Our pick of the best new crime, mystery and thriller books out this month includes a mix of psychological thrillers, locked-room mysteries and high-concept crime novels. We’ve rounded up new releases from bestselling authors including Andrea Mara, Michael Connelly and Freida McFadden, as well as from new crime writers to watch, such as Philippa Perry and Robin Brookes. Expect unreliable narrators, characters facing moral dilemmas, and plenty of suspense. In other words, there’s something for every mystery and thriller lover in our list of this month’s must-read crime titles.
Such a Nice Girl by Andrea Mara
Publication date: 7th May
The latest domestic thriller from Andrea Mara is just as addictive as her bestselling 2021 novel, All Her Fault. Two best friends wake up after a wedding and go to check on their respective 24-year-old daughters. But the girls are missing and, according to the police, one is trying to kill the other. Who is the victim and who is the perpetrator? Friendship and family loyalty are put to the test in this fast-paced, twisty thriller that’s perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and Gillian McAllister.
Shrink Solves Murder by Philippa Perry
Publication date: 7th May
If you’re looking for cosy crime with a twist, we recommend this debut novel from psychotherapist Philippa Perry. When a man is found dead at Beachy Head, the police rule it a suicide. But Patricia Phillips, his therapist, doesn’t believe her client would have taken his own life. Teaming up with her best friend, the pair interrogate the villagers and find evidence of foul play. This perceptive, funny and highly unique murder mystery is perfect for fans of Rob Rinder and Richard Osman.
Frame 37 by Nicholas Shakespeare
Publication date: 15th May
This gripping thriller from award-winning novelist Nicholas Shakespeare feels particularly timely in its exploration of corruption and political conspiracy. Former journalist John Dyer receives news that his old university friend, Lia, has been killed, and he feels compelled to investigate. When he receives news of another friend’s death, he suspects his old gang are being targeted because of something they witnessed 40 years ago – and John could be next. This absorbing, page-turning thriller reads like a modern John le Carré or Graham Greene novel.
The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego
Publication date: 14th May
Ande Pliego is fast earning a reputation for writing high-concept murder mysteries with a unique premise. In her latest locked-room mystery, following on from the success of You Are Fatally Invited, a group of strangers take an after-hours tour of New York City’s most gothic library. As the group ventures into the building’s depths, one of them meets a gruesome end – and it becomes clear there’s a murderer in their midst. This clever, intricately plotted mystery will have you gripped until the very end.
Ironwood by Michael Connelly
Publication date: 19th May
In Michael Connelly’s latest police procedural, a drugs bust gone wrong on Catalina Island lands Detective Stilwell on desk duty. But while at the sheriff’s substation, Stilwell finds a backpack that belonged to a woman who went missing four years ago, yet it was only handed in two months back. Stilwell teams up with Ballard and the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit, and their joint investigation takes them to a criminal who enjoys taunting the authorities. Ironwood is immersive, fast-paced, and character-driven, making it the perfect read for fans of Harlan Coben, David Baldacci and Jonathan Kellerman.
26 Beauties by James Patterson
Publication date: 7th May
The latest book in the Women’s Murder Club series is as action-packed and intricately plotted as we’ve come to expect from James Patterson’s series. DI Lindsay Boxer is at a party when a concerned father gatecrashes, asking for her help: his daughter is missing, and she’s just one of many young women to have disappeared. As the body count rises, Interpol warns these cases are near-impossible to solve – but that’s never stopped the Women’s Murder Club before.
Octagon by C. J. Merritt
Publication date: 28th May
In this high-stakes espionage novel, which is perfect for fans of Tom Bradby and Robert Ludlum, former MI6 agent runner Stella McRae and former SAS operator Tommy Kane work together to protect the West from a terror plot. There are multiple threads to this story – a Russian scientist confessing to a crime on his death bed, a spy being murdered in England, a ritual killing in Sweden – but these are deftly woven together. The result? A high-octane spy thriller with a compelling plot and sharply-drawn characters.
The Divorce by Freida McFadden
Publication date: 26th May
Freida McFadden is one of the most popular psychological thriller authors writing right now, following the international success of The Housemaid (and its subsequent 2025 film adaptation). Her latest book sees a return of the familiar themes of obsession, vengeance and dysfunctional relationships. In The Divorce, Naomi is left reeling when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. But rather than accept her new life, Naomi starts to obsess over her husband’s new girlfriend and becomes entangled in a twisted game with lethal consequences.
The Arrival by Robin Brookes
Publication date: 14th May
In this mind-bending, thought-provoking thriller, Leo and Viv fall asleep in their home in London, but Leo wakes up in Australia. He’s not alone, either: someone with access to technology is beaming a group of individuals around the globe, hunting them down to exact their vigilante justice. As Leo tries to stay alive, Viv investigates potential motives – and learns her husband might not be a man worth saving after all… The Arrival is a pulse-pounding, cinematic thriller that’s already in development to become a feature film.
The pick of the paperbacks
The following titles have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.
Other must-read new crime releases
We’re not just excited about the new crime books being released this month: there are already so many titles that have been released this year that we would call the best crime books of 2026. These include, but are not limited to:
- Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davies (released 9th March 2026): a legal thriller about a small-town judge who must decide on an abortion case.
- The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent (released 12th March 2026): a psychological suspense about two separated sisters still reeling from a shocking incident from their adolescence.
- The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (released in paperback on 2nd July 2026): a high-octane mystery sees Professor Robert Langdon decode a conspiracy in a race against time to save the woman he loves.
- The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (released in paperback on 7th July 2026): the latest Thursday Murder Club mystery sees the gang return to track down a missing wedding guest, and a tech mogul who will stop at nothing to crack an uncrackable code. Osman’s new novel We Chase Shadows will also be released this year, on 10th September 2026.
Love it when Dead Good books appears in my in box!
I have my favourite authors but it is good to have insight into other books and authors.
So 2 years on, and 2 years older, I am still thrilled when I see “Dead Good”
appear – Gruesome twosome and I (dogs) looking forward to sitting by the fire and reading our way through the winter months. Once again – Thankyou!
Some very good books on this list, my to be read pile just got higher!
There are a good few of these books that I must read it’s looking like an exciting summer
So many books and so little time to read them! At least you’re helping me to narrow the titles down to a shorter list 🙂