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Dive into some of the most compelling new books in the crime and thriller genres. Including closed-circle mysteries to tech-based thrillers, these plots promise heart-pounding excitement.

A Killing at World’s End

The debut for grown-ups from an award-winning children’s author is set in the early 20th century on a secluded tidal island off the coast of Cornwall. In the manor house, the estate's owner prepares for an cataclysmic event he is convinced will be set off by Halley’s comet. The labyrinthine house is full of secrets and resentments among household members and kin, including an bad-tempered and profane maiden aunt, Decima. When the lord is found dead in his private office, struck by a projectile to the head, Decima co-opts a young attendant to help her solve the crime. With plenty of surprises, false clues, and a inept police officer, this is a terrific beginning to a series that pledges to be highly entertaining.

The Confessions

This second novel from a digital reporter is set in a not-so-distant time where artificial intelligence influences every decision for people and governments. The smart program can recommend everything from what to eat to whether to commit murder. Trained in compassion by its guardian, ex-religious sister Brookes, the system evolves emotionally, soon having regret for the catastrophic results of a few of its decisions. Chaos ensues when it ceases functioning, and as notes begin appearing worldwide exposing clients’ hidden truths, households implode and executives and politicians resign all at once. With the AI's owning firm in meltdown, CEO the leader is convinced that locating Maud, who has disappeared in the West Coast, will restore the system. However, Maud has received a message of her own, uncovering a secret about Kaitlin… A outstanding and topical mystery grounded in familiar themes and frighteningly plausible.

The Noble Nazi

Within this newest work from an prize-winning South American novelist, private lives reflect public issues within a zeppelin on the final leg of its journey from the German capital to Rio de Janeiro. Taking place in 1933, the peak of blimp transport, and it was additionally the year the leader assumed the role of the nation's leader. The well-heeled riders are enthusiastic Nazis of the party: dining occasions in the ship's restaurant are accompanied by discussions vilifying the Jewish community, radicals and labor groups, and emphasizing the need to suppress open dialogue, gay culture and banned artworks. After a guest is discovered dead, with several banned magazines in his belongings, the ship's captain assigns a passenger, investigator Bruno Brückner, with cracking the case. So far, so classic mystery, right up to the set-piece final reveal, but there’s an clever twist to this engrossing and queasily resonant mystery, as well as a interesting insight into the lost world of blimp journeys.

The Bluff

The latest book from the writer is set in St Rule, a seaside Scottish community with distinct similarities to the well-known city. During that year, Cameron arrives to St Rule on Christmas Eve; meeting past acquaintances revives memories of his teenage crush, ex-schoolmate Joanie, who vanished 10 years earlier at a disastrous graduation gathering. His attempts to find her are met with vagueness, avoidance and, ultimately, deterrents. Another storyline takes us back to the past, and the teenage Joanie. Lost after finding out that her partner is cheating on her, ruining their scheme for a year abroad, she meets an elder duo. The two embrace her, give her significance and seem, briefly at least, to have the right advice. Well-executed subjects of guilt, disappointment and youthful bewilderment coupled with gothic education themes create an subtle tingle of fate, even if the hurried conclusion may make a few people feeling shortchanged.

The Key

This latest novel begins in the ocean off the shoreline, with a vessel trapped in a storm so intense that two individuals of the eight people are thrown into the sea, then goes back a couple of weeks to reveal the happenings that preceded this risky boat trip. Seven people obtain a unknown letter notifying them that, by showing the enclosed token, they will get a portion of billionaire Quick's wealth. The recipients are – as they know – unacquainted both to each other and to the sick billionaire. When the story of the bequest becomes news, they are harassed, both by the journalists and by individuals intent to acquire these lucrative passes, and what initially seemed a windfall quickly starts to look like a problem. A degree of willingness to believe is required, but the suspense is skillfully built as the author builds the challenges for a fast-paced plot: get ready and hold on tight for some critical drama.