Best Women Sleuths 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.

Haunting Adeline by Cat and Mouse Duet is a suspenseful thriller that tells the story of a manipulator and a shadow. The manipulator can control the emotions of anyone who lets her, but the shadow is immune to her powers. As they fall in love, the shadow becomes obsessed with making her his. This book is a continuation of Satan's Affair and ends on a cliffhanger. The storyline is gripping and the characters are well-developed, making it a must-read for fans of suspense thrillers.

Homecoming: A Novel by Kate Morton is an intricate and spellbinding novel that spans generations. The story begins with a shocking crime that echoes across continents and generations. Jess, a journalist, discovers a true crime book chronicling a long-buried police case, the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959, which has a shocking connection to her own family. The novel explores what we would do for those we love, how we protect the lies we tell, and what it means to come home. Morton's layered writing leaves surprises for even the keenest of detectives. This is storytelling at its finest.

"Twenty Years Later" by Charlie Donlea is a gripping new thriller about a TV reporter determined to uncover the truth behind a gruesome murder that was abandoned two decades ago. Avery Mason, the host of American Events, digs into the case of Victoria Ford, a woman accused of murdering her married lover. But as Avery delves deeper, she realizes that there are other players in the game who are interested in her own secret past. This book is a page-turner that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns. Donlea's writing is excellent and the story is propulsive. Overall, this is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers."

The Paris Apartment: A Novel is a gripping psychological thriller by the bestselling author of The Guest List. The story revolves around Jess, who moves to Paris to start anew after leaving her job and ends up staying at her half-brother's apartment. However, when he goes missing, Jess begins to uncover secrets about her brother's life and the eclectic neighbors in the building. The novel is a page-turner with multiple narratives that keep the reader engaged. The author's urgent prose and the well-crafted characters make it a thrilling read. Overall, The Paris Apartment is a unique and beguiling mystery that keeps readers on their toes until the very end.

All Good People Here is a debut novel by Ashley Flowers, the host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie. The story follows Margot Davies, a journalist who becomes obsessed with the unsolved murder of her childhood neighbor and the disappearance of another girl twenty years later. When Margot returns home to help care for her uncle, she vows to solve January’s murder and find Natalie Clark. However, the police, Natalie’s family, and the townspeople all seem to be hiding something. The book is twisty, chilling, and intense, asking readers what their neighbors are capable of when they think no one is watching.

The latest addition to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, Dirty Thirty (30), is a must-read for fans of humorous fiction books. This book follows Stephanie Plum, a bounty hunter, as she sets out to capture a man who skipped bail after being accused of murder. As usual, Stephanie finds herself in a series of hilarious and dangerous situations. With her witty humor and unique cast of characters, Evanovich delivers another entertaining read. Overall, Dirty Thirty (30) is a fun and exciting addition to the Stephanie Plum series that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Run on Red is a heart-pounding psychological thriller that follows Laura and Olivia, who find themselves in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse with a truck driver on a rural country road. As they try to outrun and outsmart their pursuers, the girls soon realize that their situation is more perilous than they could have ever imagined. This book has received rave reviews from readers who praised its fast-paced plot, exhilarating chase scenes, and unexpected twists. Overall, Run on Red is a must-read for fans of the genre, and Noelle Ihli is an author to watch out for.

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers is a captivating mystery novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties. The story revolves around Vera Wong, a lonely shopkeeper who takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way possible. Despite living alone, Vera is not needy, and she likes nothing more than sipping on a good cup of Wulong and doing some healthy detective work on the Internet. The book is filled with wisdom, heart, intrigue, and humor. Every chapter is bursting with unique characters that will keep you engaged until the very end.

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand is a thrilling summer read that revolves around a Nantucket wedding where a body is found just hours before the ceremony, turning everyone in the wedding party into a suspect. As the Chief of Police interviews the bride, groom, and their families, he discovers that every couple has their own secrets. Hilderbrand's well-thought-out and meticulously written plot keeps readers in suspense throughout the entire book. The Perfect Couple is a fantastic and clever whodunit that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of family life fiction books.