Best-Selling LGBTQ+ Mystery Novels in 2025
1. Death Row (Alibis collection) by Freida McFadden
In this breathtaking short story from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid, Freida McFadden crafts a tense death row narrative with an incredible twist. The story follows Talia Kemper, convicted of murdering her husband despite having an alibi and no apparent motive.
What sets "Death Row" apart is its examination of our justice system and the horrifying question: what if an innocent person is about to be executed? McFadden masterfully builds suspense as Talia's execution date approaches, creating a race-against-time thriller that can be consumed in a single sitting.
Buy Now2. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover's psychological thriller "Verity" remains a dominant force on the best-seller lists, captivating readers with its disturbing narrative and morally complex characters. When struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh accepts a job completing a famous author's unfinished book series, she discovers an unpublished autobiography containing horrifying confessions.
The brilliance of "Verity" lies in its constant questioning of truth and reality. Hoover expertly creates an atmosphere of escalating dread as Lowen becomes entangled with Verity's husband while harboring the devastating secrets she's uncovered. The novel's jaw-dropping conclusion continues to spark heated debates among readers.
Buy Now3. The Boomerang: A Thriller by Robert Bailey
Robert Bailey's "The Boomerang" combines political intrigue with high-stakes family drama in this gripping thriller. Chief of Staff Eli James finds himself caught in a dangerous web of conspiracy when he discovers a devastating government cover-up while searching for treatment for his daughter's cancer.
Bailey's unique blend of political thriller and western drama creates a fresh take on the genre. The novel stands out for its exploration of how far a parent will go to protect their child, set against a backdrop of government corruption and pharmaceutical conspiracy. The tension builds relentlessly as Eli transforms from political insider to desperate fugitive.
Buy Now4. Bald-Faced Liar: A Novel by Victoria Helen Stone
Victoria Helen Stone's "Bald-Faced Liar" delivers mounting psychological suspense through the story of Elizabeth May, a traveling nurse with a new identity who is hiding from her traumatic past. After years of reinvention and invisibility, Elizabeth's carefully constructed life begins to unravel when someone recognizes her true identity.
What distinguishes this thriller is Stone's skillful exploration of identity, trauma, and redemption. As Elizabeth's stalker systematically dismantles her fabricated life, readers are taken on a tense journey that questions who can be trusted and whether the past can ever truly be escaped. The novel's dual path of increasing terror and potential healing creates a uniquely balanced psychological thriller.
Buy Now5. No Lie Lasts Forever: A Thriller by Mark Stevens
Mark Stevens delivers a chilling twist on the serial killer narrative in "No Lie Lasts Forever." Former murderer Harry Kugel, now reformed, finds himself in a bizarre situation when a copycat begins killing in his signature style. To protect his new life, Harry must expose the imposter without revealing his own dark past.
The novel's most compelling aspect is its morally complex protagonist and the uncomfortable alliance he forms with disgraced journalist Flynn Martin. Stevens creates a fascinating psychological study of a killer protecting his "legacy" while battling his resurging violent impulses. This cat-and-mouse game between killers offers a fresh perspective in the crowded serial killer subgenre.
Buy Now6. Such Quiet Girls: A Thriller by Noelle West Ihli
Noelle West Ihli's "Such Quiet Girls" presents a harrowing scenario inspired by actual events: ten children abducted from a school bus and buried alive in a shipping container. The narrative alternates between bus driver Jessa, who blames herself for the kidnapping, and young Sage, one of the trapped children.
What makes this thriller exceptional is its claustrophobic intensity and dual perspective. Ihli creates unbearable tension as oxygen depletes in the buried container, while simultaneously exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and survival. The fact that the story draws inspiration from real events adds another layer of disturbing realism to this page-turning thriller.
Buy Now7. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden's breakout hit "The Housemaid" continues to dominate the best-seller lists with its addictive domestic psychological thriller premise. The story follows a housemaid with a mysterious past who takes a job with the wealthy Winchester family, only to discover that her seemingly perfect employers harbor dangerous secrets of their own.
McFadden excels at creating an atmosphere of escalating dread as the power dynamics between employer and employee shift in unexpected ways. The novel's exploration of class differences, combined with its series of jaw-dropping twists, has earned it widespread acclaim from readers and critics alike, cementing its place as one of the most compelling psychological thrillers of recent years.
Buy Now8. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Jeneva Rose's "The Perfect Marriage" presents a compelling legal thriller centered on high-powered attorney Sarah Morgan who finds herself in an impossible position: defending her husband against charges of murdering his mistress. This definitive edition includes a sneak peek at the sequel, "The Perfect Divorce."
What distinguishes this thriller is its complex examination of marriage, infidelity, and loyalty set against the backdrop of a high-stakes murder trial. Rose skillfully plays with readers' perceptions, constantly shifting the ground beneath their feet as new evidence emerges. The central question—is Adam guilty of murder, or just infidelity?—drives this taut, suspenseful narrative that continues to captivate readers.
Buy Now9. 25 Alive: A Women's Murder Club Thriller by James Patterson
James Patterson's latest Women's Murder Club thriller, "25 Alive," puts Sergeant Lindsay Boxer and her team in a deeply personal investigation. When Lindsay's former partner and SFPD chief Warren Jacobi is found murdered in Golden Gate Park, the Women's Murder Club vows to bring the killer to justice before they strike again.
The strength of this installment lies in the emotional stakes for the characters and the west coast-spanning investigation that follows. Patterson expertly balances the personal connections to the victim with the procedural elements of the case, creating a thriller that's both emotionally resonant and intellectually engaging. The camaraderie between the four women at the center of the series continues to be its beating heart.
Buy Now10. The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose
Jeneva Rose returns with "The Perfect Divorce," the highly anticipated sequel to her bestseller "The Perfect Marriage." Eleven years after defending her husband against murder charges, Sarah Morgan has rebuilt her life with a new husband, only to discover his infidelity and file for divorce. Complications arise when new DNA evidence reopens her ex-husband's case and her current husband's mistress goes missing.
Rose elevates the sequel with an even more intricate plot that weaves together past and present mysteries. The novel excels in its exploration of trust, betrayal, and the potentially deadly consequences of divorce when both parties are willing to fight dirty. With Rose's signature twists and turns, readers are kept guessing until the final shocking revelation.
Buy Now