by 
One thing I’ve enjoyed in recent years is how the push for inclusivity has given us a variety of totally amazing books.
In this post, I’m listing some of my personal favorite queer suspense, thriller, or mystery books that feature LGBTQ characters.
I feel that these books are so important because they break through stereotypes, which we all know should be broken anyway, and create a safe space for all types of readers.
So if you’ve been thinking about reading something different or simply want to broaden your reading list, this is a great place to start.
1. Bath Haus by P. J. Vernon
Oliver, a recovering addict, finally has the perfect life with Nathan, his loving partner.
But one visit to a gay bathhouse turns everything upside down.
After a terrible encounter, Oliver barely escapes with his life, racing home with a growing bruise on his neck.
To protect everything he’s built with Nathan, he lies, but soon, everything unravels in a thrilling chain of events.
This one is packed with suspense, twists, and emotional moments that make you feel for Oliver’s dilemma.
2. Red Market by Dharma Kelleher
Jinx Ballou, a tough bounty hunter, is hired to capture a man selling cadavers.
But when the body broker is found dead, Jinx becomes the prime suspect.
As she digs deeper, she finds a dark web of human exploitation.
The action is intense, and the stakes are high as Jinx fights to clear her name while unraveling a gruesome business.
If you love fast-paced suspense with a strong, kickass character, this one’s for you.
3. The Very Nice Box by Eve Gleichman
Ava Simon, a designer at a Brooklyn furniture company, is stuck in her grief after losing her girlfriend.
But when her new boss, Mat, offers a ride home, an unexpected bond begins to form.
However, things take a dark turn as Mat’s secrets start to unravel.
This book combines wry humor with suspense, and it will.give you a gripping look at trust, grief, and betrayal.
4. Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor
When twelve-year-old Esther goes missing in a small Australian town, Detective Sarah Michaels is on the case, but it’s Esther’s best friend, Ronnie, who won’t stop looking for answers.
As Ronnie uncovers hidden secrets and lies, the tension grows.
This one beautifully blends suspense with a deep dive into the emotional impact of loss and mystery.
The small-town setting adds to the eeriness, so this is such a fantastic queer suspense you really need to read.
5. Survivor’s Guilt by Robyn Gigl
When millionaire Charles Parsons is found dead, it looks like suicide.
But as more clues surface, transgender attorney Erin McCabe gets drawn into a case full of dark secrets.
The investigation into human trafficking and murder is chilling, and Erin’s determination to fight for justice makes this legal thriller gripping and emotional.
It’s perfect for anyone who loves a mix of heart-pounding suspense and social commentary.
6. Seeing Strangers by Sebastian J. Plata
Greg Kelly has it all – a loving husband and a great life in NYC.
But as he and his husband prepare for a baby, Greg’s past hookups start to haunt him, especially when an old fling becomes dangerously obsessed.
This book takes you on a thrilling ride through obsession, jealousy, and secrets, with a gripping pace that keeps you on edge.
It’s a suspenseful exploration of relationships and the cost of unresolved feelings.
7. A Burning by Megha Majumdar
Jivan, a Muslim girl from the slums, is accused of being behind a terrorist attack after a careless Facebook comment.
As her life unravels, the story weaves together the lives of those around her – PT, a gym teacher with political ambitions, and Lovely, a girl who holds the key to Jivan’s innocence.
This novel is a thrilling, thought-provoking look at class, fate, and justice in contemporary India.
It’s an emotional rollercoaster with twists that will leave you thinking long after the last page.
8. They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
Scarlett Clark, a college professor, leads a double life – teaching by day and hunting down the worst men on campus by night.
But when a new investigation starts getting too close to her secrets, Scarlett must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Meanwhile, Carly, a student, becomes obsessed with revenge.
The suspense and tension between these two women will keep you hooked.
It’s a dark, feminist queer thriller book that will take you on a wild ride.
9. Devil’s Chew Toy by Rob Osler
Hayden McCall wakes up with a black eye and no memory of the night before, only to discover that a missing man, Camilo, is somehow connected to him.
As Hayden digs into Camilo’s life, secrets start to unfold, and this leads him on a thrilling chase through lies, betrayal, and a dangerous underworld.
This one is a gripping cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
10. The Lost Americans by Chris Bollen
Cate travels to Cairo to uncover the truth about her brother’s death, which was ruled a suicide, but she quickly realizes there’s much more to his story.
As she digs deeper, she faces opposition from powerful people who want the truth buried.
The book is an atmospheric, smart thriller with rich characters and a sense of danger lurking at every turn.
If you enjoy queer suspense books set against an international backdrop, this one’s perfect.
11. Bury Me In Shadows by Greg Herren
Jake Chapman finds himself at his grandmother’s decaying house in rural Alabama, a place that holds dark family secrets.
As strange occurrences unfold, Jake’s investigation into his family’s past leads to a terrifying truth.
This book mixes eerie suspense with a touch of family drama, which makes it an intense, gripping read that keeps you hooked.
12. Real Bad Things by Kelly J. Ford
Jane Mooney returns to her small hometown, Maud Bottoms, after years away, only to find that a body has surfaced – possibly connected to her violent stepfather’s disappearance.
As she faces her past, Jane is forced to confront buried secrets that threaten to unravel everything.
This book offers a deep, suspenseful look at the cost of keeping secrets and the dangers of returning home.
13. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Sue Trinder, a young woman raised in a home full of petty criminals, is recruited by a conman named Gentleman to help him seduce a wealthy woman.
But as the plot unfolds, Sue finds herself caught in a web of betrayal and deception.
This historical thriller has twists and turns that will keep you guessing, with a strong focus on deception and betrayal.
If you enjoy layered queer mysteries with rich LGBTQIA characters, this one’s for you.
I’ve also written a post about the best MM historical romance fantasy books that I genuinely believe everyone should get their hands on and I’m sure you’ll love them.
If you want to see even more realistic depictions of queer characters, then you definitely need to check out this list of memoirs by the most iconic LGBTQ figures in history.
And if you want even more amazing recommendations, the related posts are just below!
Let me know which ones you’re going to read and which ones you’ve read and loved.
