Gripping new crime fiction books of 2026, as recommended by the experts

Why read this: Ann Cleeves' Detective Matthew Venn returns to solve a case shaped by privilege, politics and the simmering tensions of a North Devon community. When a young woman is found dead in the swimming pool of a luxury holiday home owned by rising politician Paul Armstrong, the case quickly attracts intense scrutiny – especially when the victim’s best friend disappears. Against the oppressive backdrop of a heatwave, Venn and his team trace connections between a local music festival, the powerful Armstrong family and a community with plenty to hide. The Dying Light combines Cleeves’ gift for character-driven investigation with a crime built around secrets, loyalties and the things left unsaid. One of our most anticipated crime fiction books of this year. 

If you're looking for: Detective fiction, rural mystery, atmospheric crime novel, small-town secrets, detective series, LGBTQI+ detective, police procedural.

Great for fans of: Vera Stanhope and the Shetland series by Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths.

What the experts think: 'Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible’ – Richard Osman, author of The Thursday Murder Club. ‘Ann Cleeves is a stone-cold genius’ – Marian Keyes, author of My Favourite Mistake.

Why read this: Roberta Steel is heading for retirement, but author Stuart MacBride has no intention of letting her leave quietly. After thirty years policing Aberdeen, the acting detective inspector is hoping for gardening, crosswords and shouting at the telly. Instead, a body in a wheelie bin launches her into one last investigation, while violent protests, political turmoil, government spooks and a desperate former colleague pile on the pressure. Dark, sharply funny and packed with the abrasive wit MacBride is known for, Blood, Rust and Steel offers a fittingly chaotic final case.

If you're looking for: Murder investigations, police corruption, dark humour, Scottish crime fiction, political unrest.

Great for fans of: Ian Rankin, Val McDermid.

Why read this: This is the new standalone crime novel featuring Detective Jimmy Perez, last seen in Wild Fire, the final book in Ann Cleeves’ bestselling Shetland series. When a violent storm descends upon Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is left in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, so this case is more personal than most. Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate killer strikes again.

If you're looking for: Island crime, detective fiction, atmospheric setting, buried secrets, community tension, archaeology and myth, crime fiction.

Great for fans of: Val McDermid, Peter May's Lewis Trilogy.

What the experts think: 'Ann Cleeves’ restless love of landscape and story brings us a bold and dramatic high stakes return for Jimmy Perez.' – Val McDermid, bestselling author of Past Lying.

Why read this: Lin Anderson launches a new Orkney-set crime series with a mystery rooted in buried remains, family conflict and a detective who has unfinished business with the islands. When the peat on the Isle of Hoy reveals the bodies of a young mother and her baby, DI Erling Flett is drawn into a case that forces him to confront the place he once fled. As he tries to identify the dead, resistance within the community and a bitter feud over the land complicate the investigation. Atmospheric and character-driven, The High Island is the first Orcadia Mysteries novel, making it an ideal starting point for readers new to Anderson as well as fans of her Rhona MacLeod series.

If you're looking for: Police procedural, island mysteries, Scottish crime, atmospheric mystery, new detective series. 

Great for fans of: Val McDermid and Elly Griffiths.

What the experts think: 'The sense of place is strong and the plot is as intriguing as ever . . . Lin Anderson has worked her particular magic once more' – Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Why read this: Detectives Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers return in this atmospheric case. Amid the beauty of Cornwall’s coastline, the death of a local man shatters the peace with its violence. The body of Michael Lobb is discovered in his family’s tin and pewter workshop, and Detective Inspector Beatrice Hannaford is brought in to investigate. Suspicion quickly develops when it emerges that a mining company had been trying to buy the man’s land, and Lobb was the only remaining obstacle to the deal going through. With cryptic alibis and shifting motives, the tangled web of intrigue soon draws in her colleagues Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, who must search for a killer in a community that has very little trust in outsiders.

If you're looking for: Murder mystery, Cornwall setting, police procedural, corruption. 

