Top Debut Novels in Crime Fiction, Mystery, and Thrillers for April 2025
Rav Grewal-Kök's "The Snares" (Random House)
Top Notch Debut Novels of April 2025: A Captivating Selection
In "The Snares", readers are introduced to a Punjabi American lawyer working within a secretive federal intelligence agency. The protagonist grapples with maintaining his career, marriage, and personal integrity amidst a web of operations characterized by torture, covert assassinations, and drone strikes. The novel delves into the moral quandaries and human turmoil that lie behind such operations, offering a thought-provoking exploration of morality, violence, and personal integrity within the American security state.
Liann Zhang's "Julie Chan Is Dead" (Atria)
This debut novel revolves around Julie Chan and her sister Chloe, who were separated after a devastating car crash left them orphaned. Chloe's adoption by a wealthy white family propelled her into the limelight as a successful influencer, while Julie, raised by a harsh and uncaring aunt, found herself struggling in a menial job with limited prospects. When Julie stumbles upon her sister's corpse, she decides to assume Chloe's life and plunge headfirst into a darker world.
Austin Kelley's "The Fact Checker" (Atlantic Monthly Press)
New Yorker fact checker Austin Kelley's debut novel tells the story of a magazine fact checker who becomes entwined in a mystery surrounding a missing woman. The narrative unfolds as the protagonist navigates New York City, striking a harmonious balance between mystery, humor, and literary ingenuity.
Lauren Haddad's "Fireweed" (Astra)
Set in Prince George, Canada's equivalent of the rust belt, "Fireweed" follows the story of a stifled housewife searching for her missing neighbor, a widowed indigenous mother of two. The novel delves into the complexities of injustice, performativity, and intersectionality, presenting a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of these themes.
Elizabeth Kaufman's "Ruth Run" (Penguin Press)
In "Ruth Run", Elizabeth Kaufman introduces a cunning digital thief who has managed to swindle millions from banks across the nation. When one of her transfers sets off an alarm, she is forced to flee with her ill-gotten gains in tow. As she evades those pursuing her, questions emerge about their intentions: are they seeking to recover the stolen funds, or is the thief herself the real prize? Kaufman leverages her experience in the tech industry and her deep understanding of information networks to weave an engaging and suspenseful tale.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]
[1] Penguin Press (2025). "Fireweed" by Lauren Haddad. [Online]. Retrieved from http://www.penguinbooks.com/books/2188456/fireweed-by-lauren-haddad
[2] Astra (2025). "Fireweed" by Lauren Haddad. [Online]. Retrieved from http://www.astra-books.com/fireweed
[3] Random House (2025). "The Snares" by Rav Grewal-Kök. [Online]. Retrieved from http://www.randomhouse.com/books/rav-grewal-kök/the-snares-9780316419055
- The top debut novels in crime fiction, mystery, and thrillers for April 2025 include Rav Grewal-Kök's "The Snares," which is a captivating exploration of morality, violence, and personal integrity within the American security state, and is available from Random House.
- The books on the list also feature Liann Zhang's "Julie Chan Is Dead," a gripping novel about a woman who assumes her dead sister's life and plunges into a darker world, and can be found at Atria.
