Searching for something to read? Check out some of the new titles releasing the week of January 4 – 10, 2026 with seven debut series. I hope a few of these books take you on a reading adventure!

The Invisible Woman by James Patterson and Susan DiLallo (Psychological Thriller)
No one sees her, but she sees everything. Elinor Gilbert was once a young woman with a thriving career at the FBI. Now decades past solving crimes with the bureau, she is personally and professionally forgettable. Which is exactly what her former FBI boss needs. He disguises Elinor as a middle-aged nanny, and casts her as an agent on the inside of his investigation into a New York art dealer suspected of ties to organized crime. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

JANUARY 6
Mayhem on the Marzipan Express by Rebecca Connolly (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Amateur baker and part-time sleuth Claire Walker may not have won Britian’s Battle of the Bakers cooking competition, but she still went home with a grand prize: Jonathan Ainsley’s heart. The happy couple boards the famed Scottish train, the Mallaig Steam Express—temporarily renamed “The Marzipan Express” in honor of famed chef Alan Gables, who is hosting an exclusive culinary experience for his most devoted fans. Claire is delighted to serve as Alan’s sous chef for the trip, hoping to learn some baking tips from the master. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany (Cozy Mystery)
Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to mark not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

No One Knew by Kendra Elliot (Police Procedural)
In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying discovery: a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Dark Current Rising by Ashley Farley (Traditional Mystery) *first book in a new series*
When Detective Lane Sutherlin returns to Tidewell, Virginia, it isn’t by choice. She’s back in the small waterfront town she once called home to search for her childhood best friend, Addie, who’s vanished without a trace. But coming home means more than chasing leads. Lane finds her father—the town’s respected former judge—slipping further into dementia. Format: Digital, Print

Definitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah Fox (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Emersyn Gray is definitely not a detective. Really, she’s an unemployed twenty-eight-year-old raising her beloved niece in the only place she can afford after her ex-boyfriend ran off with her life savings: a run-down, seniors-only apartment complex that was desperate for tenants. But never fear—her wild best friend has the perfect plan to get Emersyn back on her feet and stick it to her thieving ex: scare him into returning her money by hiring a private investigator to prove he stole it. Only, there won’t be an actual detective, just a fabricated business card from Wyatt Investigations . . . and a ridiculously hot stranger, who steps in to play the part—a stranger whose name is, coincidentally, Wyatt. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

You’ve Lost That Livin’ Feelin’ by Nicholas George (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Adam Parrall’s wild days as a drummer in a rock band are far behind him. Now semi-retired and running a record store in the sleepy town of Cordoba on the mid-California coast, life is considerably calmer, with pleasant surprises such as winning a lifetime achievement award (which Adam learns, depressingly, is intended for deceased artists). There’s plenty of life left in Adam yet, though sadly the same can’t be said of Righteous Brother tribute artist Barry Haddon, whose dead body is discovered by Adam outside a nightclub. Format: Digital, Print

The Starseekers by Nicole Glover (Historical Fantasy Mystery 1960s)
In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible. The race to space was on, and the Moon was what everyone had their eyes on. Including Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show… a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology. She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Like Mother, Like Monster by Lily Harper Hart (Cozy Mystery)
Thanksgiving is descending on Whisper Cove, which means turkey, stuffing, and the local children’s holiday pageant. What Rowan Gray-Davenport doesn’t expect is a missing child. Lana Davenport has made a new friend. Sadie has paranormal abilities just like her. Before Rowan can wrap her head around that and arrange a playdate, however, Sadie disappears from her bed. Who took her? More importantly, why? Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Illusion of Truth by James L’Etoile (Police Procedural)
Sacramento Detective Emily Hunter is exposed to inhumanity on a daily basis— it’ s the unfortunate baggage that comes with police work, and she’ s mostly learned how to shoulder the load. But it all turns personal when her fellow cop and boyfriend, Brian Conner, is caught in the blast of a targeted church bombing. Brian is gravely injured, suffering a traumatic brain injury. But the attacks don’ t stop there— soon, more officers come under fire, and Emily searches for a connection. Format: Digital, Print

This Side of Gone by Saundra Mitchell (Private Investigator Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Vinnie Taylor isn’t a cop anymore. Once a decorated detective, Vinnie left behind a 25-year career in a blaze of scandal—working undercover to bust a sex trafficking ring in her own Homicide Unit. Nearly beaten to death by her former colleagues to prevent her testimony, Vinnie has found peace in the small town of Wills Harbor, Maryland. Or so she thought. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Fire Must Burn by Allison Montclair (Historical Mystery 1940s)
After recent events have left the normally steadfast Iris Sparks thoroughly shaken, she’s looking forward to some peace. With The Right Sort doing well, she and business partner Gwen Bainbridge are due a holiday. Until Iris’s former boss enlists their help for a secret mission. Iris, who left British intelligence after the war, is being recruited for her Cambridge connection to one Anthony Danforth. She hasn’t seen Tony in almost ten years, yet she and Gwen must manipulate him into hiring their marriage service. Format: Digital, Print

