Best Contemporary Books May 2025

One of Us Is Next

Bayview High is still reeling from Simon’s death when a new game emerges, daring students to play or risk their secrets being exposed. As the stakes escalate, three unlikely friends find themselves at the center of the chaos. With each round, the game grows more dangerous, pushing boundaries and testing loyalties. McManus weaves a gripping tale of suspense, friendship, and the lengths we’ll go to protect our truths. This pulse-pounding sequel will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Two Can Keep a Secret

In this gripping thriller, Ellery arrives in Echo Ridge, a town haunted by unsolved mysteries. As she digs into her family’s dark past, including her aunt’s disappearance, a new homecoming queen vanishes. Ellery becomes entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, realizing everyone in town has something to hide. With twists that’ll keep you guessing, McManus crafts a suspenseful tale of small-town intrigue that’ll have you questioning who to trust until the very end.

One of Us Is Lying

Five students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When Simon, the creator of a notorious gossip app, dies under suspicious circumstances, his classmates become prime suspects. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper must navigate a web of lies and betrayal. With each twist, they question not only their peers but themselves. This gripping thriller explores the dark side of high school, where everyone has something to hide, and the truth is deadlier than fiction.

City of Ghosts

Cassidy Blake’s life changed forever when she nearly drowned. Now, she can see ghosts and cross into the spirit world. When her parents, paranormal investigators, take her to haunted Edinburgh, Cassidy discovers a city teeming with restless spirits. As she unravels a centuries-old mystery, she realizes her gift might be both a blessing and a curse. With her ghostly best friend Jacob by her side, Cassidy must face her fears and confront a powerful entity threatening the living and the dead alike.

The Woman Next Door

Hortensia and Marion, two widows in their eighties, are neighbors in an upscale Cape Town suburb. Despite their proximity, they’re bitter rivals, their animosity fueled by decades of racial tension and personal grudges. As life throws unexpected challenges their way, these headstrong women find themselves reluctantly drawn together. Through sharp wit and poignant moments, Omotoso explores the complexities of aging, prejudice, and the possibility of reconciliation. A touching tale that reminds us it’s never too late for second chances.

Someone We Know

In a quiet suburban neighborhood, secrets lurk behind closed doors. When a teenager’s hacking hobby uncovers shocking truths, it sets off a chain of events that will change lives forever. As suspicions grow and accusations fly, neighbors turn against each other, and long-buried secrets come to light. Shari Lapena masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, lies, and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish it!

The Maid

Molly, a meticulous maid at the Regency Grand Hotel, finds solace in her orderly world of cleanliness. But when she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his bed, her carefully structured life unravels. Suddenly thrust into a murder investigation, Molly must navigate a world she doesn’t quite understand. With her unique perspective and unwavering determination, she sets out to uncover the truth, learning valuable lessons about friendship and human nature along the way. A charming and poignant tale of an unlikely heroine finding her voice.

Our Missing Hearts

Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives in a world where dissent is silenced and books are banned. His mother, a Chinese American poet, left years ago, her whereabouts unknown. Bird clings to fragmented memories of her, searching for clues in the pages she once read to him. When a mysterious letter arrives, Bird embarks on a quest to find her, uncovering a network of librarians working to preserve outlawed art and literature. Ng’s haunting tale explores the power of stories and the unbreakable bonds of family, reminding us that hope can flourish even in the darkest times.

Four Seasons in Rome

Doerr’s enchanting memoir transports readers to the Eternal City, where he spent a year with his wife and newborn twins. With lyrical prose and keen observations, he captures the essence of Roman life – from the aroma of fresh espresso to the grandeur of ancient ruins. Doerr’s reflections on parenthood, art, and history intertwine seamlessly, creating a vivid tapestry of his Roman adventure. His infectious curiosity and wonder make this book a delightful journey through Italy’s captivating capital.

Bridge of Clay

Clay Dunbar, the quiet middle child of five rowdy brothers, embarks on a journey to build a bridge—both literal and metaphorical. Zusak’s lyrical prose weaves a tapestry of family, loss, and redemption, as Clay grapples with his mother’s death and father’s abandonment. Through sweat and determination, he constructs a bridge across a dry riverbed, symbolizing his quest to reconnect his fractured family. This poignant tale of brotherhood and resilience will leave readers pondering the bridges we all must build in our lives.