I gave up on trying to narrow my list of books I really liked in 2025. I read more than 200 books this past year. It is not reasonable to assume that I only really liked 10 of them. Following is my list of books published in 2025 that struck me as outstanding in plot, writing, and characters. Full reviews for these books appeared or will appear in some cases on Kevin’s Corner, https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/, which gives me some space every Monday. I am still working on my list of favorite reads that were published before 2025.
Softly Calls the Devil by Chris Blake (Echo, November 2025)
The second book about New Zealand cop Matt Buchanan. The first book was shortlisted for the Best First and the Best Novel of the 2018 Ngaio Marsh awards. What starts out as a police procedural turns into so much more: a multi-faceted cold case, a meditation on mid-life re-invention, a scenic tour around the Haast region of the island, and a reminder that old sins can come to light long after the evildoer thinks they are buried. A series and an author to watch.
The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly (Little Brown, October 2025)
The return of the Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey Haller, who has moved from criminal defense to civil litigation in a case involving artificial intelligence and how the law applies to it, if it does. Jack McEvoy appears as a secondary character. Haller is just as slick and devious as always. Well worth waiting for.
Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse & translated by Florian Duijsens (Faber & Faber, February 2025)
Originally published in Germany in 2019 and translated by Florian Duijsens, published in the UK this year. Björn Diemel is a lawyer whose wife is upset about the amount of time he spends on work. She insists on a better life balance if he wants to keep his daughter. He attends a mindfulness class and begins applying the lessons with unexpected but effective results. I snickered all the way through this one. Starred review from Kirkus.
Death of an Officer by Mark Ellis (Headline Accent, ‎September 2025)
World War II is still underway and Frank Merlin is still on the job in London. An Indian gynecologist is battered to death with a jade statue of Ganesh. Turns out the seemingly blameless doctor led a shady social life and at least one patient questioned his professionalism. A strong historical setting rich with authentic details about the daily lives of ordinary people during the war and a competent police investigation replete with period elements.
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (Celadon Books, November 2025)
Real estate reporter Kashino’s debut novel. Margo Miyake and her husband Ian have been house hunting in the Washington DC, suburbs for 18 months. They have lost out on 11 listings in the DC real estate market war zone and Margo is beginning to despair. Then she hears about the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood and she is determined not to lose it. This book is cringe-inducing, hilarious, and scary. It will strike fear into the hearts of buyer’s agents everywhere. I can’t wait to see what Marisa Kashino writes next.
Untouchable by Mike Lawson (Atlantic Monthly Press, February 2025)
The eighteenth title in a consistently fine political thriller series that began 20 years ago. It is rare to see a series run that long and rarer still to find dependably solid plotting and writing in every entry. Here the National Archives staff find notes that suggest political figures were involved in the sexual escapades of a wealthy socialite rumored to involve underage girls. Does this sound familiar? This hot potato gets handed around and ends up on Joe DeMarco’s desk, who juggles it through to what I thought was a satisfying ending but turned into a complete surprise on the last page. An outstanding plot twist. Starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly.
Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh (Sourcebooks Landmark, ‎September 2025)
Third book in the Detective Constable Ffion Morgan and Detective Sergeant Leo Brady police procedural series. Morgan is a member of the Wales police force and Brady is part of the Cheshire constabulary. Since lawbreakers rarely observe geographical boundaries, the law enforcement offices along the national borders often collaborate on what turns out to be the same crime. A cleverly constructed plot with plenty of suspects in one case, a frustrating lack of leads in another, and an ingenious resolution hidden in plain sight, my favorite kind. The questionable antics of some real estate agents, the linguistic challenges of the Welsh language, and mean girl behavior get a full airing here. A very good read.
