The best thing about going on holiday – aside from the sun, sea and new cuisine – is the unlimited free time to sit down and lose yourself in a good book. The only dilemma? Deciding which book to take with you, especially if you have limited luggage space (we’re looking at you, Ryanair).
But fear not. Here at Dead Good, we’ve been discussing our beach reads for weeks and have created the following guide to the best books to take on holiday. There’s something for everyone, from hard-boiled detective stories to gripping domestic thrillers, and each is well-written, full of escapism, and so addictive you’ll easily devour it in one or two sittings. So, whether you’re headed for the beach or enjoying a staycation, here are the titles worth reading this summer.
Psychological suspense
Looking for a spine-chilling read to keep you cool while lounging by the pool? These are our picks of the best psychological thriller books for your summer holiday.
The Exes by Leodora Darlington
Best for: a fast-paced domestic thriller where nobody can be trusted – not even the narrator.
After a heated argument with her husband, Natalie finds herself alone in her bedroom, holding a knife, with no idea how it got there. She has been trying so hard to escape her past but now she fears she’s losing control again – and that the consequences for her husband could be fatal. Fans of Caroline Kepnes’ You and Lisa Jewell-style domestic suspense will enjoy this claustrophobic, twist-heavy thriller full of unreliable narration and escalating paranoia.
The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent
Best for: a character-driven psychological thriller with shades of Gone Girl.
Ruby Cooper and her sister Erin lived in an idyllic church community, until a devastating incident during their adolescence changed everything. Exploring tropes like sibling rivalry and the lifelong impact of trauma, this slow-burn thriller contains sharp psychological insight and shocking revelations in equal measure. Fans of Liz Nugent’s previous works Strange Sally Diamond and Unravelling Oliver will definitely want to pack this dark and unsettling family drama in their suitcase this summer.
Getting Away with Murder by Shari Lapena
Best for: fans of morally grey protagonists, dysfunctional family dynamics and Lisa Jewell.
In this page-turning thriller, a bad investment leaves Jill and Ted close to losing their beloved Brooklyn brownstone and murdering a wealthy relative seems like the only solution. They have a foolproof plan, and they have each other’s backs…right? Flipping the traditional whodunit on its head, this dysfunctional family drama will have you guessing not who did the killing, but will they get away with it?
Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard
Best for: an intricate puzzle-box thriller built around long-kept secrets.
Ellie arrives at her new home with nothing but a small suitcase and the secrets she’s desperate to keep. But as she settles in, she gets the feeling she is being watched – and that she’s not welcome in the neighbourhood. This is a multiple POV domestic thriller from Catherine Ryan Howard, who has earned a reputation for her high-concept, intelligent thrillers. It’s the perfect read for fans of Shari Lapena and Gillian McAllister.
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
Best for: an emotionally-driven, cat and mouse-style thriller.
In this fast-paced, addictive read, a road trip turns into a nightmare when Simone awakes to find her teenage daughter Lucy missing and a mobile phone left in her place. An unknown caller asks her to commit the unthinkable if she ever wants to see her daughter again, and Simone is pulled into a high-stakes search that tests the limits of her morality. If you enjoyed Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, you’ll love this emotionally charged thriller that blends family drama with shocking plot twists.
The Family Friend by Claire Douglas
Best for: a twist-filled psychological thriller like The New Neighbours.
Imogen is baffled when she inherits a country mansion from a woman, Dororthy, whom she hasn’t seen in 16 years. But after discovering a box bearing her name in Dorothea’s abandoned studio, she realises the house is a message – and that Dorothea’s death might not have been an accident after all. With its intriguing premise, clever twists and breezy writing style, this atmospheric thriller meets all the criteria for a holiday read.
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
Best for: a suspenseful, character-driven domestic thriller.
This brand-new thriller from Lisa Jewell combines her signature slow-burn suspense with psychological insight and plot twists. Twenty-five years after narrowly escaping danger in a stranger’s house, fate or, in this case, a lost dog, leads Jane Trevally back to the same building. This time, she’s determined to learn its secrets, no matter how dark. Toxic relationships and a gripping pace make this psychological thriller one of the best summer reads of 2026.
