Best-Selling Mystery Series Novels in 2025
1. Last Shield (Emma Last FBI Mystery Series Book 14) by Mary Stone
Mary Stone's fourteenth installment in the Emma Last FBI series finds the special agent grappling with both professional and personal crises. When law enforcement officers are murdered by someone potentially posing as an FBI agent, Emma must identify the killer while navigating internal suspicion, a new agent with unclear motives, and a possible connection to a sister she never knew existed.
What makes this series so compelling is Stone's ability to balance intricate criminal investigations with meaningful character development across multiple books. Emma Last has evolved significantly over fourteen installments, with each case leaving lasting impacts on her psychology and relationships. The series excels in portraying the cumulative toll of high-stakes federal investigations on agents' personal lives, while maintaining the procedural elements readers expect. "Last Shield" further elevates the series by exploring how past choices and hidden family connections can generate deadly consequences years later.
Buy Now2. The Judas Monk Murders (The Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series Book 4) by Anna Elliott
The fourth installment in Anna Elliott's Homefront Sleuths series continues the adventures of Harry Jenkins and his diverse group of amateur detectives in World War II-era England. When a commando trainee is found dead at the ruins of St. Swithin's Abbey, the military quickly labels it an accident. However, the Homefront Sleuths suspect murder, possibly connected to a centuries-old legend about a treacherous monk.
Elliott's series stands out for its skillful blend of historical fiction, cozy mystery elements, and wartime intrigue. The ensemble cast has developed distinctive personalities and relationships over multiple books, with each member bringing unique skills to their investigations. The series excels in balancing lighter moments—including the antics of Bonzo the Pomeranian—with the serious backdrop of wartime England. In this fourth book, Elliott continues to deepen the characters' personal stories while maintaining the historical authenticity and village charm that have made the series a favorite among fans of period mysteries.
Buy Now3. The Fifth Victim (FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. Book 1) by D.D. Black
D.D. Black launches an exciting new FBI series with "The Fifth Victim," introducing readers to the Special-Washington-Oregon-Regional-Detachment (S.W.O.R.D.) task force. Led by soon-to-retire Agent Claire Anderson, this diverse team of specialists must track down a serial killer targeting victims that represent ancient archetypes, each murder scene marked with distinctive color-coded shrines. As evidence points to an imminent fifth killing, the investigation takes unexpected personal turns.
Though this marks the first installment in the S.W.O.R.D. series, Black demonstrates a masterful understanding of what makes mystery series compelling: distinctive characters with complementary skills, personal stakes that go beyond the current case, and a setting—the moody Pacific Northwest—that promises to support countless future investigations. The novel expertly establishes each team member's backstory and specialized expertise while leaving intriguing questions about their pasts to be explored in subsequent books. This carefully balanced introduction creates immediate investment in both the central case and the future of the task force.
Buy Now4. Over Bite (Search and Rescue Cozy Mysteries Book 35) by Patti Benning
The remarkable 35th installment in Patti Benning's Search and Rescue Cozy Mysteries finds dog trainer and amateur detective Eve balancing newly married life with a fresh murder investigation. When a part-time dentist at her best friend Tiana's clinic is killed, Eve must investigate while keeping the stress away from Tiana, who has just given birth. The arrival of a suspiciously eager new dentist complicates the case further.
Benning's long-running series exemplifies the enduring appeal of cozy mysteries with animal elements. After 35 books, Eve's character has undergone significant life changes while maintaining the core qualities that have endeared her to readers. The series' longevity speaks to Benning's talent for creating cases that feel fresh while retaining the comfortable elements cozy mystery fans expect: a relatable protagonist with specialized knowledge, a close-knit community, and crimes that challenge without graphic content. "Over Bite" demonstrates how a well-crafted series can evolve its protagonist's personal life while continuing to deliver engaging mysteries.
Buy Now5. Beneath Hemlock Skies (FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. Book 4) by D.D. Black
The fourth book in D.D. Black's FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. series finds Special Agent Claire Anderson and her team investigating a ritualistic murder in Washington State's atmospheric Hoh Rainforest. The discovery of a young woman's body with a hemlock sprig in her hand points to a methodical killer with symbolic motives. As media attention intensifies and investigation details are leaked, internal tensions threaten the cohesion of the specialized FBI unit.
This fourth installment showcases how quickly Black has developed the S.W.O.R.D. team dynamics across multiple books, creating interpersonal conflicts that enhance rather than distract from the central investigation. The series excels in balancing the procedural elements of federal investigations with the psychological toll such work takes on agents. "Beneath Hemlock Skies" deepens the series' exploration of team loyalty while introducing questions about possible moles within the FBI—a thread that promises to carry forward into future installments, demonstrating how effective series build narrative momentum beyond individual cases.
