With their built-in suspense, mystery and crime novels are ideal for audiobooks. To help identify standout listens this year, we turned to the audiobook experts at AudioFile magazine for their recommendations. Here are their top mystery and suspense audiobooks of 2025.
From cozy mysteries to courtroom dramas to plots revolving around revenge, there’s a good range of mystery and suspense in this year’s selection of best audiobooks of the year by editors at AudioFile magazine. Based on our experience, it’s rare to be disappointed by one of their recommendations in the genre.
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia, narrated by Andrew Eiden, Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick, Fred Berman, Gail Shalan, Hillary Huber, Jennifer Pickens, John Pirhalla, Kimberly M. Wetherell, Kirby Heyborne, and Tim Campbell
The ensemble of narrators adds great depth to this audiobook, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the richness of well-defined characters. The listening experience is memorable because each of the narrators is superb. There is Hillary Huber as Stephanie, who is presumably murdered on a business trip. There is Jennifer Pickens as Jasmine, the expertly portrayed woman who is desperate to have what she believes everyone else has. And there is Tim Campbell, who perfectly portrays the smarmy Trent McCarthy, the presumed murderer of Stephanie and Jasmine. All, of course, is not as it seems. The result is a riveting audiobook that will keep listeners hooked from start to surprising finish.
(9 hours)
South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver, narrated by Kaleo Griffith
In this gripping audiobook, Colter Shaw—tracker and survivalist—is hired to locate a missing family trapped after a levee collapses during a catastrophic storm. As he searches, Shaw uncovers a sinister plot that suggests the disaster may not have been entirely natural. Narrator Kaleo Griffith delivers a masterful performance, giving each character a distinct and memorable voice. He especially shines in portraying Shaw—cocky, insightful, and sharp—with subtle vocal nuances that convey both intellect and emotion.
(11.75 hours)
Homemaker by Annie Mare and Ruthie Knox, narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration of the first book in this cozy mystery series is delightful. She brings a warm, engaging tone to the story of Prairie Nightingale, a divorced homemaker with two daughters. Her neighbors might call her a busybody, but Prairie’s insatiable curiosity drives her to investigate when her neighbor, popular mom and entrepreneur Lisa Radcliffe, goes missing. Hutchinson-Shaw’s performance captures Prairie’s genuinely good intentions and heartfelt nature even as she uncovers her Wisconsin neighbors’ dark secrets.
(10.75 hours)
A True Verdict by Robert Rotstein, narrated by Sean Pratt, Phil Thron, Kelli Tager, Sophie Amoss, Natalie Naudus, Fajer Al-Kaisi, Hillary Huber, Mark Bramhall, Robin Miles, Alex Boyles, Roxanne Hernandez, Eunice Wong, Deanna Anthony, Graham Halstead
Thirteen talented narrators deliver flawless performances in this engrossing courtroom drama. Ellison Ricard, a Black research analyst for a Big Pharma company, uncovers data suggesting that their bestselling drug is harmful to Black users. After a violent confrontation that leads to his dismissal, Ricard files a civil suit against MediMiracle. The novel’s structure is perfect for audio. In interwoven monologues, secret passions, prejudices, and personal problems are revealed.
(8.5 hours)
Never Flinch by Stephen King, narrated by Jessie Mueller and Stephen King (afterword)
Jessie Mueller provides a rich, satisfying performance that should please fans of King’s audiobooks, particularly his most recent works. By now, King has fully embraced the detective genre. Private investigator Holly Gibney is back—with her dizzying intellect, ability to think through tough cases, and relatable quirks. The story is a revenge plot that has the murderer announcing to law enforcement a plan to kill “13 guilty and one innocent.” Mueller fully embodies the many diverse voices that make up Gibney’s world of the Finders Keepers detective agency.
(14.75 hours)
The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen, narrated by Hillary Huber
Is this audiobook delivered by a full cast? No, just the immensely talented Hillary Huber. In this second installment of The Martini Club series, Huber crafts distinct voices for each male and female character, immersing listeners in the search for a missing teenage girl in the club’s hometown of Purity, Maine. The retired CIA agents of the Martini Club use their skills to stay ahead of the police chief, uncovering long-held, deadly secrets that will forever change their town.
(9 hours)
December 14, 2025
Five Books aims to keep its book recommendations and interviews up to date. If you are the interviewee and would like to update your choice of books (or even just what you say about them) please email us at [email protected]
