One of my favorite things to do is keep an eye on upcoming releases so I can add them to my never-ending TBR list, especially when they fall into my favorite corners of the book world: twisted plots, character‑driven mysteries, and stories with sharp emotional edges. This year is already shaping up to be a great one for new fiction, and I’ve been tracking the titles that I feel will have me hooked from page one.
Here are the ten 2026 releases I’m most looking forward to reading, complete with their publication dates (some have already been published and available for sale) so you can add them straight to your TBR or pre‑order list:
Want more curated picks? You can find all my themed lists & recommendations onmy Bookshop storefront.
The Book-by-Book Details:
What Happened to Liz by Crysta Duryea – publication date: February 14, 2026
I first came across this book on Instagram, where I kept seeing ads for it. Each time I saw the ad, the more interested I became in what this book was about (proof that ads still work!). What Happened to Liz is a mystery about a missing woman, a fractured community, and the truths that refuse to stay buried – ideal for fans of character‑driven thrillers. I immediately added it to my TBR list after reading the blurb and can’t wait to sink my teeth in this one.
The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews – publicationdate: May 5, 2026
This novel is a psychological thriller about ambition, deception, and the stories we curate about ourselves. It’s described by Reese’s Book Club as being set in a world “full of lies, money, and very messy choices,” which immediately made me want to know more. Drama, mystery, and scandal: all things I love in a book. The cover art instantly drew me in, and the blurb on the back sealed the deal.
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett – publication date: May 5, 2026
This book is a bit of a stray from my usual genre, but I’m excited all the same. Set during the Great Depression, Kathryn Stockett’s novel follows a group of Southern women whose lives collide in unexpected, chaotic ways and who are determined to defy their societal expectations and take control of their lives.
Blunt Instrument by Amy Bloom – publication date: June 2, 2026
Blunt Instrument is a whodunit-style mystery centered around a professor who gets himself entangled in solving a murder on campus. It blends crime and mystery, two genres I absolutely love and gravitate toward, and is described as darkly humorous – making it an easy add to my list.
Someone Else’s Husband by Kimberly McCreight – publication date: June 16, 2026
Secrets, lies, tension and shifting loyalties – what more could a thriller & mystery girl want in her books?! Someone Else’s Husband dives into these themes as a seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel, which seems to promise the kind of suspense that keeps me glued to the page.
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell – publication date: June 23, 2026
Lisa Jewell cemented herself as one of my favorite authors with None of This Is True, so when I heard about this new release, I immediately added it to my list. In It Could Have Been Her, two women’s lives converge in a house containing devastating secrets that refuse to stay buried. And yes, it involves a missing dog – which means I absolutely have to read it. Jewell’s storytelling is always a win for me, and this one sounds like it will deliver all the tension I crave.
The Woman Upstairs by Sue Fortin – publication date: June 23, 2026
The Woman Upstairs is a psychological thriller about a young mother whose seemingly ordinary life and home hides dangerous secrets. It’s described as a slow-burn suspense, which I’ve learned from previous reads almost always pays off. Definitely sounds like my kind of read.
Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead – publication date: July 14, 2026
The back cover blurb for Hot Girl Murder Club instantly reminded me of One of Us is Dead, with its mix of celebrity, parties and murders. It’s described as “a thriller about success, sisterhood, and demanding justice…by any means necessary,” which is my kind of chaos.
Buyer Beware by Catherine Ryan Howard – publication date: July 28, 2026
Buyer Beware is described as being about “two women whose shattered lives come crashing together around a house whose secrets could bury them both,” and “a puzzle box of a thriller full of mind-boggling twists and turns.” Honestly, who could say no to that?
The Witch by Freida McFadden – publicationdate: October 6, 2026
The Witch is Freida McFadden’s latest upcoming release, described as “a chilling, twist-filled thriller about secrets―those we inherit, those we bury, and those people will burn to keep silent.” It weaves in references to Massachusetts and its witchy history, which I’ve always found interesting, and it’ll be arriving just in time for spooky season! The timing truly could not be better.
Whether you’re in the mood for a chaotic thriller, a character-driven mystery or a literary novel with some emotional weight to it, this small glimpse of this year’s lineup is packed with standout releases. As I make my way through these – hopefully before the end of the year – I’ll be sharing my reviews and reflections on them.
In the meantime, you can browse the full list on Bookshop and start adding them to your TBR! Tell me: which 2026 release are you most excited to pick up next?