Buy Now6. The Ghost and Christmas Magic (Haunting Danielle Book 37) by Bobbi Holmes
The 37th installment in Bobbi Holmes' Haunting Danielle series blends mystery with paranormal elements in a special Christmas-themed adventure. Set in the seaside town of Frederickport, the story centers around the mediums of Beach Drive celebrating the first Christmas with twins and Emily Ann. The holiday season brings unexpected magical events that will impact not just the protagonists but the entire community.
Holmes' impressively long-running series exemplifies how paranormal elements can refresh the mystery genre while maintaining reader engagement through dozens of books. The Haunting Danielle series has built a rich community of characters whose relationships have evolved organically over time, with supernatural elements that enhance rather than overshadow the core mysteries. This holiday installment demonstrates how established series can leverage seasonal themes to create special moments for longtime readers while exploring the changing dynamics of characters readers have followed for years. The series' continued popularity highlights readers' deep connection to the fictional world Holmes has meticulously developed.
Buy Now7. The Battle of Palm Beach (Charlie Crawford Palm Beach Mysteries Book 18) by Tom Turner
The 18th book in Tom Turner's Charlie Crawford Palm Beach Mysteries delves into the clash between old and new money in Florida's exclusive enclave. When wealthy newcomers—including actors, talk show hosts, and rock stars—attempt to join Palm Beach's most elite old-guard club, tensions escalate from social snubs to deadly confrontation. Homicide detectives Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott must investigate while navigating their own unexpected connections to the case.
Turner's series stands out for its skilled blending of police procedural elements with sharp social satire. Eighteen books in, the Palm Beach setting remains as much a character as the detectives themselves, providing endless opportunities to explore the friction between wealth, power, and justice. The series excels in examining how law enforcement operates in communities dominated by extreme privilege, where solving crimes often means confronting influential figures. This latest installment continues the series' tradition of balancing humor with genuine mystery, creating investigations that entertain while offering insightful commentary on class and status in American society.
Buy Now8. The Bones at Point No Point (A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller Book 1) by D.D. Black
D.D. Black's debut in the Thomas Austin Crime Thriller series introduces retired NYPD detective Thomas Austin, who now runs a small café in a Pacific Northwest beach town following his wife's murder and his successful prosecution of a serial killer known as The Holiday Baby Butcher. When bones are discovered bearing the hallmarks of the imprisoned killer's methods, Austin is reluctantly pulled back into investigation, questioning whether he caught the right person years ago.
Though this is the first book in the series, its continued popularity in 2025 speaks to Black's skill in creating a compelling protagonist and premise that launched what has now become a ten-book series. The novel establishes Austin as a detective haunted by both professional and personal losses, creating immediate emotional investment in his journey. Black's Pacific Northwest setting provides atmospheric backdrop for investigations, while the psychological elements of pursuing serial killers add depth to the procedural aspects. This first installment laid the groundwork for character development across subsequent books while delivering a complete and satisfying mystery with a shocking conclusion.
Buy Now9. Buried in the Backwater (A Sheriff Elven Hallie Mystery Book 1) by Drew Strickland
Drew Strickland's series opener introduces Sheriff Elven Hallie, a newly elected law enforcement officer in rural West Virginia who faces his first major murder investigation when a young girl's body is discovered in a river. Unlike his previous case as a deputy, where he had experienced guidance and the perpetrator was an outsider, Elven must now lead the investigation of a killer from within the community while navigating local politics and socioeconomic tensions.
This debut installment established the foundation for a series that explores the unique challenges of rural law enforcement. Strickland's Appalachian setting provides both atmospheric richness and thematic depth, examining how class divisions and limited resources affect criminal investigations outside urban centers. The focus on a sheriff rather than a detective creates opportunities to explore the community connections and local politics that influence rural law enforcement. The novel's continued strong sales in 2025, despite being the first in its series, demonstrates how effectively it established both compelling characters and a distinctive setting capable of supporting ongoing mysteries.
Buy Now10. Rescue on Gooseberry Bay: Canine Courier by Kathi Daley
Kathi Daley launches a new spinoff series set in the charming coastal town of Gooseberry Bay with "Canine Courier." Protagonist Bexley Cosgrove, who was abandoned as a child and rescued by a dog, now dedicates her life to saving animals. When she discovers a stray dog on a ferry whose collar contains information connected to a murder, Bexley must work with friends to solve the crime while protecting the dog from those willing to kill for its secret.
This series opener exemplifies how established authors can expand their fictional universes while maintaining the elements readers love. Daley builds on her reputation for animal-centric cozy mysteries by creating a protagonist whose personal history directly connects to her mission, adding emotional depth to the lighthearted investigation. The picturesque seaside setting provides a perfect backdrop for community-focused mysteries, while the animal rescue theme offers natural pathways to discover crimes. As the first in a spinoff series, the book skillfully balances introducing new characters with creating connections to Daley's established world, demonstrating the expansive potential of well-crafted mystery series.
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