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If you’re ready to kick off the new year with some heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat reads, then January 2025 has the perfect thriller lineup for you!
Whether you’re into twisty mysteries, psychological thrillers, or gripping crime dramas, these books are sure to keep you up at night, turning pages well past midnight.
I’m already excited for these releases, because there’s nothing quite like the thrill of a new book that has you questioning everything and second-guessing every character’s motive.
Get ready for some seriously suspenseful reads that will have your adrenaline pumping all month long.
Here are the very best new thrillers coming your way in January!
1. Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation by Michael Cannell (January 14)
This true crime book uncovers the shocking story of two New York cops, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, who secretly worked for the Mafia in the 1980s.
For over ten years, they acted as spies for the mob, leaking information and even committing murders.
This scandal rocked the NYPD and shocked the nation.
2. Cross My Heart by Megan Collins (January 14)
Rosie Lachlan gets a life-saving heart transplant and suspects her donor was the wife of a famous author, Morgan Thorne.
As she connects with him through an anonymous service, she becomes obsessed, convinced they’re meant to be together.
But as she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets about his late wife’s death, and her heart might break again—this time in a dangerous way.
3. The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley (January 14)
In this historical thriller, 19-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes, a kidnapped African princess, seeks revenge against Queen Victoria and the British Crown that stole her from her homeland.
Sally, as she’s known, navigates court politics and forms dangerous alliances to ruin the monarchy, even risking her heart in the process.
4. A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young (January 7)
James Golden feels deeply connected to her twin brother, Johnny, even after his tragic death.
As she returns to their hometown to settle his affairs, she uncovers secrets about Johnny that she never knew, and discovers that the strange connection she had with him isn’t quite gone.
This haunting story explores love, loss, and the truths we hide.
5. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (January 14)
Grady Green’s life takes a turn when his wife, Abby, goes missing after a mysterious incident.
A year later, Grady is still grieving and seeking answers, only to spot someone who looks exactly like his missing wife on a remote Scottish island.
This dark thriller explores marriage, revenge, and the secrets that can destroy everything.
6. The Crash by Freida McFadden (January 28)
Tegan, eight months pregnant and running from her crumbling life, gets caught in a blizzard and is rescued by a couple in rural Maine.
But as the snow keeps her trapped, she realizes that the couple’s warm hospitality might hide a dangerous secret.
This chilling thriller will keep you on edge as Tegan fights to protect herself and her unborn child.
7. Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands (January 28)
Hazel and Kagan Bailey team up to investigate their mother’s mysterious death, but their stepfather is acting suspiciously and keeping hem from the family inheritance.
The story follows the siblings as they uncover secrets, fight over a mysterious stepsister, and delve into a web of lies and manipulation, in a suspenseful and twist-filled novel.
8. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (January 14)
Set in 1970, this horror novel follows Fern, a pregnant 15-year-old sent to a Florida home for unwed mothers.
Amidst oppressive adult supervision, Fern discovers a book on witchcraft from a librarian.
The girls begin to tap into newfound power, but as they do, they realize the magic comes with dangerous consequences.
9. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis (January 7)
This dual-timeline historical novel alternates between Egypt in 1936, where anthropology student Charlotte Cross faces a tragedy during an archaeological dig, and 1978 New York, where Annie Jenkins works for the iconic Diana Vreeland at the Met Gala.
As an artifact goes missing, both women must uncover the truth surrounding it—leading Charlotte back to Egypt and into danger.
10. No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally (January 7)
In this psychological thriller, Brooke’s perfect life starts unraveling after a mysterious car follows her and her friend down an isolated road.
Someone knows the truth about a past incident, and Brooke must face her worst fears in this chilling ride.
11. The Assassin’s Guide to Babysitting by Natalie C. Parker (January 7)
Seventeen-year-old Tru, a highly trained assassin with indestructible skin, is forced into a babysitting job that turns dangerous.
As assassins interrupt her assignment, Tru must navigate a world of hidden identities, betrayals, and secrets while questioning her loyalties and feelings.
12. The Wilde Trials by Mackenzie Reed (January 21)
At Wilde Academy, Chloe Gatti enters a high-stakes competition for a life-changing prize.
But as she navigates physical and mental challenges, someone begins sabotaging her.
Chloe teams up with her ex-boyfriend, Hayes, to uncover the mystery behind the deadly competition and a family tragedy.
13. Head Cases by John McMahon (January 28)
FBI agent Gardner Camden is part of a team solving cold cases.
But when a serial killer presumed dead resurfaces, Gardner and his colleagues must decipher twisted riddles to catch a vigilante killer.
As they race against time, the stakes grow higher.
14. We Are Watching by Alison Gaylin (January 28)
After a car accident that kills her husband, Meg Russo, a bookstore owner, becomes the target of violent conspiracy theorists who believe a book she published decades ago predicted a plague.
As threats escalate, Meg must unravel the truth about her husband’s death and confront the dangerous group targeting her family.
Which of these sci-fi or fantasy books are you most excited to read?
Let me know in the comments below!
And make sure to check back for more book recommendations—there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon.
Happy reading!
