What are my Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books of Winter 2026? I’m here to run down the titles I can’t wait to read that are coming out in January, February or March 2026!
Most Anticipated Mystery and Thriller Books of Winter 2026
Here are the books I’m most excited about! I have tried to choose a mix of genres and publishers! As I read these I will be adding review links!
My Top Picks for January 2026 Books
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
Why is The First Time I Saw Him on my list?
- It’s a sequel to the very popular The Last Thing He Told Me, which was also made into a series for Apple TV.
- It’s a more nontraditional mystery but does involve a suspicious death and a missing person.
- Release date: January 6, 2026 by Scribner Books. Thanks to them for the advance copy!
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
Why is The Storm on my list?
- I have read every single one of Rachel Hawkins adult suspense novels. I think my two favorites were The Villa and The Heiress
- This seems to be about a true crime writer and his subject, a woman accused of murder in the 1980s. I’m excited to try it!
- Publication date: January 6, 2026 by St. Martin’s Press. Thanks to them for the advance copy!
It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara
Why is It Should Have Been You on the List?
- Why is It Should Have Been You on my list? I tried All Her Fault, Andrea Mara’s book that was made into a series and thought it was a very twisty Mary Higgins Clark type story.
- While I’m not always a fan of books with multiple narrators, I thought this book used that technique very effectively.
- Publication date: January 6, 2026 by Viking. Thanks to them for this advance copy!
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
Why is Anatomy of An Alibi on the list?
- I have been reading Ashley Elston’s book since she wrote YA. I thought First Lie Wins was a fun and engaging thriller and I was hoping the same for Anatomy of an Alibi.
- A murdered husband, a LOT of suspects, and a LOT of narrators.
- Publication date: January 6, 2026 by Pamela Dorman books. Thanks to them for the advance copy!
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
Why is My Husband’s Wife on the list?
- I am an Alice Feeney superfan. If you love psychological thrillers, you should try her books. This one is getting great early buzz so I am excited to try it. (I’m also excited to watch the Netflix adaptation of His & Hers, Feeney’s darkest book. Check out the details here!)
- Publication date: January 20, 2026 by Flatiron Books.
Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James
Why is A Box Full of Darkness on the list?
- I don’t read a lot of paranormal suspense, but I do really enjoy Simone St. James’s books. I put Murder Road on my list of Best of 2024.
- This book is about a group of siblings drawn back to their childhood home when the ghost of their missing brother is sighted.
- Publication date: January 20, 2026 by Berkley. Thanks to them for my advance copy!
My Top Picks for February 2026 Books
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
Why is It’s Not Her on the list?
- I am new to reading Mary Kubica and was getting a little jaded about twist books, but I read She’s Not Sorry and … it got me!
- Two families vacationing at a lake house. One member disappears.
- This book is getting strong early reviews, so I am excited to try it!
- Publication date: February 3, 2026 by Park Row. Thanks to them for my advance copy!
Ours is a Tale of Murder by Nora Murphy
Why is Ours is a Tale of Murder on the List?
- You might know that I love a good neighborhood thriller and this book is getting early raves.
- Publication date: February 10, 2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark. Thanks to them for my advance copy!
Murder Will Out by Jennifer Breedlove
Why is Murder Will Out on my list?
- This book won a Mystery Writers of America Best First Novel Award.
- It seems relatively cozy, so stay tuned cozy fans and I will assess.
- It’s getting great early reviews
- Publication date: February 17, 2026 by St Martin’s Press. Thanks to them for my advance copy.
Her Last Breath by Taylor Adams
Why is Her Last Breath on the list?
- I think Taylor Adams’s books are fun to read. I enjoyed The Last Word! BUT I just this minute realized this book is about being trapped in a cave and I have terrible claustrophobia. Stay tuned for my reaction!
- Publication date: February 17, 2026 by William Morrow
Adrift by Will Dean
Why is Adrift on the list?
- Will Dean loves books set in the water (such as The Chamber and The Last One). He’s back in the water with Adrift, set on a canal boat.
- This sounds like domestic suspense in an unusual setting, and I’m excited to try it.
- Publication date: February 17, 2026. Thanks to Atria for the advance copy!
The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall
Why is The Girls Before on my list?
- Kate Alice Marshall writes interesting, discussable psychological thrillers. Her most recent book was A Killing Cold (2024).
- I don’t love kidnapping stories at all, so I am kind of on the fence about this one. But it’s getting good early reviews, so I might try it!
How to Get Away With Murder by Rebecca Philipson
Why is How to Get Away with Murder on my list?
- I feel like classic mysteries and standalone procedurals are getting harder to find, and this seems like one.
- A Scotland Yard detective comes back from a leave to take the case of a murder victim with a “how to get away with murder” book in her backpack.
- This one has strong early reviews, so curious what I will think!
- Publication date: February 24, 2026 by Minotaur Books. Thanks to them for my advance copy!
My Top Picks for March 2026 Books
Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding
Why is Strangers in the Villa on my list?
- I’m always happy to give an author multiple chances! While I didn’t like The Arrangement, one of this author’s earlier books, I thought The Haters was a fun darkly comic mystery.
- This domestic suspense book is getting good early reviews. It’s set in Spain and features an expat couple trying to rebuild their relationship after an affair.
- Publication date: March 3, 2026 by Grand Central Publishing. Thanks to them for the advance copy!
The Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney
Why is The Primrose Murder Society on my list?
- We need more cozy mystery standalones (or cozy mystery books that can be read as a standalone.)
- The Primrose Murder Society sounds a little bit Only Murders in the Building, set in The Primrose in Richmond Virginia. When the owner of the penthouse dies, he offers a reward for solving a murder, and Lila needs cash!
- Publication date: March 3, 2026 by William Morrow.
Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh
Why is Two Kinds of Stranger on the list?
- Yes, I have complained about the Eddie Flynn series being released in the US out of order, but I have to accept that this is a thing and move on. I do enjoy this series and I can’t really wait until all the books are reissued, so there we are.
- I don’t love books with influencer characters, but I do trust Steve Cavanagh to write a thrilling book!
- US Publication date: March 24, 2026 by Atria. Thanks to the publisher for my advance copy!
Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line (Finlay Donovan 6) by Elle Cosimano
Why is Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line on the list?
- I had to include a little humor on here! I have loved the first couple Finlay books, then thought things took a more “meh” turn, but I think things were looking up with book five, so I am back on track.
- I’ll be updating my Series Review Post on the Finlay Donovan Books so you can be all ready for this installment.
- Publication date: March 17, 2026 by Minotaur Books. Thanks to the publisher for my advance copy!
Which of these are you planning to read? Tell me in the comments!