Why read this: In this gripping installment of the bestselling Grace series, DSI Roy Grace is back and unexpectedly visiting Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes – the train is derailed, and a trusted aide is killed by a sniper. Grace alone is not convinced The Queen was the intended target – but no-one else agrees. Fighting against the scepticism of his colleagues and the Palace itself, Grace pursues his own investigation. But when there is a second murder, the stakes rise even higher, and Grace is at risk of being embroiled in a very public catastrophe – and in mortal danger.

If you're looking for: Police procedural, Royal intrigue, detective crime thriller, suspenseful investigation, plot twists, major TV series.

What the experts think: 'What a fool I've been not to have read Peter James until The Hawk Is Dead!' – James Patterson.

Why read this: A windswept Orkney setting and a centuries-old grave give this forensic crime novel an irresistible archaeological twist. In the latest Rhona MacLeod investigation, a natural disaster at Skaill Bay draws forensic scientist Rhona into the rescue effort, where she discovers a skeleton sealed inside a stone crypt. The burial appears to date from the Viking Age, but Rhona’s analysis suggests something far more recent – and much more sinister. When the victim is identified, disturbing connections emerge between the dead and those investigating the case. Atmospheric, forensic-led and rich in Scottish landscape, this is a strong choice for established Rhona MacLeod readers and newcomers to Lin Anderson’s crime series.

If you're looking for: Scottish crime fiction, forensic investigation, archaeological mysteries, Orkney setting, buried secrets, atmospheric suspense, long-running detective series.

Great for fans of: Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Silent Witness.

What the experts think: ‘Lin Anderson is one of Scotland’s national treasures’ – Stuart MacBride, author of the Logan McRae series. ‘A real page-turner’ – Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus series, on The Party House.

Why read this: Peter James turns Brighton Pride into the backdrop for one of Roy Grace’s most personal threats yet. While Grace coordinates security for the city’s huge celebrations amid fears of a possible terrorist attack, an enemy from his past is setting a revenge plot in motion. At the Royal Courteney Hotel, Albanian mob consigliere Dritan Dervishi has checked into Room 321 with a lethal plan – and Grace and his family are firmly in its sights. With its ticking-clock structure, large-scale police operation and unusually personal stakes, Dead in Three Two One promises a tense new chapter in the long-running Roy Grace series.

If you're looking for: Police procedurals, Brighton crime fiction, suspense, organised crime, revenge, high-stakes investigations, recurring detectives.

Great for fans of: Ian Rankin, Karin Slaughter, Lee Child, ITV’s Grace.

What the experts think: ‘Peter James is one of the best British crime writers and therefore one of the best in the world’ – Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series.

Why read this: The Spies of Hartlake Hall delivers a tense, twisty mystery with an intriguing premise. In London, 1917, when a body is found in a locked room in a secretive Admiralty organization, intelligence agent Patrick Gallagher must investigate. To avoid raising further suspicion, Gallagher invites those involved to his family’s home at Hartlake Hall for questioning, but over the coming days, the body count escalates as a ruthless killer continues to pull the strings from the shadows.

If you're looking for: High-stakes mystery, historical crime novel, whodunnit, locked-room mystery, spy story, WW1 thriller.

Great for fans of: Agatha Christie, Tom Hindle's The Murder Game and Murder on Lake Garda.

Why read this: Ten days. Eight suspects. Six cities. Five authors. Three bodies. One trip to die for. This whip-smart and hilarious new novel will transport you to the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, as a mystery novelist becomes the real-life chief investigator during her book tour when her ex-boyfriend is murdered. 

If you're looking for: Murder mystery, funny crime fiction, escapism, holiday setting, amateur sleuth.

Great for fans of: The White Lotus, Only Murders in the Building.

What the experts think: ‘With her snappy dialogue and hilarious footnotes, novelist Eleanor Dash is the perfect imperfect heroine to guide you on this madcap Italian odyssey, an Aperol Spritz in hand. I felt like I was on holiday. But with murder. I couldn't stop reading’ ー Jessa Maxwell, author of The Golden Spoon

Why read this: Antiques, buried treasure and murder meet in a snowbound Scottish mystery with all the pleasures of classic cosy crime in this third book in the The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder series. Freya Lockwood and Aunt Carole travel to the Scottish countryside on a mission to recover stolen art, only for their colleague Bella to disappear. Then a cache of ancient silverware is linked to the murder of a laird, and Bella becomes the prime suspect. With an isolated setting, a treasure hunt at its heart and plenty of secrets to uncover, Murder at the Castle is a particularly tempting choice for readers who like their mysteries clever, atmospheric and rich in intriguing detail. 

