Killer Reads: Mysteries and Thrillers for Your Spring and Summer TBR

A collage of the covers included in this article

Spring and summer are nice, but they can be annoyingly sunny and cheerful, don’t you think? If you’re in the mood for some chilling thrills and gripping suspense, then we’ve got the books for you. Here are 20 upcoming mysteries and thrillers readers won’t want to miss—some are even already available to request on NetGalley!

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

Shay Evans narrowly escaped a cult when she was in college, but when the group seems to strike out against someone she loves, Shay decides to take them down for good. Teaming up with a true-crime podcast host, Shay sets out to face the darkness in her past.

The Swell by Allie Reynolds

Former surfer Kenna Ward is lured back into the water when her best friend’s engagement leads her to a remote Australian beach. The celebrations are soon marred by disappearances and Kenna must find a way to get herself and her friend out of there alive.

Strangers We Know by Elle Marr

A sudden and strange illness leads Ivy Hon to take a genetic test. The last thing she expects is for the FBI to be interested in the results. The test reveals a connection between her and the Full Moon Killer—a connection the FBI hopes they can use to lure the killer out of hiding.

Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow

Looking for an island getaway this summer? Consider visiting Parris, the exclusive isle at the center of Rebecca Barrow’s YA thriller. The gorgeous island hides a dark history though, where young women are killed and cases go cold and forgotten. Rumor has it the entire place is cursed.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

Jane Austen fans will not want to miss this house party mystery. When Mr. Wickam is killed during the festivities, Juliet Tilney, daughter of Catherine and Henry, and Jonathan Darcy, son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, team up to uncover who the killer is before they strike again.

Harlem Sunset by Nekesa Afia

Named one of our most-anticipated books of 2022, this second installment in the Harlem Renaissance Mystery series takes readers to 1920s Harlem. Louise Lloyd’s birthday celebrations are cut short when her girlfriend Rosa Maria is implicated in a murder.

More Than You’ll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez

Lore Rivera is keeping her head low. Years ago she was secretly married to two men in two different countries, until one husband killed the other. She’s approached by true-crime writer Cassie Bowman. Cassie wants to tell Lore’s story, but is she prepared for the full truth?

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

Samira Ahmed returns this spring with a YA novel that explores racism through the eyes of a young aspiring journalist and the boy whose murder she’s investigating. When Safiya discovers the body of 14-year-old Jawad, she knows that she has to find a way to tell his story.

At the Quiet Edge by Victoria Helen Stone

Lily Brown is attempting to secure a better future for herself and her 12-year-old son Everett after they’re abandoned by her fugitive ex-husband. But when Everett learns of a local mystery and begins to investigate, his nosing around puts them in more danger than ever before.

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

One last job—that’s what hitman Mario tells himself as he agrees to steal a cartel’s cash shipment. The $200,000 payout could help pull him out of the debt he sank into when his daughter fell ill, but the job itself could kill him if he isn’t careful.

The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark

Julie Clark’s latest domestic thriller features a former mark taking on the con artist who stole everything from her. Kat Roberts has waited 10 years to take on Meg Williams. When they run into each other again, Kat plans to do whatever it takes to expose Meg.

Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado

Thrills and horror chills await readers who dive into this debut YA novel. A string of disappearances are plaguing the Bronx, but the police don’t seem interested in kids of color going missing. Raquel and her crush Charlize take it upon themselves to investigate.

Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman

This Jazz Age mystery transports readers to New York City. Seamstress Vivian Kelly lives to let loose at The Nightingale, where music and booze flow freely. But one night turns her whole world upside down when the discovery of a body and a police raid ends with all eyes on her.

Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier

Paris Peralta’s past is catching up with her fast. When she’s arrested for killing her husband, she fears the tabloid attention will catch the eye of the wrong person. Sure enough, she’s contacted by a newly released convict with a dark secret about Paris’ connection to a 25-year-old murder.

Never Coming Home by Kate Williams

A trip to an exclusive island resort turns deadly in this YA novel. Ten social media influencers are selected to be the first guests on Unknown Island. Each believes they were invited due to their substantial following, but the truth lies in the secrets they each desperately try to hide.

Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Jesse Q. Sutanto’s sequel to Dial A for Aunties picks up as Meddy prepares for her wedding. When Meddy and her aunts learn their photographer is part of the mafia and planning to take out a target on the big day, they must work together fast to stop the mob and save the wedding.

Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets by Chelsea Ichaso

In this YA thriller, a teen searches for the truth behind an accident that put her sister in a coma. Piper fell on a hiking trail and Savannah is determined to learn what really happened that day. When she discovers Piper had been invited to a wilderness club, she starts her suspect list there.

Peril at the Exposition by Nev March

Captain Jim Agnihotri and Diana Framji left Bombay after they married and are settling into their new Boston home when Jim is called to investigate a murder in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair. After Jim disappears it’s up to Diana to find him and solve the case.

Two Truths and a Lie by April Henry

April Henry’s YA mystery features an acting troupe stranded at a rundown motel during a blizzard. The group runs into other high school students and they all decide to play a game of two truths and a lie—which leads to Nell fearing that one among them might be a killer.

Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder by Valerie Burns

After being left at the altar, Maddy Montgomery finds herself in Michigan running a bakery she’s inherited from a great aunt. Even with her lack of experience, it seems like the perfect place to start over. But her brief streak of good luck runs out when she’s framed for the mayor’s murder.

Which mystery or thriller are you looking forward to reading?

Kelly Gallucci

Kelly Gallucci is the Executive Editor of We Are Bookish, where she oversees the editorial content, offers book recommendations, and interviews authors and NetGalley members. When she's not working, Kelly can be found color coordinating her bookshelves, eating Chipotle, and watching way too many baking shows.

2 Comments
  1. I’m really looking forward to reading “Swell”, as I loved Allie Reynolds’ last book, “Shiver” – have put in a wish for that, as it’s not available yet for request. I requested “The Murder of Mr. Wickham”, but was unfortunately turned down – I’ll have to hang out for a library copy of that. I’ve been reading a few YA mystery-thrillers recently, and am intrigued by the description of “Never Coming Home” – it sounds like YA inspired by Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”, which is one of my favourite classic mysteries. I’ve also registered a wish for that one – fingers crossed! It sounds like a great season of Mystery / Thriller releases to look forward to!

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