The best books out this month

Autumn reading season is upon us, and September brings with it a thrilling new mix of mysteries, courtroom dramas, and pulse-quickening page-turners to get lost in. From solving Dan Brown’s cryptic puzzles, to rejoining old friends in Richard Osman’s latest caper, there’s a story for every kind of reader on our list below…

New crime books out this month:

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

Our favourite amateur sleuths are back! The latest in The Thursday Murder Club series sees Joyce busy planning her wedding when a guest reveals that they fear for their life. The gang is on the case, where they encounter tech wizards, a villain chasing an uncrackable code, and a body that won’t stay buried. Written with Richard Osman’s trademark wit, this is a clever, heart-filled mystery that proves once again that crime-solving doesn’t slow down at eighty.

Read more: Our review of The Thursday Murder Club film.

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

Dan Brown’s long-awaited new novel sees the return of Professor Robert Langdon – only this time, Prague is his puzzle box. When academic Katherine Solomon vanishes, Langdon must decode a city steeped in folklore, haunted cathedrals, and labyrinthine passages and uncover a conspiracy that could alter humanity’s future. In typical Dan Brown fashion, The Secret of Secrets is full of cryptic clues, breakneck twists and relentless suspense, making it one of the stand-out books of 2025.

Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories by Lee Child

In this first-ever autobiographical collection, Lee Child takes readers behind the scenes of Jack Reacher’s world. From scribbling Killing Floor in pencil to navigating Hollywood adaptations, these 24 reflections reveal the moments, memories, and milestones that shaped his iconic series. Honest, witty, and deeply personal, Child shares encounters with fans, life-changing turning points, and the realities of writing across decades. A must-read for Reacher devotees, this is the story behind the stories, told with candour, gratitude, and trademark grit.

Read more: An extract of Reacher: The Story Behind the Stories.

To Love a Liar by L. V. Matthews

Chris Fletcher was trained to lie. Once an undercover cop, now living quietly with his wife Jill in Sardinia, his past resurfaces when he’s summoned back to the UK for an inquest into the death of Sophia, his former lover and target. As suspicion mounts, Jill suddenly vanishes, leaving Chris branded guilty in the court of public opinion. Dark, twisting, and utterly addictive, this thriller delves into secrets, betrayals, and the devastating cost of double lives.

The Predicament by William Boyd

Travel writer turned reluctant spy Gabriel Dax is drawn back into MI6’s orbit – and into the arms of his enigmatic handler, Faith Green. Dispatched to Guatemala to cover a fraught election, Dax finds himself ensnared in a web of CIA plots, Mafia violence, and political corruption. His mission takes him to West Berlin, where he uncovers a shocking conspiracy to assassinate JFK. Boyd delivers a razor-sharp, atmospheric thriller that blends history and espionage – with explosive results.

Clive Cussler’s The Iron Storm by Jack du Brul

Isaac Bell returns in a high-octane thriller that propels him from the Van Dorn Detective Agency onto the battlefields of World War I. Tasked by President Woodrow Wilson to gauge America’s role in the conflict, Bell finds himself ensnared in a deadly struggle involving resistance fighters, espionage, and ruthless enemies. Packed with action, historical figures, and Cussler’s trademark adventure, Du Brul delivers a gripping, relentless tale of loyalty, survival, and the human cost of war.

What the Wife Knew by Lia Middleton

Lia Middleton’s latest novel blends gripping courtroom drama with devastating psychological suspense. Frank is accused of murdering his wife, and it’s the biggest case of defence lawyer Harry’s career. But Harry’s wife knows something about the case that could destroy his defence – and their marriage. Drawing on her own barrister background, Middleton delivers sharp legal authenticity, layered characters, and a final twist that stuns. Perfect for fans of Anatomy of a Scandal, this is an intelligent, emotionally charged page-turner.

The Last Laugh Club by Steve Jones

Beloved TV presenter Steve Jones’ humour shines through in this wickedly funny, brilliantly original thriller. Retired cop Ray “Sugar” Leonard finds himself in a chemo support group with a colourful cast of misfits. But when a mugger winds up dead at Ray’s hands, the group discovers a new vigilante purpose. Darkly comic and strangely uplifting, The Last Laugh Club is Richard Osman with extra bite: a gripping tale of mortality, morality, and murder that’s impossible to put down.

You are the Detective by Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper

Step into 1930s London and put your sleuthing skills to the test in this witty, interactive whodunnit. When American novelist Roy Peterson is stabbed in a locked room filled with suspects – none of whom claim to have seen a thing – Scotland Yard turns to you, the reader. With letters, maps, illustrations, and testimony at your fingertips, can you unmask the killer? Clever, playful, and full of twists, You are the Detective is a puzzle-lover’s dream.

The pick of the paperbacks

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

In case you missed it: The best books of August