05 January 2026
2026 is off to a *thrilling* start with the Viper Spring line up. From a time-loop murder mystery to the chilling return of Catriona Ward; smalltown mysteries in tight-knit communities to the expansive wilderness of the American West. Whether you’re after a police procedural or a retelling of a crime classic, find your new bookish obsession this spring.
NEW RELEASES
Time heals all wounds, except blunt force trauma. C.E. Hulse’s Viper debut is a time-loop murder mystery with a female protagonist who gives Fleabag a run for her money. Hilarious, clever and utterly compulsive, this genre-bending romp is perfect for readers of How to Solve Your Own Murder and The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
Vivian Dies Again is out 29th January
The latest in Garry Disher’s Paul Hirsch Mysteries series, Mischance Creek is an atmospheric police procedural set in the dust of the Australian outback. When a woman arrives in town with questions about her parents, Constable Paul Hirsch finds a cold case on his hands. A propulsive new offering from the Australian King of Crime, perfect for fans of Ian Rankin and Jane Harper.
Mischance Creek is out 12th February
In Nowhere Burning, Catriona Ward returns with another haunting novel, this time set in the mountains of the American West. Nowhere House has played home to many lives, most notably Leaf Winham, disgraced movie star and serial killer. Now it’s a refuge for lost children, but one that asks a terrible price for sanctuary. Blending aspects of Peter Pan and The Lord of the Flies, this spellbinding novel is perfect for fans of Stephen King and Stephen Graham Jones.
Nowhere Burning is out 19th February
Readers looking for the next The Talented Mr Ripley should look no further than Tracy Maton’s debut. When the vivacious Sofia Carstairs arrives in her sleepy country village, Anna knows her life will never be the same again. But is it enough to just be Sofia’s friend? Anna wonders what it would be like to be Sofia, if only for a little while. A compelling cat-and-mouse game ensues, told through elegantly sinister prose and full of twists that will keep you reading into the early hours.
The Artful Anna Harris is out 5th March
Two children lost, the wrong one found. From the award-winning author of The Midnight King comes a story of lost children in a dying rust-belt town. It’s a warm evening when Danny comes back from the dead, ten months after he and his best friend Will were presumed drowned. But he swears that he’s not Danny, he’s Will… This dark thriller is perfect for readers of All the Colours in the Dark and Mystic River.
The Hollow Boys is out 14th May
The powerful first novel in the award-winning Cash Blackbear series, from bestselling indigenous author Marcie R. Rendon. Murder on the Red River follows Ojibwe woman Renee ‘Cash’ Blackbear after a murder on the reservation has her searching for justice – and fighting for her life. Told with great character depth and compelling themes of social justice, this is perfect for fans of Louise Erdrich and Attica Locke.
Murder on the Red River is out 18th June
PAPERBACKS
In addition to the slew of new releases, we have a number of beloved titles coming out in paperback over the next six months. From six-time bestselling author Janice Hallett’s latest mystery, to award-winners and crowd pleasers, paperback fans should look no further than these five fantastic reads.
The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani is out now
A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss is out 12th March
The Dead Husband Cookbook is out 9th April
The Rush by Beth Lewis is out 23rd April
The Killer Question by Janice Hallett is out 7th May
