Our pick of the best new crime, mystery and thriller books out this month includes a mix of psychological thrillers, locked-room mysteries and high-concept crime novels. These new releases feature bank heists, metafictional murder investigations and cartel-related crimes, set in atmospheric locations from rural Texas to the remote Peak District. Expect unreliable narrators, characters facing moral dilemmas, and plenty of suspense. In other words, there’s something for every mystery and thriller lover in our list of this month’s must-read crime titles.
The Keeper by Tana French
The Keeper by Tana French
Publication date: 2nd April
Few writers have mastered the slow-burn small-town mystery like Tana French. In her latest crime novel, retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper investigates the murder of a local girl whose death has divided an Irish village. This is an immersive, character-driven mystery with a deep sense of place – as in French’s other books, you feel like you’re living in the village yourself – and it’s the perfect read for fans of Gillian Flynn and Ann Cleeves.
A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz
A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz
Publication date: 23rd April
The latest addition to Anthony Horowitz’s popular Hawthorne and Horowitz series is a wildly entertaining murder mystery, as we’ve come to expect from the beloved author. This time, the whodunnit takes place on a film set, where fiction and reality collide when an actor playing Detective Hawthorne in a dramatized re-enactment of Horowitz’s book is murdered (it’s very meta). A Deadly Episode combines Horowitz’s signature wit, clever plot twists, and eccentric characters, and we’re sure it will delight fans of the series and newcomers alike.
Red Scorpion by Tom Bradby
Red Scorpion by Tom Bradby
Publication date: 9th April
Journalist and bestselling novelist Tom Bradby delivers an immersive thriller set in the world of cartels and organised crime. The story follows Dr Laura Strong who, overwhelmed with debt and responsibility, accepts a seemingly life-saving offer from a wealthy Colombian family, only to find herself entangled in a dangerous web of power and violence. This is a character-led thriller with a well-researched, high-stakes plot that makes it perfect for fans of Frederick Forsyth and Dan Brown.
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
Publication date: 9th April
This must-read domestic thriller explores the lengths a parent will go to for their child, fusing a fast-paced plot and character-driven drama in a way that only Gillian McAllister can. The story follows Simone Seaborn, who wakes up to a nightmare: her teenage daughter Lucy is gone, and she receives a chilling phone call demanding Simone commit the unthinkable to protect her child. This is a tense, pulse-pounding thriller that is equal parts gripping and emotional – perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Claire Douglas.
Everyone In This Bank Is A Thief by Benjamin Stevenson
Everyone in this Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson
Publication date: 16th April
In this locked-room mystery, a group of strangers are held hostage in a bank – and then someone is murdered. Our hero Ernest Cunningham is caught up in the chaotic heist and must decipher the hidden motives of each character, from the teenage gambler to the wealthy film producer, to solve the crime before the police arrive. This is a clever, witty, high-concept mystery that is full of humour and heart, combining Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit intrigue with unpredictable storytelling.
The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary
The Drowning Place by Sarah Hillary
Publication date: 16th April
Sarah Hillary’s latest novel is a police procedural with a twist, set in an atmospheric small town in the Peak District. Edenscar has been haunted by tragedy since a school bus crash 17 years ago killed everybody on board – except for Joe Ashe. Now a detective sergeant, DS Ashe joins forces with DI Laurie Bower to investigate a brutal killing in the town. This intricately plotted, chilling mystery is perfect for fans of Tana French because of its unsettling atmosphere, strong sense of location and character-driven storyline.
A Killer in the Family by Amin Ahmad
A Killer in the Family by Amin Ahmad
Publication date: 30th April
This literary thriller is like a cross between the dysfunctional family of Succession and the elite but corrupt world of The White Lotus. When Ali Azeem marries Maryam Khan, the daughter of the New York magnate Abbas Khan, he enters a dazzling world of skyscrapers, wealth, and secrecy. But the Khans’ secrets are darker than most – including links to a potential serial killer. Amin Ahmad’s new novel is a mix of procedural and family drama, with a high-stakes plot, glittering atmosphere and fascinating (but corrupt) characters.
The Stranger on the Stairs by Ruth Mancini
The Stranger on the Stairs by Ruth Mancini
Publication date: 23rd April
This psychological thriller is the third book from Sunday Times-bestselling author Ruth Mancini, whose debut novel The Woman on the Ledge was one of our top-rated books of 2024. In The Stranger on the Stairs, Bella starts to doubt whether the man she helped convict was guilty of her mother’s murder. When the man is released from prison, a pro-bono lawyer takes up his case, uncovering disturbing truths and making Bella question her memory. This is a tense, atmospheric psychological drama where every plot twist heightens the suspense, keeping readers guessing until the final heart-stopping revelation.
The pick of the paperbacks
The following titles have already hit the shelves in hardback and are newly available in paperback this month.
Other must-read new crime releases
We’re not just excited about the new crime books being released this month: there are already so many titles that have been released this year that we would call the best crime books of 2026. These include, but are not limited to:
- Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davies (released 9th March 2026): a legal thriller about a small-town judge who must decide on an abortion case.
- The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent (released 12th March 2026): a psychological suspense about two separated sisters still reeling from a shocking incident from their adolescence.
- The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (released in paperback on 2nd July 2026): a high-octane mystery sees Professor Robert Langdon decode a conspiracy in a race against time to save the woman he loves.
- The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (released in paperback on 7th July 2026): the latest Thursday Murder Club mystery sees the gang return to track down a missing wedding guest, and a tech mogul who will stop at nothing to crack an uncrackable code. Osman’s new novel We Chase Shadows will also be released this year, on 10th September 2026.
Love it when Dead Good books appears in my in box!
I have my favourite authors but it is good to have insight into other books and authors.
So 2 years on, and 2 years older, I am still thrilled when I see “Dead Good”
appear – Gruesome twosome and I (dogs) looking forward to sitting by the fire and reading our way through the winter months. Once again – Thankyou!
Some very good books on this list, my to be read pile just got higher!
There are a good few of these books that I must read it’s looking like an exciting summer
So many books and so little time to read them! At least you’re helping me to narrow the titles down to a shorter list 🙂