The best crime books of 2022 so far

Catching up on the best books of 2022 so far? Looking for new crime and thriller novels to add to your ever-growing reading pile? You’ve come to the right place!

Find our reviews and recommendations for the most exciting new releases of the year right here.

The best books out in January 2022:

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner
out 20 January
Five men head into the woods for a bachelor party weekend. But only four return… Missing person specialist Frankie Elkin returns in Lisa Gardner’s new book – a gripping new thriller that’s packed with suspense and impossible to put down.

The Key in the Lock by Beth Underdown
out 13 January
If you loved Richard and Judy book club pick The Witchfinder’s Sister, don’t miss Beth Underdown’s second historical mystery when it hits shelves this month. It’s an atmospheric page turner guaranteed to captivate you from the very beginning.

Wahala by Nikki May
out 6 January
Soon to be a major BBC TV adaptation, this brilliant debut combines the friendship, fashion and relationships of Sex and the City with the deliciously dark humour and killer edge of My Sister, the Serial Killer. Fast-paced and full of warmth, Wahala is a real page turner.

A Fatal Crossing by Tom Hindle
out 20 January
A cruise liner makes the perfect setting for a locked-room mystery with a classic edge in A Fatal Crossing. Perfect for readers of Anthony Horowitz, Sophie Hannah and Richard Osman, it’s an atmospheric, claustrophobic whodunnit with a twist you won’t see coming.

The Anomaly by Hervé le Tellier
out 20 January
Already a phenomenal bestseller internationally, The Anomaly by Hervé le Tellier asks: what you would you do if there were two of you? It’s an original, high-concept thriller that fans of Stuart Turton, Michel Bussi and Black Mirror will love.

Two Storm Wood by Philip Gray
out 13 January
Set at the end of the Great War, Two Storm Wood follows Captain Mackenzie, a survivor of the war, as he uncovers a war crime of inhuman savagery and is drawn into the hunt for a psychopath. Well-researched, and revealing a part of WW1 history that is little known about, it’s as fascinating as it is thrilling.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best books out in February 2022:

Breathless by Amy McCulloch
out 17 February
Perfect for fans of The Sanatorium and The Hunting Party, this is an ice-cold thriller from an expert mountaineer turned author. With a terrifying setting and a growing sense of claustrophobia, Breathless is an irresistible and unforgettable read. Read a chapter here.

Dark Horse by Gregg Hurwitz
out 17 February
Evan Smoak faces his most challenging mission ever when the daughter of a major drug kingpin is kidnapped. Should he help a very bad man – no matter how just the cause? Orphan X is back in an action-packed new adventure this month. Prepare to find yourself on the edge of your seat!

The Perfect Escape by Leah Konen
out 3 February
When her husband Harry walks out after just six months, a girls’ weekend away with two friends seems like just what Sam needs. But who would have known it would end in murder… Pacy, clever and seriously addictive, The Perfect Escape is a thrilling must-read.

The Herd by Emily Edwards
out 3 February
Unputdownable and thought-provoking, The Herd explores the fine line between individual choice and collective responsibility. It’s a gripping, tense and and topical read ideal for book clubs and fans of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty.

What His Wife Knew by Jo Jakeman
out 17 February
This page-turning mystery about love, revenge and female friendship is as compelling as they come. With dark humour, brilliant characters and twists and turns that will keep you guessing, we can’t recommend it enough. Read an extract from the book here.

The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan
out 3 February
Gilly Macmillan’s latest thriller tells the dark tale of a weekend getaway that spirals out of control. Set at an isolated retreat in the Northumbria moors, it’s tense and atmospheric, with a claustrophobia that builds and builds with every chapter.

A Good Day to Die by Amen Alonge
out 17 February
It’s been ten years since Pretty Boy left the big city. Today he’s back – with revenge on his mind. Seriously gripping from the first page to the last, this fast-paced roller-coaster of a thriller comes from an exciting new voice in crime fiction.

City of the Dead by Jonathan Kellerman
out 17 February
The past comes back to haunt psychologist Alex Delaware and LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis in the new thriller from master of suspense Jonathan Kellerman. Balancing psychological insight with police procedure, this is a brilliantly crafted read that shouldn’t be missed.

