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If you’ve been keeping up with the new posts on the blog, you know that I’ve made sure to share new book releases across different genres every single month.
And for thrillers—right from January to February, then March, April, and now May—we’ve had some absolutely amazing new titles.
If you’re like me and love to shuffle your reading list every month to add new books, then these are the thrillers you definitely need to check out!
And if you want even more fantastic thriller recommendations, why not check out this post about the very best psychological thriller books ever?
Or, if you’re looking for something even darker that will have you on the edge of your seat, these domestic thriller books are perfect for you.
Want to see all the best thriller books that have come out in 2025? Head over to this page!
Thriller & Suspense Books Coming Out in May 2025
The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North (May 13th)
Alex North is back with another chilling thriller, and this one is packed with childhood trauma, eerie small-town secrets, and a possible serial killer lurking in the shadows.
Dan Garvie has spent his whole life trying to forget the crime he narrowly escaped as a child, but when his father dies under suspicious circumstances, he’s forced to return home.
Could the same monster from his past still be out there?
I love how North blends psychological depth with pure terror—it makes the story feel so real.
If you’re into dark, emotional thrillers, this one should be high on your list of thriller books coming out May 2025.
The Doorman by Chris Pavone (May 20th)
Set against the backdrop of a luxury New York City apartment building, The Doorman follows Chicky Diaz, a longtime doorman who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a deadly night involving robbery, secrets, and murder.
Meanwhile, the city outside is on the brink of chaos, with protests and unrest adding to the tension.
This sounds like one of those books where every detail matters, and I love that Pavone tackles privilege, class, and the hidden lives of the wealthy while keeping the suspense razor-sharp.
A must-read if you’re looking for gripping thriller books coming out May 2025.
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (May 6th)
Five college students vanish during Parents Weekend and they leave their families panicked and the internet buzzing with theories.
As the search unfolds, secrets about their families—and possibly their own past actions—begin to surface.
FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller returns to dig into what really happened that night.
I love thrillers that mix social media obsession with real-life mystery, and this one seems like the perfect blend of true crime vibes and family drama.
If missing person thrillers intrigue you, add this to your thriller books coming out May 2025 TBR.
The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers & Alex Kieste (May 5th)
Nic Monroe and Jenna Connor have one heartbreaking thing in common—their sisters vanished under eerily similar circumstances years ago.
When Jenna reaches out with new hope, the two women set out on a desperate search for answers.
But the truth might be more dangerous than they ever imagined.
I have a soft spot for books about unsolved disappearances, and I know this one will be emotional and full of shocking twists.
If you love gripping mysteries based on real-life crime cases, this is one of the thriller books coming out May 2025 you won’t want to miss.
The Children of Eve by John Connolly (May 6th)
Charlie Parker is back, investigating a mysterious disappearance tied to a brutal cartel.
Four children were abducted, but something about their identities isn’t adding up.
As Parker gets closer to the truth, he finds himself facing an unknown but terrifying enemy.
John Connolly’s books always have this haunting, almost supernatural edge to them, and I love how they mix crime, suspense, and something more sinister.
If you’re looking for dark, complex thriller books coming out May 2025, this one should be on your radar.
Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen (May 13th)
In classic Hiaasen fashion, this thriller is as hilarious as it is sharp.
A small-time extremist gets caught up in a wild plot involving dark money, shady politicians, and two unlikely heroes who refuse to let corruption slide.
This sounds like a perfect mix of crime, satire, and Florida chaos—I love how Hiaasen makes thrillers fun without losing the suspense.
If you like your thriller books coming out May 2025 to have some dark humor, this one’s for you.
The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb (May 13th)
Curtis Wilson is a musical genius, but when his family is forced into hiding after crossing a dangerous cartel, his life changes forever.
With the FBI unable to protect them, Curtis decides to use his own skills—both on and off the stage—to fight back.
I love how this blends a high-stakes crime story with the world of classical music.
It’s such a fresh angle for a thriller, and I’m already imagining the tension of Curtis trying to outplay the cartel.
This is one of the thriller books coming out May 2025 that feels truly unique.
Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (May 27th)
After surviving a deadly shooting, Officer Sloan Cooper moves back to her peaceful hometown to recover.
But when a new pair of killers emerge, she’s pulled back into the fight, determined to take them down.
Nora Roberts always delivers a mix of suspense and deep character development, and this one sounds like it’ll have both in spades.
If you’re a fan of crime thrillers with a strong female lead, this is a must-read from the thriller books coming out May 2025.
New Mystery Book Releases of May 2025
The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson (May 27th)
A book club that can’t agree on anything suddenly has to work together when one of its members disappears—and a dead body turns up.
Nova started the St. Tredock Book Club to make friends, but instead, she got a group of people who argue over everything.
Things take a dark turn when Michael, one of the members, vanishes after a theft at the community center.
The police think he ran off, but the club members have their own wild theories—was he a murderer? Did he elope? Are supernatural forces at play?
With inspiration from their favorite mystery novels, they take matters into their own hands.
I love a bookish mystery, especially when quirky characters and a small-town setting are involved.
This sounds like the kind of cozy but twisty read that keeps you flipping pages.
If you’re looking for thriller books coming out May 2025 that mix humor and suspense, this one’s a must-read.
Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong (May 20th)
A modern-day detective trapped in 1870s Scotland investigates a suspicious death at a high-stakes wedding.
