Spring 2025 is heating up with a killer lineup of thriller and mystery books, and April is the month to watch. Imagine this: a quiet desert town hiding a deadly conspiracy, a meddling tea-shop owner cracking a social media murder, or a WWII secret threatening to unravel decades later. These are just a taste of the pulse-pounding reads hitting shelves, penned by some of the genre’s biggest names and brightest newcomers. From New York Times bestselling titan David Baldacci to cozy mystery darling Jesse Q. Sutanto, this list of 10 must-read April 2025 releases will keep you up all night, turning pages and double-checking your locks. If you’re a fan of suspense, twists, and gripping plots, these books are your next obsession—let’s dive in!
1. Strangers in Time by David Baldacci – April 15
David Baldacci, the mastermind behind the Amos Decker and Atlee Pine series, delivers Strangers in Time, a WWII-set thriller blending heart and high stakes. Teens Charlie and Molly, scarred by war’s toll, find solace with Ignatius, a grieving bookshop owner in 1940s London. Their unlikely friendship blooms over shared losses—until a deadly secret from Ignatius’s past surfaces, threatening their fragile bond. Baldacci’s knack for weaving historical intrigue with emotional depth shines here, crafting a suspenseful tale of survival and hidden truths. “Some secrets are worth dying for,” Ignatius whispers, setting the tone. Perfect for fans of wartime mysteries and family-driven drama.
Pre-order on Amazon.
2. Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto – April 1
Jesse Q. Sutanto, the Dial A for Aunties sensation, brings back her lovable sleuth in Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man). Vera, the meddling teahouse owner who cracked a murder in Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, dives into a fresh mystery when a young woman begs her to find a missing friend—only for the friend, a social media influencer, to turn up dead. With her quirky charm and relentless curiosity, Vera unravels a web of digital deception. Sutanto’s cozy mystery flair, spiked with humor and heart, makes this a delightful page-turner. Fans of amateur detectives and lighthearted suspense will adore it.
Get it on Amazon.
3. Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson – April 22
Liz Lawson, acclaimed for YA thrillers like The Lucky Ones, steps up with Murder Between Friends. Grace, Henry, and Ally were inseparable until Grace’s testimony sent Henry’s brother, Jake, to prison for murder. A mistrial sets Jake free, and Grace’s doubts spiral as the trio reunites to uncover the truth before his retrial. Lawson crafts a tense, twisty tale of fractured trust and buried secrets, with each friend questioning the other’s motives. This psychological thriller pulses with betrayal and redemption, ideal for readers who love friendship-fueled suspense. “We were friends once—now we’re suspects,” Grace muses, chillingly.
Pre-order on Amazon.
4. Hard Town by Adam Plantinga – April 8
Adam Plantinga, a rising star after The Ascent, delivers Hard Town, a gritty small-town thriller. Retired cop Kurt Argento craves peace after his wife’s death, but a woman’s plea to find her missing husband drags him into Fenton, Arizona’s dark underbelly. What starts as a favor unravels into a dangerous conspiracy, with secrets lurking in every dusty corner. Plantinga’s taut prose and knack for flawed heroes shine, making Kurt’s quest a relentless ride. This is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers and desert noir, blending suspense with raw humanity.
Buy it on Amazon.
5. The Last Session by Julia Bartz – April 1
Julia Bartz, author of The Writing Retreat, returns with The Last Session, a chilling psychological thriller. Social worker Thea chases clues to a desert wellness retreat after a patient from her past vanishes. As she digs, the retreat’s serene façade crumbles, revealing sinister ties to Thea’s own history. Bartz masterfully builds dread, layering suspense with personal stakes—time’s ticking, and Thea’s in deeper than she knows. Fans of slow-burn mysteries with a psychological edge will be hooked. This is a twisty, atmospheric escape you won’t forget.
Order it on Amazon.
6. The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson-Wheeler – April 1
Claire Anderson-Wheeler reimagines the roaring ‘20s in The Gatsby Gambit, a clever mystery starring Greta Gatsby, Jay’s daring sister. When a murder rocks one of Jay’s lavish parties, Greta grabs the reins, peeling back layers of family secrets in a world of glamour and deceit. Anderson-Wheeler’s debut blends historical flair with a fresh detective twist, channeling F. Scott Fitzgerald’s vibe into a thrilling whodunit. It’s a stylish, suspenseful romp for fans of classic mysteries with a modern edge.
Pre-order on Amazon.
7. The Payback Girls by Alex Travis – April 1
Alex Travis crafts a gripping YA thriller in The Payback Girls. Three teens entangled in a love triangle—Jess, Mia, and Sam—face a nightmare when their ex, Nate, is found injured, and suspicion falls on them. Teaming up to clear their names, they uncover a night of blurred truths, each doubting the others’ innocence. Travis delivers a fast-paced mystery with sharp twists, diving into jealousy and revenge. Perfect for readers who crave teen-driven suspense and unreliable narrators, this one’s a rollercoaster.
