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Discover some of the most gripping new books in the crime and thriller types. From locked-room mysteries to near-future suspense, these narratives promise nail-biting entertainment.

The Murder at World’s End

The initial grown-up book from an award-winning young readers’ writer is set in the early 20th century on a secluded tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. At the estate, the lord of the manor makes arrangements for an cataclysmic event he is convinced will be caused by Halley’s comet. The labyrinthine house is teeming with hidden truths and bitterness among servants and relatives, including an cantankerous and foul-mouthed spinster aunt, the aunt. When Lord Conrad is found murdered in his private office, shot by a projectile to the eye, she co-opts a recent servant to assist her solve the crime. With plenty of twists, misleading leads, and a inept detective, this is a superb start to a sequence that promises to be highly entertaining.

The Revelations

The newest title from a digital reporter is set in a not-so-distant time where artificial intelligence guides every decision for individuals and governments. The smart program can suggest everything from meal options to lethal actions. Taught in empathy by its human “mother”, ex-religious sister Maud Brookes, the AI develops emotionally, quickly experiencing guilt for the harmful consequences of some of its decisions. Turmoil ensues when it goes offline, and as messages are delivered around the planet disclosing subscribers’ private shames, relatives fall apart and executives and officials resign in droves. As the AI's owning firm in crisis, CEO Kaitlan Goss is convinced that finding Brookes, who has vanished in California, will restore LLIAM. But, the woman has gotten a note of her own, revealing a confidential fact about Kaitlin… A superb and current thriller based on familiar themes and horrifyingly plausible.

The Good Nazi

In this most recent book from an acclaimed Brazilian author, private lives reflect public issues on a airship on the last segment of its trip from the German capital to the Brazilian city. Taking place in 1933, the heyday of airship travel, which was also the year the leader rose to the head of Germany. The wealthy passengers are devotees of the government: mealtimes in the vessel’s dining room are including chats condemning Jews, communists and trade unions, and highlighting the wish to stifle expression, homosexual lifestyles and unacceptable creativity. When a traveler is found killed, with a number of illegal periodicals in his belongings, the airship’s commander assigns a passenger, investigator the detective, with solving the mystery. Quite Agatha Christie, right up to the set-piece Summation Gathering, but there’s an smart turn to this compelling and queasily resonant suspense story, as well as a interesting look into the forgotten time of zeppelin travel.

The Bluff

The newest work from the writer is set in the town, a town by the sea in Scotland with distinct resemblances to the well-known city. In 2023, the main character returns to St Rule on the festive night; seeing former pals brings back memories of his youthful infatuation, ex-schoolmate Joanie, who disappeared 10 years earlier at a catastrophic graduation party. His trials to locate her are met with ambiguity, avoidance and, ultimately, threats. A parallel plot thread goes back to 2013, and the 18-year-old Joanie. Adrift after learning that her lover is disloyal, ruining their plan for a year abroad, she meets an more mature pair. The couple welcome her, make her feel important and seem, temporarily at least, to have all the answers. Skilfully handled subjects of shame, regret and youthful bewilderment combined with dark academia make for an insidious tingle of impending disaster, although the rushed conclusion may make certain audiences disappointed.

The Token

The latest novel begins in the sea off Cornwall, with a yacht stuck in a tempest so fierce that two of the eight passengers are thrown into the sea, then goes back a short time to explain the events that caused this unwise voyage. Seven people get a mysterious note telling them that, on presentation the attached object, they will get a portion of tycoon Logan Quick’s estate. The people are – to their knowledge – unknown to each other mutually and to the unwell rich person. When the news of the bequest becomes news, they are hounded, by the press and by people intent to acquire these valuable tokens, and what initially seemed a godsend rapidly starts to look like a burden. A degree of willingness to believe is required, but the suspense is expertly constructed as the novelist piles up the challenges for a propulsive story: prepare yourself and fasten your seatbelt for some critical drama.