Welcome to recession reading. These New Paperback Mystery and Thriller Books for 2025 are in the $10 range (or less!) and are perfect for dropping in a beach tote or backpack.
New Paperback Mystery and Thriller Books for Summer 2025
Prices are on Amazon as of June 2025. These links are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I may get a small percentage of your purchase.
Ready for some recession reading? New hardcovers can be $30 and up … what?
Some of my favorite books are available in paperback at $10 and under on Amazon and a little more if you want to support your fave indie store on Bookshop.org.
Hide by Tracy Clark (free on Kindle Unlimited)
This Chicago-set procedural is a favorite of mine. Harriet Foster is a Black female detective dealing with tricky office politics/sexism/racism while working on her cases. Huge fan of this series; give the first book a try if you have KU.
Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda (Kindle ebook $2.99)
I think this is Megan Miranda’s best book. A small town mystery, dark family secrets, and a mysterious lake. It’s a slow burn but with tons of atmosphere and a perfect book to get lost in on a summer day.
Check out my Readers Guide to Daugther of Mine here, and discuss the book with me and others!
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean (Kindle ebook $1.99)
The Return of Ellie Black is a sister story, a missing persons story, a procedural and a small town story. I really enjoyed it and it was named an NPR Best Book of 2024. $1.99 is a steal!
Check out my Review and Spoiler Discussion for the Return of Ellie Black here!
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen (paperback $7.86)
I liked The Spy Coast, which had a Thursday Murder Club feel, but book two in the series, The Summer Guests, was more my speed, with a vacation community around a lake grappling with a missing person in the present and an old case from the past.
Check out my Readers Guide to The Summer Guests!
Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh (paperback $8.76)
Alfred Hitchcock fans will love this clever homage to Strangers on a Train. This diabolically twisty murder swap book will keep you guessing until the end!
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim (paperback $9.34)
I loved this multi-award-winning literary mystery with a family element. When a beloved dad goes missing and the only witness is his son, who is unable to speak due to a rare genetic abnormality.
My Happienss Falls post has some bookclub discussion questions, so check it out!
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (paperback $9.36)
This twisty Veronica Mars inspired story includes a podcast element and will be made into a streaming series. An NPR Best Book of the Year and A Washington Post Best Thriller of 2024!
Check out my post on Listen for the Lie, and come discuss the book!
New Summer 2025 Paperbacks slightly over $10 but still a steal!
Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley (paperback $10.49)
Ignore the low (3.58) Goodreads ratings. I really enjoyed this story of the opening of a lavish coastal resort , an event that dredges up resentments between the haves and haves not in town and activates a strange mythical organization that rights wrongs.
My Readers Guide to the Midnight Feast is here!
Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett (paperback $10.50)
I usually dislike epistolary stories, except when Janice Hallett writes them. This is a CRAZY tale of competing reporters trying to investigate some strange cult murders. The strange ending blew my mind! A New York Times notable book!
Need someone to discuss this with?Join the Spoiler Discussion for The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels here!
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager (paperback $10.68)
Middle of the Night is one of Riley Sager’s lower rated books, but I really liked it. It’s not all about twists and chills, it’s a story of grief and friendship with a 1990s element.
My Spoiler Discussion for Middle of the Night is here!
The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine (paperback $12.74)
The Next Mrs. Parrish makes a great beach read. It’s the sequel to The Last Mrs. Parrish, and I think it’s even better than the first installment. It’s faster paced and twistier than TLMP and a perfect beach read!
Here’s my Spoiler Discussion for The Next Mrs. Parrish!
Tell me what’s on your summer reading list! I’ll be adding to this so check back!
Great idea for a list. I had recommended Happiness Falls to a friend and they are reading for her book club. I sent your post to help out with guiding the discussion. Thank you!
Thanks so much! That was such a great book!