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Best Sellers

Hardcover Fiction

Week of September 28, 2025

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1
NEW
THE SECRET OF SECRETS
Dan Brown
Cover of THE SECRET OF SECRETS

THE SECRET OF SECRETS

by Dan Brown · Doubleday

2 wks at #1 · 1 on list

The world’s most celebrated thriller writer returns with his most stunning novel yet—a propulsive, twisty, thought-provoking masterpiece that will entertain readers as only Dan Brown can do. Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon—a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a relationship. Katherine is on the verge of publishing an explosive book that contains startling discoveries about the nature of human consciousness and threatens to disrupt centuries of established belief. But a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, and Katherine suddenly disappears along with her manuscript. Langdon finds himself targeted by a powerful organization and hunted by a chilling assailant sprung from Prague’s most ancient mythology. As the plot expands into London and New York, Langdon desperately searches for Katherine . . . and for answers. In a thrilling race through the dual worlds of futuristic science and mystical lore, he uncovers a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.

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KATABASIS
R.F. Kuang
Cover of KATABASIS

KATABASIS

by R.F. Kuang · Harper Voyager

3 wks on list

'Katabasis is a formidable, timeless work, destined to be a modern classic' OLIVIE BLAKE 'Katabasis is more than a novel to savor. This book is an experience. I envy those who get to read it for the first time' REBECCA ROSS 'A witty, gory, harrowing ride' LEIGH BARDUGO Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld. Grad student Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become the brightest mind in the field of analytic magick. But the only person who can make her dream come true is dead and - inconveniently - in Hell. And Alice, along with her biggest rival Peter Murdoch, is going after him. But Hell is not as the philosophers claim, its rules are upside-down, and if she's going to get out of there alive, she and Peter will have to work together. That's if they can agree on anything. Will they triumph, or kill each other trying? 2025's most unexpected love story is going to be hell in the new novel by Sunday Times Number One Bestseller R.F. Kuang. Coming August 2025.

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FRAMED IN DEATH
J.D. Robb
Cover of FRAMED IN DEATH

FRAMED IN DEATH

by J.D. Robb · St. Martin's

2 wks on list

Death imitates art in the brand-new crime thriller starring homicide cop Eve Dallas from the #1 New York Times-bestselling author J.D. Robb. Manhattan is filled with galleries and deep-pocketed collectors who can make an artist's career with a wave of a hand. But one man toils in obscurity, his brilliance unrecognized while lesser talents bask in the glory he believes should be his. Come tomorrow, he vows, the city will be buzzing about his work. Indeed, before dawn, Lt. Eve Dallas is speeding toward the home of the two gallery owners whose doorway has been turned into a horrifying crime scene overnight. A lifeless young woman has been elaborately costumed and precisely posed to resemble the model of a long-ago Dutch master, and Dallas plunges into her investigation.

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CLOWN TOWN
Mick Herron
Cover of CLOWN TOWN

CLOWN TOWN

by Mick Herron · Soho Crime

1 wks on list

The Instant Sunday Times Bestselling Thriller from the Author of Slow Horses SUNDAY TIMES, THRILLER OF THE YEAR GUARDIAN, CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR DAILY TELEGRAPH, BOOK OF THE YEAR TLS, BOOK OF THE YEAR THE SPECTATOR, BOOK OF THE YEAR ---- 'Mick Herron is our best and most topical spy writer' Ian Rankin 'Clown Town is a masterpiece' India Knight, Sunday Times 'An authentic megastar of the genre' Sam Leith, Guardian 'No one can rival Mick Herron' The Times 'A superb thriller' The Spectator 'Masterly' Times Literary Supplement, books of the year ---- MI5's First Desk, Diana Taverner, doesn't appreciate threats. So when those involved in a covert operation during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland threaten to expose the ugly side of state security, Taverner goes on the offensive. And when that happens, people get hurt. Over at Slough House, the repository for failed spies, the slow horses are hard at work: belittling each other, pushing paper, and marking time. Their boss, Jackson Lamb, wants them at their desks, but the slow horses are always looking for a way back on to Spook Street. Meanwhile, another slow horse, River Cartwright, is waiting to be passed fit for work. At a loose end, and with his grandfather - a legendary former spy - long dead, River investigates the secrets of the old man's library, and a mysteriously missing book. What stories will it hold? And who wants those stories to stay silent? After all, spies lie, they betray, it's what they do. *Mick Herron's Clown Town was a Sunday Times Number Four bestseller in hardback in the second week of September 2025