The Locked Room by Elly Griffiths
out 3 February
Dr Ruth Galloway and and DCI Harry Nelson are on the hunt for a murderer when Covid-19 rears its ugly head. Can they find the killer despite lockdown? Hugely enjoyable and compulsively readable, this is the fourteenth book in a series that just doesn’t disappoint.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best books out in March 2022:

Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson
out 7 March
From America’s beloved superstar and greatest storyteller comes a thriller about a young singer-songwriter on the rise – and on the run. Guaranteed to delight both music fans and crime fiction aficionados, Run Rose Run blends heart and suspense to create a truly captivating read.

The Match by Harlan Coben
out 17 March
Following a tip he hopes will finally solve the mystery of his abandonment, Wilde instead finds himself in the path of a serial killer in Harlan Coben’s new follow-up to The Boy From the Woods. Full of twists and turns, this addictive thriller is a must-read for fans of Netflix’s Stay Close and The Stranger.

This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel
out 3 March
Richard and Judy book club author Stephanie Wrobel returns this month with a sinister story of sisters, secrets and a sanctuary with a dark agenda. Chilling from start to finish, this perfectly plotted psychological thriller is impossible to put down.

The People Next Door by Tony Parsons
out 31 March
What happens when the people next door know all your secrets? The second domestic thriller from the author of the bestselling DC Max Wolfe novels hits shelves this month. With twists you won’t see coming and a pace that doesn’t let up, The People Next Door will have you glued to the edge of your seat.

Give Unto Others by Donna Leon
out 3 March
Our favourite Venetian detective is back for his thirty-first case this month – one that sees Commissario Guido Brunetti bending police rules, and his own character, to help an acquaintance in danger. This is first class crime fiction that’s packed with mystery and intrigue, and we can’t recommend it enough.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
out 3 March
If you loved The Guest List, don’t miss Lucy Foley’s brand new thriller – a locked room mystery set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide. It’s an atmospheric and hugely readable whodunnit that you’ll race through, desperate to find out what happens next.

This Is the Night They Come For You by Robert Goddard
out 24 March
Robert Goddard combines brilliant, original characterisation with masterful, intricate plotting in his latest thriller, set in Algeria. Readers of Anthony Horowitz and Richard Osman will love this book that’s as pacy and page-turning as it is warm and witty.

The Curfew by T M Logan
out 17 March
Five teenagers went into the woods last night – but only four came out. Now their parents must decide whether to protect their children or risk losing everything. This tense drama will keep you reading long into the night and have you questioning what you would do in the same extraordinary situation.

Reputation by Sarah Vaughan
out 3 March
A politician’s less-than-perfect personal life is thrust into the spotlight when a body is discovered in her home in Sarah Vaughan’s new psychological thriller. Timely, sophisticated and thought-provoking, Reputation is gripping to the very end.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best books out in April 2022:

No Less the Devil by Stuart MacBride
out 28 April
Stuart MacBride’s gripping new thriller introduces a truly unforgettable, surprising and original new detective, DS Lucy McVeigh. Chilling, compulsive and threaded with dark humour, No Less the Devil showcases a crime-writing master at the top of his game. Read a chapter here.

Little Sister by Gytha Lodge
out 28 April
Two sisters went missing. Only one of them came back… Blending police procedure and psychological thrills, the fourth brilliant DCI Jonah Sheens novel is full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep you turning the pages. Fans of Cara Hunter and Susie Steiner won’t want to miss this.

22 Seconds by James Patterson
out 28 April
The Women’s Murder Club is back this month with a fiendish new case – one it will take the ingenuity of all four friends to solve. It’s a page-turning, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat read that won’t disappoint – and once you’re hooked on this series, you’ll want to read them all!

Deadly Cure by Mahi Cheshire
out 21 April
If you enjoyed The Silent Patient and Blood Orange then you shouldn’t miss this debut tale of betrayal, secrets and ruthless ambition. Penned by a GP with a degree in psychology, it’s dark, twisty and compulsively readable – and it’ll keep you guessing right to the very end. Read a chapter here.

Nobody But Us by Laure van Rensburg
out 14 April
My Dark Vanessa meets Gone Girl in this powerful thriller about a dangerous couple who both have something to hide. Balancing a provocative plot with an addictive pace and killer twists, Nobody But Us is a truly unputdownable read that we can’t recommend enough.

Three Assassins by Kotaro Isaka
out 14 April
From the prize-winning author of Bullet Train comes a propulsive new thriller that sees an ordinary man infiltrate a web of professional assassins to avenge his wife’s murder. It’s fast-paced and hugely entertaining, with tension that builds and builds. Read a chapter here.

