The 12 Best New Mystery Books To Read This Summer!

It's officially summer, book lovers! Between the plethora of new releases and the sunny downtime, it's one the best times of the year for piling reads onto your TBR (to-be-read) list. Whether your summer vacation plans include trips to the beach, relaxing lakeside or simply kicking back in the shade at home, this balmy season always provides the perfect backdrop for getting lost in a great book. And this summer, mysteries are having a moment, thanks to a number of new releases from hit authors like Riley Sager, Lisa Jewell, Freida McFadden and more. With their signature fast-paced suspense, edge-of-your-seat tension and atmospheric settings, it's no wonder mysteries remain one of the most popular genres of the season. Here, we gathered up 12 of the best new summer mysteries that are guaranteed to entertain you cover to cover!

From slow-burn psychological mysteries to searing suspense-filled thrillers and contemporary whodunits, we have something for everyone! Pick up The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen to  escape to the seaside town of Purity, Maine and solve a long-buried case about a missing teen. Or, if generations-old family secrets pique your interest, dive into We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry, which has readers raving: "Berry debuts with a striking and soulful crime novel."

Keep scrolling for all of our riveting, must-read summer mystery recommendations.

‘Don't Let Him In' by Lisa Jewell

Dont Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - Atria

Bestselling author Lisa Jewell is revered for her eerie, twist-filled mysteries-and her newest book (on sale tomorrow, June 24) follows suit! Nick Radcliffe is a charmer through and through. He's just what Nina Swann needs in her life after her husband's unexpected death. But Nina's daughter Ash thinks Nick is too smooth, so she digs into his past. Meanwhile, Martha, a florist, suspects her husband Alistair is up to something. As their lives collide, the past is unearthed.

What early readers are saying: "Lisa Jewell is the queen of summer mysteries. She always has me on the edge of my seat, taking hold of me from page one and not letting go until the very end, and Don't Let Him In was no exception. What an emotional roller coaster!" 

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‘The Tenant' by Freida McFadden

'The Tenant' by Freida McFadden - Poisoned Pen Press

From the acclaimed author of The Housemaid comes another jaw-dropping page-turner. Blake Porter, a successful marketing executive, is left scrambling to pay for his and his fiancée's brownstone when he's fired. Enter Whitney, a charming woman looking for a spare room to rent. Blake is relieved to offer up the room, but then strange noises and decaying odors start to take over their home. A chilling story of secrets and revenge.

What readers are saying: "I've already recommended Freida's books to just about everyone I know, and The Tenant is no different. If you love domestic mysteries with sharp twists and clever reveals, this one's a five-star summer read all the way." 

‘Famous Last Words' by Gillian McAllister 

‘Famous Last Words' by Gillian McAllister - William Morrow

Revered author Gillian McAllister is known for her addictive, adrenaline-fueled psychological mysteries-and her latest novel follows suit. New mother Camilla's world unravels when she discovers her devoted husband, Luke, is the gunman in a London hostage situation. With a cryptic note left behind, Camilla must confront dark secrets before it's too late. A twisty, gripping page-turner about marriage, lies and crime.

What readers are saying: "This is now my second-favorite McAllister twisty, smart, and addictive thriller, easily a 5+ star read. My advice: go into this one blind, cancel your plans, and set aside time to immerse yourself in this rollercoaster of a book. You won't regret it!"

‘The Summer Guests' by Tess Gerritsen

‘The Summer Guests' by Tess Gerritsen - Thomas & Mercer

Filled with suspense, intrigue and sharp storytelling, this tale follows retiree and former spy Maggie Bird, who is living a quiet life in Maine…until enemies from her past resurface. Then, when Maggie and her ex-spy friends investigate the disappearance of a teen girl, they unearth buried secrets and a connection to a murder-all while navigating an uneasy alliance with the police. The stakes rise as they race to prevent further tragedy.

What readers are saying: "The writing is just incredible-Tess Gerritsen knows how to build a story that's complex without ever being confusing. I was so impressed by how well the mystery around the Conovers was handled, with every twist feeling natural and earned."

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‘Beautiful Ugly' by Alice Feeney

‘Beautiful Ugly' by Alice Feeney - Flatiron Books 

This eerie page-turner penned by Alice Feeney is brimming with dark secrets, revenge and shocking twists. Author Grady Green's life is turned upside down when his wife, Abby, vanishes after a perplexing incident near a cliff. A year later, still consumed by grief, searching for answers and unable to write, Grady travels to a remote Scottish island. There, he encounters a woman who looks exactly like his ­missing wife. Mystery fans will devour this read!

What readers are saying: "I have been trying to find a good book to read for weeks and weeks and when I finally got this one delivered to my Kindle, I knew I got a good one. I liked that it kept me on edge, wondering where it was going and what was coming next." 

