Best Suspense Books May 2025

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.

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.

Truly Madly Guilty

Liane Moriarty’s “Truly Madly Guilty” is a gripping exploration of friendship, marriage, and the ripple effects of one fateful day. Set in suburban Sydney, the story revolves around three couples whose lives are forever changed by a seemingly ordinary barbecue. Moriarty’s keen insight into human nature shines as she unravels the complex web of secrets and regrets that bind these characters together. I found myself completely absorbed, turning pages late into the night, desperate to uncover the truth behind the mysterious incident. With her trademark wit and compassion, Moriarty delivers a thought-provoking tale that will linger long after the final page.

The Husband’s Secret

Cecilia Fitzpatrick’s life is picture-perfect: successful businesswoman, devoted wife, and loving mother. But when she stumbles upon a letter from her husband meant to be opened only after his death, her world shatters. As she grapples with the shocking contents, Cecilia finds herself entangled in a web of secrets that connects her to two other women in unexpected ways. Moriarty’s gripping tale explores the ripple effects of our choices and the power of truth to upend even the most carefully constructed lives.

Life After Life

Kate Atkinson’s “Life After Life” is a mesmerizing journey through time and possibility. I was captivated by Ursula Todd’s multiple lives, each a fresh chance to alter her fate. Atkinson’s prose is both elegant and accessible, weaving a tapestry of 20th-century history through one woman’s experiences. The novel’s structure is brilliantly disorienting, mirroring life’s unpredictability. It left me pondering the weight of our choices and the tantalizing “what-ifs” that shape our existence.

The Little Friend

Harriet Dufresnes, a precocious 12-year-old in 1970s Mississippi, is haunted by her brother’s unsolved murder. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a dangerous investigation, dragging her friends into a world of small-town secrets and racial tensions. Tartt’s rich prose brings the sultry South to life, weaving a mesmerizing tale of childhood innocence lost and the relentless pursuit of justice. As Harriet delves deeper, she discovers that the past is never truly buried, and some mysteries are better left unsolved.

No Country for Old Men

Cormac McCarthy’s haunting masterpiece follows a deadly game of cat and mouse across the desolate Texan landscape. When Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong, he sets in motion a chain of events that will change his life forever. Pursued by the relentless hitman Anton Chigurh, Moss must use all his wits to survive. Meanwhile, aging sheriff Ed Tom Bell grapples with the violence engulfing his once-peaceful county. A gripping meditation on fate, morality, and the changing face of America.

The Clockmaker’s Daughter

In a forgotten corner of London, an old house whispers secrets from the past. Birdie Bell, a skilled clockmaker’s apprentice, vanished without a trace in 1862. Over a century later, archivist Elodie stumbles upon a mysterious satchel containing a photograph of a hauntingly beautiful woman. As she unravels the threads connecting Birdie’s story to her own, Elodie discovers a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of art. Morton’s evocative prose weaves a spellbinding mystery that spans generations, leaving readers captivated until the final page.