As summer approaches, readers seeking captivating new stories have plenty to look forward to. From time-bending science fiction and gripping murder mysteries to historical fiction, gothic horror, and uplifting romantic comedies, this year’s summer releases promise engaging reads for all tastes.
Here are six standout novels expected to keep book lovers turning pages during the sunny months ahead.
Murder Crime on Gallymay by R.R. Haywood
Internationally bestselling British author R.R. Haywood returns with Murder Crime on Gallymay, a “cozy” murder mystery set on a remote Cornish island. Detective Constable Jim Greene hopes for a quiet break but instead finds himself confronting a murder under a winter storm that cuts the island off from the mainland. With authentic police procedure drawn from Haywood’s two decades as a policeman, the novel combines atmospheric tension with sharp humour and a memorable cast of characters.
Publisher: 1899 Inc
Formats: Paperback (31 May), eBook (available now)
Price: £9.99 (paperback), £2.99 (eBook)
Dissolution by Nicholas Binge
British science-fiction author Nicholas Binge’s latest thriller explores memory, aging, and time through the story of 83-year-old Maggie Webb, who suspects her husband’s dementia is in fact a deliberate erasure of his memories. Dissolution weaves shifting timelines with emotional depth and mounting paranoia, drawing literary comparisons to Philip K. Dick’s visionary works.
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Price: £9.99 (paperback), £4.99 (eBook), £12.99 (audiobook)
The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
Set in 1895 London, Madeline Martin’s The Secret Book Society follows three women who meet for clandestine literary salons disguised as tea parties. Under the guidance of a mysterious benefactor, they read banned books and share their dreams for intellectual freedom. The novel is a warm, quietly radical celebration of friendship and resilience, ideal for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Publisher: Hanover Square Press
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Price: £12.99 (paperback), £8.99 (eBook)
The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson
Kosoko Jackson, known for his young adult fiction, makes his adult debut with The Macabre, a supernatural horror novel about painter Lewis Dixon. Upon inheriting a mysterious family legacy, Dixon’s artwork begins to exhibit a dark, unsettling life of its own, revealing a curse that blurs reality and art. Drawing from gothic and fantasy traditions, the novel will appeal to readers of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Shirley Jackson.
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Price: £14.99 (hardcover), £9.99 (eBook), £16.99 (audiobook)
There Will Be Bodies by Lindsey Davis
The latest installment in Lindsey Davis’s acclaimed Flavia Albia series, There Will Be Bodies is set in 90 AD near the Bay of Naples. Flavia and her husband Tiberius uncover a hidden corpse in a storeroom during villa renovations, setting off an investigation filled with ancient secrets and danger. With its blend of historical detail, sharp wit, and clever plotting, this novel will satisfy fans of Roman-era mysteries.
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Formats: Hardback, eBook
Price: £22 (hardback), £9.99 (eBook)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Romantic comedy specialist Emily Henry offers Great Big Beautiful Life, a heartfelt story about unexpected change. Alice Scott, an optimistic aspiring writer, lands a career-defining opportunity to write the biography of a reclusive heiress, but her life quickly unravels—especially when she must work alongside her rival, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hayden Anderson. Henry’s signature blend of humour and emotional insight makes this an ideal summer read.
Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Random House)
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Price: £20 (hardcover), £9.99 (eBook), £16.99 (audiobook)
Summary:
Whether you prefer intricate mysteries, speculative fiction, historical dramas, or lighthearted romances, these six new novels offer compelling stories to accompany your summer reading list.
