The best books out this month

It’s a new year, which means our reading piles are ready for some new books. Thankfully, there are plenty of new releases out in January that we can’t wait to sink into. From a psychological thriller set in a Scandinavian forest to a sun-drenched murder mystery in Costa Rica, these stories explore buried secrets, old betrayals, and the people who refuse to give up on the truth.

So, whether you’re looking for slow-burn suspense, a smart police procedural, or a pulse-racing thriller, the below are the most gripping new reads out this January – each guaranteed to keep you turning the pages long past your bedtime.

New crime books out this month:

A Killer in Paradise by Tom Hindle

Set against the lush yet treacherous backdrop of the Costa Rican rainforest, Tom Hindle’s latest mystery brings old secrets, long-held grudges, and buried guilt to a boiling point. Five university friends reunite for the grand launch of a luxury hotel – and then they find a body. Tense, atmospheric, and filled with simmering rivalries, this is a smart whodunnit that keeps every character under suspicion.

Holy Island by L.J. Ross

The first in L. J. Ross’s hugely addictive DCI Ryan series, Holy Island blends murder, mythology, and small-town secrets against the atmospheric backdrop of Northumberland’s Lindisfarne. When a young woman is found dead among ancient ruins, Ryan – supposedly on sabbatical – finds himself drawn back into the hunt. Gripping, fast-paced, and featuring compelling characters, Holy Island is the first book in a series that has amassed a cult following. It was originally published in 2015 but has now been re-released in paperback.

A Taste for Murder by Matt Baker

DCI Joe Mottram arrives in sun-soaked Capri, hoping to reconnect with his daughter. But when a British tourist dies and suspicion falls close to home, he’s dragged back into investigative mode. As local corruption, family tensions, and past tragedy collide, Capri’s beauty contrasts sharply with its sordid secrets. Atmospheric, layered, and rich with red herrings, A Taste for Murder offers a gripping blend of sun, suspense, and simmering grief – perfect for readers who love crime fiction with emotional depth.

The Ice Angels by Caroline Mitchell

Caroline Mitchell delivers a chilling, emotionally charged thriller that cuts deep. A decade after Detective Elea Baker’s daughter vanished in the frozen Finnish winter, similar abductions haunt the streets of Lincoln, leading Elea back into the case that destroyed her life. Bleak snowscapes, dual timelines, and finely tuned procedural detail create an atmosphere heavy with dread and obsession. Dark yet sensitively handled, The Ice Angels explores grief, resilience, and a mother’s uncompromising determination.

The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson

Award-winning and deeply atmospheric, The Living and the Dead is Scandi noir at its most haunting. When a teenage boy is found dead after a small-town party in rural Sweden, suspicion falls on two best friends. However, the truth will take more than 20 years to unearth. Carlsson crafts a bleak, gripping portrait of a community riddled with resentment, secrets, and slow-burning tragedy, where no one is truly innocent. Emotional, twist-laden, and richly evocative of place, this is a standout crime novel that lingers long after the final page.

A Death in Glasgow by Eva Macrae

Dark, gritty, and compulsively readable, A Death in Glasgow introduces a new Scottish crime voice to watch. When student Holly Campbell is found dead on the train tracks, police call it suicide, but Sergeant May Mackay sees something that doesn’t add up. Haunted by her own loss, May pursues the truth through Glasgow’s backstreets and uncovers long-buried secrets. Sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and a compelling detective lead make this a standout thriller that’s perfect for fans of Happy Valley.

The pick of the paperbacks

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