15 February 2025 Mystery Books: Top New Releases to Keep You Guessing

Love is in the air… and so is murder. February isn’t just for Valentine’s Day chocolates and cozy nights by the fire; it’s also bringing some of the most exciting mystery and thriller book releases of 2025. From quirky small-town cozy mysteries to pulse-pounding thrillers and gothic paranormal tales, this month’s lineup promises plenty of twists, turns, and page-turning suspense. Whether you’re solving crimes alongside amateur sleuths or unraveling chilling secrets in historical settings, these February 2025 mystery books will keep you guessing—and reading—well past bedtime.

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This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Cozy Mystery Releases for February 2025

February brings delightful cozy mysteries that blend charm, humor, and intriguing puzzles.

A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander

In Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day is anything but sweet when a local icon is found dead in her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop. With an oddball psychic, a professional matchmaker, and a rival bookseller among the suspects, Annie must unravel a chilling mystery tied to a decade-old tragedy before her date with Liam becomes a date with danger.

Key Themes: Valentine’s Day setting, bookstore mystery, amateur sleuth, small-town secrets, romantic subplot

Grab this book on Amazon: A Victim at Valentine’s

A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem by Kristen Bird

Stable hand Dakota Green would rather do anything than participate in Aubergine’s annual beauty pageant, but her late mother’s wish pushes her into a world of sequins, sashes, and secrets. When the pageant owner vanishes and suspicion lands on Dakota’s Aunt DeeDee, Dakota must navigate a world of catty contestants, skeptical judges, and a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen—all while trying not to trip in heels. Packed with humor, charm, and small-town intrigue, this cozy mystery is a pageant worth attending.

Key Themes: Small-town mystery, beauty pageant drama, family secrets, reluctant sleuth, witty humor

Grab this book on Amazon: A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem

Tokyo Kills by Bianca Fletcher

When former soap star Victoria St. James investigates a deadly game show in Japan, she uncovers more than just drama. With her CIA handler, she must solve a murder before the killer takes center stage. A cozy mystery with espionage flair.

Key Themes: Game show murder, espionage, glamorous setting, cozy with international intrigue

Grab this book on Amazon: Tokyo Kills

February 2025 Thriller Book Releases

This month’s thrillers are packed with suspense and unexpected twists. Dive into stories where protagonists confront dark pasts, face psychological challenges, and navigate perilous situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This Violent Heart by Heather Levy

Devon Mayes returns to her small hometown to face her tragic past and unravel the mystery of her best friend’s death. With buried secrets and smoldering emotions at play, this haunting thriller explores love, loss, and betrayal.

Key Themes: Small-town secrets, bisexual protagonist, grief and healing, mystery of the past

Grab this book on Amazon: This Violent Heart

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

Extreme adventurer Maverick Dillan’s ultimate hide-and-seek game on Falcao Island turns deadly. As the storm rages, single mom Adele must navigate the sinister game and survive to protect her kids. A pulse-pounding battle between trust and survival.

Key Themes: Survival thriller, stormy island setting, deadly game, single mother protagonist

Grab this book on Amazon: Close Your Eyes and County to 10

Tell Me You Trust Me by Elle Owens

When Marissa’s husband vanishes, his cryptic playlist messages lead her on a desperate search for answers. But with her overbearing family uncovering secrets and threats mounting, Marissa must decide who she can trust—if anyone. A thrilling debut perfect for fans of twisty domestic suspense.

Key Themes: Vanished husband, coded messages, family secrets, domestic tension, debut thriller

Grab this book on Amazon: Tell Me Your Trust Me

Nothing Ever Happens Here by Seraphina Nova Glass

Fifteen months after surviving an attack, Shelby Dawson’s peace is shattered by an anonymous note that echoes her attacker’s words. As accidents pile up, Shelby races against time to uncover the truth in her snowy Minnesota town. Twisty and tense, this thriller will keep you guessing.

Key Themes: Small-town suspense, survivor’s trauma, viral case, anonymous threats, winter setting

Grab this book on Amazon: Nothing Ever Happens Here

The Nanny Share by Emily Shiner

Two missing little girls. A nanny with secrets. In the exclusive gated community of Blackwood, everyone’s hiding something—but who’s to blame? This gripping psychological thriller is a must-read for fans of The Perfect Marriage and The Housemaid.

