The best books out this month

November brings a dark, atmospheric mix of new page turners, from twisty psychological thrillers to gripping detective fiction and cosy Christmas mysteries. Whether you’re craving shadowy streets, haunted coastal towns, or high-stakes investigations, this month’s releases are full of unforgettable characters and storylines that linger long after the last page.

From the return of bestselling favourites like Lee Child and Abir Mukherjee to brilliant new voices, here are six of the most anticipated titles hitting shelves this November.

New crime books out this month:

Exit Strategy by Lee Child

The 30th Jack Reacher thriller begins with a brush in a Baltimore doorway and a stranger tucking a handwritten plea into his pocket. Intrigued, Reacher becomes entangled in an irresistible puzzle that drags him into a familiar, dangerous orbit. With cold logic and relentless enquiry, he follows instinct over instruction — and the cost of that choice might be higher than even he expects. Fast-paced, tightly plotted, and cinematic, Exit Strategy proves once again that no one does modern suspense quite like Lee Child.

The Burning Grounds by Abir Mukherjee

In late-1920s Calcutta, a beloved philanthropist is found murdered, his throat cruelly cut. Detective Sam Wyndham, officially out of favour, is pulled onto a case that leads him from funeral pyres to the dazzling world of Indian cinema. Meanwhile, Surendranath Banerjee searches for a missing female photographer. When the two investigations collide, old resentments flare and buried secrets surface. Atmospheric, intricate, and morally sharp, The Burning Grounds is a historical mystery that pulses with the complexities of empire, friendship, and justice.

The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull

When a skeleton is unearthed beneath Deane Rectory, Jane Austen’s quiet Christmas takes a thrilling turn. Could the bones belong to a runaway bride whose ghost has long haunted the nearby woods? Or is there a more rational explanation? Witty, charming, and irresistibly atmospheric, The Austen Christmas Murders is a cosy Christmas mystery with a literary twist. Fans of Miss Austen Investigates will delight in this perfect winter read, blending period charm with a captivating whodunit.

The Christmas Magpie by Mark Edwards

Noel and Dani’s first Christmas in their new street should be idyllic. Glittering lights, thoughtful gifts, and friendly neighbours set the scene — until sinister presents appear on their doorstep and watchful eyes seem to follow them. When tragedy strikes at a Christmas party, they must ask: who can they trust on this seemingly perfect street? Dark, twisty, and deliciously tense, The Christmas Magpie is a chilling festive thriller that will have you racing to uncover the truth before the final page.

The Shame Game by L. D. Smithson

A single notification, and your life is no longer yours. Someone knows the secret you’ve buried and if you want them to stay silent, they have one condition: destroy your best friend’s life to keep yours intact. What begins as blackmail spirals into moral collapse as the protagonist is led deeper into a conspiracy they never imagined. With escalating dares, reputations shredded, and loyalties tested, The Shame Game is a remorseless, twisty examination of guilt, complicity, and public humiliation. It’s brutal, ingenious, and impossible to look away from.

Bluff by Francine Toon

From the author of Pine, this new thriller is set against the windswept beaches and cobbled streets of a Scottish coastal town. In 2013, Joanie’s escape from St. Rule slips through her fingers and she falls into the orbit of an enigmatic older couple whose influence is both alluring and unsettling. Ten years later, Cameron returns seeking answers about what happened to his friend all those years ago, but the town hides secrets some would kill to protect. Atmospheric, tense, and utterly haunting, Bluff weaves mystery, obsession, and the dark pull of the past.

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 October