There's nothing like crime fiction to keep you glued to the page. Whether you like police procedurals, cosy crime or psychological thrillers, here's our pick of the best new crime books out in 2026.
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
Fans of Knives Out’s tongue-in-cheek tone will enjoy this twisty thriller. World-famous author Arthur Fletch is dead, his final novel unfinished, so his publisher and agent invite six writers to his private island in Scotland for the opportunity of a lifetime: whoever writes the perfect ending to the book gets a million pounds.
HQ The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
Dead Heat by Sabine Durrant
This slow-burn thriller gives White Lotus vibes thanks to the luxe setting on Greece’s Mani Peninsula and its obnoxious characters. After losing his job, Matt Grimshaw holes up in his friends’ holiday house, where he becomes tangled up in others’ infidelities, old rivalries and, ultimately, tragedy.
Based On A True Story by Sarah Vaughan
This twisty thriller has so much I like: a grand house on a windswept Cornish cliff, an enigmatic writer celebrating her 70th birthday in style, a secret blackmailer and three daughters duking it out to be the favourite. Superbly plotted and engrossing from start to finish.
Simon & Schuster Based on a True Story by Sarah Vaughan
Adrift by Will Dean
With the same heart-in-your-mouth pace of The Last Thing To Burn, this is a masterclass in suspense. Peggy, Drew and their 14-year-old son have moved on to a canal boat as Drew tries to resurrect his writing career. The worse things go for him, the more controlling he becomes, while the reader roots for Peggy to escape.
Hodder & Stoughton Adrift by Will Dean
Room 706 by Ellie Levenson
Married mum of two Kate is in a hotel room with her lover, James, when the building is taken over by terrorists and she’s ordered by the police to stay exactly where she is. So begins this tender, thoughtful novel, which is part thriller, part exploration of what it is to be a woman and the huge expectations put on you.
Anatomy Of An Alibi by Ashley Elston
In this twisty thriller, Camille Bayliss and Aubrey Price are linked by Camille’s husband, Ben, who Aubrey believes knows more about her parents’ death than he admits. The two concoct a plan to trade places so Camille can spy on Ben, but when he’s found dead, only one of them has an alibi…
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Phillipson
A serial killer is on the rampage and the only way to stop them is to read between the lines of the manual they leave behind at each crime scene. . With dark humour sprinkled throughout, this is an addictive read from a new writer to watch.
How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson
Out now in paperback
The Death Of Us by Abigail Dean
The latest book from the Girl A author is an exquisitely written look at the impact of a horrific crime on the disintegration of a marriage. Dean cleverly weaves backwards and forwards in time to create a powerful, unsettling story.
Hemlock Press The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen
77-year-old Mimi and her grand-daughter are the unlikely sleuths in this fun murder mystery. When the hostess is killed at a fancy cocktail party thrown - quickly followed by one of the guests, the pair race to find the killer before a third murder is committed.
A Neighbour’s Guide To Murder by Louise Candlish
The panel loved this twisty mystery set in a London mansion block. A reader said: ‘Some very well-observed characters and Gwen was written with great humour.’
A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish
