Best Crime Books April 2025

The Seagull

Detective Jimmy Perez returns to the windswept Shetland Islands in Ann Cleeves’ gripping mystery, “The Seagull.” When human remains are unearthed at a local beach, Perez is drawn into a complex web of secrets and lies stretching back decades. As he unravels the connections between past and present, Perez must confront his own demons while racing to catch a killer. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the stark island landscape create an atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Harbour Street

As winter descends on the sleepy coastal town of Mardle, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds herself drawn into a perplexing case. The discovery of a woman’s body on Harbour Street sets off a chain of events that unravels the tight-knit community’s secrets. Vera’s keen intuition and dogged determination lead her through a maze of lies and long-buried truths. With each revelation, the line between victim and perpetrator blurs, challenging Vera’s understanding of justice. Ann Cleeves masterfully weaves a tale of human frailty and redemption that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

The Glass Room

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope returns in this gripping mystery set in the windswept Northumberland coast. When the body of a young teacher is found in the dunes, Vera’s instincts lead her to a nearby writers’ retreat. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies among the aspiring authors. With her trademark wit and tenacity, Vera must navigate the complex relationships and hidden motives to catch a killer before they strike again. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling and vivid characters bring the stark beauty of the landscape to life, making this a must-read for fans of atmospheric crime fiction.

The Crow Trap

In “The Crow Trap,” Ann Cleeves weaves a gripping tale of murder and secrets in the rugged Northumberland countryside. Three women, each harboring their own hidden truths, find themselves drawn into a web of deceit when a body is discovered near their remote field center. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried tensions surface, and loyalties are tested. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling keeps readers guessing until the very end, blending atmospheric descriptions with complex characters in this haunting mystery that lingers long after the final page.

Telling Tales

In “Telling Tales,” Ann Cleeves weaves a gripping mystery that haunts a small village for a decade. When a young girl’s murder case is reopened, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope arrives to unravel the truth. As she digs deeper, long-buried secrets surface, threatening to shatter the community’s fragile peace. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling and complex characters kept me guessing until the very end. A perfect read for those chilly nights when you crave a good, old-fashioned whodunit.

Hidden Depths

Diving into the murky waters of human nature, Ann Cleeves’ “Hidden Depths” is a gripping tale that will leave you breathless. Set against the rugged Northumberland coast, this atmospheric thriller follows Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope as she unravels a series of mysterious drownings. Cleeves’ masterful storytelling had me on the edge of my seat, her vivid descriptions bringing the windswept landscape to life. I found myself completely immersed in Vera’s world, rooting for her as she peeled back layers of secrets and lies. A must-read for mystery lovers!

Silent Voices

Detective Vera Stanhope’s latest case plunges her into the murky world of secrets at a local health club. When a body is discovered in the sauna, Vera’s instincts kick in. As she peels back layers of lies, she uncovers a web of jealousy and betrayal. The victim’s past holds the key, but getting people to talk proves challenging. Vera’s unorthodox methods ruffle feathers, but her keen insight might just crack the case. A gripping mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

Cold Earth

Detective Jimmy Perez returns in this chilling Shetland mystery, where the harsh winter landscape mirrors the darkness of human nature. When a landslide unearths a woman’s body, Perez must navigate treacherous terrain and even more dangerous secrets. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a web of lies that threatens to unravel the tight-knit island community. Cleeves’ masterful prose brings the windswept islands to life, making you feel the biting cold and isolation alongside the characters. A gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Wild Fire

Shetland’s rugged beauty masks a simmering undercurrent of secrets in Ann Cleeves’ gripping “Wild Fire.” As Detective Jimmy Perez investigates a young nanny’s murder, he uncovers a web of lies that threatens to consume the close-knit island community. Cleeves’ masterful prose brings the windswept landscape to life, while her nuanced characters grapple with loyalty, suspicion, and the weight of the past. A haunting tale that kept me guessing until the very end.

Thin Air

Detective Jimmy Perez returns to his Shetland Islands home, only to be thrust into a perplexing case. A young woman vanishes during a music festival, leaving behind whispers of folklore and dark secrets. As fog shrouds the rugged landscape, Perez unravels a web of lies and long-buried truths. Cleeves masterfully weaves atmosphere and suspense, capturing the isolation and close-knit nature of island life. I found myself shivering alongside the characters, feeling the damp chill seep into my bones as I turned each page.