Outside by Ragnar Jonasson
out 28 April
Four friends seek shelter from a deadly snowstorm. As the night darkens, old secrets resurface – and not everyone will make it to the morning. This ice-cold new standalone mystery from Dead Good Reader Award winner Ragnar Jónasson is as suspenseful, atmospheric and expertly crafted as they come.

The Birdcage by Eve Chase
out 28 April
Fans of Richard and Judy book club pick The Glass House will love this haunting new tale. It sees three siblings return to the house where they spent their childhood holidays – only to find someone wants to avenge the fateful summer that changed everything. It’s absorbing from start to finish.

Death of the Black Widow by James Patterson
out 28 April
When officer Walter O’Brien is called to a murder scene on day one with Detroit PD, one thing’s for sure: he’ll never forget his first case. Following a cop’s hunt for a serial killer like no other, this standalone thriller is perfect for readers of Stephen King, C J Tudor and M R Carey.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best books out in May 2022:

With A Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
out 26 May
James Bond must grapple with the darkest questions about himself in the explosive final 007 novel from Trigger Mortis author Anthony Horowitz. It’s a fast-paced and expertly crafted page turner that complements Fleming’s books perfectly. Don’t miss it.

The Cook by Ajay Chowdhury
out 5 May
Ex-Kolkata detective Kamil Rahman has new murders to solve in London’s Brick Lane, where trouble still knows how to find him. Fans of Elly Griffiths, Mark Billingham and Robert Galbraith are in for a treat with this first-class series. Read a chapter here.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
out 12 May
How do you stop a murder when it’s already happened? Gillian McAllister’s new thriller about the lengths to which one woman will go to save her family combines the emotion of Clare Mackintosh with the tension of Louise Candlish and Lisa Jewell.

The Hiding Place by Simon Lelic
out 5 May
When the body of a boy missing for 20 years is found, his old friends – now powerful figures in the country – fall under suspicion. With tension that builds and builds, this is a pulse-pounding detective thriller for readers of The Guest List and The Chalk Man.

Yesterday’s Spy by Tom Bradby
out 26 May
Against the backdrop of one of the defining events of the Cold War, the brand new standalone from ITV News at Ten Anchor Tom Bradby delivers espionage and intrigue, fast-paced plotting and compelling storytelling. A must-read for spy thriller aficionados.

After Dark by Jayne Cowie
out 26 May
Set in the near future where all men have a 7pm curfew, this is a timely high-concept thriller and an addictive murder mystery that’s a guaranteed conversation starter. Bold and thought-provoking, it’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

Summer Fever by Kate Riordan
out 12 May
A hot Italian summer. Two seemingly happy couples. One dark secret that could ruin them all… Kate Riordan’s suspense novel is an irresistible holiday read with an evocative setting and tightly-plotted tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Sanctuary by Andrew Hunter Murray
out 26 May
The highly anticipated second novel from the author of the The Last Day is a high-concept thriller that will provoke and grip you from the very first page. Pacy, with a killer hook and characters you’ll really root for, it’s as intriguing as they come.

Sparring Partners by John Grisham
out 31 May
This new collection of novellas from the master of the legal thriller is perfect for when you have an hour or two to spare. Full of thrills, the three shorter stories are suspenseful from start to finish and are sure to delight Grisham fans.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best new books out in June 2022:

The Blackbird by Tim Weaver
out 9 June
When emergency services inspect the charred skeleton of a car, its occupants have vanished. David Raker is on the case, but soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a killer like no other… Full of twists and turns and packed with intrigue, The Blackbird is a must-read.

Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton
out 9 June
Everyone’s a suspect when a local goes missing. It’s up to Detective Elise King to uncover a web of dark secrets in her seemingly sleepy seaside town in this absorbing new novel. Fans of Susie Steiner and Claire Douglas will love it.

We All Have Our Secrets by Jane Corry
out 23 June
Two women are staying in Willowmead House. One is running. One is hiding. Both are lying. Set on the Cornish coast, this is a suspenseful, darkly emotive family drama that’s suspenseful and thrilling in equal measure. The perfect holiday read!

The Apartment Upstairs by Lesley Kara
out 23 June
In the latest release from the author of The Rumour, Lesley Kara weaves together an addictive, slow-burning psychological thriller guaranteed to keep you guessing with twists and red herrings a’plenty. Don’t miss it.

A Stranger on Board by Cameron Ward
out 23 June
The Holiday meets The Hunting Party in this gripping, twisty thriller set on board a luxury yacht where a serial killer is stalking the decks. It’s an irresistible, escapist read that will keep you turning its pages long into the warm summer evenings.