The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery (Historical Mystery 1900s) *first book in a new series*
On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley’s Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom—every window, chimney, and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within… By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day (Traditional Mystery)
Dahlia “Doll” Devine had the kind of hardscrabble beginning that could launch a thousand broken-hearted country songs, but now she’s the star of her own stage at McPhee’s Tavern. As part of Chicago’s—yes, Chicago’s—country music scene, Dahlia is an up-and-coming singer in spangles and boots of classic country tunes. Up and coming, that is, until her boyfriend Joey up and went, taking the rent money with him. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

A Lion’s Ransom by Candace Robb (Historical Mystery 1300s)
Owen Archer is called upon when a lion created by the goldsmiths of York as a gift for King Richard’s coronation is stolen. The missing lion isn’t the only thing causing outrage in the city. Rumours of merchant spies passing on information to the French and Spanish persist. And then a body is spotted floating in the river. Is there a connection between the theft of the lion and the drowned man? Format: Digital, Print

First Do No Harm by S.J. Rozan (Private Investigator Mystery)
With River Valley Hospital in the midst of negotiations to avert a nurses’ strike, a wealthy benefactor is set to give a large donation to honor of the Chief of Emergency Medicine: Dr. Elliott Chin, the brother of private investigator Lydia Chin. Before the donation can be finalized, a member of the nurses’ negotiating committee is found murdered. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Secrets of the Broken House by Taryn Souders (Cozy Mystery)
In the small, southern town of Everson, goats can run for mayor, the mail is always late, and nothing all that bad ever happens. That is, until thirteen-year-old Tucker finds Miss Geraldine dead at the bottom of her stairs. At first glance, it looks like an accident. But Tucker has always had a knack for noticing details that others overlook, and the details surrounding Miss Geraldine’s death just aren’t adding up. (Format: Digital, Print, Audio

The Reckoning by Kelli Stanley (Historical Thriller, 1980s) *first book in a new series*
Renata Drake steps off a Greyhound bus and into small-town Garberville, hoping to disappear. She checks the papers. She’s not headline news. Not yet. But she’s made a mistake. The FBI have the cannabis-producing “Emerald Triangle” town— and its corrupt residents—in their sights. Even worse, a teenage girl is missing, and when she turns up dead, the third in three years, it’s clear a serial killer is living among them. Renata knows about murdered girls and the burning desire for justice—and for revenge. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

The Devoted Game by Debra Webb (Police Procedural)
Former FBI agent Ryan McBride crashed and burned three years ago after a case took a fatal turn. He swore he was done with the Bureau forever—until Special Agent Vivian Grace shows up at his door with a new case he can’t refuse. Six-year-old Alyssa Byrne has been kidnapped, and her abductor, alias Devoted Fan, has threatened to kill her in twenty-four hours. He promises to reveal the girl’s location to the FBI on one condition: He’ll only talk to McBride. Format: Digital, Print, Audio

Frost Bitten by Barbara Witek (Cozy Mystery)
It’s bake sale season in New Hope, and Juli Butler’s got her hands full whipping up cookies for the church fundraiser. But when a fire at Oliver’s new restaurant reveals a frozen corpse, her plans—and her peace of mind—go up in smoke. The victim? A man with ties to Juli’s late father and questions no one wants answered. Format: Digital, Print

JANUARY 7
The Housewife Next Door by LynDee Walker (Psychological Thriller)
I was jealous of my perfect new neighbor SarahBeth. Six tow-headed children, blackberry pies bubbling in the oven, married to and still holding hands with her high-school sweetheart Burt. She was the perfect housewife, the best mom. Until I found out the truth. When tragedy strikes and SarahBeth’s dying daughter tells me about the little girl buried in their garden my heart freezes. Format: Digital, Print

JANUARY 8
Marinated Lies by Erica J. Whelton (Cozy Mystery)
When Melody’s long-lost father walks back into her life after twenty years of silence, she knows something doesn’t add up. Ryan’s carefully crafted story about reconciliation has too many holes, and his suspicious questions about the restaurant’s operations suggest motives that have nothing to do with family. Jackie and Lauren thought they’d faced the worst Prairie Rose had to offer. They were wrong. Because Ryan didn’t return alone. He brought a million-dollar debt to a Chicago-based criminal organization, and those debts are collected in blood. Format: Digital, Print

Note: in some cases, print releases for digital titles will be forthcoming.