If you're looking for: Cosy crime, antiques and art, Scottish castle setting, treasure hunts, amateur sleuths, snowbound mysteries, murder investigations, hidden secrets.

Great for fans of: Antiques Roadshow, Knives Out, S. J. Bennett.

What the experts think: ‘A bold, bright and delightful jaunt back to the golden age of detective fiction’ – Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal on The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder.

Why read this: Date with Destiny brings Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective series to a satisfying close. Samson and Delilah should be concentrating on their wedding, but when a celebrity asks for the agency’s help and a murder at Fellside Court leaves a friend under suspicion, personal plans quickly give way to one final investigation. Set in the Yorkshire Dales and packed with long-running relationships, local secrets and classic whodunnit pleasures, you can discover the whole Dales Detective series here. 

If you're looking for: Cosy crime, Yorkshire setting, village mysteries, amateur investigation, recurring characters, wedding drama, community secrets, classic whodunnit.

Great for fans of: The Archers, Midsomer Murders, the Inspector Montalbano series by Andrea Camilleri.

Why read this: Halloween, Shakespeare and of course, a talking cat, make this a particularly playful entry in L T Shearer’s cosy crime series. Retired detective Lulu Lewis and her feline sidekick Conrad arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon for the October festivities, only for a midnight performance of Macbeth to end in sudden death. When they learn another cast member has also recently died, the pair begin digging into the secrets surrounding the production. With its theatrical setting, autumnal atmosphere and gently eccentric detective duo, The Cat and the Halloween Murder is ideal for readers who enjoy their mysteries charming, witty and just a little spooky.

If you're looking for: Cosy crime, Halloween mysteries, theatrical murder, amateur sleuths, talking animals, gentle humour, autumnal atmosphere.

Great for fans of:  S. J. Bennett’s The Windsor Knot.

Why read this: In this quirky and original debut, the world of Jane Austen meets a modern-day murder. When Miss Georgiana Darcy escapes an unwanted marriage proposal in 1799, she is accidentally transported to 1995. Arriving on the set of a film adaptation at a grand country house, she finds herself the only witness to a terrible crime. With the help of a handsome Irishman and a border collie named Watson, Georgiana must solve the riddle before the killer strikes again. A charming, escapist romp that brilliantly reimagines a beloved literary world.

If you're looking for: Time travel, Regency retelling, country house mystery, animal sidekicks, fish-out-of-water humour.

Great for fans of: Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Enola Holmes, Bridgerton.

What the experts think: ‘Wonderfully original . . . a twisty cosy crime' – Emma Pass, author of Before The Dawn.

Why read this: This heartwarming story, a sensation in Japan, offers an entertaining take on puzzle mysteries and is packed with classic crime references. Kaede, a twenty-seven-year-old schoolteacher, frequently encounters everyday riddles that leave her stumped. For guidance, she visits her beloved grandfather; despite his dementia, he retains a master sharpness of mind for solving crimes. Together, they work to solve everything from locked-room murders to missing person cases. Steeped in references to greats like Christie and Poe, this is an affectionate story that celebrates the power of the mind and the strength of family bonds.

If you're looking for: Locked-room mysteries, grandfather-granddaughter duo, Japanese setting, literary references, heartwarming tone, amateur detectives, books in translation. 

Great for fans of: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Agatha Christie.

Why read this: A dead judge. A defendant who refuses to speak. And a case that may be unwinnable by design. When junior barrister Leila Reynolds is thrust into a high-profile murder trial, she is chosen by the accused for reasons she does not understand. As the courtroom battle intensifies, Leila must persuade a jury without testimony, evidence that won’t cooperate, and while concealing secrets of her own. Every argument cuts both ways, and the truth threatens to dismantle everything she is trying to protect.