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LOVER FORBIDDEN
J.R. Ward
Cover of LOVER FORBIDDEN

LOVER FORBIDDEN

by J.R. Ward · Gallery

1 wks on list

The aristocracy is making a run for the throne in this latest thrilling, star-crossed paranormal romance entry in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. When Lyric goes out for the night, she’s not ready for a brush with death—and she’s really not ready for the male who comes out of nowhere and saves her. Her family, especially her father, Qhuinn, are so relieved she’s okay, but all she can think about is her mysterious savior. Without telling anybody, she seeks out Devlin, and they are immediately drawn to one another. Her near-death experience has given her a fresh appreciation for life and the desire to live it to its fullest, but she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret—or that he could be the key to ending the war between the Black Dagger Brotherhood and the lessers forever.

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BUCKEYE
Patrick Ryan
Cover of BUCKEYE

BUCKEYE

by Patrick Ryan · Random House

2 wks on list

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • “A glorious sweep of a novel” (Ann Patchett) that weaves the intimate lives of two midwestern families across generations, from World War II to the late twentieth century. “Mesmerizing.”—People “Captivating.”—The New York Times Book Review “A once-in-a-decade novel . . . I fell in love with these characters.”—Jenna Bush Hager ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, NPR, People, Minnesota Star Tribune, New York Post, Chicago Public Library LONGLISTED FOR THE JOYCE CAROL OATES PRIZE That, as he saw it now, was his life’s work: trying to make right what he’d gotten wrong. Wasn’t that a fair measure of a person, what they did with their mistakes? In the jubilant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability to serve in it, shares a single, life-altering moment with Margaret Salt, a woman determined to outrun her past. Cal is married to Becky, whose spiritual gifts help the living speak to the dead, while Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving at sea, believed to be safe—until a telegram suggests otherwise. What begins as a fleeting transgression becomes a complex secret that irrevocably binds all four of them in unexpected ways. As their small Ohio town remakes itself in the postwar boom, the Salt and Jenkins families remain in each other’s orbit, and the consequences of choices made long ago begin to emerge, reshaping their lives in ways that will forever impact the next generation. Sweeping yet intimate, resplendent with moments of deep emotion and unforgettable characters, Buckeye is a transportive story of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

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CLIVE CUSSLER: THE IRON STORM
Jack Du Brul
Cover of CLIVE CUSSLER: THE IRON STORM

CLIVE CUSSLER: THE IRON STORM

by Jack Du Brul · Putnam

1 wks on list

Detective Isaac Bell faces the horrors of the Great War while battling a mysterious anarchist group intent on bringing brutality to the shores of America in the next thrilling adventure in this #1 New York Times bestselling series from Clive Cussler. Van Dorn agent Isaac Bell knows that when the President of the United States asks you to undertake a special mission, the only appropriate answer is, “Right away, sir.” As an official observer, Bell is supposed to avoid action, but that’s like asking a fish to shun water. After battling in the trenches, he finds himself flying beside a group of Allied aviators, unwilling to let them fight alone, even when they are faced with capture. Bell and his compatriots are imprisoned in a medieval castle—one that’s withstood the test of time and countless assaults by conventional weapons in its history. Escape lies tantalizingly close…but only with the help of the latest in battlefield technology. But freedom may be short-lived. Even in the middle of a World War, Bell finds there are forces worse than those arrayed against the Americans on the battlefield. Opponents who are so evil that they are willing to set aside whatever rules of war still exist to take the fight to where they think it belongs: the streets of the United States. And there’s only one man who can stop them…Isaac Bell.