Dead Heat by Sabine Durrant
Best for: a sun-soaked destination thriller that will appeal to fans of The White Lotus and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
With his life in tatters, former journalist Matt Grimsham accepts his friends’ invite to spend the summer in their home in Greece without a second thought. But when he arrives, Matt is pulled into a world of escalating tensions as an obnoxious wealthy newcomer moves across the bay. Heat rises and rivalries deepen, until a tragic accident brings the summer to a halt. But was it an accident? Fans of Gillian Flynn will enjoy this claustrophobic thriller that can best be described as The Great Gatsby if it was written by Patricia Highsmith.
Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben
Best for: an “impossible” mystery with shocking plot twists.
There’s a reason why so many of Harlan Coben’s thrillers end up on Netflix. His talent for pulling the rug out from under the reader has rightfully earned him the nickname, “the master of the double twist”. When Sami Kierce wakes up next to the dead body of his girlfriend, with no idea what happened, he flees the scene. Two decades later, while working as an investigator, he sees the impossible: his former girlfriend, alive and well. As she disappears into a crowd, Sami knows he must find her.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Best for: psychological suspense similar to The Girl on the Train.
Journalist Lo Blacklock is on a luxury cruise ship bound for the Northern Lights. It’s the perfect holiday – until she is awoken by screams in the cabin next door. She rushes to the window and sees a body being thrown overboard. But the next day, she learns that nobody ever checked into that cabin, and there are no passengers missing from the boat. Could Lo have made a mistake, or is she now trapped on a boat with a murderer? This unsettling thriller simmers with tension and will make you question everybody. It’s also now a Netflix film, joining the long list of books making the jump from page to screen.
Murder in the Family by Cara Hunter
Best for: a true crime-style thriller that turns you into the investigator, like Janice Hallett’s The Appeal or Amy Tintera’s Listen for the Lie.
In 2003, Luke Ryder was found dead in his garden, leaving behind a wealthy older widow and three stepchildren. With no witnesses, the case remained unsolved. Now, decades later, a true-crime documentary pulls the case back into the spotlight. Murder in the Family invites you to play detective, re-examining the clues to try and solve the case. This is an engrossing, original whodunnit. But, if you have space in your suitcase for another mystery, we also recommend one of Hunter’s earlier works, Close to Home.
Legal thrillers
If you prefer orderly courtroom tension over claustrophobic mysteries, these are some of the best legal thrillers to put on your radar and in your suitcase.
Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson
Best for: a high-stakes court drama and for fans of John Grisham.
Judge Mary Stone is respected for her unshakeable sense of justice, but even she is tested when given the most controversial case in her town’s recent history: a doctor is charged with granting a 13-year-old girl an abortion. Forced to weigh the law against her own conscience, Judge Stone must make a decision that could change countless lives. With its moral complexity and sharp social commentary on the justice system, this is a standout crime drama.
Killer Instinct by Nicola Williams
Best for: an authentic British legal drama that dissects class and prejudice.
With her background as a criminal barrister, Nicola Williams brings real-world authority to her works, perfect for readers who enjoy Wendy Joseph KC and Rob Rinder. When a working-class junior clerk is accused of murdering a senior clerk because he “seems the type”, barrister Lee Mitchell steps in to defend him. Tensions in the Chambers rise as prejudices and secrets surface, leaving Lee unsure whom to trust. A summer crime book full of tightly wound tension, Killer Instinct is ideal for fans of courtroom intrigue.
Her Many Faces by Nicci Cloke
Best for: a layered legal thriller with a unique premise and sharp psychological insight.
Four wealthy members of an exclusive London club are poisoned, and a young waitress is charged with their murder. But this isn’t her story to tell. Instead, we see Katie Cole through the eyes of five men in her life, each offering a different version of who she is. Which is her true face and is she guilty or innocent? This book will keep you guessing until the last page.
The Good Liar by Denise Mina
Best for: a forensics crime procedural with morally complex characters.
Readers who enjoy a good ethical dilemma will want to add this taut thriller to their holiday reading pile. Blood splatter expert Claudia O’Shiel is invited to speak about a notorious double murder and her testimony that put a man behind bars. There’s just one problem: she no longer thinks the man in prison is the real culprit, but exposing the truth would put her own life in danger. This tense, thought-provoking read is perfect for fans of Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths and Tana French.