The Murder Book by Mark Billingham
out 9 June
Tom Thorne finally has it all – great friends, a flourishing love life and a job he’s happy in – and everything to lose. And when his past catches up with him, he must put it all at risk. With expert plotting, brilliant characters and dark humour, Billingham has done it again.

Go behind the books…

Looking for something a bit different this month? Find out what makes a crime writer tick with these new books about two of the best!

James Patterson: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson
out 9 June
James Patterson has written some truly gripping novels during his phenomenal career. Now, in his autobiography, he tells the story of his journey to becoming one of the bestselling writers of all time. Read an excerpt from the book here.

The Truth About Lisa Jewell by Will Brooker
out 9 June
Perfect for Lisa Jewell super-fans and aspiring writers alike, this biography takes us inside Lisa’s writing process, examines her style and looks back at her incredible career and much-loved bestsellers.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best new books out in July 2022:

The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
out 21 July
The Family Upstairs fans, rejoice – this sequel to the phenomenal bestseller finally hits shelves this month, and we can’t wait! Combining a dark, eerie, unsettling plot with characters who really stay with you, it’s the very definition of a page turner. You’ll love it.

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse
out 21 July
Welcome to the retreat. It’s the perfect place to get away… with murder. If you loved The Sanatorium, don’t miss DS Warner’s return in this atmospheric new thriller. Creepy and suspenseful, with nerve-shredding tension, The Retreat is an absolute must-read.

Confidence by Denise Mina
out 7 July
When a woman vanishes from a Scottish seaside town, journalists Anna and Fin find themselves at the centre of an internet frenzy to find her. Full of dark humour, fast-paced action and great characterisation, Confidence is a brilliantly witty, clever novel.

Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen
out 7 July
Rizzoli and Isles are investigating a gruesome murder in this nail-biting new thriller. But immersed in their day jobs, will they notice sinister happenings closer to home? Weaving together different plotlines to create a compelling tale, it’s as addictive as they come.

Under the Marsh by G R Halliday
out 21 July
Twelve years ago DI Monica Kennedy put serial killer Pauline Tosh behind bars. Now Tosh seems ready to talk – but what games is she playing? Fans of James Oswald and Ann Cleeves will love this dark thriller set against the stark beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

All I Said Was True by Imran Mahmood
out 21 July
From the author of You Don’t Know Me comes an absorbing new novel about an unreliable narrator trying to clear her name. Switching between past and present, this is a complex, clever book that will keep you guessing and unsure of who to trust.

More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
out 7 July
This intriguing, atmospheric and brilliantly crafted mystery tells a slow-burning story of love, marriage and murder that you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve turned the final page. We promise you’ll want to recommend it to everyone you know.

The Binding Room by Nadine Matheson
out 7 July
In this action-packed follow-up to The Jigsaw Man, Detective Anjelica Henley and the Serial Crimes Unit are called in to investigate when a local pastor is found stabbed to death. Dark, chilling and seriously tense, this one certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Escape by James Patterson
out 7 July
Chicago PD Detective Billy Harney is on the case when five teenage girls are abducted – only to find his own life on the line. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin and Lee Child, Escape is a gripping thriller full of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The pick of the paperbacks

The best new books out in August 2022:

The Twist of a Knife by Anthony Horowitz
out 18 August
Sleuthing duo Hawthorne and Horowitz return in this brilliantly entertaining locked-room mystery, where Anthony becomes the prime suspect when a theatre critic is murdered. It’s a witty, absorbing read and a first class mystery. Read a chapter here.

Hope to Die by Cara Hunter
out 18 August
The fiendishly clever new novel from Cara Hunter hits shelves this month, and we can’t wait. Transport yourself to Oxford where DI Adam Fawley is digging up the past in a twisty case guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. Read a chapter here.

Tick Tock by Simon Mayo
out 18 August
Fans of Frank Gardner and Gregg Hurwitz will love this compelling, contemporary thriller by Simon Mayo. Pacy and exciting from start to finish, it tells the story of a global catastrophe through the eyes of three people at the heart of the storm.

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
out 18 August
Knives Out meets How to Kill Your Family in this sharply funny and ingenious locked room thriller where murder is a family affair. Packed with twists and turns, it’s reminiscent of the Golden Age, but with a modern edge – making for an irresistible read.

From the Ashes by Deborah Masson
out 18 August
DI Eve Hunter investigates when a fire destroys a home for underprivileged children in Aberdeen in the third book in Masson’s award-winning crime series. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride and Val McDermid, it’s as dark and gripping as they come.