Mallory Atkinson, a homicide detective from our time, is still stuck in the past—living as a housemaid and assisting an undertaker.
When she attends a wedding in the Scottish Highlands, tensions between the families are high, and then a guest is murdered.
As she and her partner, Duncan, dig into the mystery, they uncover deadly traps, suspicious behavior, and secrets lurking in the castle.
A mix of historical fiction and mystery? Yes, please. Time-travel thrillers always intrigue me, and this series has been getting a lot of love.
If you enjoy thriller books coming out May 2025 that transport you to another era, this one’s for you.
Big Bad Wool by Leonie Swann (May 6th)
A flock of detective sheep investigates eerie disappearances in a French countryside mystery.
Yes, you read that right—detective sheep. After solving one case, these intelligent sheep and their shepherdess, Rebecca, find themselves in a new mystery in France.
Animals are vanishing, rumors of a werewolf spread, and when a human is killed, the sheep know they must act.
Using their unique sheep logic (and some tarot cards), they set out to stop the monster.
This is definitely one of the most unique thriller books coming out May 2025—funny, bizarre, and clever.
If you like unconventional mysteries, this one sounds like an absolute delight.
Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz (May 13th)
A book editor must solve a real-life murder that eerily mirrors a novel.
Susan Ryeland, known from Magpie Murders, is back in another intricate mystery.
When she takes on a new manuscript, she realizes its fictional murder might hold the key to solving a real crime.
But as she gets closer to the truth, the author making the claims is suddenly killed, and Susan becomes a suspect herself.
Anthony Horowitz never disappoints when it comes to classic whodunits with a modern twist.
This sounds like the perfect pick for fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries.
If you love meta-fiction and smart storytelling, put this on your list of thriller books coming out May 2025.
Ladies’ Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman (May 6th)
Twin sisters Gus and Julia may seem like just two unmarried women, but they secretly help women who have nowhere else to turn.
When they take in a woman in danger, they’re pulled into a murder mystery tied to a decades-old duel.
To clear a man’s name and protect their own lives, they must navigate spies, secret societies, and scandalous gentlemen’s clubs.
I love mysteries with strong female leads, and this one promises adventure, wit, and action.
Historical thrillers can be hit or miss for me, but this one sounds like it brings something fresh.
A definite standout among thriller books coming out May 2025.
My Father Always Finds Corpses by Lee Hollis (May 27th)
Jarrod, a former child star turned theater director, has a dark past—he used to solve real-life Hollywood murders.
When his daughter, Liv, finds her boyfriend dead, she’s shocked by how easily her dad steps into detective mode.
With a Russian professor, a former First Lady, and a Secret Service agent as suspects, they must uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
This sounds like a mix of humor and crime, which I always enjoy. Plus, a father-daughter crime-solving team? That’s such a fun dynamic.
If you want thriller books coming out May 2025 with a mix of Hollywood drama and classic whodunit vibes, this is one to check out.
No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack (May 13th)
A bestselling author finds herself solving a murder at her best friend’s wedding.
Eleanor Dash, a mystery novelist, is used to writing about crime, but when a threatening note appears at a wedding on Catalina Island, fiction turns into reality.
As a storm traps the guests, someone is killed, and Eleanor realizes it’s up to her to solve the case before the killer strikes again.
Weddings and murder? A classic combination. This has all the hallmarks of a fun, fast-paced thriller with a locked-room mystery feel.
If you love books that mix suspense with sharp humor, this one deserves a spot on your thriller books coming out May 2025 list.
Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories by Paul Doiron (May 13th)
For fans of outdoor mysteries and gritty crime fiction, this collection brings together eight tense, atmospheric stories—including a brand-new one.
From hunting a killer who uses rattlesnakes as a murder weapon to uncovering an old missing persons case, these stories offer a deep dive into the world of law enforcement in the Maine wilderness.
Short stories can be hit or miss, but Paul Doiron’s writing always delivers strong tension and gripping plots.
If you’re a fan of his Mike Bowditch novels or love police procedurals with a nature twist, this is a great addition to your thriller books coming out May 2025 list.
The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson (May 13th)
Seventeen-year-old Arizona is no ordinary teenager. She loves books, puzzles, and codes—skills that suddenly become life-saving when her mother is kidnapped.
The kidnappers believe her late father knew a powerful secret, and they want Arizona to uncover it.
Following a trail of ciphers, she sets out on a road trip through the Sierra Nevada mountains, her trusty dog Mojo by her side.
As she deciphers hidden messages in history, cracks ancient codes, and unearths long-buried secrets, she realizes the world is bigger—and more dangerous—than she ever imagined.
This one reminds me of The Da Vinci Code, but with a teenage protagonist and a high-stakes family mystery.
If you love thrillers packed with brain-teasing riddles, historical secrets, and an adventurous heroine, The Language of the Birds is a must-read among thriller books coming out May 2025.
May 2025 is stacked with some seriously good thrillers—serial killers, missing people, dark secrets, and even a bit of satire!
I’m especially excited for The Man Made of Smoke (because Alex North is always creepy in the best way), Parents Weekend (because missing college students + family drama = chaos), and The Dark Maestro (because music thrillers are rare and fascinating).
Want to read even more new books in May 2025? Then check out these posts:
- 20+ Fiction Book Releases Coming Out in May 2025
- 20+ Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Coming Out in May 2025
- 20+ New Non-Fiction Book Releases of May 2025
Which ones are you adding to your TBR?
