For anyone who craves the adrenaline rush that comes with a gripping mystery or heart-pounding thriller, May 2023 is shaping up to be an exciting month. As we look ahead to the upcoming releases in the genre, there’s a sense of anticipation and excitement building among avid readers. With so many thrilling new books set to hit the shelves, it can be hard to know which titles are worth your time and attention. That’s why we’ve scoured the upcoming releases to bring you the 10 most anticipated Mystery Thriller Novels of May 2023.

“Liar’s Beach” by Katie Cotugno

Nestled in the affluent milieu of Martha’s Vineyard, Linden, an accomplished athlete and scholar, ventures to his upscale prep school where he reunites with his dorm mate Jasper and their clique for a final summer hurrah. Amidst the gathering, Linden acquaints himself with Eliza, Jasper’s sister, along with her friend Meredith and arch-nemesis Aidy. And amidst this gathering of young elites, we meet the indomitable teenage sleuth, Holiday – a bold and brilliant girl who assumes the mantle of Hercule Poirot. But when Jasper’s archrival, Greg, is discovered lifeless and floating face-down in the pool, a singular question echoes through the air – who is responsible for this heinous crime?

“The Guest” by Emma Cline

Alex is left stranded on Long Island’s East End after a social blunder leads to her being kicked out by her older partner. Armed with her manipulative abilities to read and influence people’s desires, Alex navigates through the exclusive world of the wealthy. Though an outsider at first, Alex flits from one location to another, changing her moral compass with every desperate move. Over the week leading up to Labor Day, she becomes a ghostlike figure leaving a trail of destruction behind. Emma Cline’s The Guest is a captivating literary feat that ensnares the reader’s attention with its taut and propulsive narrative.

“The Senator’s Wife” by Liv Constantine

After suffering the loss of their spouses, Sloane Chase and Senator Whit Montgomery turn to each other for comfort. With Sloane’s upcoming hip replacement surgery, they hire Athena Karras as a home health aide. Athena is a great fit and even helps with Sloane’s philanthropic work. But when Sloane’s health rapidly declines, Athena reveals a shocking complication of lupus. In Karen Robards’ thrilling novel, The Senator’s Wife, she delves into the private lives of those in power, weaving a tale of unexpected twists and turns that leave everything hanging in the balance.

“Bad Summer People” By Emma Rosenblum

In the summer, Salcombe on Fire Island belongs to Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker, who control the beach and tennis court with an iron grip, while their husbands Sam and Jason carry on their lifelong feud. Rachel Woolf, their only friend, searches for a suitable match, but things change when a body is found. The story delves into the hidden lives of these seemingly perfect people, revealing their secrets and true nature.

“The Chateau” by Jaclyn Goldis

In this gripping novel, four close friends travel to the South of France for a vacation at Séraphine Demargelasse’s lavish chateau. However, their holiday takes a deadly turn when Séraphine is found murdered after a wild party. As the women are threatened by an ominous Instagram account, they soon realize that everyone has something to hide. In their quest to uncover the killer and the secrets of the chateau, the women encounter shocking revelations that could destroy their friendship. With thrilling plot twists and suspenseful scenes, this novel will keep you hooked until the very end.

“Beware the Woman” by Megan Abbott

Jacy and Jed’s trip to visit his father in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula takes a dark turn when Jacy has a health scare. As rumors about Jed’s family history and strange behavior from the house manager, Mrs. Brandt, begin to surface, Jacy feels increasingly trapped and paranoid. Is the real danger inside or outside the cozy cottage in the lush woods? With the dense forest surrounding them, Jacy must confront the unsettling truth about her surroundings and those closest to her. In The Cottage, Sarah Pearse weaves a gripping psychological thriller that explores the limits of trust and the dangers of isolation in a secluded setting.

“Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang

After Athena Liu’s sudden death, June Hayward steals her unpublished manuscript about Chinese laborers in World War I and publishes it under a new name, Juniper Song, becoming a bestselling author. But when her deception is uncovered, Juniper faces the repercussions of cultural appropriation and erasure of marginalized voices. In Yellowface, R. F. Kuang delves into these complex issues through a powerful first-person narrative, highlighting the lack of diversity in the publishing industry and society’s disregard for the history of marginalized communities. This timely and thought-provoking novel confronts important questions about representation and racism in literature.

“The Daydreams” by Laura Hankin

“The Daydreams” was a hit teen show in the early 2000s until a scandalous season two finale brought it all crashing down. Thirteen years later, the four stars – Kat, Liana, Noah, and Summer – are leading very different lives. But when fans demand a reunion special, the stars return with their own motivations: forgiveness, revenge, or a second chance with a first love. As they attempt to recapture the magic of the original show, old secrets threaten to resurface, and they must confront the real reason behind their downfall. This deliciously entertaining novel explores the complexities of fame, forgiveness, and redemption.

“Chain-Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

In Chain-Gang All-Stars, two women gladiators, Loretta Thurwar and Hamara “Hurricane Staxxx” Stacker, fight for their freedom in CAPE, a controversial program of the private prison industry. Prisoners compete in death-matches for a chance to be free while facing obstacles laid by corporate owners protecting their status quo.

Thurwar, on the brink of winning her freedom, considers preserving the humanity of her fellow Links. The novel offers a scathing critique of the American prison system’s systemic racism, unchecked capitalism, and mass incarceration, told through the perspectives of Links, protestors, and CAPE employees. A harrowing tale of what true freedom means in a society plagued by injustice.

“The Nigerwife” by Vanessa Walters

Nicole Oruwari appears to have the perfect life in Lagos, Nigeria, with a handsome husband, luxurious house, and a group of glamorous friends. However, when Nicole vanishes after a boat trip, her family begins to realize that her life may not have been as perfect as it seemed. Auntie Claudine decides to take matters into her own hands and travels to Nigeria to investigate, uncovering a hidden side of Nicole’s life filled with secrets and violence. As she delves deeper, Claudine’s own past threatens to resurface.

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