10 Mystery & Thriller Books We Can't Wait For In 2025

If you're planning to read more books in the new year, taking a look at new releases is a great way to motivate yourself. Luckily, whether you like the twists and turns of puzzling mysteries or the adrenaline-filled suspense of thrillers, 2025 promises several gripping novels to add to your to-read list. While there's a lot of overlap between the mystery and thriller genres, which often include common elements, we've compiled a list of the books we're most looking forward to: everything from cozy detective mysteries to intense, psychological thrillers.

Some big-name thriller authors are set to release new titles in 2025, including Freida McFadden, whose controversial thriller previously took the Kindle charts by storm. With this list, however, we tried to focus more on titles you might not have heard of yet. While our picks are by no means limited to indie publishers or debut authors, you may just find yourself a new favorite. Of course, given the themes and topics that are often featured in mysteries and thrillers, such as violent crimes, reader discretion is advised, and you may want to consult trigger warnings for the following publications.

First up on our list of mysteries is "The Matchmaker," by Aisha Saeed, an April 2025 release that follows an Atlanta-based, third-generation matchmaker named Nura Khan. The single 31-year-old's thriving business is suddenly threatened by a series of misfortunes, including sabotage at the weddings of her clients. Nura sets out to identify the threat to her matchmaking service with the help of her best friend and fake fiancé Azar, but things quickly become dangerous as she's plagued by threatening voicemails and letters.

A debut adult novel from Saeed, early Goodreads reviewers have praised "The Matchmaker" for its adept writing and engaging mystery, saying one standout element is the book's affectionate depiction of Pakistani culture and family. While the mystery remains at the forefront of this title, it also features a bit of romance with a touch of angst. If you're looking for your next amateur detective novel, then "The Matchmaker" is worth considering.

Transitioning to more suspenseful and thrilling titles, "You Are Fatally Invited" by Ande Pliego is slated for a February 2025 release. This twisty mystery centers around Mila del Angél, herself a former thriller author, who's invited to host an isolated writing retreat with acclaimed writer J. R. Alastor. With a deadly vendetta of her own, Mila agrees, but things go awry when the guests begin dropping dead. Every guest is an expert on thriller tropes and mystery plot twists, so Mila will have to use everything she has to outsmart the killer.

A fast-paced novel interweaving multiple points of view, "You Are Fatally Invited" has been praised by early reviewers on Goodreads for its meta-narrative, captivating twists, and engrossing mystery. It's noted as paying homage to the classics of its genre while still being a gripping page turner. If you're looking for a tense mystery-thriller with morally gray characters, we recommend adding this title to your to-read list.

"Murder in the Dressing Room," expected to hit shelves in January 2025, is the debut novel from stand-up comedian and drag queen Holly Stars. The LGBTQ-centered book follows Joe, who works as a hotel accountant by day and performs as budding drag queen Misty Divine at night. When Lady Lady, a London club owner and drag mentor, is found poisoned in her dressing room, Misty and her fellow performers become prime suspects. This, combined with the police's incompetence, prompts Joe to embark on their own investigation, employing Misty's confidence and wit to solve the murder.

According to Goodreads reviewers, "Murder in the Dressing Room" is a cozy mystery filled with glamor, heart, and intrigue. In addition to featuring a bold and endearing protagonist, this page turner is noted as deftly handling queer themes and topics. Heartwarming, charming, and funny, "Murder in the Dressing Room" is a mystery to add to your list.

"Cross My Heart" is a riveting thriller from Megan Collins slated for a January 2025 release. After Rosie Lachlan receives an anonymous heart transplant, the lonely bridal salon worker becomes convinced that she's meant to be with her donor's husband, author Morgan Thorne. Only, as she connects with the local celebrity via an anonymous donor-messaging service, she discovers some twisted conspiracies about the man and the death of his wife. Rosie's obsession continues to grow, but it has the potential to turn deadly.

Early Goodreads reviewers of "Cross My Heart" describe it as a wildly gripping page-turner featuring an obsessive, but often endearing protagonist. The use of mixed media, including direct messages, book excerpts, and emails, is noted as spicing up the storytelling. Twisty and unexpected, "Cross My Heart" is a thriller to look out for.

Set for an April 2025 release, "The Influencers" is the first adult fiction novel from Anna-Marie McLemore, a critically acclaimed YA author. McLemore's new title provides an intriguing look at the psychological effects of mommy vlogging and social media fame. This unique mystery-thriller follows the Iverson family, made up of "Mother May I" content creator May and her five daughters, April, June, July, January, and March, who grew up in their mother's social media spotlight. When May's new husband is found dead and her house is burned down, the sisters are suddenly thrust back into the public eye, with social media watching their every move as the truth about the mystery is unraveled.

