January’s cold and dark atmosphere makes it an ideal time to turn to books. If your New Year’s resolution includes reading more, crime or thriller novels may serve as engaging choices to help you keep that commitment, reports BritPanorama.
This month’s releases present diverse options, from the creatively structured How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder to the intricate narrative of Sophie Hannah’s The Opposite of Murder, along with new titles from authors Don Winslow, Alice Feeney, and Kathy Reichs. Historical intrigue is offered in Vaseem Khan’s The Edge of Darkness, making this an excellent selection to navigate through the long winter evenings.
How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigley
Set in rural Wyoming in 1986, this debut novel follows tween sisters Georgie and Agatha as they conspire to murder their uncle. The narrative delves into sisterhood and the lasting impacts of empire, employing dark humour throughout.
Fleet, £18.99
The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson
This novel features a murder in a small Swedish town, placing two teenage friends under suspicion. Both are concealing secrets from law enforcement and each other, creating a psychologically rich exploration of guilt and memory.
Michael Joseph, £18.99
The Final Score by Don Winslow
This collection includes six unpublished novellas, featuring a multi-million-dollar casino heist and a poignant story about a singular fatal mistake. The gritty storytelling is likely to resonate with long-time Winslow readers.
Hemlock Press, £22
The Persian by David McCloskey
The story revolves around a Persian Jewish dentist who dreams of starting anew in California. To finance the move, he agrees to work as a spy for Mossad but is soon captured by Iranian security forces. This fast-moving thriller dives into the covert conflict between Iran and Israel.
Swift Press, £20
Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott
A couple starts receiving anonymous cheques, initially splurging the money without question. As the plot unfolds in this tense exploration of greed and denial, the funds come with serious expectations.
HQ, £16.99
The 10:12 by Anna Maloney
Claire becomes a hero after thwarting a train hijacking, but public scrutiny quickly turns her into a controversial figure. This morally complex thriller examines themes of public judgement and the narratives surrounding credibility.
Raven Books, £16.99
Esther is Now Following You by Tanya Sweeney
This novel, likened to Fleabag meets Baby Reindeer, is a darkly humorous tale that follows Esther’s obsessive fixation on a celebrity actor. The narrative critiques fandom and the fine line between devotion and delusion.
Bantam, £16.99
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
This story unfolds as an artist finds her key no longer works and discovers an unfamiliar woman claiming to be her husband’s wife living in her home. The plot is filled with twists and revolves around conflicting realities.
Macmillan, £16.99
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
From the author of The Housemaid, which has been adapted into a film, this thrilling narrative features an agony aunt who seeks retribution against those who have wronged her.
Poisoned Pen Press, £9.99
A Gift Before Dying by Malcolm Kempt
In Nunavut, a disgraced detective becomes fixated on solving the murder of a young Inuit girl. Set against the backdrop of the Arctic Circle, this atmospheric crime novel tackles themes of guilt and redemption.
Baskerville, £22
A Killer in Paradise by Tom Hindle
This narrative sees five former friends reuniting at the launch of a luxury hotel in the Costa Rican rainforest, years after a disastrous backpacking trip. The story features a locked-room mystery infused with tension from its tropical location.
Century, £18.99
Evil Bones by Kathy Reichs
Temperance Brennan investigates animal mutilations that escalate to human victims, raising unsettling questions about the nature of violence and its inevitable trajectory.
Simon & Schuster, £20
The Edge of Darkness by Vaseem Khan
Set in 1951 India, this novel sees exiled detective Persis Wadia involved in a murder investigation at a decaying colonial hotel. It represents the sixth instalment in the Malabar House series, intertwining historical elements with classic mystery.
Hodder & Stoughton, £22
The Opposite of Murder by Sophie Hannah
In this story, Jemma Stelling confesses to planning a murder that occurs while she is in police custody. The narrative poses the question of her guilt amid the circumstances.
Hodder & Stoughton, £22