My Other Husband by Dorothy Koomson
out 18 August
Someone’s framing Cleo Forsum for murder – but she can’t prove her innocence, because then she’d have to confess about her other husband… The queen of the big reveal is back with another compulsive novel full of twists you won’t see coming. Don’t miss it.

Hide and Seek by Andrea Mara
out 4 August
Close your eyes. Count to ten. And when you open them, your child is gone… This twisty and compelling thriller about a girl who goes missing during a game of hide and seek will hook you in right from the start and demand you keep on reading.

Alias Emma by Ava Glass
out 4 August
With a likeable and resourceful heroine at its heart, Alias Emma is the ultimate race-against-time thriller with life, death and global politics at stake. Fans of Killing Eve and James Bond will love this edge-of-your-seat debut.

1989 by Val McDermid
out 18 August
Following 1979, the new Allie Burns novel sees us fast-forward ten years. As the Cold War and AIDS crisis deliver a nonstop tide of bad news, a story – and a murder – fall into Allie’s lap. You can’t go wrong with a Val McDermid, and 1989 is certain not to disappoint.

The Long Knives by Irvine Welsh
out 25 August
Irvine Welsh is back with the second novel in his CRIME trilogy, now a hit TV series on Britbox. Powerful, gritty and expertly crafted, The Long Knives sees hardboiled Scottish cop Detective Ray Lennox on the case following the brutal murder of a corrupt MP.

Shattered by James Patterson
out 4 August
In the latest instalment in Patterson’s bestselling series, Detective Michael Bennett is searching for a former partner who has disappeared without a trace. Suspenseful from the very beginning right to its shocking conclusion, it’s impossible to put down.

The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh
out 4 August
By the end of a party in a small village, one person is dead, all the rest are suspects, and it’s up to DC Ffion Morgan to find the killer. With a vivid, atmospheric setting, expert plotting and brilliant characters The Last Party is an excellent whodunnit.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best books out in Septemeber 2022:

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman
out 15 September
The thrilling new caper from national treasure Richard Osman finally hits shelves this month, and we can’t wait for you to read it. Combining an irresistibly charming cast with fiendishly clever storytelling, this series just gets better and better.

The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas
out 15 September
When a journalist is sent to a small town on the twenty-year anniversary of the disappearance of three girls, she soon starts to fear for her own safety… Haunting and atmospheric, this thriller will hook you in from the start and keep you guessing throughout.

A Sliver of Darkness by C J Tudor
out 29 September
Prepare to be terrified by C J Tudor’s first collection of chilling short stories. These eleven twisted tales of the macabre from the bestselling author of The Chalk Man are your perfect companions as the nights draw in – if you’re brave enough!

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
out 13 September
From the co-host of true crime podcast Morbid comes a dark debut thriller about a twisted serial killer and the brilliant forensic pathologist on his tail. Fast-paced and addictive, it’s perfect for fans of Patricia Cornwell and Thomas Harris.

Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris
out 1 September
Master storyteller Robert Harris turns his hand to the biggest manhunt of the seventeenth century in his brand new thriller. Brilliantly crafted and incredibly compulsive, Act of Oblivion is suspenseful from start to finish.

Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths
out 29 September
Detective Harbinder Kaur is back in Bleeding Heart Yard, a propulsive new novel that sees a murderer hiding in plain sight – in the police. It’s a first class police procedural that’s guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.

All the Wicked Games by Lauren North
out 1 September
All the Wicked Games explores a nightmarish scenario: you can save your best friend’s life, or you can save yourself. Which do you choose? This twisty, emotionally-driven psychological novel about guilt and revenge is as tense as they come.

Sweet Dreams by Anders Roslund
out 15 September
Two girls go missing on the same day. Their disappearances are never explained. Soon, the investigations are abandoned – until five years later, Detective Ewert Grens is back on the trail. The Crow Girl fans shouldn’t miss this creepy, twisted, seriously dark read.

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves
out 1 September
Vera Stanhope, star of ITV’s Vera, returns for her toughest case yet in the tenth novel in Ann Cleeves’ bestselling series. With great characterisation, clever plotting and evocative writing, The Rising Tide doesn’t disappoint.

The Inheritance by Howard Linskey
out 29 September
A small town, a cold case and an inheritance to die for… Set in Northumberland, The Inheritance is a chilling, atmospheric thriller following a young woman desperate to solve a decades old murder. Readers of Mark Billingham and Cara Hunter will love it.