Cosy crime and murder mysteries
Who doesn’t love a good whodunit? These holiday book recommendations are perfect if you’re after a wholesome mystery rather than a hard-edged thriller.
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
Best for: a lighthearted, Knives Out–style whodunit mystery.
In the latest book in The Thursday Murder Club series, the gang come together for a wedding. But when a guest who feared for his life suddenly disappears, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are plunged into their most explosive investigation yet. Can they solve the case and crack an unbreakable code before time runs out? If you’re comforted by the dynamic of a tight-knit group of friends solving mysteries together, this twisty page-turner is the perfect summer read for you.
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
Best for: a fresh mystery with a unique premise and the fast pacing of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Can Jet Mason solve her own murder with only seven days to live? After a brutal Halloween attack, she is told she has one week before an aneurysm kills her. With her childhood friend Billy, the only person she can fully trust, Jet is determined to solve the case before she dies. Holly Jackson’s first adult novel retains her signature addictive storytelling while striking the right balance of emotional weight and witty remarks. A clock-ticking page turner, we guarantee you won’t be able to put this one down.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Best for: a multi-layered mystery that pays homage to classic British detective fiction.
Nobody does murder mysteries like Anthony Horowitz. His books often contain clever mysteries within mysteries – and nowhere is that more evident than in the Susan Ryeland series. The first book in the series, Magpie Murders, introduces editor Susan Ryeland, who realises that her crime writer’s latest murder mystery contains clues to a real-life murder. It’s a brilliant premise, with an excellent pay-off, but if you’ve already seen the 2022 BBC adaptation, we recommend the later books in the series, Moonflower Murders and Marble Hall Murders.
Detective dramas
Looking for hard-boiled detectives and investigation-led crime stories? Then you’ll definitely want to check out these detective dramas, each with enough escapism to make them a perfect summer read.
Holy Island by LJ Ross
Best for: an atmospheric murder mystery set on a remote island.
What do you do when your escape to a remote island turns into a murder investigation? Detective Chief Inspector Ryan is taking enforced leave on the Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne when a girl is found dead among the Priory ruins. Drawn back into duty, he must team up with police consultant Dr Anna Taylor to hunt the killer hiding in plain sight. A locked-island mystery that blends occult elements, this is one of those books you can’t put down.
The Lost Women by Tim Weaver
Best for: a missing persons mystery that’s perfect for fans of Harlan Coben and the David Raker series.
Preston Steward wakes up from reconstructive facial surgery, following a car accident, but his wife is convinced he is not her husband. That’s where missing persons investigator David Raker steps in. His investigation uncovers connections to an unsolved disappearance from 16 years ago. The closer he gets to the truth, the more sinister revelations start to emerge. If you like your summer crime books fast-paced and immersive, this pulse-pounding detective drama is one for you.
A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker
Best for: an escapist destination thriller with similar tropes to Death in Paradise and Midsummer Murders.
DCI Joe Mottram travels to the sun-soaked island of Capri to reconnect with his teenage daughter and in-laws following the death of his wife. But the trip becomes a grim investigation when a tourist is murdered and his relative is the prime suspect. The island’s picture-perfect facade starts to crack as Joe digs deeper and finds, among the clues, evidence that his wife’s death was not an accident. Now an ITV drama, this is one of those addictive thrillers that allows you to fully escape the real world.
Hunted by Abir Mukherjee
Best for: a white-knuckle, race-against-time thriller with a moral dilemma at its core.
How far would you go to protect your child? That’s the question Sajid Khan must ask himself when a bomb goes off in LA and his daughter Aaliyah was the last person seen with the suicide bomber. A woman approaches Sajid, claiming Aaliyah is with her son, and the parents are in a race against time to find their children before the FBI does – and to prevent the next attack. This is a page-turning thriller that feels incredibly realistic, and is perfect for fans of Lee Child, James Patterson and Gillian McAllister.
Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall
Best for: a small-town whodunnit that’s like a modern Agatha Christie.