Goodreads reviewers note that "The Influencers" takes a unique approach to the murder mystery drama, with the novel exploring the effects of child social media stardom alongside tense family dynamics. Themes of class, race, gender, and sexuality also play an important role in the story. If those topics interest you, then this is an upcoming title to look for. 

Another January 2025 release, "A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage," by Asia Mackay is a fun, engaging thriller centered around former serial killers Hazel and Fox. After falling in love over an affinity for murder they shared while traveling Europe, they agreed to put their dangerous ways behind them when Hazel became pregnant. In the present, weary of their suburban London lifestyle, Hazel finds herself committing and covering up another murder, but she's not the only spouse hiding things. While Fox has his own share of secrets, he's also feeling an unexplained pressure from his family back home.

Noted as being reminiscent of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and "Dexter" by Goodreads reviewers, this book is a great pick for fans of domestic thrillers, morally gray characters, and dark humor. Using dual timelines and dual points of view, "A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage" promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Slated for a July 2025 release is "Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes," the first mystery novel from author Sandra Jackson-Opoku. This cozy title follows main character Savvy Summers, a Chicago-based cafe owner who finds herself in hot water when her famed sweet potato pie causes the death of a well-known neighbor. While the death is deemed an accident, the incident threatens to ruin her restaurant's reputation, and an investor soon starts pressuring her to sell the business. Savvy joins forces with her assistant manager, Penny Lopés, in hopes of finding the truth.

"Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes" has yet to be reviewed on Goodreads, but the novel is firmly situated in the genre of food-related cozy mysteries. So, if you enjoy titles like Joanna Fluke's "Hannah Swensen" series or Vivien Chien's "Death by Dumpling," this upcoming release is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Next up is the debut novel "Julie Chan is Dead," by Liann Zhang. Slated for a May 2025 release, this cutting and witty thriller follows protagonist Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier who's had it hard ever since the death of her parents. Meanwhile, her long-estranged identical twin sister Chloe VanHuusen was adopted by a wealthy family and has since become a successful social media influencer. When Chloe mysteriously dies, Julie makes the decision to take over her sister's seemingly glamorous life, but she quickly discovers Chloe's day-to-day looks better from the outside than the inside.

While "Julie Chan is Dead" doesn't have any reviews on Goodreads yet, Raven Books publishing director Alison Hennessey had nothing but praise for the upcoming release. "This book is smart, clever, funny, shocking and horrifying," she told The Bookseller. "Liann brilliantly blends scathing social commentary into a breakneck plot that leaves you thoroughly unnerved." Personally, we'll be waiting with baited breath for this spring release.

Next on the list, "This Is Not a Game," by Kelly Mullen, is scheduled to release in April 2025. Set in Mackinac Island, Michigan, this locked-room mystery follows grandma-granddaughter duo Mimi and Addie. Mimi, a crossword-loving widow, and Addie, a recently jilted game developer, are tasked with solving the murder of Jane Ireland when the socialite host suddenly turns up dead during a snowed-in charity auction at her isolated mansion. While the intergenerational duo have a unique set of skills to aid them in their endeavor, they soon realize that things might be even more dangerous than they initially thought.

"This Is Not a Game" combines elements of classic whodunits with modern themes and unexpected twists for an engaging and charming mystery. Early Goodreads reviewers also praised the dynamic between Mimi and Addie, noting their witty banter and heartwarming connection. For lovers of modern cozy mysteries, "This Is Not a Game" is a top choice for 2025.

Last on our list is "The Family Inside," a thriller by Katie Garner scheduled for release in January 2025. This riveting story follows struggling widow Iris Blodgett and her headstrong teenaged daughter Ellory. When Iris loses her job and home, her new boyfriend, architect Hugh Smoll, invites the mother-daughter duo to stay in the crumbling family mansion he's renovating. While it initially seems like a fresh start, Iris and Ellory have to contend with Smoll's strange family and the dark secrets hidden within the creepy estate.

"The Family Inside" is praised as a suspenseful, unexpected thriller featuring a gothic atmosphere, with Goodreads reviewers highlighting the intriguing mystery, eccentric cast of characters, and twisty reveals. If you're searching for a haunting and captivating read for the new year, this one is definitely worth checking out.

To be featured on this list, each title was required to have a 2025 release date and be marketed as a thriller and/or mystery. Web sources like user-created Goodreads lists and publication announcements were used to identify new titles, with sequels or series installments excluded from selection.

Instead of highlighting releases from the well-known thriller authors like Alice Feeney and Freida McFadden, we attempted to feature upcoming publications that might be unfamiliar to readers, including some from debut authors. We also made an effort to feature authors from diverse backgrounds and books with wide-ranging plots and settings. Finally, user-written Goodreads reviews were consulted to tailor the featured recommendations.