Best Mystery Books January 2025

Lair of Dreams

Dive into the glittering, dangerous world of 1920s New York in this spellbinding sequel. As a mysterious sleeping sickness grips the city, Evie and her supernatural friends must navigate a realm where dreams and reality blur. Bray’s lush prose brings the Jazz Age to life, weaving together romance, mystery, and the occult. With richly drawn characters and heart-pounding suspense, this book kept me up way past my bedtime, totally engrossed in its dreamlike atmosphere. A thrilling adventure you won’t want to wake up from.

The Diviners

Evie O’Neill’s sharp tongue lands her in hot water in Ohio, forcing her parents to ship her off to Manhattan. But 1920s New York City holds more than speakeasies and jazz for Evie. Her uncanny ability to “read” objects reveals a sinister connection to a serial killer terrorizing the city. Teaming up with her uncle and a ragtag group of misfits, each with their own supernatural gifts, Evie races to stop the murderer before it’s too late. Bray’s vivid prose brings the Roaring Twenties to life in this thrilling paranormal mystery that will keep you up all night.

The Mask Falling

Paige Mahoney, the dreamwalker, finds herself in a precarious position as she navigates the treacherous waters of Scion Paris. Torn between her loyalty to the rebellion and her growing feelings for Warden, she must make impossible choices that could alter the fate of both humans and voyants. Shannon’s vivid prose brings this dystopian world to life, weaving intricate politics with heart-pounding action. I found myself holding my breath during the tense undercover missions, feeling Paige’s internal struggle as if it were my own. A thrilling continuation of the series that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The Song Rising

Paige Mahoney’s world is crumbling. As Underqueen of the Mime Order, she faces mounting threats from all sides. The Scion regime tightens its grip on London, while a dangerous new technology threatens to expose clairvoyants everywhere. Torn between loyalty and survival, Paige must navigate treacherous alliances and confront her own demons. As she uncovers shocking secrets about her past, she realizes the fate of her people rests on her shoulders. Shannon’s vivid prose brings this dystopian world to life, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

The Mime Order

Paige Mahoney’s world is shattered when she’s thrust into the criminal underworld of Scion London. Forced to navigate a treacherous landscape of rival gangs and shadowy figures, she must use her rare clairvoyant abilities to survive. As she uncovers a sinister plot that threatens everything she holds dear, Paige finds herself torn between loyalty and love. Shannon’s gripping prose and intricate world-building had me on the edge of my seat, desperately turning pages late into the night. A thrilling blend of dystopian fantasy and urban grit that left me craving more.

The Bone Season

In a dystopian London, Paige Mahoney navigates a dangerous underworld as a dreamwalker, a rare clairvoyant hunted by the government. When she’s captured and thrust into a hidden city ruled by powerful beings, she discovers her own untapped abilities. As she unravels the city’s secrets, Paige forms unlikely alliances and faces heart-wrenching choices. I couldn’t put it down, staying up late to devour just one more chapter. Shannon’s vivid world-building and complex characters left me craving the next installment in this thrilling series.

Everything I Never Told You

Lydia Lee is dead, but her family doesn’t know it yet. As the Lees grapple with their loss, long-buried secrets surface, revealing the complexities of love, identity, and belonging. Set in 1970s Ohio, this poignant tale explores the weight of expectations and the struggle to fit in. Ng’s masterful prose delves into the intricate dynamics of a mixed-race family, unraveling the threads that bind them together and the silences that tear them apart. A haunting, intimate portrait of family life that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

The Hypnotist’s Love Story

Ellen O’Farrell, a hypnotherapist with a thriving practice, thinks she’s finally found Mr. Right in Patrick. There’s just one hitch: his ex-girlfriend is stalking them. As Ellen becomes increasingly fascinated by this shadowy figure, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of relationships and secrets. With Moriarty’s signature wit and insight, this captivating tale explores love, obsession, and the blurred lines between past and present. A page-turner that will leave you questioning the nature of truth and perception.

Nine Perfect Strangers

Nestled in the Australian bush, Tranquillum House promises transformation. Nine stressed city-dwellers arrive, seeking rejuvenation. But as the days unfold, something feels off. The enigmatic resort director, Masha, seems to have her own agenda. Secrets simmer beneath the surface, and tensions rise. Each guest grapples with personal demons, unaware they’re pawns in a dangerous game. Moriarty weaves a captivating tale of redemption, deception, and the unexpected connections that can bloom in the most unlikely places. A gripping exploration of human nature that will leave you questioning everything.

What Alice Forgot

Alice wakes up on the gym floor, thinking she’s 29 and madly in love. In reality, she’s 39, with three kids and a crumbling marriage. As she pieces together the lost decade, Alice grapples with how she became this stranger to herself. Funny and poignant, this novel explores identity, relationships, and second chances. It’s a thought-provoking journey that’ll make you ponder your own life choices and the power of perspective.