The Three Best Crime Novels to Read in June 2025
- Leigh Rogers
- Jun 7
- 3 min read
As summer settles in—with its long, bright days and endless evenings—what could be better than an excellent crime novel to feed your appetite for suspense? In June 2025, several new literary releases stand out for their narrative quality, psychological tension, and their ability to hold the reader captive until the final page. Here are three standout titles—each for different reasons—but all perfect companions for your summer reading list.
1. King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby
📅 Release Date: June 10, 2025
📚 Publisher: Flatiron Books
Why it's a must-read:
S. A. Cosby has made a name for himself as one of the masters of modern American thrillers, thanks to previous hits like Razorblade Tears and All the Sinners Bleed. With King of Ashes, he returns with a more personal story, deeply rooted in family conflict, yet still packed with the intensity and grit that defines his work.
Synopsis:
Roman Carruthers, a successful financial advisor, returns to his Southern hometown after his father—patriarch of a funeral home business—is seriously injured. What Roman finds is far from welcoming: financial debt, buried family secrets, and a desperate brother who’s ready to make a deal with a dangerous local gang to save the business. Roman is quickly forced to confront tough moral choices: how far is he willing to go to protect his family?
What makes this novel gripping:
A deep dive into Southern U.S. culture, full of racial tension, unspoken codes of honor, and generational trauma.
Tough, cinematic prose that also captures psychological depth.
A fusion of classic noir elements and modern family drama.
Relevance:
In a global climate filled with social tensions and moral grey areas, Cosby delivers a compelling reflection on legacy, loyalty, and personal justice.
2. With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
📅 Release Date: June 10, 2025
📚 Publisher: Dutton
Why it's worth your attention:
Riley Sager has become a household name in psychological thrillers. His novels are eagerly anticipated thanks to their cinematic structure, masterful pacing, and atmospheric tension. With a Vengeance is a locked-room mystery on a luxurious train—blending the glamour of Agatha Christie with the edge of a modern revenge tale.
Synopsis:
Anna, an elegant but wounded woman, invites six guests onto an overnight luxury train journey. What they don’t know is that each played a role in the tragedy that destroyed her life. Anna plans to confront them—one by one. But when one of the guests turns up dead, she realizes someone else may be playing a deadlier game than her. A classic setup reimagined: deadly elegance in motion.
What makes this novel irresistible:
A glamorous, claustrophobic setting where the train feels like a character.
A heroine who is both vulnerable and ruthless.
Sharp dialogue, impeccably timed suspense, and shocking reveals.
Relevance:
At a time when classic narratives are being retold with modern and feminist lenses, this novel gives us a female lead who takes back power, not as a victim but as a strategist. A thriller that is as stylish as it is empowering.
3. Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
📅 Release Date: June 24, 2025
📚 Publisher: Atria Books
Why you won’t be able to put it down:
Lisa Jewell is renowned for her ability to turn everyday domestic life into a psychological minefield. In Don’t Let Him In, she delivers another chilling tale where suburban tranquility unravels into creeping dread.
Synopsis:
Two sisters learn their estranged father has died in a mysterious railway accident. Soon after, a stranger sends them a vintage lighter and claims to have been close to their father. Tension rises when this man begins inserting himself into their lives—and memory collides with reality. Is he who he says he is, or is something much darker going on?
What makes this novel addictive:
A slow-burning psychological tension that builds page by page.
Complex family dynamics where trust is constantly in question.
Unexpected twists delivered with surgical precision.
Relevance:
In a world where appearances—especially family facades—can hide the worst betrayals, Jewell provides a chilling reflection on memory, manipulation, and trust, all while delivering a gripping reading experience.
🕵️♀️ Final Thoughts: Why These Three?
These three novels represent the richness and diversity of the modern crime genre:
King of Ashes explores personal justice and the moral weight of family.
With a Vengeance offers a retro-glam revenge tale with razor-sharp suspense.
Don’t Let Him In delves into domestic darkness and the dangers of letting the past back in.
Each book mirrors our fears, legacies, and choices. They don’t just entertain—they challenge, provoke, and stay with you long after the final page.
Header Photo Credit: Gary Barnes https://www.pexels.com/photo/multiethnic-gardeners-with-book-talking-against-plants-on-table-6231880/
Comments