‘The Last Ferry Out' by Andrea Bartz

'The Last Ferry Out' by Andrea Bartz - Ballentine

An atmospheric island setting serves as the backdrop for a potential murder covered in a web of lies in Andrea Bartz's new page-turner. Abby arrives at Isla Colel-the last place her fiancée, Eszter, was seen alive-to make sense of her tragic death. On the island, Abby befriends a group of expats, but right after one of them tells her about Eszter's final days, he goes missing. As the expats' secrets come to light, Abby vows to find the killer before it's too late.

What readers are saying: "An Andrea Bartz mystery is guaranteed to take you on a wild ride of bone-chilling turns-and her latest was both moving and unputdownable," says Julia Dennison, Woman's World Digital Director. "Bartz peels back paradise's facade to reveal something far darker. Think White Lotus meets blood-curdling realism." 

‘The Weekend Guests' by Liza North

‘The Weekend Guests' by Liza North - Harper Paperbacks

Fans of Lucy Foley's twisty and suspenseful novels will devour this heart-racing tale by Liza North. It begins when a group of old university friends-Aline, Sienna, Rob, Michael and Brandon-reunite for a weekend at Aline's house on a seaside cliff. But they don't know that Aline has a secret: Someone is threatening to expose a crime the friends committed years ago. As tensions surface, old grudges and danger loom.

What readers are saying: "Atmospheric and deeply unsettling, The Weekend Guests is a gripping exploration of guilt, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of keeping secrets. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware, this is a reunion you won't want to miss-though you might think twice about attending one yourself." 

‘We Don't Talk About Carol' by Kristen L. Berry

'We Don't Talk About Carol' by Kristen L. Berry - Random House

A generations-old family secret, unsolved mysteries, suspense…Kristen L. Berry's debut novel has it all. After her grandma's passing, Sydney finds a hidden photograph of a girl who looks a lot like her. She learns the girl is her aunt, Carol, who was one of six North Carolina Black girls to go missing in the 1960s. But for decades, her family didn't speak of her. As Sydney digs for the truth, the past reemerges and has her questioning everything.

What readers are saying: "I can't believe this beautifully written mystery novel is Kristen L Berry's debut book! was pulled in from the first chapter and couldn't stop until the last. I loved the family relationships; there were many characters in the story, each one explained in meticulous detail. The story has many twists, with an ending I didn't expect! I can't wait to see what Kristen L Berry's next novel will be about!" 

‘The Perfect Divorce' by Jeneva Rose 

The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose - Blackstone Publishing

The much-anticipated sequel to Jeneva Rose's bestseller, The Perfect Marriage, is here-and it's filled with chilling twists and turns. Eleven years ago, attorney Sarah Morgan defended her husband, Adam, in his mistress' murder trial. Now, Sarah is happily remarried to Bob…until she finds out he cheated. As new DNA evidence from Adam's trial is uncovered and Bob's mistress goes missing, a game of cat and mouse follows. 

What readers are saying: "This book was so ridiculously good! Dark, fast-paced, with constant twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Sarah is one savage character, and I'm here for it!" 

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‘The Maid's Secret' by Nita Prose

The Maids Secret by Nita Prose - Ballantine Books

A spirited heist ensues in the third installment of Nita Prose's beloved Molly the Maid series. Molly is on a roll-she was just promoted to Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel and her wedding is months away. Then, the TV show Hidden Treasures starts shooting at the hotel and Molly brings in Gran's items for appraisal. Turns out one piece is a rare treasure. When it goes M.I.A., Molly digs up Gran's past to crack the case.

What readers are saying: "This is a quick read that readers of the series will delight in. We have many classic Molly moments while also getting a fuller picture of her family's past, which may be different from what you expected!" 

‘Saltwater' by Katy Hays

Saltwater by Katy Hays - Ballantine Books

Fans of family dramas and mysteries will enjoy this tense, suspenseful novel. In 1992, Sarah Lingate's body was found below the cliffs of Capri­, and her death was ruled a mysterious accident. On the 30th anniversary of the incident, her daughter, Helen, finds the necklace Sarah wore that fateful night. Soon, old secrets surface and Helen vows to find the truth…while also realizing not everyone will leave the island alive.

What readers are saying: "So many twists! As someone who reads a lot of mysteries, everything about this book felt original and new. I loved the variety of characters and that we got to see their flaws. Every time I thought I had the ending figured out, there was another twist. I'd highly recommend this one!" 

‘With a Vengeance' by Riley Sager

With a Vengeance by Riley Sager - Dutton

From bestselling author Riley Sager comes another riveting mystery filled with secrets and lies. Set in the 1950s, the plot follows Anna Matheson, who is desperate to get revenge on the six people who destroyed her family. To do that, she traps them on an overnight train from Philadelphia to Chicago, in the hopes that she can confront each of them. But when someone on the train winds up dead, it becomes clear that everyone on board is out for revenge. Now Anna must catch the killer and help protect her enemies-even if it means risking her own life in the process. 

What readers are saying: "There were so many twists in the plot throughout this story that shocked me and had me constantly guessing who did what and what their motivations were. It's because of this that I literally couldn't put this book down."

For more book recommendations, keep scrolling!