Key Themes: Missing children, unreliable narrator, gated community secrets, psychological suspense

Grab this book on Amazon: The Nanny Share

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are settling into their secluded Yukon town when a snowstorm hits, bringing with it a series of chilling mysteries. After a resident is attacked and a frozen body is discovered in the woods, Casey must solve the crime while questioning who she can trust in their safe haven.

Key Themes: Remote town mystery, snowy wilderness, detective duo, atmospheric thriller, survival

Grab this book on Amazon: Cold As Hell

The First Husband by Elisabeth Carpenter

Just days before her wedding, a letter arrives from Callum—her first husband, presumed dead for eight years. As secrets from the past resurface, the idyllic life she’s built with her fiancé Matt begins to crumble. With everyone from her family to her fiancé holding pieces of the truth, Callum’s return threatens to expose dangerous lies.

Key Themes: Domestic thriller, past secrets, second-chance suspense, family drama, wedding tension

Grab this book on Amazon: The First Husband

Paranormal Mystery Releases for February 2025

Explore mysteries that transcend the ordinary with this month’s paranormal offerings.

A Grave Mistake by Steffanie Holmes

Arabella Lestrange and her ex, Gideon Blake, are both vampires with an eternity’s worth of unresolved tension. When they’re forced to team up to solve a murder, old wounds—and sparks—fly in this kooky, spooky vampire mystery full of wit, tea, and romance.

Key Themes: Vampires, second chances, enemies to lovers, supernatural sleuthing, quirky humor

Grab this book on Amazon: A Grave Mistake

Vanilla Glazed Valentine Vendetta by Addison Moore

Cupid’s arrow turns deadly in Honey Hollow, where a double wedding is overshadowed by a double homicide. Lottie Lemon, who “sees dead people” (well, their pets), must solve the murders and prevent Valentine’s Day from turning into doomsday. With recipes, laughs, and twists, this cozy mystery is perfect for fans of quirky small-town tales.

Key Themes: Paranormal sleuthing, wedding drama, Valentine’s Day murders, quirky humor, recipes included

Grab this book on Amazon: Vanilla Glazed Valentine Vendetta

Horror Releases for January 2025

For those who crave spine-chilling tales, February delivers horror that delve into the gothic.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

Lenore’s crumbling marriage takes a dark turn when the enigmatic Carmilla enters her life, awakening forbidden desires. As villagers fall prey to a mysterious illness, Lenore uncovers sinister secrets in this feminist, gothic reimagining of Carmilla.

Key Themes: Gothic atmosphere, forbidden romance, feminist reimagining, queer themes, dark secrets

Grab this book on Amazon: Hungerstone

Romantic Thriller Releases for February 2025

February’s romantic thriller is a must read filled with dangerous situations. Don’t forget you can join us for the In Death Readalong reading challenge if you haven’t started reading this series!

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

Lieutenant Eve Dallas uncovers a conspiracy tied to the Urban Wars as she investigates the murder of a former secret operative. With connections to her husband’s past, this gripping installment offers high-stakes danger and emotional depth.

Key Themes: Urban Wars conspiracy, futuristic setting, police procedural, ties to the past

Grab this book on Amazon: Bonded in Death

Mystery Romance Releases for February 2025

February’s mystery romance delivers the perfect balance of amateur sleuthing and romance.

Big Name Fan by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare

Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer reunite five years after their hit TV show ended to host a rewatch podcast. But when a guest reveals a shocking connection between a prolific fanfic writer and their late co-star’s mysterious death, the pair is drawn into a real-life murder investigation. Their legendary chemistry is reignited as they uncover dark truths behind the scenes.

Key Themes: Co-stars to lovers, Hollywood mystery, fanfiction, podcast investigation, murder

Grab this book on Amazon: Big Name Fan

Which February 2025 Mystery & Thriller Will You Pick Up?

Whether you’re in the mood for laugh-out-loud cozies, atmospheric gothic mysteries, or nail-biting thrillers, February 2025’s mystery books have something for every type of sleuth. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Substack for more updates on the latest mystery releases—you never know what twists await next month!

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