9 Must-read crime & thriller gems every mega fan needs on their shelf

The ship was doomed before it ever left port. When a passenger is found dead in a locked cabin with no weapon in sight, British civil servant Patrick Gallagher suspects foul play – and the killer may still be on board. As the Lusitania sails ever closer to war-torn Europe, danger closes in from both within and without. A gripping historical mystery set aboard the ill-fated liner, Death on the Lusitania is an elegant, slow-burning thriller rich with atmosphere and intrigue that was described by the Daily Mail as ‘an instant classic.’

In a coastal English town, the discovery of sixteen horse heads buried in a field reveals the dark underbelly of a scenic coastal town. As a detective and a forensic vet investigate, the case spirals into a haunting exploration of trauma, violence, and buried secrets. Atmospheric, unsettling and beautifully written, Sixteen Horses is a literary crime debut that leaves a lasting impact – for readers who like their thrillers dark, intelligent and deeply immersive, you can’t do better.

When Agatha Christie vanished in 1926, the world was captivated. Nina de Gramont reimagines those eleven missing days through the eyes of a woman entangled in Christie’s life: her husband’s mistress. Part love story, part revenge tale, this elegant and atmospheric novel blends fact and fiction with striking emotional insight. A compelling tribute to one of literature’s greatest enigmas, this is a must-read for fans of the Queen of Crime.

If you like your crime reads a little bit cosy and more than a touch quirky, then The Cat Who Caught a Killer could be the read for you. Meet Conrad: an extraordinary talking cat with a nose for murder. When retired nurse Lulu inherits him, the unlikely pair team up to solve a suspicious death in a quiet riverside town. Warm, witty and full of charm, The Cat Who Caught a Killer is the first book in a series that is guaranteed to have you coming back for more. 

A seaside reunion. A missing child. And neighbours with secrets they’ll do anything to protect. In this tense, twist-laden thriller, Fiona Cummins peels back the layers of a seemingly perfect community to reveal the darkness beneath. If you haven’t discovered Fiona Cummins before, you’ll love her latest, and be delighted to dive into her other gripping, cleverly plotted crime fiction novels. This is the perfect read for fans of psychological suspense with a razor-sharp edge.

When a day of rock climbing ends in tragedy, long-held secrets begin to surface. Finn and Daphne have shared an uneasy bond since childhood — one shaped by loss, loyalty and quiet resentment. After the death of Finn’s partner, Magdu, a question lingers: was it truly an accident? Set against the haunting backdrop of the Blue Mountains, Girl Falling is a bold, psychological mystery from a rising star in crime fiction. 

Florence, 1536. A prominent Jewish moneylender is murdered in his home, a death with wide implications in a city powered by immense wealth.  Cesare Aldo, an officer of the Renaissance city’s most feared criminal court, is given four days to solve the murder or suffer the consequences. Rich in historical detail and full of intrigue, City of Vengeance is the gripping first novel in the Cesare Aldo series. Perfect for fans of historical crime, this atmospheric mystery brings Renaissance Florence vividly to life, blending sharp plotting with a richly imagined setting.

When romance author Eleanor Dash heads to the Amalfi Coast for a luxury book tour, the last thing she expects is a real murder mystery — especially one that mirrors the plot of her bestselling novels. With her ex-boyfriend (and detective) in tow, Eleanor must unravel the truth before fiction becomes fatal. Witty, fast-paced and irresistibly clever, this is a sharp and stylish mystery perfect for fans of comedic crime and holiday drama.

Some women can’t be erased from history. In 1938, heiress and artist Juliette Willoughby dies in a mysterious fire, alongside her final painting. Decades later, a trail of deaths stretches from Cambridge to Dubai, all linked by the secrets of Juliette’s aristocratic family. Spanning three timelines, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby is a richly layered mystery of obsession, legacy and revenge from the author of The Club, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick.