Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller books for summer 2026: my top picks for summer reading by some of your favorite authors!
Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books for Summer 2026
These are my most anticipated mystery and thriller releases from June through August, organized by month, plus a quick picks chart to help you find your perfect match fast.
And yes, I added a “Not For Me But Maybe For You” section at the end for the big titles I’m personally skipping but know many of you will love.
Quick Summer Picks by Vibe
| If you want… | Read this |
|---|---|
| The Big Little Lies sequel you’ve been waiting YEARS for | Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty |
| A dual-timeline page-turner with missing women across a century | The Unknown by Riley Sager |
| A twisty thriller with sisters | That Night by Gillian McAllister |
| Art heists + dark family secrets + Paris | The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza |
| British cozy murder club | The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood |
| Diabolical suspense with a character from Don’t Let Him In | It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell |
Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books: June
I will be linking all my reviews, so please come back (or bookmark this post!)
Tell Your Friends by Lauren Wilson
A former child star faces off against a fan turned journalist with a dangerous agenda. For those, like me, who are chronically online.
UPDATE: This book never got much promotion and I never saw any rave reviews, so sadly, it’s still on the TBR.
The Final Chapter by C.B. Everett
When a bestselling author vanishes and his mysterious manuscript surfaces, his colleague tries to solve the puzzle and find him. I can’t resist a puzzle mystery!
MISS: This one was NOT for me. It felt too convoluted and I just never connected with it.
Heather by Caitlin Mullen (Celadon)
Twin sisters disappear in the 90s and years later, an arrest provides a break in the case. I love a procedural with a female detective.
HIT: This was a hit. I loved this moody procedural that reminded me of Mare of Easttown or Long Bright River.
Summer’s Never Over by Darby Bozeman
A woman confronts her past at the remote Southern summer camp where the tragic death of her fellow counselor may not have been an accident. This is getting strong early reviews!
HIT: I thought this was a really fun summer read. If you love books with that “telling ghost stories at summer camp” feel, check it out.
Someone Else’s Husband by Kimberly McCreight
The secrets and desires of two women entrap them in a deadly love triangle. Her domestic thrillers are a cut above!
MIX: I liked but didn’t LOVE this one. The flashbacks to a Kilimanjaro climbing expedition were amazing, but the resolution left me a little disappointed.
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
A shocking new thriller about a lost dog, a missing woman, and a house of long buried secrets. A must-read author for me!
HIT: I think I liked this more than the average reader. It was as much an amateur detective story as anything else and I think that threw some people.
Keep Them Close by David Ellis
Two siblings. When one of their spouses is murdered, all their secrets will come out. Look Closer was so good and I’ve been waiting for his follow-up!
HIT: SO twisty and surprising. I loved the sibling aspect and all the intrigue!
The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (Marlow Murder Club 5) by Robert Thorogood
When someone is killing celebrities in Marlow, the murder club springs into action. Because summer needs a little cozy humor.
MIX: I did like learning more about Judith’s backstory. This wasn’t my favorite of the books, but I love these women detectives!
My Goodreads Review of The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts
Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books: July
Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox (Minotaur)
A woman whose sister disappeared twenty years ago returns home. (Loved her debut book, Party of Liars!)
HIT: While I liked the Gothic vibes in her first book better, this was a good read all the same!
My Goodreads Review of Pretty Dead Things
Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead
A pop star whose sister died mysteriously is accused of murder. You never know what you’re going to get with an Ashley Winstead book, but I’m always curious!
MISS: I think other readers enjoyed this more. It tried to be a procedural but there were SO MANY characters and plotlines that I think it lost its way.
The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza
A dual timeline mystery with art heists and dark family secrets. So many people have recommended The Sicilian Inheritance to me!
MISS: In this dual timeline story, I liked one timeline a lot and really disliked the other. You may feel differently though, so check out my Readers Guide for all the info!
Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena
In financial dire straits, a New York couple decides to murder a family member. One of my must-read authors!
HIT: Shari Lapena likes to mix it up and this felt a little like a Peter Swanson book with HUGELY unlikeable characters but a fast paced plot!
Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard
A twisty thriller about a woman’s dream house turned nightmare. I love her books!
HIT: Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell. A creepy house and a LOT of creepy secrets
My Goodreads Review of Buyer Beware
Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books: August
The Unknown by Riley Sager
A dual timeline thriller about a series of missing women in the 1920s and again in the 2020s. I disliked his last book, but this feels more like my favorite, The Only One Left.
MIX: I didn’t LOVE this but I thought it was solid. A deserted island where a group of woman disappeared in the 1920s, a group of actors in an indie horror movie, and a strong paranormal thread. Sager does love paranormal at times, and if you do too, grab this one!
The Secrets We Hide (North Falls 2) by Karin Slaughter
Emmy and Jude investigate an attack on a mother and daughter. The follow-up to my favorite book of last summer!
HIT: I love this series so much. Just when you thought you got shocked in book one, there are more surprises in story. Karin Slaughter is a master of procedural mysteries!
That Night by Gillian McAllister
A woman on vacation summons her sisters when she commits a hit-and-run murder. I can’t resist a sister story!
HIT: I didn’t realize this was a re-release, but I thought it was fun. I recommended it to my husband, and he wasn’t a fan. If you like books with an I Know What You Did Last Summer feel, I think you’ll like this.
My Goodreads Review of That Night.
Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty
A ten-years-later sequel to Big Little Lies. The women are back, and they’re still hiding big lies.
MIX: I was hoping for more of a new plot, rather than a recap/rehash of what happened before. But it was fun to catch up with Celeste, Jane, Madeline, Renata, and the kids.
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols
For cozy lovers: A new arrival to a seaside cottage colony quickly becomes a murder suspect. I really enjoyed The Marigold Cottages Murder Collecive, so this one’s on my list!
MISS: I didn’t love this as much as I loved the first book, but it’s still a fun series and I will continue it!
Goodreads Review of Murder on Charity Lane
Summer Books That Are Not For Me But Maybe For You!
You First (Joe Goldberg Prequel) by Caroline Kepnes
How did Joe Goldberg become Joe Goldberg? Find out in the highly anticipated prequel to You. (I have had enough of Joe, but obviously others disagree!)
Backstabbers by Eliza Jabore (Bantam)
When three friends lose their way in a serial killer’s old hunting ground, they must fight to survive the threat in the woods. I did read this one but didn’t love it.
Helpless — Jessica Knoll
An erotic thriller about a successful Hollywood producer who runs into the man she never stopped thinking about. (I liked her prior books so agreed to read this. I will le you know!)
The Blue Flame — George Pelacanos
PI George Strange is hired by a lawyer to check a client’s alibi. Maybe I’ll try this? My husband loves his books.