The best books out this month

It’s another stand-out month for new crime fiction. From high-concept thrillers to murder mysteries, July’s new releases are brimming with intensity, intrigue, and unexpected twists. These stories grip you early and don’t let you go, keeping you guessing until the final page. If you’re going away this summer, they’d make excellent holiday reads. But if you’re staying local, now is your chance to cancel your plans, turn off your phone, and settle on the sofa – because these are the books worth staying in for.

New crime books out this month:

She Didn’t See It Coming by Shari Lapena
Bryden Frost disappears without a trace – vanishing seemingly from within the walls of her own house. As her husband investigates, he realises nobody is above suspicion, including their friends, neighbours, and even their family. Lapena delivers another signature blend of breathless pacing, chilling family dynamics, and cliffhangers that will ruin your sleep schedule. She Didn’t See It Coming is a gripping, bingeable thriller that proves once again: when Lapena’s in charge, domestic life is anything but safe.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
Nina’s husband was murdered, her daughter Ash is recovering from a breakdown, and a local woman Martha is growing suspicious of her absent husband. They don’t know each other yet, but when their paths cross, buried secrets come to light with terrifying consequences. Jewell plunges even deeper into the shadows with this disturbing, razor-sharp thriller. Unsettling, compulsive, and full of gasp-worthy twists, Don’t Let Him In is domestic noir at its most daring – and darkest.

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
A reunion between six old friends turns sinister in this locked-room psychological thriller where no-one can leave until the truth comes out. Twenty-five years after launching a dating site that included a test to detect psychopaths, the original group reunites – only to be held hostage and forced to confess to what happened that fateful summer. With flashbacks, red herrings, and sharp twists, The Wasp Trap is a pacy, claustrophobic tale of guilt and survival.

Killer Instinct by Nicola Williams
When a powerful senior clerk is found dead and his diary of secrets missing, suspicion falls on the last person to see him alive: junior clerk Dean who “seems like the type” owing to his working-class background. Barrister Lee Mitchell knows a lot about how prejudice can shape convictions, and steps in to defend Dean. Tense, clever and character-driven, this slow-burn legal thriller builds to an explosive ending.

The Good Liar by Denise Mina
Claudia is a forensic expert at the top of her game. A year ago, she gave evidence in a double homicide case that put a killer behind bars. But since the trial, she has learned that her evidence and testimony were wrong – and someone close to her was responsible. Now, she is forced to choose between protecting her reputation and revealing the truth of what happened that night. This smart, layered thriller is thought-provoking and masterfully told.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
Jet Mason survives a brutal attack but has just seven days to live. How will she spend her limited time left? Solving her own murder, of course. As Jet reflects on her potential suspects, she starts to see everyone in a new light: her former boyfriend, her ex-best-friend, even her parents. Jackson combines relentless pacing with emotional depth to create a high-stakes thriller you’ll struggle to put down – and find even harder to forget.

The Day I Lost You by Ruth Mancini
Lauren is looking for a new life in Spain; Hope has just given birth to a beautiful baby boy, Sam. But when Sam goes missing, the authorities believe Lauren kidnapped him. However, Lauren insists the baby is her own – and she has the birth certificate and passport to prove it. So, what really happened to baby Sam? Mancini’s legal background lends authenticity to this twisty, emotionally fraught novel where nothing is as it seems and every character has something to hide.

Seesaw Monster by Kotaro Isaka
The celebrated author of Bullet Train returns with Seesaw Monster, a book containing two novellas. The first introduces Miyako, a former secret agent who is convinced her mother-in-law is a murderer. She uses her professional skills to investigate – with explosive results. The second story sees a messenger called Mito pulled into a conspiracy theory in a not-too-distant future where AI has gone awry. Both tales blend thrills with family drama, and are told with Isaka’s trademark sharp, smart, and surprisingly moving storytelling.

Dead to Me by Gytha Lodge
Undercover journalist Anna Sousa delves into the secretive world of Cambridge University to expose a deadly conspiracy. Then she vanishes. Told through emails, shifting perspectives, and a father’s growing dread, this atmospheric mystery peels back the layers of academia’s polished facade. Lodge masterfully builds tension and complexity, making readers question who’s hiding what – and why. A brilliant thriller with emotional stakes and an unforgettable heroine at its core.

The pick of the paperbacks

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

Which books are going to the top of your to-read pile? Let us know in the comments below…