New Installments in Mystery Series

As you probably already know, I am a huge fan of mystery series. I enjoy watching the characters develop across installments, learning more about the setting over time, and seeing how the author creates new mysteries for the main characters to solve. There are countless mystery series to choose from, and it can be tricky to determine which one to start. Today, I am recommending four books published in 2025 that are the next titles in some engaging mystery series, and each series only contains two books to date:

The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller - When a painting vanishes from a maritime museum and a dead body is found nearby, the newly established Lockwood Antique Hunter’s Agency is called to investigate. Following a lead that takes them aboard a glamorous antiques cruise sailing toward the Red Sea in Jordan, they quickly discover that the ship’s art gallery is filled with stolen antiquities. The hunt soon turns deadly when they learn the enigmatic art trafficker named The Collector could be on board. Miller’s passion for antiques shines through and provides an authentic aspect to the story. The Egyptian cruise setting was fabulous, and the sense of place very strong. For fans of light mysteries in unique settings.

Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn – After more than a year of laying low, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are called back into action. Someone on the inside has compiled a list of important kills committed by Museum agents, and together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster connected to these kills. While the first in this series is hard to surpass, I loved this installment as well. The relationships between the women, their missions and globetrotting, and the issues they endure related to aging all combine to make a highly satisfying read. I hope we will see these women again! For fans of mysteries with humor and heart as well as older protagonists.

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen – The Martini Club, composed of retired CIA operatives, is called back into action when a teenager vanishes and Maggie’s neighbor becomes the prime suspect. She joins the investigation, determined to prove her friend’s innocence, and when authorities discover a long-dead corpse in a nearby pond, the case becomes doubly complicated, with unthinkable ties to long-buried secrets. The Martini Club stays close to home in this installment; the book is set almost completely in Purity, Maine. The series’ strengths are the humor laced throughout as well as the clever plots and interesting characters with exciting backstories. The pacing is balanced, and the story’s resolution was unexpected but it worked. For fans of older protagonists and well-plotted mysteries.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto – Ever since a man was found dead in Vera's teahouse, life has been good. Still, Vera wishes more dead bodies would pop up in her shop. Then Vera comes across a distressed young woman named Millie who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance - Millie’s friend Xander, a social media influencer, has gone missing. Vera has found her next case! I was thrilled to read about Vera again and loved seeing the old gang return as well as some delightful new characters. The mystery in this one is darker and very timely which made for an engaging but heavier book. Sutanto also addresses influencer culture and how problematic it can be. For fans of funny stories with some depth.

For more book recommendations and bookish thoughts, see Cindy’s monthly Buzz Reads column, her award-winning Thoughts from a Page Podcast or follow @ThoughtsFromaPage on Instagram.