Best Suspense Books May 2025

A Stranger in the House

Karen and Tom’s perfect suburban life shatters when Karen is found at the scene of an accident with no memory of how she got there. As the police investigate, dark secrets emerge, casting doubt on everyone Karen thought she knew. With mounting suspicion and paranoia, Karen struggles to piece together the truth about that night. But in a world where nothing is as it seems, can she trust even herself? A gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Dark Places

Libby Day’s life was shattered at seven when her family was brutally murdered. She testified against her brother, sealing his fate. Now, broke and desperate, she’s approached by amateur sleuths convinced of his innocence. Reluctantly, Libby delves into her painful past, unearthing long-buried secrets. As she pieces together the truth, she realizes the killer might still be out there. Flynn’s gripping narrative keeps you guessing until the very end, leaving you breathless and haunted.

Sharp Objects

Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist, returns to her hometown to cover a disturbing story. As she unravels the mystery of two missing girls, she’s forced to confront her own demons and toxic family dynamics. Flynn’s razor-sharp prose cuts deep, exposing the dark underbelly of small-town America. With its haunting atmosphere and complex characters, this psychological thriller will keep you on edge, questioning everything until the very last page.

Into the Water

Secrets lurk beneath the surface of a sleepy riverside town in Paula Hawkins’ gripping thriller, “Into the Water.” When a single mother turns up dead in the local river, her teenage daughter is left to unravel the mystery. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a web of lies and long-buried secrets that have haunted the community for generations. Hawkins’ masterful storytelling kept me up late, turning pages and second-guessing every character. A chilling, atmospheric read that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.

Troubled Blood

Career of Evil

Lethal White

The Silkworm

Bel Canto

In this lyrical masterpiece, Patchett weaves a spellbinding tale of music, love, and human connection. Set in an unnamed South American country, a lavish birthday party becomes the stage for an unexpected hostage crisis. As days turn to months, captors and captives form unlikely bonds, their shared humanity emerging through the universal language of opera. With exquisite prose and deep emotional insight, Patchett explores the transformative power of art and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Before We Were Yours

Haunting and heartbreaking, “Before We Were Yours” weaves a tale of family secrets and stolen children. Lisa Wingate’s novel, inspired by true events, follows two families separated by decades. As present-day Avery Stafford uncovers her grandmother’s hidden past, we’re transported to 1939 Memphis, where young Rill Foss fights to keep her siblings together after being torn from their parents. Wingate’s vivid prose and unforgettable characters make this a gripping read that will stay with you long after the last page.