Quick verdict
All the Sinners Bleed is the most literarily significant novel on this list and the strongest recommendation for serious crime fiction readers. For pure reading pleasure and warmth, The Thursday Murder Club has delighted millions of readers worldwide and deserves its status as a modern classic of the cozy genre. Stephen King's Holly is his best recent work, and any thriller reader who has overlooked it is missing out
Holly by Stephen King
Stephen King returns to his most compelling recent character - Holly Gibney - in this standalone thriller that puts her front and center for the first time. Set during the COVID pandemic, Holly investigates missing persons cases that lead to a deeply unsettling pair of killers. King writes Holly with more nuance and affection than almost any character in his recent catalog, and the mystery mechanics are genuinely airtight. It is horror-adjacent without leaning on supernatural elements, making it accessible to thriller readers who are not traditional King fans.
From Stephen King's return to thriller territory to Richard Osman's cozy whodunit sensation, these are the best current mystery and thriller novels keeping readers hooked right now.
Mystery and thriller fiction is experiencing a golden era, with established giants like Stephen King and John Grisham delivering some of their best recent work alongside newer voices like S.A. Cosby redefining what crime fiction can do. Whether you prefer atmospheric cozies, courtroom drama, or hard-edged Southern noir, the current selection of mystery novels has something exceptional for every reader.
Here are the five best mystery and thriller novels you should be reading right now.
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly by Stephen King | Horror-mystery fans | Check price | |
| The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman | Cozy mystery lovers | Check price | |
| All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby | Hard-boiled noir fans | Check price | |
| The Exchange by John Grisham | Legal thriller readers | Check price | |
| The Maid by Nita Prose | Character-driven mystery fans | Check price |
Our picks up close
Holly by Stephen King
Stephen King returns to his most compelling recent character - Holly Gibney - in this standalone thriller that puts her front and center for the first time. Set during the COVID pandemic, Holly investigates missing persons cases that lead to a deeply unsettling pair of killers. King writes Holly with more nuance and affection than almost any character in his recent catalog, and the mystery mechanics are genuinely airtight. It is horror-adjacent without leaning on supernatural elements, making it accessible to thriller readers who are not traditional King fans.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Richard Osman's debut novel became a global phenomenon for good reason - it is simply one of the most enjoyable mystery novels written in the past decade. Four retired friends who meet weekly to discuss cold cases find themselves pulled into a very live murder investigation. Osman's background as a television producer gives him a sharp instinct for pacing and dialogue, and the Coopers Chase retirement village is one of fiction's most charming settings. The mystery itself is genuinely well-constructed, not just charming window dressing.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
S.A. Cosby has established himself as the most exciting voice in American crime fiction, and All the Sinners Bleed is his most ambitious novel. Titus Crown, the first Black sheriff of Charon County, Virginia, faces a serial killer case with roots in the county's darkest history. Cosby writes with a righteous anger and literary precision that elevates his work well above genre conventions. The action sequences are gripping, but it is the emotional honesty about race and community in the American South that makes this unforgettable.
The Exchange by John Grisham
John Grisham returns to the world of The Firm with The Exchange, following Mitch McDeere fifteen years after his explosive escape from the corrupt Bendini Lambert & Locke law firm. Now a partner at a prestigious New York firm, Mitch gets drawn into a kidnapping conspiracy in Libya that threatens everyone he loves. Grisham's plotting is as tight as ever, and returning to a beloved character gives the novel an emotional resonance that his standalone work sometimes lacks.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Nita Prose's debut introduced one of mystery fiction's most beloved recent protagonists - Molly the Maid, a hotel housekeeper with a highly literal worldview who discovers a dead body in one of her rooms and becomes the prime suspect. Prose writes Molly with genuine empathy for her neurodivergence, and the character's unique perspective on human behavior creates both comedic and genuinely moving moments. The mystery is fair and satisfying, making this perfect for readers who want warmth alongside their whodunit.
Before you buy
Tone preference
Mystery fiction ranges from cozy (The Thursday Murder Club, The Maid) to brutal noir (All the Sinners Bleed). Know which end of the spectrum you prefer before choosing.
Standalone vs. series
The Thursday Murder Club and The Maid are the first entries in ongoing series, giving you more to read if you fall in love with the characters.
Character vs. plot emphasis
King and Prose emphasize character development; Cosby and Grisham emphasize plot momentum. Most readers enjoy both but usually have a preference.
Content warnings
All the Sinners Bleed contains graphic violence and disturbing subject matter. Holly deals with predatory violence. The other titles are appropriate for general adult audiences.
The wrap-up
All the Sinners Bleed is the most literarily significant novel on this list and the strongest recommendation for serious crime fiction readers. For pure reading pleasure and warmth, The Thursday Murder Club has delighted millions of readers worldwide and deserves its status as a modern classic of the cozy genre. Stephen King's Holly is his best recent work, and any thriller reader who has overlooked it is missing out
Quick answers
Holly works well as a standalone, but readers who have met Holly Gibney in Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, or End of Watch will appreciate the added depth of her character history. King provides enough context for new readers to understand Holly's personality and quirks without feeling lost. That said, reading the Bill Hodges trilogy first adds significant emotional weight to Holly's solo adventure.
Richard Osman's series stands out for its witty, warm prose and its genuinely clever plotting. The four protagonists are retirement-home residents in their 70s and 80s, which subverts every thriller convention about who gets to solve crimes. Osman writes with real affection for his characters, and the humor feels earned rather than forced. The mysteries are fair-play puzzles that reward attentive readers who want to solve along with the club.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby is the strongest choice for readers who want relentless pace and visceral tension. Cosby writes action sequences with cinematic precision, and his protagonist Sheriff Titus Crown faces a genuinely terrifying case that never lets up. The novel also engages seriously with race, faith, and Southern identity in ways that give the action scenes deeper weight than typical genre thrillers.
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