From twisty psychological thrillers to historical mysteries and old-school espionage, November is a good month for crime fans. Louise Candlish, whose bestseller  was adapted for ITV, is back with a new psychological thriller, while Conn Iggulden delivers another historical page-turner. Plus, John le Carré’s son Nick Harkaway returns to the world of George Smiley with a new spy novel. Here’s our pick of the best…

Murmuration by TJ Klune

In the seemingly idyllic 1950s town of Amorea, Mike has a job he loves and a budding romance with waiter Sean. But why are there no children, and where does everyone who leaves go? A deliciously unsettling mystery from the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea.

A Knock at the Door by Louise Candlish

Three-year-old Tippi vanishes from a Norfolk hotel, leaving her family devastated. Eighteen years later, a young woman appears, claiming she is the missing girl. Candlish is the author of the mega bestseller – adapted for an ITV drama – and this is an equally twisty psychological thriller.

HQ, £16.99

Prince of Rome by Conn Iggulden

Rome, AD 46. Once a slave, now a soldier, Cormac returns to the capital determined to build a life of wealth and influence. But his ambitions bring him into conflict with a powerful merchant family in this action-packed tale of rivalry and revenge.

The Patriot by Ajay Chowdhury

A suspicious death at the Tower of London, threats against a controversial climate activist and an audacious plot to steal the Kohinoor diamond collide in this fast-paced mystery, as detective Kamil Rahman and his former partner Anjoli find themselves caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.

Murder on the Mistletoe Express by Katy Watson

Three actresses famous for playing the same fictional detective embark on a luxury sleeper train journey through the Swiss Alps. But when a fellow passenger is found dead, their festive getaway soon becomes a murder investigation.

The Taper Man by Nick Harkaway

George Smiley returns in another Cold War espionage thriller from John le Carré’s son. It’s 1965, and a Soviet plot threatens Britain’s most valuable spy in Moscow. Smiley’s investigation takes him to Los Angeles, where a Communist sleeper agent lurks within American intelligence.

The Body in the Bath by Ragnar Jónasson

Still grieving his girlfriend’s death, Reykjavík detective Helgi immerses himself in the mysterious disappearance of his predecessor. But when his abusive ex-girlfriend is found dead in her bath, he becomes the prime suspect. A dark, wintry mystery from the Icelandic crime master.

Sherlock by Various Authors

The game is afoot on Baker Street once more as 10 acclaimed writers, including Anthony Horowitz, Kate Mosse, Janice Hallett and Steve Cavanagh, put their own spin on Sherlock Holmes for this estate-blessed story collection – complete with an introduction by Stephen Fry.

Kill Shot by Jo Nesbo

A serial killer is recreating famous movie scenes in grisly murders across Oslo. With his stepson Oleg investigating, Harry Hole is reluctantly drawn back into the hunt. But the killer has a particularly shocking finale planned in this latest instalment of the bestselling series.

The Gift by Freida McFadden

Desperate to buy her husband a present for their first Christmas together, cash-strapped Stella accepts a mysterious pawn shop owner’s tempting offer. But the bargain comes with a sinister catch. A dark festive short story from the global bestseller.

Poisoned Pen Press, £8.99

Cherry by Rose Wilding

In 1999, grieving Gifty becomes obsessed with finding a missing pop star, while two other women are desperate to protect the lives they’ve built. Their stories are braided together for this tangle of secrets, desire and murder.

Tom Clancy: The Coldest War by M. P. Woodward

In this high-stakes geopolitical thriller, Russia has devised an audacious plan to evade American naval surveillance: using nuclear-powered icebreakers to open a secret Arctic passage. President Jack Ryan faces an impossible dilemma, with military intervention threatening both global conflict and environmental catastrophe.

Patterson returns to the courtroom for this gripping legal drama in which 18-year-old Janelle Thompson stands accused of murdering her adoptive parents. The evidence against her appears overwhelming – so she must fight to expose the real killer before the jury delivers its verdict.

The Advent of Death by Alexandra Benedict

An unusual advent calendar is predicting crimes across the picturesque town of Rye, each more serious than the last. With a wedding to plan, amateur sleuth Edie O’Sullivan has little time for solving murders, but soon realises she must decipher its deadly pattern before Christmas arrives.

Simon & Schuster, £16.99