Summer crime and thriller book recommendations
Whether you’re going away or staying home this summer I’ve got some great crime and thriller
book recommendations for you to dive into.
I’m shying away from my usual Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay favourites to bring you
something different and books with writers I have only just really discovered but let’s start with the big hitter and the winner of the 2025 Theakston Crime Novel Of The Year, Hunted by Abir Mukherjee.
It’s now out in paperback and heads my crime and thriller book recommendations because
when I read it in 2025 I couldn’t put it down and then found I couldn’t pick up and read anything
else for far too long. It really is a page turner and you need to know how the lives of the people
involved turn out.
The story is about two families left devastated after their children become involved in a terrorist plot and sees two of the parents chasing across the US to stop a potential atrocity.
If you haven’t read it already you should. I am now looking out for his next standalone thriller
Pinnacle and will be buying it as part of my haul at the Theakston Crime Writing Festival next
month.
Katherine Faulkner – The Break- In
The first year I went to the Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate I was on a table at dinner with
Katherine Faulkner and received her book The Other Mothers. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know
her and I didn’t read the book but last year I received The Break In as a preview copy and took it
on holiday with me. The Break In should really be at the top of my summer crime and thriller
reading recommendations as I read it in August and couldn’t put it down. I read it in 36 hours
and once home I read The Other Mothers and her first novel Greenwich Park.
The story revolves around a break-in when Alice strikes the intruder at her house too hard and
kills him. Consumed with guilt she finds the teenager’s mother to confess but when she can’t
bring herself to reveal who she is she finds herself drawn into the mother’s life. Watch out for
twists and turns!
Abigail Dean – One Day
Abigail Dean’s novel One Day is the book I wasn’t expecting to buy but then found I couldn’t
resist when I heard her talk about it. It’s about a school shooting in a UK rural community and
deals with the aftermath of what happened but witnesses have different recollections and the
timing and memories of what occurred and when aren’t always aligned.
Abigail Dean’s writing is beautiful, sad but compelling and you’ll want to know what was missed
in the investigation into the murders. I have since read The Death Of Us and it is just as
beautifully written.
Claire Douglas – The New Neighbours
Next up is The New Neighbours by Claire Douglas. I had never read one of her books before
this although I had several on the bookcase and I have whipped through those too now.
New neighbours move in next to Lena and they seem just perfect until, as she helps her son
record sounds for a project, she overhears something that makes her suspect they might not be
as perfect as they appear. They may have committed a crime!
I do love a gripping psychological thriller and Claire Douglas delivers this expertly.
Having set out my summer crime and thriller book recommendations I realise it sounds as
though all I ever do is read books rather than write my own mystery games but I promise there
are more games on their way for you to play!
Sarah Hilary – The Drowning Place
Next up is The Drowning Place by Sarah Hilary. I love Sarah Hilary’s books but this one was
different, dark and brooding and is part of a two book series. I hope there will be more and I’m
not sure that I can wait until next year for the second book to arrive.
Detective Sergeant Joseph Ashe was the only survivor of a bus crash that killed his
schoolmates when it plunged into a quarry. Now he is surrounded by the ghosts of those who
died including his best friend. Most of them are occasional ghosts but his best friend seems to
be there frequently. Now with his new boss they are tasked to solve a crime that has shocked
their community.
I want to learn more of Joseph Ashe and his friend, Sammi, and I think you will too. In the mean
time I’ve picked up more Sarah Hilary novels while I wait.
Holly Jackson – Five Survive
Five Survive by Holly Jackson is a young adult standalone novel from the woman who brought
us The Good Girls Guide To Murder series. Now I love young adult fiction and I refuse to let the label from letting me read great stories. Holly Jackson has now moved into the adult crime and
thriller market with Not Quite Dead Yet but I think Five Survive is her best and it is crying out to
be turned into a movie or a TV series – just saying Netflix!
The story revolves around a group of teens on a break from school whose RV apparently breaks
down as they head off on a trip. Of course, there’s nothing innocent about this break down and
the teens soon realise there is a sniper shooting at them. It is pacy, exciting and unputdownable.
MJ Arlidge & Julia Crouch – The Wrong Child
And finally I have added The Wrong Child to the list of my summer crime and thriller reading list.
This was written by MJ Arlidge and Julia Crouch and I picked it up after a talk when Matt Arlidge
was talking about how he has so many ideas he needs to work with other authors to get the
books written, a fascinating idea and one I know James Patterson employs successfully.
A child is abducted and whisked off to a life with a family of travellers and the story revolves
around how the search for the child is handled and how the real mother finds herself blamed for
allowing the baby to go missing.
It’s a light read and perfect for a summer holiday
Can you solve our 15 minute case file?
Add your email and we’ll send you this free game.
Ready to one of our full length and more complicated case file games?
Which case will you investigate next?
The Death Of Gideon Love