Though mysteries and thrillers are often paired with damp, chilly temps and deep, dark nights, a good listen can send shivers up your spine no matter the weather. So, pour yourself a nice, tall glass of iced tea as warmer temps prevail and the sun sits high in the sky. Then, grab your headphones and chill out with these electrifying listens.
With picks from suspenseful thrillers to mysteries packed with unexpected twists and turns, you'll be captivated—and maybe even a little bewitched—along the way. One thing's for certain—these hot new listens make the perfect companion for rising temps.
Margot, a scholarship law student, has a fling with a wealthy classmate, Sam, who ghosted her afterwards, and even worse, plagiarized a school paper of hers that almost made Margot lose her scholarship. When he invites her to a fancy dinner, she has a feeling that something is up. Now, she’s going out to dinner with him at a luxurious French restaurant with a plan to even the score. But Sam arrives late and is acting increasingly strangely. His hands are shaking; he’s nervous and jumpy; he’s behaving nothing like the privileged charmer she knows. As the night unfolds, Margot realizes Sam has a terrifying plan of his own. —Yvonne D., Audible Editor
Bestselling author James Patterson is back with his latest destination thriller—a collaboration with authors Aaron Tracy and Thaddeus McCants that's full of betrayals, surprise twists, and a healthy dose of blackmail. Set on the idyllic Caribbean island of Bermuda, this mystery stars Beth Heller (voiced by actor Mary-Louise Parker), a hot-shot lawyer set on establishing a tax haven for her family’s criminal empire. As she becomes entwined with a local case, Beth begins to question her moral alignment and motives. Murder in Bermuda boasts a rich soundscape and full-cast narration, dropping the listener into a detailed recreation of the tropical island. For those who enjoy a rewarding beach listen with top-notch production value, this new mystery is a must-listen. —Seth H., Audible Editor
Bestselling and prolific author E.J. Noyes delivers yet another entirely immersive sapphic experience with the release of her latest romantic suspense novel, Integrity. The story centers on intelligence analyst Lexie Martin, who, upon accidentally learning of dangerous and classified information, goes into hiding, bringing along a woman she has just started dating as something of a shield, explaining the sudden getaway as an "impromptu vacation." What ensues is a high-stakes listen chock-full of all the things you hope for in a tantalizing spy novel—sex appeal, suspense, romance, and unexpected thrills. Add to the mix the sensual voice of award-winning actor Abby Craden, and you've got one pause-resistant, steamy summer listen. —Madeline A., Audible Editor
The most exciting release of the season may sound like a must-see movie: Jessica Chastain stars as a psychiatrist tasked with helping multiple patients who have all had the same bizarre, unexplained experience. Instead—and much to our luck—The Space Within is a superbly performed (I mean, Jessica Chastain, Bobby Cannavale, Ellen Burstyn—dream cast right there), absolutely compulsive, and thought-provoking eight-episode podcast series. I found it incredibly difficult to hit pause on this one or stop after just one episode, and I actually listened twice—once to unravel the mystery as quickly as possible and once to catch all the finer details and hints throughout. The sound effects were immersive, and the theme music was haunting. I’m totally hooked. —Sam D., Audible Editor
I’m not ashamed to admit that the first time I had ever heard of the rare condition Alexia—an inability to read caused by a brain injury—was while listening to Sebastian Fitzek’s The Gift, translated from German. The main character, con man Milan Berg, is afflicted with such a condition, which is how he inadvertently lands into a dangerous mystery involving what he believes is a kidnapped young girl. As a listener, it’s hard not to get sucked into the unfolding plot through the usage of time jumps and well-placed twists. Just as you think you’ve solved one mystery, another emerges. Punctuated by the superb performance of Audie Award-winning narrator Ari Fliakos, this listen is both a deeply engrossing thriller and informative story. —Nicole R., Audible Editor
I don’t know about you, but when a story combines epic world-building, political intrigue, and teenagers, I’m immediately hooked. And The Will of the Many provides ample opportunity to be absorbed by a masterfully crafted universe—the production is more than 28 hours long! I completely lost myself in this dark, profound, and winding tale that left me both completely satisfied and starving for more. Themes of rank, fate, power, revenge, and societal conformity will keep you on your toes, but it’s the rich character development and gradual emergence of a terrifying and magical world dictated by rules and restrictions that propel this exhilarating plot. I will be coming back to this one over and over again as I eagerly await the next installment in the series. —Esther B., Audible Editor
Serving up an extraterrestrial invasion thriller with a nostalgic sci-fi flair, Nathan Hystad's trio of 1980s-set action adventure listens shimmers with the same sense of wonder and excitement as cinematic first contact staples. In the third installment, Dark World, recent college grad Elliot, who first discovered evidence of an imminent alien invasion only a few years earlier, and his ragtag band of comrades are recruited by soldier Buzz to face down the Travelers and save Earth once and for all. But when the group is double-crossed, Elliot will have to reconsider where his loyalties lie—and who he can trust. It's no surprise that acclaimed, fan-favorite narrator Jonathan Davis's performance is positively stellar—his voice subtly builds intrigue, mounting with tension as Elliot and his crew set out to conquer their most daunting battle yet. If you're looking for the perfect summery sci-fi listen, this one's for you. —Alanna M., Audible Editor
This true crime series adds a proper dose of chills to the list. White Smoke covers the story of Ed Buck, a seemingly well-intentioned multimillionaire Hollywood executive. Through host Patrick Strudwick’s detailed coverage, Buck is exposed for a number of heinous crimes surrounding his habit of injecting others with dangerous doses of methamphetamine in exchange for sex, resulting in the death of two Black men. Unfortunately, Buck is not the only powerful person who has taken advantage of his privilege to abuse victims. Strudwick opens up the seedy underbelly and dangerous nature of the “chemsex” scene, providing an important piece of expository journalism. —Seth H., Audible Editor
