Ready to dive into a world of spine-chilling mysteries and heart-pounding thrillers? Winter is the perfect time to hunker down with a gripping read, and we’ve got 13 books from 2025 that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From stalkers and witchcraft to missing persons and suburban horror, this list—curated by NPR staff and critics—has something for every thrill-seeker. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a book truly satisfy if it doesn’t leave you questioning everything? Let’s find out. And don’t forget to explore more nail-biters in our annual Books We Love guide (https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2025).
G.P. Putnam's Sons
All the Other Mothers Hate Me, by Sarah Harman
Ever felt stuck in a reading rut? This book is your escape. Follow a mom who’s juggling life’s chaos while unraveling the mystery of her son’s missing classmate. With twists that’ll keep you guessing and characters that feel all too real, it’s a plot-driven page-turner you won’t want to put down. But here’s the kicker: Can a mother’s intuition solve a mystery, or will it lead her astray? — Elissa Nadworny (http://www.npr.org/people/378865949/elissa-nadworny), correspondent.
Riverhead Books
Audition, by Katie Kitamura
What if someone claimed you were their mother, but you weren’t sure? This Booker Prize finalist blurs the lines between reality and identity. An actress meets a man who insists she’s his mother—but is she? Katie Kitamura masterfully plays with narrative, leaving readers intrigued yet uncertain. And this is the part most people miss: What does it mean to be a mother, anyway? — Andrew Limbong (http://www.npr.org/people/348740829/andrew-limbong), correspondent, Culture Desk and host, Book of the Day.
S&S/Saga Press
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, by Stephen Graham Jones
This book is a masterpiece of layered storytelling. Part revenge thriller, part vampire tale, and a stark reckoning with America’s dark past, it follows Good Stab, a Blackfeet man determined to right historical wrongs—even if it takes lifetimes. But here’s the question: Is Good Stab a hero, or something more complex? — Cory Turner (https://www.npr.org/people/349625027/cory-turner), correspondent and senior editor, Education.
William Morrow
Death of the Author, by Nnedi Okorafor
Prepare for a mind-bending journey. This book weaves two stories: a human author and a robot obsessed with human tales. Tackling themes like fame and immigrant identity, it’s the robot’s storyline that truly hooks you. But here’s the twist: What if the line between human and machine is thinner than we think? — Rebecca Hersher (http://www.npr.org/people/384067907/rebecca-hersher), correspondent, Climate Desk.
TriQuarterly
Elita, by Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum
Set on a remote island housing a federal prison, this Nordic noir-inspired tale follows Bernadette Baston, a child development scholar and single mother, as she investigates a feral girl’s origins. It’s a slow burn that explores insular communities and the fight for independence. But here’s the question: Can Bernadette uncover the truth without losing herself? — Kristen Martin (https://www.kristenmartin.net/), book critic and author of The Sun Won't Come Out Tomorrow: The Dark History of American Orphanhood.
Simon & Schuster
Heartwood, by Amity Gaige
Not a fan of thrillers? This one might change your mind. A nurse nicknamed Sparrow, haunted by her COVID-19 pandemic experiences, disappears while hiking. Told through the perspectives of a game warden, a retiree, and Sparrow herself, it’s a story of empathy and hope. But here’s the controversy: Can a thriller truly heal trauma, or does it just reopen old wounds? — Arielle Retting (https://www.npr.org/people/1007539123/arielle-retting), senior editor, Newsroom.
Atria Books
Julie Chan Is Dead, by Liann Zhang
Identical twins, but worlds apart. When social media influencer Chloe dies, her estranged sister Julie steps into her shoes—literally. A haunting exploration of identity and deception, it’ll leave you wondering: How far would you go to live someone else’s life? — Hafsa Fathima (https://www.npr.org/people/836937515/hafsa-fathima), assistant producer, Pop Culture Happy Hour.
Tin House
The Naming of the Birds, by Paraic O'Donnell
Imagine Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, and La Femme Nikita rolled into one. This Victorian mystery follows a gruff detective, his bumbling assistant, and a plucky journalist as they unravel serial murders tied to mistreated orphans. But here’s the twist: What if the orphans are more than just victims? — Holly J. Morris (https://www.npr.org/people/1173760481/holly-j-morris), digital trainer.
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Old Soul, by Susan Barker
A missed flight leads to a chilling mystery. Jake and Mariko’s chance meeting reveals a pattern of strange deaths linked to a charismatic woman. Perfect for fans of interconnected narratives, it’ll keep you guessing. But here’s the question: Is she a killer, or something far more sinister? — Ilana Masad (https://www.ilanamasad.com/), book critic and author of Beings.
Soho Press
The Stalker, by Paula Bomer
Meet Doughty, a sociopath who preys on women with no remorse. Darkly funny yet unflinchingly honest, this novel forces us to confront uncomfortable truths. But here’s the controversy: Can a character this despicable ever be redeemed? — Michael Schaub (https://www.npr.org/people/151841337/michael-schaub), book critic.
Europa Editions
The Tokyo Suite, by Giovana Madalosso, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato
A mother, a nanny, and a kidnapping—this dual narrative will keep you guessing. As both women face the consequences of their choices, you’ll question who deserves sympathy. But here’s the twist: Is tragedy inevitable, or is there a way out? — Leland Cheuk (https://lelandcheuk.com/), book critic and author of No Good Very Bad Asian.
MCD
Vantage Point, by Sara Sligar
A summer mystery with a cursed family? Yes, please. Set on a secluded island, this tech thriller explores friendship, class, and inherited trauma through deepfake videos and dynastic secrets. But here’s the question: Can the past ever truly stay buried? — Barrie Hardymon (https://www.npr.org/people/7535832/barrie-hardymon), senior editor, Investigations Unit.
Berkley
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix
In 1970s Florida, pregnant girls were hidden away—until one discovers witchcraft. A powerful tale of concealment and rebellion, it asks: What would you sacrifice for power? — Christina Cala (https://www.npr.org/people/580312943/christina-cala), senior producer, Code Switch.
This is just a glimpse of the 380+ titles in Books We Love this year. Explore them all (https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#view=covers&year=2025) or dive into nearly 4,000 books from the past 13 years. What’s your next great read?
