Best Suspense Books May 2025

The Scorch Trials

Escaping the Maze was only the beginning. Now Thomas and his fellow Gladers face an even more treacherous challenge on the open roads of a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Their quest for answers about their past leads them to WICKED, a powerful organization with shocking secrets. As they navigate a world ravaged by sun flares and a deadly virus, Thomas must confront his own identity and make heart-wrenching choices. Dashner’s gripping sequel keeps you on the edge of your seat, blending suspense, friendship, and the struggle for survival in a dystopian world that feels all too real.

Allegiant

Tris and Tobias face their toughest challenge yet as they venture beyond the city walls, uncovering shocking truths about their world. As loyalties are tested and sacrifices made, they grapple with questions of identity, love, and what it truly means to be human. Roth’s gripping finale to the Divergent trilogy delivers heart-pounding action and gut-wrenching twists that will leave readers breathless until the very last page.

Insurgent

Tris’s world has shattered, and she’s grappling with loss, guilt, and a society on the brink of war. As factions crumble and alliances shift, she must confront her deepest fears and make impossible choices. Roth’s gripping sequel plunges readers into a world of betrayal and sacrifice, where love is tested and loyalties are questioned. With heart-pounding action and raw emotion, “Insurgent” left me breathless, pondering the true meaning of bravery and identity.

Project Hail Mary

Ryland Grace wakes up alone, millions of miles from Earth, with no memory of how he got there. As fragments of his past slowly return, he realizes he’s humanity’s last hope. Armed only with his wit and a handful of improvised tools, Ryland must unravel the mystery of an alien threat and find a way to save not just Earth, but two civilizations. Weir’s trademark blend of humor and hard science shines in this gripping tale of survival and discovery that kept me up way too late, frantically turning pages.

Artemis

Jazz Bashara, a small-time smuggler on the lunar city of Artemis, stumbles into a conspiracy that could change everything. Weir’s witty prose and meticulous research bring the moon to life, complete with its unique challenges and opportunities. As Jazz navigates the high-stakes world of lunar politics and economics, readers are treated to a thrilling adventure that’s equal parts science and suspense. It’s a story that’ll make you laugh, gasp, and dream of life beyond Earth.

I Am the Messenger

I Am the Messenger is a gripping tale that follows Ed Kennedy, an underage cabdriver with a coffee-addicted dog. His life is one of peaceful routine until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. Suddenly, Ed begins receiving mysterious playing cards in the mail, each bearing cryptic messages. As he deciphers these clues, he’s drawn into a world of both heartwarming and heart-wrenching tasks, forcing him to confront his own potential and the complexities of human nature. Zusak’s masterful storytelling will leave you questioning the power of small acts of kindness and the extraordinary impact one ordinary person can have.

Full Throttle

Joe Hill’s “Full Throttle” is a heart-pounding collection of short stories that’ll keep you up at night. From ghostly road trips to sinister AI, Hill’s imagination runs wild, blending horror and humanity in ways that feel eerily familiar. I couldn’t put it down, each tale leaving me breathless and craving more. It’s like stepping into a funhouse of fears you didn’t know you had. Hill’s voice is unmistakable – he’s truly his father’s son, but with a modern edge that cuts deep.

The Fireman

“The Fireman” ignites the imagination with Joe Hill’s fiery prose. In a world ravaged by a deadly spore, one man holds the key to humanity’s survival. As society crumbles, our unlikely hero navigates a landscape of fear and hope, forging unexpected alliances. Hill’s masterful storytelling weaves together heart-pounding action and deeply human moments, leaving readers breathless. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late, completely engrossed in this thrilling tale of resilience and the indomitable human spirit.

Horns

Joe Hill’s “Horns” is a darkly captivating tale that blends horror and mystery with a touch of sardonic humor. Ig Perrish wakes up after a night of drunken misery to find he’s sprouted devil-like horns. These new appendages grant him the power to hear people’s deepest, darkest thoughts. As Ig grapples with his transformation, he sets out to uncover the truth behind his girlfriend’s brutal murder. Hill’s vivid prose and complex characters make this a gripping, emotionally charged read that’ll haunt you long after the final page.

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Vic McQueen discovers her uncanny ability to find lost things, riding her bicycle through a mysterious covered bridge. But her gift comes with a price when she encounters Charlie Manx, a sinister immortal who abducts children to his twisted “Christmasland.” Years later, Vic must confront her own demons and face Manx again to save her son. Hill’s chilling tale blends supernatural horror with heart-wrenching emotion, creating a haunting journey that lingers long after the last page.