Best Action Books January 2025

Cross Country

Detective Alex Cross faces his most terrifying challenge yet in this heart-pounding thriller. When a string of brutal murders rocks Washington D.C., Cross is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a cunning killer known as the Tiger. As the body count rises, Cross must race against time to unravel the killer’s twisted motives and prevent the next strike. With his family in danger and his career on the line, Cross embarks on a desperate cross-country pursuit that will test his limits and force him to confront his own demons.

The Chamber

In this gripping legal thriller, Grisham plunges readers into the heart of Mississippi’s death row. Young lawyer Adam Hall takes on the case of his racist grandfather, Sam Cayhall, a former Klansman facing execution for a bombing that killed two children. As Adam races against time, he uncovers dark family secrets and confronts the complexities of Southern justice. With each page, I found myself captivated by Grisham’s masterful storytelling and the moral dilemmas faced by his characters. A haunting exploration of redemption and the lingering shadows of the past.

The King of Torts

Clay Carter’s life as a public defender takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical giant. Suddenly thrust into the world of mass torts, Clay finds himself swimming in wealth and power. But as he navigates this treacherous legal landscape, he begins to question the morality of his choices. With each victory, the stakes grow higher, and Clay must confront the consequences of his ambition. Grisham’s gripping tale explores the blurred lines between justice and greed, leaving readers pondering the true cost of success.

Fearless Fourteen

Stephanie Plum’s back, and this time she’s in over her head with a mysterious teenager, a gang of dangerous seniors, and an unexpected houseguest. When a local gaming mogul goes missing, Stephanie finds herself tangled in a web of family secrets and suburban intrigue. With her loyal sidekick Lula and the ever-charming Morelli by her side, she navigates Trenton’s underbelly, dodging bullets and bad guys. Evanovich’s signature wit shines through in this rollicking adventure that’ll keep you laughing and guessing until the very last page.

Artemis Fowl

Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl hatches a daring plan to steal fairy gold. But he’s not prepared for the cunning and magic of the Lower Elements Police. As Artemis navigates a world of high-tech fairies, centaurs, and a kleptomaniac dwarf, he discovers that outsmarting these creatures is harder than he thought. With wit, action, and a dash of humor, this thrilling adventure will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Man In the Iron Mask

Dumas weaves a gripping tale of intrigue and betrayal in this final installment of the d’Artagnan Romances. Set against the backdrop of 17th-century France, the story follows the aging Musketeers as they uncover a shocking royal secret. I was captivated by the complex relationships and moral dilemmas faced by these once-inseparable friends. Dumas’ masterful prose brings the era to life, making you feel the weight of each character’s choices. A thrilling conclusion to an epic saga.

The Camel Club

In the shadowy underbelly of Washington D.C., four unlikely friends form the Camel Club, a group dedicated to exposing government conspiracies. Led by the enigmatic Oliver Stone, they stumble upon a plot that threatens the very foundation of American democracy. As bodies pile up and secrets unravel, the club finds itself in a race against time, battling powerful forces that will stop at nothing to keep their machinations hidden. Baldacci’s gripping thriller weaves a tapestry of suspense, leaving readers breathless and questioning who they can trust in a world where nothing is as it seems.

The Broker

In this gripping tale of international intrigue, Grisham weaves a masterful web of deception and redemption. Joel Backman, a disgraced Washington power broker, finds himself unexpectedly pardoned and whisked away to Italy. As he navigates his newfound freedom, Joel realizes he’s a pawn in a dangerous game. With the CIA watching his every move and assassins closing in, he must unravel the truth behind his pardon before it’s too late. A heart-pounding thriller that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.

The Killer Angels

Shaara’s masterful retelling of the Battle of Gettysburg gripped me from the first page. Through vivid characters and intimate details, he breathes life into this pivotal moment in American history. I found myself transported to those sweltering July days, feeling the weight of decisions that would shape a nation. The human element shines through, reminding us that behind the grand strategies were ordinary men facing extraordinary circumstances. A truly unforgettable read that left me pondering the nature of duty and sacrifice long after I closed the book.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

Lisbeth Salander, the enigmatic hacker with a dragon tattoo, faces her toughest battle yet. Recovering from a bullet wound, she’s confined to a hospital bed, fighting for her life and her freedom. Meanwhile, journalist Mikael Blomkvist races against time to prove her innocence. As dark secrets of Sweden’s past come to light, Lisbeth must confront her own demons and a shadowy conspiracy that threatens everything she holds dear. A gripping finale to Larsson’s Millennium trilogy that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.