective Tom Thorne confronts the targeted killings of fellow officers in a tense and emotionally charged investigation that stands alone but fits within the Thorne narrative.
Sphere, £22