If you're looking for: Courtroom drama, unreliable narratives, legal strategy, hidden pasts, psychological tension, British crime.

Great for fans of: Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, Apple Tree Yard.

What the experts think: 'So gripping, so clever, so good. This brilliant book had me hooked from the beginning' – Alice Feeney, author of Beautiful Ugly.

Why read this: The Cut Throat Trial is the first crime novel from the million-copy bestselling Secret Barrister, writing as S. J. Fleet. From an author with incomparable insider’s knowledge, this page-turner follows a trial billed as the ‘biggest of the year’, as three seventeen-year-old boys are accused of the brutal murder of an elderly teacher on New Year's Eve. Each boy denies it. Each points the finger at the other two. But they can’t all be innocent.

If you're looking for: Twists you won’t see coming, legal thriller, courtroom drama.

Great for fans of: The Secret Barrister, Mick Herron’s The Secret Hours, Sarah Vaughan’s Anatomy of a Scandal, C. J. Tudor’s The Chalk Man.

What the experts think: 'Astute, empathetic, and satisfyingly twisty' ー Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal and Reputation

Why read this: A Renaissance asylum, a raging blizzard and a killer hiding in plain sight make this one of Cesare Aldo’s most claustrophobic investigations yet. In winter 1540, Aldo travels into the hills above Florence searching for answers about his past, only to become stranded at Ospedale de’ Pazzi, an institution for the criminally insane. When a cart driver dies in suspicious circumstances and another brutal killing follows, Aldo realizes the storm has trapped him with a murderer. The sixth novel in D. V. Bishop’s acclaimed series, Shadow of Madness blends historical detail, locked-room tension and a deeply personal mystery.

If you're looking for: Historical crime fiction, Renaissance Italy, locked-room mystery, snowbound setting, serial detective series, atmospheric suspense.

Great for fans of: C. J. Sansom's Shardlake novels, S. J. Parris

What the experts think: ‘It’s hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence’ – Andrew Taylor, author of A Schooling in Murder. ‘Aldo is a magnificent creation’ – Vaseem Khan, author of The Edge of Darkness.

Why read this: This twisty historical crime thriller will transport you to London, 1749. It follows Hannah Cole as her world is shattered following her husband’s brutal murder. With her confectionary shop teetering on the brink of ruin, Hannah discovers that her her husband was hiding a fortune, but soon finds out that she is not the only one who knows. 

If you're looking for: Historical crime thriller, Georgian period setting, dark secrets, twists.

Great for fans of: Mrs England by Stacey Halls, The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal.

What the experts think: ‘Astonishing. A rare and wonderful story’ – Chris Whitaker, author of All the Colours of the Dark. ‘Fiendishly clever and completely gripping’ – Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things.

Why read this: Queen of Outback noir Jane Harper returns with a haunting, slow-burn mystery set in a dying Australian town. When Sam Crowley disappears on the night of his twenty-first birthday, the only clue is a set of footprints leading into – and out of – three abandoned houses. Five years later, his mother Ro comes back, determined to uncover the truth in a community hollowed out by suspicion and loss. With Harper’s signature atmospheric style and emotional depth, this is as much about grief and fractured lives as it is about solving the mystery.

If you're looking for: Crime fiction, Outback noir, small-town mystery.

Great for fans of: The Dry by Jane Harper, Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Chris Whitaker.

What the experts think:  ‘This is a slow-burn of a novel, claustrophobic and compelling’ – Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland series. ‘Jane Harper delivers unbearable tension every time.’ – Val McDermid, author of 1989.

Why read this: The climax to the internationally bestselling Antonia Scott trilogy from Spain’s bestselling crime and thriller writer. With the Red Queen project under attack and agents turning on each other, Antonia's unique forensic mind is tested against a dangerous mastermind, Mr. White. He gives Antonia a seemingly innocuous challenge: solve three crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice. A must-read for fans of brilliant protagonists, and complex, high-stakes plots. If you’re new to the series, don’t miss the first installment, Red Queen.

If you're looking for: International crime novel, espionage, forensic mind, secret agents, global conspiracy, major TV series.

Great for fans of: Steig Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.