If you loved Broadchurch, you’ll love Death at the White Hart, the debut novel by the show’s creator Chris Chibnall. Detective Nicola Bridge moves to an idyllic Dorset village where, instead of a slower pace of life, she finds a murder scene. As she investigates the pub landlord’s death, Nicola learns that everyone in the village – from the hairdresser to the delivery driver – has something to hide. This is a character-driven murder mystery that feels constantly surprising, with a culprit you’d never have suspected.
Action thrillers
Nothing beats an action-packed mystery to get your pulse racing. Add a flawed but human protagonist and high-stakes gambits, and you’ve got the recipe for a holiday read you won’t be able to put down.
The Pinnacle by Abir Mukherjee
Best for: a deeply atmospheric crime novel that’s like Harlan Coben meets Only Murders in the Building.
On the 68th floor of Mumbai’s grandest luxury skyscraper, the Pinnacle, washed-up actor George Abercrombie awakens with no memory of the night before – and his Bollywood star wife next to him, murdered. Suspicion closes in as he tries to figure out the truth in a building where every resident is hiding something. Darkly satirical and atmospheric, this is the perfect summer holiday read for those who enjoy locked-room mysteries.
The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
Best for: readers who love intelligent, enigmatic mysteries with a fast pace, like The Da Vinci Code and I Am Pilgrim.
After eight years, the next instalment in the Robert Langdon series is finally here. Our favourite Harvard symbologist travels to Prague with his usual companion, academic Katherine Solomon, only for her to vanish from their hotel. Now, Langdon has to race through a city steeped in folklore and mystery to save the woman he loves. This time, however, he’s up against a conspiracy that tests even his brainpower. Expect high stakes, suspense, and a mystery you won’t be able to solve on your own: all the ingredients of a great holiday read.
Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child
Best for: a fast-paced action story starring a lone-wolf hero, like The Bourne Identity and the Jack Ryan series.
Jack Reacher returns in the 30th instalment of Lee Child and Andrew Child’s bestselling series. An ordinary day takes an unexpected turn when a stranger passes Reacher a cryptic note, asking for his help, which pulls him into a dangerous rescue mission. As ever in the Reacher series, you can expect fast-paced, self-contained action and a drifter who doesn’t hesitate to run into trouble to protect the underdog.
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci
Best for: a twisty thriller that explores corruption and greed, perfect for fans of Jack Reacher and John Grisham.
Every morning, Travis Devine boards the 6:20 commuter train to his high-pressure job in finance. But his routine is shattered when he receives a cryptic email: “She is dead”. Travis’ colleague and former girlfriend Sara Ewes is found in a storage room, seemingly dead by suicide. Travis is blackmailed into investigating his firm’s shady dealings and, when he finds corruption beneath the surface, he must decide how far he’s willing to go to get justice. This high-powered, bestselling thriller has an explosive ending.
Techno-thrillers
If you enjoy the suspense of traditional thrillers but with an added sci-fi element, these titles deliver plenty of action alongside a darker take on technology.
Eden Falls by Ajay Chowdhury
Best for: a Dan Brown-esque techno-thriller about the dangers of AI.
Human compassion and intelligence are pitted against the forces of greed in this page-turner. After her husband disappears following the murder of his best friend, newlywed Aisha must follow a trail of cryptic clues across multiple continents to uncover what happened. Under all of the action, though, this thriller explores the dark side of AI and its terrifying potential. Eden Falls is a timely but compulsive holiday read you’ll race through but think about long after you’ve turned the final page.
Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz
Best for: high-octane thrillers similar to Lee Child and The Bourne Identity.
Packed with ruthless action, Antihero is a brilliant, adrenaline-inducing addition to Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series. Former black ops assassin turned vigilante Evan Smoak finds himself with two problems on his hands: a tech billionaire threatening the world order and a young kidnapping survivor seeking (non-violent) justice. But since the world’s greatest assassin has vowed not to kill, and the threats against him mount, Orphan X’s personal code is tested like never before.
Have we missed any off our list? Let us know what you’ll be reading this summer, in the comments below…
I’ve read The Missing Family, loved it, given it a 5 star review and recommended it. I know a few dad’s who will be receiving this for Father’s Day. I definitely want to add The New Neighbours and The Woman in Cabin10 to my list.