The best books out this month

The downside of November? It’s dark by 5pm. The upside? Going outside is less important when there are so many new books to curl up with. So, grab a blanket and light a candle, because the following are brand-new thrillers coming out in November.

Whether you’re looking for a twisty caper, a cosy Christmas mystery or a story packed with psychological suspense, there’s something for everyone on the list below.

New crime books out this month:

The Christmas Stocking Murders by Denzil Meyrick
out 7th November

In this cosy Christmas mystery, the year is 1953 and Inspector Frank Grasby has a puzzling murder on his hands. A fisherman has been found dead on the beach, with a stocking tied around his throat. As hundreds of pairs of stockings wash up on the shore, and another person is murdered, Grasby must find a way to make the reluctant villagers talk in order to get answers…

The Traitor by Jørn Lier Horst
out 21st November

Following weeks of heavy rainfall, the town of Larvik is submerged in water, with a handful of houses buried under rubble. Detective William Wisting joins the rescue operation, where they uncover a dead body. But this victim was killed before the landslide, and as Wisting investigates, evidence points to a culprit within his own unit… This is a fast-paced, absorbing thriller set against the backdrop of snowy Norway.

Clive Cussler’s Desolation Code by Graham Brown
out 7th November

The latest adventure in the Clive Cussler series sees explorers Kurt Austin, Joe Zavala and the NUMA team investigate a mass stranding of aquatic life in the Indian Ocean. Then cryptic messages infiltrate NUMA’s network. With the help of Max, NUMA’s supercomputer, Kurt and Joe embark on a thrilling quest to decrypt the data, infiltrate a bizarre cult, and prepare for the ultimate showdown.

Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka
out 7th November

If you’ve read the bestseller Bullet Train, or at least seen the star-studded film adaptation, you’ll be sure to love its sequel, Hotel Lucky Seven. Nanao, the self-proclaimed ‘unluckiest assassin in the world’, is back. This time, his assignment is to deliver a birthday present to a guest staying at a luxury Tokyo hotel. But things don’t go according to plan, as there are several different killers, with varying missions, all staying at the same hotel. With its balance of violence and humour, Hotel Lucy Seven is perfect for fans of Quentin Tarantino.

Murder Island by James Patterson
out 21st November

Brandt ‘Doc’ Savage and his girlfriend Kira believe they’ve found paradise on a remote island, only to be violently torn apart. Now separated and hunted down, Doc embarks on a relentless quest across seas and continents to reunite with Kira. But will they find each other before their enemies do? This high-stakes tale of love, survival, and intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Conclave by Robert Harris
paperback out 7th November

The Pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, it now falls to 118 cardinals to choose his successor. They are holy men, but there is plenty of ambition – and rivalry – among them. Set over the course of their 72-hour deliberation, Robert Harris’ masterful novel is full of intrigue, with a multi-layered plot that builds towards a climactic conclusion. Conclave has been re-released in paperback to mark the new film adaptation, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini.

Along Came a Spider by James Patterson
paperback out 7th November

To celebrate the long-awaited arrival of Cross to our screens, the first book in the Alex Cross series has been re-released in paperback. In Along Came a Spider, two children have been kidnapped from an elite private school and Detective Cross is charged with finding them. Evidence points to one of the children’s teachers but, as the investigation deepens, Cross learns that the teacher is far more dangerous than anyone could have predicted…

Ink Ribbon Red by Alex Pavesi
out 7th November

Six friends gather at a country house, where they decide to play a game: their names go in a hat, two are pulled out, and they each write a story about one murdering the other. Points are awarded to the stories that sound most convincing, so the friends pepper their stories with real secrets, grudges and even affairs. But with each fictional murder, someone gets a motive for a real one – and then the line between fact and fiction gets blurry…

From Doon with Death by Ruth Rendell
paperback out 14th November

Margaret Parsons led a mundane, ordinary life as a loving wife and keen gardener in a small town, so what possible motive could have led to her murder? That’s the question Inspector Wexford must investigate. When he uncovers Margaret’s collection of rare books, each inscribed by a lover called “Doon”, he learns there was more to her life than met the eye. Ruth Rendell’s From Doon with Death, re-released to mark its 60th anniversary, is a timeless masterclass in psychological suspense.

The pick of the paperbacks

The following titles have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

Which books are going to the top of your to-read pile? Let us know in the comments below…