Thrillerbooks make some of the most engaging reads, but it can be difficult to find ones that remain gripping all the way through.10/10 thriller books are rarein that regard, and while not all of 2025’s new releases are perfect, this year boasts some incredible new additions to the genre.
Many of2025’s new thriller booksmake absolutelygripping beach reads, though they can also be enjoyed in the lead-up to spooky season — or any time after.The year’s greatest thrillers so far all bring the suspense, along with thoughtful themes and stories that will leave readers thinking about them long after they’ve finished the last page.
10King Of Ashes
By S.A. Cosby
S.A. Cosby doesn’t have a bad book to his name, and the author’s 2025 thriller is no exception; in fact, it’s one of his best works yet.King of Ashescapitalizes on the strengths of Cosby’s previous novels, exploring similar themes of survival and revenge and bringing just as much action and suspense.
The story, which centers on a man going to devastating lengths to protect his family, is willing to lean into the worst aspects of humanity. That, combined with its compelling character dynamics and breakneck pacing, makes it easy to fly through this one. There’s a reason it’sone of Amazon’s best books of 2025and boasts a 4.17 averageGoodreadsscore.
9Wild Dark Shore
By Charlotte McConaghy
Another thriller book named among Amazon’s best books of 2025 is Charlotte McConaghy’sWild Dark Shore, which has almost everything you could want from the genre. Although its pacing is a bit slow compared to some of the year’s other hits, its story and twists prove worth the commitment.
Wild Dark Shoreis set on an isolated island, where a woman washes up and upends the lives of the caretakers there. Beautifully written, the novel takes advantage of everything from its well-crafted setting to its mysterious characters to tell a story that’s as emotional as it is suspenseful. Its 4.19 averageGoodreadsrating is warranted, offering even further incentive to give it a try.
8Never Flinch
By Stephen King
Stephen King is a master of both horror and thriller writing, so it’s no surprise that his 2025 novel is among the year’s best releases in the latter category.Never Flinchreturns readers toKing’s Holly Gibney universe, immersing the private investigator in a case involving a threat to kill 14 people, all while she serves as a bodyguard to a women’s rights activist.
In typical King fashion,Never Flinchexamines the darkest parts of humanity and leaves readers with a lot to think about.
In typical King fashion,Never Flinchexamines the darkest parts of humanity and leaves readers with a lot to think about. Its approach to extremism feels all too relevant in 2025. And paired with Holly’s obvious character growth and a standout ending,Never Flinchleaves an impressionthat will keep it among 2025’s best thrillers even after the next six months are through.
7Julie Chan Is Dead
By Liann Zhang
Liann Zhang’s debut thriller novel,Julie Chan Is Dead, has one of the most interesting premisesto grace the category this year — and despite its mixedGoodreadsreviews, the book is worth one all thriller fans should give a chance. The story follows the titular Julie as she impersonates her deceased sister, whose life as an influencer isn’t as glittering as it appears looking in.
It’s an impressive debut, marking Zhang as an author to watch out for.
Things get really interesting when Julie realizes the truth behind her sister’s death, along with how that threatenshernow that she’s stepped into her shoes.Julie Chan Is Deadis every bit as clever as its story concept, and it juggles its humor, suspense, and commentary well. It’s an impressive debut, marking Zhang as an author to watch out for.
6Don’t Let Him In
By Lisa Jewell
Lisa Jewell is a must-read thriller author, andher 2025 novel,Don’t Let Him In,perfectly demonstrates why. The book follows three different women, all of whom are connected by a man they shouldn’t have “let in.“Don’t Let Him Intakes its time unraveling their narratives, but it proves as gripping and twisty as Jewell’s prior books.
In addition to keeping readers on their toes,Don’t Let Him Inintroduces them to a villain who will leave them seething — and who could all too easily exist in real life. Jewell handles this element of her domestic thriller well, ramping up the stakes and making it easy to get emotionally invested.It makesDon’t Let Him Ina can’t-miss thrillerthat will surely be one of 2025’s biggest hits.
