19 Horror/Thriller/Mystery/True Crime Books I want to Read in 2022 and you must too
The crime/thriller/mystery genre is my favorite genre. There is, I believe, no better thrill than playing detective, stringing together the clues, and deducing the criminal before the author’s grand reveal.
And very fortunately I have quite a collection of unread mystery books to feed my thirst for mysteries. Add to that my newly discovered library membership helps me add some great new mystery releases of 2022 to the list.
Hoping to get to the bottom of this pile soonest and discover some amazing whodunits.
Sorry for the late post, this was supposed to come out last week, but as they say, better late than never.
Tip : Many of the below featured books are available on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited Subscription for free or at very reduced prices.
Some of these books are also available for free on Audible.
* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Horror Books to Read
The Turn of the Screw is James’ best-known and most widely read story. It is the story of a governess and takes us on a fascinating journey into the recesses of her subconscious mind.
The Shining is a prime example of how King knows how to write stories that draw you in and are impossible to put down. The haunting and terrifying story proves why King is one of the bestselling writers in the world.
The story revolves around some dark themes – child abuse, violence, incest, and such. But it surfs through these and gives the readers a wildly entertaining ride. At the end of the story, you might just want to turn into an alien.
Don't be fooled by the cute cover of the book!
Mystery Books to Read
We are in Paris at a beautiful but old apartment block. Our heroine Jess has just arrived here to stay with her brother Ben who lives in apartment three in the building. But Ben has mysteriously disappeared and Jess begins a desperate search for her only family left.
Told in the signature Lucy Foley style with chapters dedicated to every character in the novel in the first person we are taken through an Agatha Christie-like plotting and edge-of-the-seat thrills and twists. The Guest List was great but The Paris Apartment is even better.
The Queen of mystery strikes again with this thrilling story of ten strangers stranded on an island who are living amidst a murderer who is finishing them off one by one. Will any of them manage to survive?
So ten people are summoned to a remote island on a pre-planned day by a person never seen by any of them for various errands like cooking, governess, legal advice, etc. but the host does not turn up on an appointed day and then there is a murder of a very unexpected person. First, everyone believes it is suicide. But things get creepy when they realize that 10 toy soldiers that were kept on the dining table now have one missing and so it goes.
One of the most intriguing assured and unputdownable debuts to come out of Scotland in recent years. The elegiac, elegant and atmospheric book is an original and compelling first novel.
For some reason I found the title absolutely chilling, did you?
Supposedly beautifully written and incredibly powerful, Girl A is a story of redemption, horror, and love.
This book has polar reviews. Some fell in love while some gave it 1 star. Need to see where my review will be.
A powerful courtroom drama at whose center is James a successful public figure and family man James. On the one side is his wife Sophie who will do anything to keep her family safe, even hide her husband’s darkest secrets. On the other is Kate who is the lawyer prosecuting his case who thinks James is guilty and he must pay for his crimes?
A provocative psychological thriller that is also a popular TV series now.
The mysterious story of a detective. This book is the first in the new Jeffrey Archer series where William Warwick plays detective. The story is full of twists, triumphs, and tragedies, perfect for detective story lovers.
Liz Alterman’s engrossing novel is a thought-provoking read about the dark side of suburbia and the secrets of close-knit communities, perfect for fans of Joshilyn Jackson.
You are boarding a flight to New York with more than a hundred other people. But what you don’t know is that your pilot’s family has been kidnapped and either they survive or the passengers survive. Now, have a safe flight.
80% of the book is a very compelling, page-turning and fascinating read. Inspired from the 9/11 attacks I hope to read many more such airplane thrillers in the future.
Based on the real-life voyage of a convict ship, Dangerous Women is a thrilling and deeply moving mystery, narrated by a group of women as unforgettable as the events they describe.
A modern detective story that is very much atmospheric like Agatha Christie's stories. Christie fans are in for a treat. Only instead of an experienced Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, we have an energetic and resourceful teen doing the investigation.
A mysterious note is scrawled on a glass window and three powerful characters a beautiful bartender, a hotel owner, and a shipping executive are meshed beautifully together painting a breathtaking picture amongst the forests of British Columbia, a ship, and the Manhattan landscape.
Yu-jin is literally that – the good son. But one day he wakes to find himself covered in blood and with a body downstairs. The body of his mother. But he remembers nothing. What should he do?
Believed to be one of Karin Slaughter’s best works, Pieces of Her is a darkly addictive psychological thriller. It is thoughtful. It is addictive and it’s very compelling.
A lonely maid working at a hotel discovers a dead guest in his bed. Suddenly the inconsequential and invisible woman gains a power unknown to her. She is on the hunt for the truth because only she sees things at the hotel that others overlook.
Touted to be the best mystery so far of the year 2022 The Maid is thoroughly entertaining.
True Crime Books to Read
A legal thriller, The Innocent man, explores a small town justice system gone wrong. The story is the author’s first and most extraordinary work of nonfiction.
In 2011 an RTI activist was shot dead in Bhopal by contract killers. She was trying to uncover some ugly truths about bureaucrats and politicians. But her death was conveniently made into a suicide until the CBI was made to uncover the truth, which is both fascinating and riveting.
If you care for more such lists in the future, please subscribe to my newsletter below.
Happy reading!
Sign Up for more great content and Book Lists!
This post contains affiliate links. Read my Disclosure Policy.