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MY FRIENDS
Fredrik Backman
Cover of MY FRIENDS

MY FRIENDS

by Fredrik Backman · Atria

19 wks on list

Four teenagers form a deep friendship that offers them refuge from troubled home lives and inspires the creation of a mysterious painting. Twenty-five years later, Louisa, a young artist, inherits the artwork and sets out on a journey to uncover its origin. As she pieces together the story behind the painting and its creators--Joar, Ted, Ali, and the reclusive artist--Louisa discovers not only their lasting impact on one another but also how art and connection can change lives. Blending humor and emotional depth, Backman explores themes of friendship, healing, and self-discovery.

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WILD REVERENCE
Rebecca Ross
Cover of WILD REVERENCE

WILD REVERENCE

by Rebecca Ross · Saturday

2 wks on list

Set in the world of the gods first introduced in Divine Rivals, #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Ross delivers a sweeping, beautiful adult novel filled with tension, romance, and dark secrets. True love is more divine, than any ruthless god. Born in the firelit domain of the under realm, Matilda is the youngest goddess of her clan, blessed with humble messenger magic. But in a land where gods often kill each other to steal power and alliances break as quickly as they are forged, Matilda must come of age sooner than most. She may be known to carry words and letters through the realms, but she holds a secret she must hide from even her dearest of allies to ensure her survival. And to complicate matters . . . there is a mortal boy who dreams of her, despite the fact they have never met in the waking world. Ten years ago, Vincent of Beckett wrote to Matilda on the darkest night of his life—begging the goddess he befriended in dreams to help him. When his request went unanswered, Vincent moved on, becoming the hardened, irreverent lord of the river who has long forgotten Matilda. That is, until she comes tumbling into his bedroom window with a letter for him. As Fate would have it, Matilda and Vincent were destined to find each other beyond dreams. There may be a chance for Matilda to rewrite the blood-soaked ways of the gods, but at immense sacrifice. She will have to face something she fears even more than losing her magic: to be vulnerable, and to allow herself to finally be loved.

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BILLION-DOLLAR RANSOM
James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
Cover of BILLION-DOLLAR RANSOM

BILLION-DOLLAR RANSOM

by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski · Little, Brown

2 wks on list

It would take a perfect plan to collect a billion-dollar ransom. So here’s the plan. Five innocent people. In different locations. All kidnapped at the same moment in time. Two children taken from a private school bus. A film producer and a movie star grabbed at a hideaway resort. A beautiful wife whisked off the streets of Beverly Hills. A billionaire wants his family back. The cash, gold, jewels, crypto are all ready. There’s only one problem: Stubborn and brilliant FBI agent Nicky Gordon also has a plan. And she doesn’t want to pay the kidnappers. Not a dime. _________________________________ PRAISE FOR JAMES PATTERSON 'No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades.' LEE CHILD 'James Patterson is The Boss. End of.' IAN RANKIN 'The master storyteller of our times' HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON 'One of the greatest storytellers of all time' PATRICIA CORNWELL 'Patterson is in a class by himself' GUARDIAN

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PLAY NICE
Rachel Harrison
Cover of PLAY NICE

PLAY NICE

by Rachel Harrison · Berkley

1 wks on list

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A woman must confront the demons of her past when she attempts to fix up her childhood home in this devilishly clever take on the haunted house novel from the author of Black Sheep and So Thirsty. Clio Louise Barnes leads a picture-perfect life as a stylist and influencer, but beneath the glossy veneer she harbors a not-so glamorous secret: she grew up in a haunted house. Well, not haunted. Possessed. After Clio’s parents' messy divorce, her mother, Alex, moved Clio and her sisters into a house occupied by a demon. Or so Alex claimed. That’s not what Clio’s sisters remember or what the courts determined when they stripped her of custody after she went off the deep end. But Alex was insistent; she even wrote a book about her experience in the house. After Alex’s sudden death, the supposedly possessed house passes to Clio and her sisters. Where her sisters see childhood trauma, Clio sees an opportunity for house flipping content. Only, as the home makeover process begins, Clio discovers there might be some truth to her mother’s claims. As memories resurface and Clio finally reads her mother’s book, a sinister presence in the house manifests, revealing ugly truths that threaten to shake Clio’s beautiful life to its very foundation.

