Cover Story: Thriller and crime

Here are our librarians' picks of the best teen reads in the thriller and crime genre.

The Things We Leave Behind

Clare Furniss

In this eerily believable alternate version of modern Britain, London has become the epicentre of civil unrest following the divisive election of a pseudo-celebrity with extreme political views. Clem, forced to flee with her little sister Billie to a recently independent Scotland, recalls the long, traumatic journey she took to reach safety. Memories blend with fairytales as Clem attempts to soften the brutal reality of her story, protecting herself from the trauma she experienced in a country distorted by bigotry and fear.

9781471169816 Simon & Schuster: 2024

Catch Your Death

Ravena Guron

When uber-wealthy Emily Vanforte is murdered during a family dinner at the grand Bramble Estate, three stranded teens are forced to solve the mystery of her death so they might escape the snowstorm unscathed. But when everyone’s a suspect, can the girls even trust each other? Told from three different perspectives with police interviews breaking up the chapters, this thrilling whodunnit is perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson.

9781803705422 Usborne Publishing Limited: 2023

You Better Watch Out

Sarah Naughton

Eleri is not used to having admirers, so when a mysterious Secret Santa starts leaving anonymous gifts for her in the abandoned flats near her house, at first she is flattered. Then the presents start getting weird... Eleri begins to wonder if her secret admirer is just a prankster with a dark sense of humour, or if something more sinister is going on. With a large cast of characters and a fast-moving plot, this is a great read for those who like their Christmases’ a little creepy…

9780702329753 Scholastic: 2023

Better Left Buried

Mary E. Roach

Lucy thought she was having a holiday, but instead her private-detective Mum has taken her to the smallest, most isolated town in Tennessee, where they immediately encounter a dead body inside an abandoned amusement park. Intrigued by her Mum’s secretive links to the town, Lucy starts investigating the murder herself, with the help of the mysterious motorbike-riding Audrey. Together they begin to uncover a connection to an unsolved case from years before. A highly entertaining murder mystery for fans of Karen McManus.

9781368098403 Hyperion: 2024

EchoStar is Always Listening

Melinda Salisbury

Ruby is struggling at school, so when her best friend tells her about Echostar, an app that helps you to cheat in lessons and exams, she decides to try it out.  At first the app seems great, almost like a friend, but when it starts ‘helping her out’ by playing increasingly nasty pranks on her classmates, Ruby begins to wonder if Echostar really has her best interests at heart. Especially when it refuses to be deleted… A fast-paced, modern thriller that will have you side-eyeing your smartphone.

9781800902701 Barrington Stoke: 2024

How to Find a Missing Girl

Victoria Wlosok

After Iris’s older sister goes missing, she sets up her own detective agency in order to crack the case, much to the disapproval of the local police force. But Iris and her sapphic gang of crime-fighters are determined, and when Iris’ ex-girlfriend, Heather, also goes missing while on a stakeout, they accidently discover that she is being cheated on. Iris is certain that Heather is going to lose it, except, when they tell her she just seems resigned and utterly exhausted. Then Heather goes missing too... Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson, this thriller, with podcast and interview sections, tells Iris’s story as she and her friends uncover the truth behind the two missing girls.

9781510202726 Hodder: 2023