Get it on Amazon.
8. Cold Burn by A.J. Landau – April 29
A.J. Landau (the pseudonym for Jon Land and Jeff Ayers) unleashes Cold Burn, a high-octane eco-thriller. Agent Michael Walker investigates a frozen woolly mammoth unearthed at Glacier Bay, only to stumble into a global crisis involving a rogue billionaire and deadly microbes. Landau’s pulse-pounding pacing and stakes—think Jurassic Park meets The Andromeda Strain—keep you on edge. This is a blockbuster thriller for fans of science-gone-wrong plots and relentless action.
Pre-order on Amazon.
9. The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips – April 1
Maha Khan Phillips brings archaeological intrigue to The Museum Detective. Dr. Gul Delani probes the mystery of a mummy found in a drug bust, but her search intertwines with her desperate hunt for her missing niece. Phillips weaves a suspenseful tapestry of ancient secrets and modern danger, pulling Gul into a treacherous underworld. This cerebral thriller, rich with cultural depth, appeals to fans of historical mysteries and personal stakes. It’s a smart, gripping read that unearths more than bones.
Buy it on Amazon.
10. Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman – April 15
Elizabeth Kaufman’s Ruth Run is a tech-fueled thriller with a twist. Ruth, a genius coder turned bank robber, siphons millions using her skills—until the feds catch on. Now on the run with a reluctant dog as her sidekick, she outsmarts pursuers in a high-stakes chase. Kaufman blends wit, tension, and a quirky canine companion into a fresh crime thriller that’s both clever and relentless. Perfect for readers who love strong heroines and cat-and-mouse suspense, this one’s a wild ride.
Order on Amazon.
Why April 2025 Is a Thriller Fan’s Dream
April 2025 is a goldmine for thriller and mystery lovers, with heavyweights like David Baldacci and Jesse Q. Sutanto anchoring a lineup brimming with suspense. Baldacci’s wartime secrets, Sutanto’s cozy sleuthing, and Lawson’s fractured friendships offer diverse flavors—historical, cozy, psychological—while Plantinga, Bartz, and Landau amp up the adrenaline with conspiracies and global threats. Newer voices like Anderson-Wheeler and Travis shine alongside vets, delivering twists from the ‘20s to the digital age. Whether you crave small-town chills or high-tech heists, these 10 books promise unputdownable plots.
Spotlight on the Authors
David Baldacci: A thriller legend (Memory Man), Baldacci’s historical pivot in Strangers in Time is a masterclass in suspense.
Jesse Q. Sutanto: Known for laugh-out-loud mysteries (The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties), Sutanto’s Vera Wong is a cozy icon.
Liz Lawson: A YA thriller star (The Agathas), Lawson levels up with adult stakes in Murder Between Friends.
Adam Plantinga: After The Ascent’s buzz, Plantinga’s Hard Town cements his crime-thriller cred.
Julia Bartz: The Writing Retreat fans will love Bartz’s eerie The Last Session.
Claire Anderson-Wheeler: A debut author, her Gatsby Gambit reimagines a classic with flair.
Alex Travis: Travis’s The Payback Girls brings YA suspense with a vengeance.
A.J. Landau: The duo’s Cold Burn fuses Jon Land’s action chops with Jeff Ayers’s plotting.
Maha Khan Phillips: Phillips (Beautiful People) digs into history and danger in The Museum Detective.
Elizabeth Kaufman: Kaufman’s Ruth Run marks her as a tech-thriller talent to watch.
Tropes That Hook You
These books lean into killer tropes:
Past Secrets: Strangers in Time and Murder Between Friends unravel history’s ghosts.
Amateur Sleuths: Vera Wong’s Guide and The Gatsby Gambit spotlight quirky detectives.
Conspiracy: Hard Town and Cold Burn expose shadowy plots.
Cat-and-Mouse: Ruth Run and The Last Session chase the hunted.
Betrayal: The Payback Girls thrives on trust gone wrong. These hooks keep the pages turning.
Strengths That Shine
Baldacci’s emotional heft, Sutanto’s charm, and Lawson’s tension are standout draws. Plantinga’s gritty realism, Bartz’s creeping dread, and Landau’s blockbuster scope deliver thrills, while Anderson-Wheeler’s historical twist, Travis’s teen angst, Phillips’s intellectual intrigue, and Kaufman’s tech-savvy edge round out a diverse slate. Each book balances suspense with character depth, ensuring you’re invested from the first twist to the last.
