Six thrillers and mysteries worth reading right now

Read This Next with Emily Darlow

If you’re in the mood for a book that pulls you in fast and refuses to let go, this latest batch of thrillers and mysteries delivers. From locked-room tension to small-town secrets and psychological twists, these stories lean into suspense without losing their grip on character and setting. Expect unreliable narrators, buried pasts and just enough misdirection to keep you second-guessing every chapter.

The Writer’s Retreat by Victoria Brownlee
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A group of writers gather at an exclusive retreat, each bringing their own ambitions and secrets with them. What begins as a chance to focus on craft quickly shifts as tensions surface and the lines between fiction and reality blur. Brownlee leans into the claustrophobic nature of the setting, where creative egos and personal histories collide. As the retreat progresses, it becomes clear that not everyone is there for the same reason, and not everyone will leave unchanged. The tension comes as much from what’s left unsaid as what’s revealed, which keeps the atmosphere tight throughout.

The Hope Rises by David Baldacci
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Baldacci returns with another tightly plotted thriller built around high stakes and moral complexity. This one moves between personal loss and broader political tension, with a central character forced to confront both at once. The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that keep the story moving, but there’s also a focus on the emotional toll of the choices being made. It’s a layered thriller that balances action with the weight of consequence. As always with Baldacci, the stakes continue to rise, pulling multiple threads together into a high-pressure finish.

The Witness by Fleur McDonald
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Set against a distinctly Australian backdrop, this story centres on what it means to speak up and the consequences that follow. McDonald grounds the tension in community life, where everyone knows everyone and silence can be just as powerful as truth. The mystery unfolds through relationships as much as events, with a steady build that keeps you invested. It also taps into the pressure of doing the right thing when it comes at a personal cost. The rural setting adds another layer, where isolation can both protect and expose those involved.

The Tenant by Freida McFadden
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Freida McFadden has a knack for turning everyday situations into something far more sinister, and this is no exception. A seemingly straightforward rental arrangement begins to unravel, with small details stacking into something much darker. The tension builds quietly at first before shifting into something far more unsettling, with twists that land hard. It’s fast, addictive and designed to keep you questioning what’s really going on until the final pages. Each reveal reframes what you thought you understood, which makes it hard to put down.

The Girls of Maple Close by Amanda Brittany
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A quiet street. A group of neighbours. A past that refuses to stay buried. Brittany builds the story through multiple perspectives, slowly revealing how the characters are connected and what they’re hiding. The sense of unease grows as long-held secrets begin to surface, changing how you view each character. It’s a story about memory, loyalty and the ripple effect of decisions made years earlier. By the end, the street itself feels like a character, holding onto everything that’s happened there.

The Couple’s Retreat by Mercedes Mercier
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What should be a relaxing getaway turns into something far more complicated as cracks in relationships begin to show. Mercier uses the retreat setting to explore trust, control and the ways couples present themselves to others versus what’s really going on behind closed doors. The tension builds through shifting dynamics and subtle power plays rather than dramatic action. By the end, it’s clear that some relationships won’t survive the trip, and some truths can’t be put back once exposed. It leans into that uncomfortable feeling of watching things unravel in slow motion.