By: Kena Marubu
Now that we are well into 2025, it’s time for those of us who have set our reading challenges for the year to assess how far we’ve gotten! This can be an exciting and perhaps (overly) ambitious time. But there’s no better moment than now to absorb yourself in a new genre or discover new releases that could soon be favorites. I’ve compiled a list of books for readers to explore a few of the compelling subgenres of thrillers readers might enjoy.
1. Techno-thriller: Picks & Shovels by Cory Doctorow
Step into the electric pulse of 1980s San Francisco in Picks & Shovels, a captivating techno-thriller by Cory Doctorow.
At the dawn of the internet revolution, Marty Hench, a scrappy accountant turned unlikely tech hero, is swept into the frenzied startup culture where fortunes are made and lives are sometimes risked. As he navigates a world of high-stakes innovation, corporate espionage, and burgeoning digital frontiers, Marty must summon remarkable courage to stand against ruthless tech giants. Packed with adrenaline-fueled action, Picks & Shovels delves into the human cost of ambition and the relentless pursuit of progress, painting a vivid portrait of a time when the internet’s potential was just a glimmer—and every line of code had the power to redefine the future. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a fan of high-stakes thrillers, this could be a journey you’ll find hard to put down!
Cory Doctorow is a highly regarded science fiction author, journalist, and activist known for his insightful critiques of technology and society. He is the author of several acclaimed works, including Little Brother, Walkaway, and Radicalized, and is a prominent advocate for digital rights, free culture, and the open internet.
2. Legal Thriller: The Middleman by Mike Papantonio
The Middleman is a gripping legal thriller torn from today’s headlines.
In this compelling tale of power, corruption, and justice, seasoned attorney Nick “Deke” Deketomis faces one of his challenging cases. When a former friend reveals that a pharmaceutical giant is profiting from life-saving insulin while driving costs to devastating heights, Deke is drawn into a potentially deadly conspiracy. Packed with courtroom intrigue, morally complex characters, and heart-pounding action, The Middleman invites readers to confront the ethical dilemmas of modern medicine and corporate power. Fans of legal thrillers may find themselves engrossed by this story of justice against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Mike Papantonio is a nationally recognized trial lawyer, notable author, and advocate for social justice. Papantonio is also a writer of well-received legal thrillers, including Law and Vengeance, Inhuman Trafficking, and Suspicious Activity, which combine his legal experience with gripping narratives exploring corporate corruption and morality issues. A regular speaker and media commentator, Mike Papantonio uses his platform to shed light on injustices and encourage systemic change.
3. Sherlockian Thriller: A Scandalous Affair by Leonard Goldberg
Uncover secrets and scandals in A Scandalous Affair, the engrossing new installment in Leonard Goldberg’s Daughter of Sherlock Holmes series.
Set amidst the turmoil of World War I, Joanna Holmes is drawn into a delicate and dangerous mystery when Sir William Radcliffe, Chancellor of the Exchequer, arrives at 221B Baker Street with a desperate plea. Salacious photographs of his granddaughter have fallen into the hands of a ruthless blackmailer, threatening both the family’s honor and the stability of the War Council. With Scotland Yard unable to act, it’s up to Joanna, alongside Dr. Watson and his son, to unravel the tangled web of deception and uncover the truth before it’s too late.
In A Scandalous Affair, Goldberg skillfully combines the wit and intellect of Sherlockian deduction with heart-pounding suspense, delivering a historical mystery rich in intrigue, dark secrets, and high-stakes drama. Fans of clever sleuths and scandalous twists will likely enjoy this tale of blackmail and betrayal in wartime London.
4. Psychological Thriller: A Thousand Natural Shocks by Omar Hussain
For fans of Severance and Black Mirror, A Thousand Natural Shocks is a thought-provoking exploration of technology, society, and the human psyche.
In this haunting tale, the boundaries between memory, identity, and reality blur as the protagonist grapples with technology-induced overstimulation and the haunting echoes of a troubled past. Living in a hyper-connected, data-driven world, he navigates the psychological toll of sleepless nights and digital dependence, where even his own thoughts can feel curated by an invisible algorithm. When shadows from his childhood resurface alongside a string of bizarre events, he’s forced to confront the technologies shaping his psyche—and the traumas they amplify.
Omar Hussain paints a compelling portrait of a world spiraling under the weight of its own progress, raising unsettling questions about how much of our humanity we’re willing to trade for convenience and connection. A Thousand Natural Shocks delivers a tense and immersive exploration of personal isolation and the collective consequences of technological overreach.
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Published by Jeremy S.
