Once again the amazon editors have done a good job of picking some of the best mysteries and thrillers of the year — so far. I have read thirteen of the titles listed (indicated in bold) and three of the titles are on my best of the year list so far (indicated by **). Of those I read, I give high marks to all with the exception of DEATH AT THE WHITE HART by Chris Chibnall which I found underwhelming.
Other titles have made their way onto best of the year so far lists by DP contributors. These are:
KING OF ASHES, S. A. Cosby — Craig Sisterson and Ted Hertel
BROKEN FIELDS, Marcie R. Rendon — Craig Sisterson
THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER, Joseph Finder — Mike Dillman
HUMAN SCALE, Lawrence Wright — Larry Gandle
FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS, Patrick Hoffman — Hank Wagner
KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS, Deanna Raybourn — Robin Agnew
VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN), Jesse Q. Sutanto — Robin Agnew
Ted Hertel and Meredith Phillips also liked THE IMPOSSIBLE THING, Belinda Bauer
Jeff Popple also liked LEO, Deon Meyer, NIGHSHADE, Michael Connelly and MARBLE HALL MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
Craig Sisterson also liked NIGHTSHADE, Michael Connelly
Robin Agnew also liked MARBLE HALL MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
Amazon Editors’ Best Standalone Mysteries and Thrillers of 2025 So Far
KING OF ASHES, S. A. Cosby
DEAD MONEY, Jakob Kerr – debut novel
WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS, Grady Hendrix
THE QUIET LIBRARIAN, Allen Eskens
DARK MAESTRO, Brendan Slocumb
THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER, Joseph Finder
THE SAVAGE, NOBLE DEATH OF BABS DIONNE, Ron Currie
THE ENIGMA GIRL, Henry Porter
**THE IMPOSSIBLE THING, Belinda Bauer
FEVER BEACH, Carl Hiassen
HUMAN SCALE, Lawrence Wright
THE BOOMERANG, Robert Bailey
THE DOORMAN, Chris Pavone
STRANGERS IN TIME, David Baldacci
FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS, Patrick Hoffman
THE MAN MADE OF SMOKE, Alex North
THE DEATH OF US, Abigail Dean
THE TENANT, Freida McFadden
THE RETIREMENT PLAN, Sue Hincenbergs
DEATH AT THE WHITE HART, Chris Chibnall – debut novel
Amazon Editors’ Best Series Mysteries and Thrillers of 2025 So Far
NIGHTSHADE, Michael Connelly
**WITNESS 8, Steve Cavanagh
HEAD CASES, John McMahon
**LEO, Deon Meyer
THE GHOSTS OF ROME, Joseph O’Connor
PRESUMED GUILTY, Scott Turow
THE SUMMER GUESTS, Tess Gerritsen
KILLS WELL WITH OTHERS, Deanna Raybourn
BROKEN FIELDS, Marcie R. Rendon
SHIPWRECK IN FIJI, Nilima Rao
BEEN WRONG SO LONG IT FEELS LIKE RIGHT, Walter Mosley
MURDER AT GULLS NEST, Jess Kidd
FDR DRIVE, James Comey
A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE, Mel Pennant
VERA WONG’S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (ON A DEAD MAN), Jesse Q. Sutanto
FINLAY DONOVAN DIGS HER OWN GRAVE, Elle Cosimano
THE RAILWAY CONSPIRACY, John Shen Yen Nee & S. J. Rozan
**MARBLE HALL MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THE RELUCTANT SHERIFF, Chris Offutt
UNTOUCHABLE, Mike Lawson