Best Murder Thrillers Books of 2026

The Housemaid's Secret is a thrilling psychological fiction book that follows the story of a housemaid, who takes a job at a penthouse apartment. The housemaid is determined to keep her dark secrets hidden and protect the sickly Mrs. Garrick, but her obsession with the guest room and Mrs. Garrick's condition leads her down a dangerous path. The book is a page-turner, full of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. Fans of The Perfect Marriage, The Woman in the Window, and Gone Girl will enjoy this book's gripping plot and shocking twists. Overall, The Housemaid's Secret is a must-read for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows the life of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband five times in the face and never speaks another word. Criminal psychotherapist Theo Faber is determined to unravel the mystery of why she committed the crime and get her to talk. The novel is a mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy. The Silent Patient is an impressive, immersive debut that establishes Michaelides as a major player in the field of psychological thrillers.

Dark Angel (A Letty Davenport Novel) by John Sandford is a female-forward thriller that follows Letty Davenport, a former government agent, who is tasked with infiltrating a hacker group known as Ordinary People. Along with her partner from the NSA, they embark on a dangerous cross-country road trip, only to discover that their mission and lives are in grave danger. Sandford's mastery of character and action is evident throughout the book, and the high-octane action and gallows humor are sure to satisfy readers of suspense thrillers. Overall, Dark Angel is a must-read for fans of Letty Davenport and those who enjoy strong female leads in their thrillers.

The 23rd Midnight is a thrilling addition to the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The book follows Detective Lindsay Boxer and the Murder Club as they track a copycat killer who is recreating murders from the past with horrifying new twists. The story is fast-paced, with plenty of suspense and unexpected turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is a great starting point for anyone who hasn't read the Women's Murder Club series before. Overall, The 23rd Midnight is a gripping and entertaining read that fans of police procedural novels won't want to miss.

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Sarah, a successful defense attorney, and her struggling writer husband, Adam. When Adam is accused of murdering his mistress, Sarah finds herself defending her own husband. The book is fast-paced, with crisp writing and an intriguing plot that will keep readers engaged until the shocking reveal. The Perfect Marriage is a must-read for fans of domestic noir and psychological thrillers. It's a sizzling, masterful debut about betrayal and justice that will leave readers guessing until the end.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica is a gripping psychological thriller that takes domestic secrets to a new level. When Shelby Tebow disappears, followed by Meredith Dickey and her daughter, Delilah, the once-peaceful community is struck with fear. The case goes cold until Delilah shockingly returns 11 years later. The twists and turns in the plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the unpredictable ending. Kubica's well-rounded and flawed characters make this a propulsive journey through a winding maze of secrets. This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

City of Dreams is the second novel in an epic crime trilogy from Don Winslow, the bestselling author of the Cartel trilogy. Following the events of City on Fire, Danny Ryan is now on the run with his family and the remains of his loyal crew of soldiers. When the Feds track him down, they offer him a dangerous favor that could either make him rich or kill him. Meanwhile, Hollywood starts shooting a film based on his former life, and Danny demands a piece of the action. As their worlds collide, Danny must fight for his life in a city where dreams are born or where they go to die. Winslow's writing is sharp, funny, and brilliant in this sweeping saga of family, love, revenge, survival, and the fierce reality behind the dream.

Never Lie is a captivating psychological thriller by Elizabeth Huerta that follows newlyweds Tricia and Ethan as they get trapped in a remote manor during a violent winter storm. While searching for a book to keep her entertained, Tricia stumbles upon a secret room containing audio transcripts of every patient Dr. Adrienne Hale ever interviewed. As she listens to the tapes, Tricia uncovers a terrifying web of lies leading up to Dr. Hale's mysterious disappearance. The final cassette reveals the shocking truth. This book is a must-read for those who love a good mystery and psychological thrillers.

The House in the Pines is a psychological thriller that follows Maya, a woman haunted by the mysterious death of her friend Aubrey. When she discovers a recent video of a young woman dying in a diner, sitting across from the same enigmatic man called Frank, Maya is plunged into her past and heads to her hometown to uncover the truth. The novel keeps readers guessing about how the pieces of Maya's past and the present events are connected, and whether she can ever truly confront her past and return home. Overall, this is a captivating and unique story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.