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BROKEN COUNTRY
Clare Leslie Hall
Cover of BROKEN COUNTRY

BROKEN COUNTRY

by Clare Leslie Hall · Simon & Schuster

25 wks on list

Over 1 Million Copies Sold A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK | A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is an unforgettable story of love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives…but it’s also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Seriously, that ending?! I did not see it coming.” —Reese Witherspoon “Stirring and mysterious…fires directly at the human heart and hits the mark.” —Delia Owens, New York Times bestselling author of Where the Crawdads Sing A love triangle unearths dangerous, deadly secrets from the past in this thrilling tale perfect for fans of The Paper Palace and Where the Crawdads Sing. “The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.” Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become. A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

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QUICKSILVER
Callie Hart
Cover of QUICKSILVER

QUICKSILVER

by Callie Hart · Forever

4 wks on list

Llega el romantasy más esperado. El enemies to lovers que ha conquistado a las lectoras de todo el mundo y que ha causado furor en TikTok. ***PRIMERA EDICIÓN LIMITADA CON CANTOS PINTADOS HASTA AGOTAR EXISTENCIAS*** No toques la espada. No gires la llave. No abras la puerta. A la joven Saeris Fane se le da bien guardar secretos. Nadie está al tanto de los poderes que posee ni de que lleva toda la vida robando para sobrevivir y escamoteando de los depósitos de la Reina Imperecedera. En una tierra de desiertos implacables hay pocas cosas que una chica no esté dispuesta a hacer a cambio de un vaso de agua. Sin embargo, todo secreto es como un nudo: tarde o temprano está destinado a desatarse. Cuando Saeris se enfrenta cara a cara con la Muerte encarnada, acaba abriendo sin querer un portal entre reinos que la transporta a una tierra de hielo y nieve. Los faes siempre han pertenecido al territorio de las leyendas, de los mitos, de las pesadillas... pero resulta que son reales. Y Saeris ha aterrizado en medio de un conflicto que lleva en marcha desde hace siglos. Un conflicto que podría costarle la vida. Saeris, la primera de su especie en poner un pie en las montañas heladas de Yvelia desde hace más de mil años, acaba sellando por error un pacto con Kingfisher, un atractivo guerrero fae que tiene sus propios secretos y perversos planes. Kingfisher está dispuesto a usar la magia alquímica de Saeris para proteger a su pueblo, sin importar el precio que haya que pagar... o quién tenga que pagarlo. La Muerte encarnada tiene un nombre: Kingfisher de Puerta Ajun. Es un guerrero con un pasado turbio y un temperamento repugnante. Pero también es el único modo que tiene Saeris de volver a casa. Cuidado con los pactos que haces, querida niña. El diablo está en los detalles...

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ONYX STORM
Rebecca Yarros
Cover of ONYX STORM

ONYX STORM

by Rebecca Yarros · Red Tower

Desafía la oscuridad Tras casi dieciocho meses en el Colegio de Guerra Basgiath, Violet Sorrengail tiene claro que no queda tiempo para entrenar. Hay que tomar decisiones. La batalla ha comenzado y, con enemigos acercándose a las murallas e infiltrados en sus propias filas, es imposible saber en quién confiar. Ahora Violet deberá emprender un viaje fuera de los límites de Aretia en busca de aliados de tierras desconocidas que acepten pelear por Navarre. La misión pondrá a prueba su suerte, y la obligará a usar todo su ingenio y fortaleza para salvar a quienes más ama: sus dragones, su familia, su hogar y a él. Aunque eso signifique tener que guardar un secreto tan peligroso que podría destruirlo todo. Navarre necesita un ejército. Necesita poder. Necesita magia. Y necesitará algo que solo Violet puede encontrar: la verdad. Pero una tormenta se aproxima... y no todos sobrevivirán a su furia. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Brave The Dark After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves--her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find--the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath.

Historical bestseller data sourced from the New York Times Book Review, archived by Hawes Publications.