Hang on St. Christopher by Adrian McKinty (Blackstone Publishing, March 2025)
Sean Duffy is working a few days a month, marking time until his retirement. His replacement is on leave when a shooting is reported so the investigation falls to Duffy. It looks like a carjacking but Duffy’s instincts say something else. In no time at all, he’s up to his ears in organized crime (who else would have the nerve to crash a wake for a mobster?) and IRA thugs. The hard-driving action is as relentless as Duffy’s pop culture quips. Strong plot, elegant writing, subtly powerful setting, an incredibly good read. Starred review from Library Journal.
An Excellent Thing in a Woman by Alison Montclair (Severn House, February 2025)
In the seventh title Sally (Salvatore) Danielli, Iris’s long-time friend, has found work with the BBC and the new medium of television. Unfortunately he and one of his colleagues come under suspicion when a dancer from Paris is found strangled in a BBC props storage room. The plot reaches deep into the past of several characters and their wartime service, reminding the reader that the war for many was not far away. As usual, Iris and Gwen swing into action to rescue their friends and clients. Their growing confidence in each other’s support is one of the deeply attractive aspects of the running story line, as is their amusing chatter.
Gunner by Alan Parks (John Murray/Baskerville, ‎July 2025)
Joseph Gunner has returned to a war-torn Glasgow after being severely injured in the early days of World War II. With injuries that may not improve and a morphine addiction for the pain, all Gunner wants to do is find a quiet place to regroup. His old boss in the Glasgow police, Detective Inspector Malcolm Drummond, bullies Gunner into helping him identify the neighborhood casualties from the latest German bombing and the story spins from there. Much has been written about London during the Blitz, this is the first I have read about Scotland which was also heavily bombed. The descriptions of the attacks and their aftermath are painfully vivid and convincing.
The White Crow by Michael Robotham (Scribner, July 2025)
The second Constable Philomena McCarthy book. Phil is the daughter of a criminal family, her decision to join law enforcement bewilders and infuriates them. Phil uneasily balances her love for her family with her deep investment in her job, and so far she’s been successful. Patrolling the streets with her night shift partner, she sees a child in blood-stained pajamas which leads to her discovery of a family victimized by a home invasion. In the meantime, someone is systematically sabotaging her father’s construction site where the latest and most ambitious building complex is taking shape. Dramatic and violent action with far-reaching implications for Phil and her father wrap up the plot. Starred reviews from Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly for this fine story.
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Atria Books, August 2025)
Newly widowed Hannah Cole is being pushed out of her confectionery store, since women aren’t supposed to be in business in 1849. Along comes William Deveraux, who says he was friends with her late husband Jonas Cole and wants to be of assistance to his widow. Hannah is a force of nature in a time when women were not allowed to be anything except servants, figuratively and literally. Her strength of character and raw intelligence keep her one step ahead of everyone else and allows her to deceive her ill-wishers and surprise the reader again and again. Starred review from Library Journal.
A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (Raven Books, June 2025)
Set in May 1901, the quirky Sir Gabriel Ward KC, an outstanding addition to the pantheon of amateur sleuths, literally stumbles across the body of Lord Norman Dunning, Lord Chief Justice of England, as Ward was entering his legal office in the Inner Temple. Ward is given the task of investigating to keep the London police at bay. Second plot line is a question of authorship for a popular children’s book. The dual mystery is nicely constructed, and Sir Gabriel is a vivid personality with whom I can easily identify. One of the best books of 2025 according to Wall Street Journal, Library Journal and Christian Science Monitor.
The Mailman by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Mysterious Press, January 2025)
A series debut with an original main character who takes the post office’s motto on the indefatigability of a mail carrier to heart. It wasn’t snow or rain that was interfering with independent courier Mercury Carter’s attempt to make a delivery to Rachel Stanfield, it was the full-blown home invasion that was in progress when he arrived. He makes short work of the thugs at the Stanfield house; the remaining toughs flee this unexpected disruption, taking Rachel with them. Carter follows them, intent on completing the hand-off he was hired for. Lots of action, clever dialogue. Great new character in the crowded thriller field. Library Journal starred review.