Why You’ll Love These Reads
These 10 books cater to every thriller and mystery craving—cozy fans get Vera Wong, action junkies get Cold Burn, and history buffs get Strangers in Time. Psychological depth (Murder Between Friends, The Last Session) pairs with fast-paced plots (Ruth Run, Hard Town), while unique premises (The Gatsby Gambit, The Museum Detective) keep things fresh. April 2025’s releases are a masterclass in suspense, penned by authors at their peak.
Personal Picks and Predictions
My must-reads? Strangers in Time—Baldacci’s historical turn feels unmissable. Vera Wong’s Guide—Sutanto’s humor is a cozy delight. Hard Town—Plantinga’s raw edge has me hooked. I predict Cold Burn and Murder Between Friends will top bestseller lists, with The Gatsby Gambit sparking buzz for its bold reimagining. These are books to savor and debate—grab them fast!
Conclusion: Lock Your Doors and Dive In
April 2025 is a thriller and mystery lover’s paradise, with David Baldacci, Jesse Q. Sutanto, and more delivering chills and twists galore. From wartime secrets to desert conspiracies, these 10 books promise heart-pounding escapes and jaw-dropping reveals. Pre-order now, stock your shelves, and get ready—because once you start, you won’t stop until the final page. In a world of suspense, April’s reads prove the truth is worth the chase.
FAQs: 10 Thriller and Mystery Books Coming Out in April 2025
What are the top thriller and mystery books releasing in April 2025?
April 2025 delivers gems like Strangers in Time by David Baldacci, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson, and seven other must-reads. This list spans historical suspense, cozy mysteries, and high-stakes thrillers!
Are any of these April 2025 books part of a series?
Yes, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto follows her first Vera Wong mystery, but it stands alone. The rest—like Strangers in Time, Hard Town, and Cold Burn—are fresh starts, no prior reading required.
Which April 2025 thriller is best for historical mystery fans?
Strangers in Time by David Baldacci is your pick. Set during WWII, it blends wartime intrigue with a deadly secret, showcasing Baldacci’s knack for historical suspense. The Gatsby Gambit by Claire Anderson-Wheeler also offers a 1920s murder twist.
Are there cozy mysteries in the April 2025 lineup?
Absolutely! Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto brings cozy vibes with Vera’s quirky sleuthing into a social media influencer’s death. It’s lighthearted suspense with a lovable amateur detective.
What tropes can I expect in these April 2025 thriller books?
You’ll find classics like past secrets (Strangers in Time, Murder Between Friends), conspiracy (Hard Town, Cold Burn), cat-and-mouse chases (Ruth Run, The Last Session), and betrayal (The Payback Girls). There’s a twist for every thriller fan!
Which book is ideal for psychological thriller lovers?
Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson dives deep into fractured trust and unreliable memories as three ex-friends untangle a murder. The Last Session by Julia Bartz also delivers slow-burn dread with a personal edge—both are mind-bending musts.
Are any of these April 2025 releases action-packed thrillers?
Yes! Cold Burn by A.J. Landau races against a global microbial threat, while Ruth Run by Elizabeth Kaufman follows a tech-genius bank robber evading the feds. Both pack high-stakes action and relentless pacing.
Which April 2025 mystery features a unique setting or premise?
The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips stands out with its archaeological twist—a mummy from a drug bust ties into a missing niece. The Gatsby Gambit also shines with its roaring ‘20s party-murder vibe.
Are there debut or lesser-known authors in this April 2025 list?
Claire Anderson-Wheeler (The Gatsby Gambit) and Alex Travis (The Payback Girls) bring fresh voices, while Adam Plantinga (Hard Town) and Julia Bartz (The Last Session) build on rising fame. They join vets like Baldacci and Sutanto.
Where can I get these April 2025 thriller and mystery books?
Pre-order all 10 on Amazon via the article’s links—supporting content creation at no extra cost. Check Bookshop.org for local bookstore options on titles like Hard Town and The Payback Girls. Don’t wait—these reads are worth it!
Looking for your next great read? Dive into our collection of book reviews where we explore a variety of genres, from thrilling mysteries to heartwarming tales. Here’s a glimpse of what we have to offer:
The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty – Unravel a web of secrets and consequences in this gripping tale of hidden truths. Read the full review here.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell – A dark and thrilling puzzle that will keep you guessing till the last page. Check out our thoughts on this suspenseful novel.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown – Follow an extraordinary journey of survival and friendship in the natural world. Discover the magic of this unique story.
My Temptation by T.L. Swan – Indulge in a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance that will captivate you from start to finish. Get the full scoop on this steamy read.
Pucking Around by Emily Rath – The longest sports romance book ever! Dive into this epic, heart-pounding love story. Read our review here.
Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand – Explore this gripping novel that blends mystery and drama in a perfect summer read. Find out why this book should be on your list.
Happy reading!
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