A killer capable of spying on his victims in the privacy of their own homes, an Italian village haunted by the ghosts of the Second World War, a woman convinced that someone is breaking into her house… This week’s crime selection move between contemporary paranoia and buried secrets, all wrapped in deeply oppressive atmospheres.
The week brings together several major names in international thriller writing — including Patricia Cornwell, who marks the highly anticipated return of her iconic character Kay Scarpetta — spanning Italian noir, psychological suspense and Nordic crime with supernatural undertones.
Each novel, in its own way, explores intimate fractures, modern obsessions and the silent violence lurking beneath the surface.
The 5 crime novels to read this week — 18 May 2026
Sharp Force, by Patricia Cornwell
With Sharp Force, Patricia Cornwell throws her heroine Kay Scarpetta into a particularly unsettling investigation. On Christmas morning, the forensic pathologist discovers that a mysterious “ghost killer” is continuing to terrorise Virginia using sophisticated technology that allows him to watch his victims even in the privacy of their homes.
Holograms, constant surveillance and a deeply paranoid atmosphere give the novel an almost futuristic feel, while still retaining the clinical precision that has made the Scarpetta series such a success since the 1990s.
The Mysterious Island by Jacopo De Michelis
A huge success in Italy, The Mysterious Island marks Jacopo De Michelis’s arrival in Britain. The story takes readers to Montisola on Lake Iseo, where Pietro Rota returns after twelve years away to defend his father, who stands accused of murder.
Before long, the investigation uncovers secrets linked to the Republic of Salò and the Second World War. Blending historical thriller with atmospheric crime fiction, the novel skilfully plays on family silences and the buried wounds of Italy’s past.
Lånaren by Camilla Grebe and Carl-David Pärson
With *ånaren*, Swedish author Camilla Grebe and her son Carl-David Pärson constantly blur the line between reality and nightmare.
In this seemingly peaceful Swedish town, a grieving family attempts to rebuild their lives while a young police officer discovers that the village hides far more secrets than she ever imagined. The novel cultivates a cold, almost unreal atmosphere typical of the very best Nordic thrillers.
Kill the Rich, by Sandrone Dazieri
In Kill the Rich, Sandrone Dazieri imagines a string of murders targeting Italy’s ultra-wealthy. It begins in Milan with the killing of a former footballer turned fitness mogul, before other multimillionaires begin to fall in turn.
The thriller moves at a relentless pace while delivering a sharp social critique of privilege, money and society’s modern fascination with extreme wealth.
The Perfect Divorce, by Jeneva Rose
Following The Perfect Marriage (2022), Jeneva Rose once again plunges her heroine Sarah Morgan into a deeply toxic legal spiral. As Sarah files for divorce from her new husband following an affair, an old criminal case involving her ex-husband suddenly resurfaces thanks to new DNA evidence.
A mysterious disappearance, psychological warfare and constant manipulation fuel this highly addictive domestic thriller, where every revelation completely reshuffles the deck.
Looking for your next obsession? Discover these thrillers in the articles below:
- You won’t be able to put down this prosecutional debut thriller written by a real-life criminal attorney
- The 6 best British whodunit crime novels to read (they’ll make you want to play detective)
- This new thriller, set on a secluded island in Italy, invites you to dive into the 1990s through a gripping family investigation