Best Police Procedurals Books of 2025

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.

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.

The Way of the Bear: A Novel is a thrilling addition to Anne Hillerman's Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series. The story follows Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito as they investigate two mysterious deaths near Bears Ears National Monument. The novel is filled with suspense, ancient lore, and unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Hillerman's masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the Southwest landscape make this book a must-read for anyone who loves cultural heritage fiction. Overall, The Way of the Bear is a captivating mystery that honors Tony Hillerman's legacy while also carving out its own unique place in the genre.

Stone Maidens, the debut novel from Lloyd Devereux Richards, is a heart-pounding suspense thriller that follows FBI agent Christine Prusik as she investigates a serial killer who leaves a calling card with a connection to her past. The killer is strangling young women and leaving behind stone figurines that resemble the ones Prusik encountered during her field research in Papua New Guinea. As the case progresses, Prusik is forced to confront her own trauma and question whether the connection is real or a figment of her imagination. Richards' writing is gripping and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Resurrection Walk follows defense attorney Mickey Haller as he takes on a seemingly impossible case of a woman convicted of killing her husband, a sheriff's deputy. With the help of his half brother, retired LAPD Detective Harry Bosch, they delve into the case and uncover secrets that put their lives in danger. The novel is a thrilling legal drama that keeps the reader hooked until the very end. Fans of Michael Connelly's previous works will not be disappointed with this latest addition to his collection.

Close Her Eyes is a heart-racing crime thriller and mystery novel featuring Detective Josie Quinn. When a young woman is found dead with no clues and no apparent enemies, Josie is called to investigate. As the case takes a sinister turn, another body is found with a tell-tale horseshoe mark on her hip. Josie must race against time to solve the puzzle before the killer strikes again. This gripping page-turner is perfect for fans of police procedural books and is sure to keep readers up all night. Lisa Regan delivers another unputdownable novel that is both heart-breaking and thrilling.

Payback in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel (In Death, 57) is a thrilling addition to the police procedural genre by J.D. Robb. Lt. Eve Dallas returns from a vacation to investigate the death of Martin Greenleaf, a retired Internal Affairs Captain. As she delves deeper into the case, it becomes apparent that the suicide may have been staged. With her instincts telling her it's a homicide, Eve works tirelessly to solve the case. Robb's writing is engaging, and the plot is well-paced, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The book is a must-read for fans of the In Death series and police procedural books in general.

City on Fire by Don Winslow is a thrilling saga that explores loyalty, betrayal, and honor set in the criminal underworld of New England. The story follows two rival crime families, the Irish and the Italians, as they ignite a war that will leave only one standing. Danny Ryan becomes a leader in this treacherous game to save the family he has sworn to protect. Winslow's fluid narrative and highly visual scene-setting make this novel a contemporary masterpiece in the tradition of The Godfather, Casino, and Goodfellas. Overall, City on Fire is a masterwork of mob fiction that is sure to captivate readers.

The #1 New York Times bestseller "22 Seconds" is the latest addition to the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The book follows SFPD Sergeant Lindsay Boxer as she navigates through a dangerous case involving drugs, weapons, and professional hits. With the same warning scrawled on their bodies, Lindsay must choose between losing her badge or her life. The female characters in the book are strong, serious, and admirable. The storytelling by the two masters of the craft is enjoyable. Overall, "22 Seconds" is a must-read crime thriller that stands out from the rest of the series.

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter is a psychological thriller that tells the story of two sisters who haven't spoken in over 20 years, but are brought together again by a shared tragedy. When Claire's husband is murdered, she and her sister Lydia form a truce to find the truth behind their sister's disappearance and the murder. Packed with unforgettable twists and indelible characters, this book is a masterful novel that shows why Karin Slaughter is one of the finest writers working today. Overall, Pretty Girls is an extraordinary book that combines complex plots with character studies, making it a standout in the psychological thriller genre.