Your Word or Mine by Lia Middleton
out 1 September
Penned by barrister Lia Middleton, Your Word or Mine is a twisty psychological drama for fans of Anatomy of a Scandal and Apple Tree Yard. Tense and gripping, it explores themes of revenge, justice and female rage – and you’ll struggle to put it down.

Blowback by James Patterson
out 1 September
Featuring a psychopathic leader with the power destroy the world, James Patterson’s latest standalone novel is a timely story ripped from the headlines. Packed with high-stakes action and relentless thrills, it’ll have you on the edge of your seat.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best new books out in October 2022:

No Plan B by Lee Child and Andrew Child
out 25 October
Jack Reacher finds himself caught up in a sinister, secret conspiracy in the 27^th pulse-pounding thriller by Lee Child – the third with co-author Andrew Child. It’s a clever, expertly crafted roller coaster of a read you’ll race through, and we can’t recommend it enough.

Triple Cross by James Patterson
out 27 October
Detective Alex Cross is chasing an ingenious murderer after a true-crime author spots patterns everyone else has missed. But are the writer’s theories are fact or fiction? This chilling, suspenseful thriller is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

A Private Spy by John le Carré
out 13 October
October sees the release of a collection of letters from the master of the spy genre, spanning decades from his childhood to the Cold War, from his breakthrough writing success to his final years. Full of humour, political insight, rage and tenderness, this is a must-read.

Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff
out 13 October
Murder stalks a touring stage production of A Christmas Carol in this 1930s-set mystery. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, James Runcie and M C Beaton, this is essential reading if you can’t wait to get into the festive spirit this Christmas.

A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin
out 13 October
Rebus may be hearing the call for last orders in Ian Rankin’s brand new thriller, as he finds himself on trial for a crime that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. It’s a brilliantly plotted, page-turning novel that’s sure not to disappoint fans of the series.

The Boys From Biloxi by John Grisham
out 18 October
The Boys From Biloxi follows two sons, friends from childhood, who end up locked in a knife-edge legal fight. It will grip you from start to finish with its twists and turns and see you reading long into the night, desperate to find out what happens next.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best new books out in November 2022:

You Are Next by Arne Dahl
out 10 November
DI Sam Berger’s life is turned upside down when he’s accused of murder – but while he’s under arrest, there’s a killer running free. Set in the Stockholm Archipelago, You Are Next is a dark, tense thriller for fans of Samuel Bjork, Erik Axl Sund and Jo Nesbo.

Happy New Year by Malin Stehn
out 24 November
When 17-year-old Jennifer doesn’t return from a New Year’s party, the lives and secrets of two seemingly ordinary families are thrown into the spotlight, with devastating results. With twists and turns a’plenty, this is a suspenseful novel from an exciting new talent.

The Night Man by Jørn Lier Horst
out 24 November
The Night Man – behind inspiration for Wisting series 2 on BBC Four – follows Chief Inspector William Wisting as he tries to stop a terrifying killer before they strike again. Penned by a former police officer, this is first class detective fiction that grips to the very end.

Down to the Wire by Andy McNab
out 10 November
From the author of Bravo Two Zero comes an explosive new Nick Stone thriller that places Nick at the heart of a chilling cyber conspiracy while suffering from failing health. If you race through books by Chris Ryan and Billy Billingham, you shouldn’t miss this.

The Perfect Assassin by James Patterson
out 24 November
An unassuming professor is abducted and appointed to a mission that he never signed up for in Patterson’s latest. Forced into a top-secret training program, Dr Brandt Savage discovers his true calling – as the perfect assassin. A must-read for Killing Eve fans.

Desert Star by Michael Connelly
out 8 November
Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch must work together to catch a dangerous killer in this compulsive thriller. With characters you’ll love and a fast-paced, absorbing plot, Desert Star is guaranteed to delight Michael Connelly readers.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.

The best new books out in December 2022:

Private Beijing by James Patterson
out 29 December
Jack Morgan must investigate a deadly plot in unfamiliar territory in the latest instalment of the bestselling Private series. Full of thrills, this is an action-packed and adrenaline-fuelled read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Secrets of Rochester Place by Iris Costello
out 8 December
A lost child. A long-kept secret. The house that holds the key. Set between the dusty halls of Rochester Place and modern-day Tooting, this intricately layered mystery follows two people connected through one house and the secrets within its walls.

The pick of the paperbacks

These beauties have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.