5The Ghostwriter
By Julie Clark
The Ghostwriterby Julie Clark is another 2025 thriller receiving high praise, with its 4.13 averageGoodreadsrating speaking to its success. The novel revolves around a horror writer whose siblings died back in 1975, leaving him the sole survivor — and a suspect. Vincent’s connection to the incident has helped his writing career, but it’s only when he asks his daughter to ghostwrite his final book that the truth comes out.
The Ghostwriter’s intriguing premise alone is enough to sell Clark’s latest novel, but it has much more going for it.
The Ghostwriter’s intriguing premise alone is enough to sell Clark’s latest novel, but it has much more going for it. It’s twisty and will keep readers guessing until the very end, despite its slower pacing. The novel also leans into the familial drama at its core, and it explores trauma in a thoughtful and memorable way that helps it stand out within the genre.
By Jesse Q. Sutanto
A cozier mystery than most thriller offerings on this list,Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)makes a solid follow-uptoVera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.Indeed, it surpasses Jesse Q. Sutanto’s 2023 novel, just as its 4.23 averageGoodreadsscore suggests. Vera Wong’s latest adventure revolves around a missing influencer, whose body turning up only presents more mysteries.
With no one able to track down the true identity of the influencer known as Xander, Vera Wong takes the job upon herself. Despite this dark premise,Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)is charming, heartfelt, and entertaining. It’s a joy to read, which is rare for a thriller-mystery.
3The Man Made Of Smoke
By Alex North
The Whisper Manauthor Alex North returned withThe Man Madeof Smoke in 2025, and although his new thriller isn’t quite as iconic as his 2019 release, it’s still one of the best additions to the genre this year.The Man Made of Smokefollows a criminal profiler whose life was totally altered by nearly coming into contact with a serial killer as a kid.
An engrossing story from the beginning,The Man Made of Smokemasterfully juggles difficult themes, as well as multiple timelines and perspectives.
When Dan Garvie’s father passes away, he’s forced to revisit what he saw as a child — and consider the possibility that it’s connected to his father’s fate. An engrossing story from the beginning,The Man Made of Smokemasterfully juggles difficult themes, as well as multiple timelines and perspectives. It’s a wild ride, but it’s one of the most worthwhile ones you’ll go on this year.
2Kills Well With Others
By Deanna Raybourn
Kills Well With Others, the second installment in Deanna Raybourn’sKillers of a Certain Ageseries, hit shelves back in March — andit elevates the series after 2022’sKillers of a Certain Age.Kills Well With Othersmaintains everything that made the first novel great: the compelling characters, the charm, and the action. However, its plot proves just a little bit better.
Books In The Killers Of A Certain Age Series In Order
2022
Kills Well With Others
2025
In Raybourn’s second installment, the series' band of senior assassins find themselves tracking down an enemy of the assassin group dubbed the Museum — one who has access to the kills they’ve been behind and is connected to a gangster seeking revenge. This investigation takes the book’s heroines on a high-stakes adventure that’s more gripping than its predecessor. It will leave readers eager for a third novel.
1The Perfect Divorce
By Jeneva Rose
Jeneva Rose’sThe Perfect Marriagehas been a hit thriller since its 2020 release, soit’s no wonder that its sequel is proving to be one of 2025’s best releases.The Perfect Divorcepicks up 11 years after book one, with Sarah living with her new husband, Bob. Unfortunately, Sarah’s life is upended yet again, with Bob cheating and new revelations about her previous case with Adam emerging.
2020
The Perfect Divorce
Full of incredible twists and turns,The Perfect Divorcebuilds on its predecessor in impressive ways, forcing readers to rethink everything they believe to be true. It’s a standoutthrillerthat benefits from what came before — and manages feel fresh all the while. Its 4.05Goodreadsrating is a testament to that and to the author’s storytelling skill.
