Crime fiction has evolved beyond simple whodunits—today’s bestselling titles blend psychological depth, emotional intensity, and gripping suspense to deliver experiences that haunt readers long after the final page. In 2025, the genre continues to dominate bestseller lists with a fresh wave of chilling narratives and complex protagonists. These five trending criminal genre books are winning hearts, testing nerves, and proving that justice is never as simple as black and white.
Here are the five bestselling crime novels you should not miss this year:
1. “Everyone Here Is Lying” by Shari Lapena
A master of domestic thrillers, Shari Lapena returns with a chilling tale about secrets, lies, and the disappearance of a child that shakes a seemingly perfect neighborhood. When nine-year-old Avery Wooler goes missing after a heated moment with her father, suspicion erupts in every direction.
Lapena’s trademark style of tightly-woven suspense and fast-paced narrative keeps the reader second-guessing every character. It’s not just a mystery—it’s a dark psychological exploration of what people are capable of when their truths are exposed.
2. “Do No Harm” by Jack Jordan
This morally complex thriller puts an impossible choice at the center: a surgeon is told she must kill a patient on the operating table to save her kidnapped child. Jack Jordan delivers a terrifying high-stakes narrative about ethics, motherhood, and the breaking point of human conscience.
Set against a medical backdrop with unrelenting tension, Do No Harm is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. It will leave you breathless—and questioning what you would do in the same situation.
3. “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden
Don’t be fooled by the polished exterior of this domestic suspense—it’s hiding darkness beneath every surface. In The Housemaid, a woman with a mysterious past takes a live-in job with a seemingly perfect family, only to find herself caught in a web of deception, gaslighting, and manipulation.
Freida McFadden’s breakout bestseller is razor-sharp, deeply unsettling, and utterly addictive. With a chilling plot twist you’ll never see coming, this book turns the idea of a perfect home on its head.
4. “The Other Half” by Charlotte Vassell
Set in the glittering but cutthroat world of London’s elite, The Other Half follows a homicide investigation after a social media star is murdered following an exclusive party. As detectives dig into the curated lives of the ultra-rich, disturbing truths unravel.
Vassell balances biting satire with compelling mystery, making this one of the smartest and most socially relevant crime novels of the year. It’s a murder mystery with sharp commentary on class, privilege, and performative morality.
5. “All the Sinners Bleed” by S.A. Cosby
Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of a small Southern town, finds himself at the center of a disturbing investigation involving a school shooting, a serial killer, and deep-rooted racism. With evocative prose and searing emotional depth, Cosby crafts a gripping story that goes beyond crime into the heart of America’s struggles with justice and race.
This book isn’t just powerful—it’s unforgettable. A raw, deeply layered thriller that cements Cosby’s reputation as one of the finest voices in crime fiction today.
Final Thoughts
The world of crime fiction in 2025 is no longer confined to shadowy detectives and straightforward investigations. These bestselling novels reflect a genre that’s evolved into something far more gripping and emotionally charged. Each of these stories pulls readers into a web of secrets, lies, and moral chaos—where justice isn’t always clear, and the truth is often buried beneath layers of trauma, social dynamics, and personal history.
What makes these books stand out is their ability to fuse edge-of-your-seat suspense with deep psychological and emotional weight. Whether it’s a mother forced to make an unthinkable choice, a housemaid discovering the dark heart of domestic perfection, or a sheriff facing racial ghosts in his hometown—these are not just thrillers; they’re reflections of real fears, ethical dilemmas, and the fragility of trust.
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