We don’t know about you, but this month might just have some of our most anticipated reads of the entire year. From a captivating space opera sequel, to a short story collection edited by one of our go-to authors, to a twisty murder mystery, and much more, we can’t wait to get stuck in.
So, if you’re looking for something to capture your attention, or you’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently, these are the April 2026 new books that you definitely won’t want to miss out on.
The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey
Release date: April 14
The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey
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With the stakes as high as ever before, if not more so, the latest installment in James S. A. Corey’s Captive’s War series takes the world-building of book one up a notch to deliver an epic follow-up. While you’ll obviously need to have read The Mercy of Gods before delving into this story, there is also a short novella – Livesuit – which is well worth reading before you’re thrust back into the action.
Without giving too much away, as the Swarm learns more about what it means to be human after being smuggled into the Carryx world-palace, Dafyd’s initial loyalty is not what it seems. Essentially, if you’ve been looking for a new space opera to become obsessed with, look no further.
The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer
Release date: April 21 (US) and April 23 (UK)
The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer
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Macy is looking for a job, and at this point, she can’t really be picky. So, when she sees a Craigslist ad for a caretaker – and for just three days’ work at that – she’s immediately drawn to it. Yes, the home is in the middle of the Oregon wilderness, but the somewhat generous pay should give her some breathing room. That is, until she starts to realise that the rules and instructions that she has been given might just have some serious consequences.
Given how much excitement and hype there was around Marcus’ debut novel, We Used To Live Here, you will definitely want to be one of the first to read it. Expect the kind of weird and wonderful psychological horror that Marcus has quickly become known for, while you ask yourself what would you do if you found yourself in the same circumstances, as well as, what exactly is going on.
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon
Release date: April 7
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon
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In the not so distant future, where every appliance in our homes is sentient – I guess that’s not so difficult to believe – could one little robot take on a much bigger entity to save the humans she loves? After hearing her owner, Harold, read To Kill A Mockingbird to his dying wife, a young Roomba vacuum renames herself Scout and quickly begins a journey of self-discovery.
Managing to cram a whole lot into a little over 200 pages, things ramp up when Scout and her fellow household appliances discover that the Grid, who monitor every household in the city, want to evict Harold from his home. Can the machines and humans band together to outwit the domineering Grid before it’s too late? You’ll need to pick up a copy to find out.
Paranormal Payback edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes
Release date: April 14
Paranormal Payback edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes
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If short stories are more your thing, or you can’t get enough of Jim Butcher’s brilliant books, Paranormal Payback brings together a slew of great stories and authors, as well as a brand new Dresden Files story.
From Butcher’s “Mister Petty,” which focuses on a detective who just so happens to be a professional monster, other highlights include Holly Black’s “Dying Isn’t Just for the Young” – set in a world infected by a vampirism disease – as well as the way in which Kim Harrison reunites us with her bestselling series, the Hollows, in “Dog-eared.” With additional stories from Jennifer Blackstream, Maurice Broaddus, Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne, Tanya Huff, Kerrie L. Hughes, R. L. King and R.R. Virdi, this is a fantastic option if you’ve found yourself unsure of what to read next or want to discover some new, or new to you, supernatural authors.
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
Release date: April 7 (US) and April 9 (UK)
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
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Bringing together authors V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, under the pen name Evelyn Clarke, The Ending Writes Itself is easily one of the best murder mysteries that we’ve read in a long time, while simultaneously giving us a behind the scenes look into the publishing industry, with a prize to – quite literally – die for.
When bestselling author Arthur Fletch dies before finishing his much anticipated final novel, six floundering and fledgling authors are invited to his remote Scottish island to come up with an ending worthy of his legacy. But time is of the essence, with them only having 72 hours to complete their manuscript. Not only will the winner receive a two million dollar payday but a book deal that could completely change and catapult their careers. However, as the bodies start to pile up, it soon becomes clear that it’s not just a book deal on the line, and there are plenty of twists and unexpected turns along the way.
Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by Caroline Bicks
Release date: April 21
Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by Caroline Bicks
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Ever wondered exactly what makes Stephen King’s stories continue to thrill, endure and haunt us? Well, as the first scholar to be granted extended access to his private archives, Caroline Bicks takes a deeper look into the legendary author’s creative process in Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King. Part biography and memoir, part literary masterclass, this truly is a must-read for fans of King and the horror genre more generally.
Focusing on five of his earliest, and most iconic, stories – The Shining, Carrie, Pet Sematary, ʼSalemʼs Lot, and Night Shift – readers will finally get a glimpse and more insight into his creative process, with everything from exclusive interviews, hand-written revisions and more.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Release date: April 7 (US) and April 9 (UK)
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
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One of the most intriguing book releases of 2026 so far, Yesteryear is the kind of book that you’ll find difficult to put down, as not all is as it seems, in quite a few ways. Tradwife influencer, Natalie, has amassed a massive online following as she showcases her traditional life living on a working ranch with her husband and children. Yet, viewers don’t see the nannies and producers and what’s really going on behind the scenes.
On what appears to be a normal morning at Yesteryear ranch, Natalie wakes up to find that everything looks and feels slightly off, from her husband who looks eerily familiar but definitely isn’t her Caleb. The same can be said about her children. Has she just found herself unwittingly starring in a bizarre reality show? Or is this God’s plan? Told via alternating chapters, flipping back and forth between Natalie’s life growing up and the current – or not so current – day, this is a bold debut that people will be talking about, that’s for sure.
Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
Release date: April 14 (US) and April 30 (UK)
Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker
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Bringing us a haunted house horror with a samurai twist, the author of last year’s Bat Eater sees two worlds, from two very different timelines, collide in the most unexpected way.
In the current day, Lee knows he hid the body, whereabouts exactly is another question. That’s why he’s found himself hiding out at his father’s home in Japan. While in 1877, female samurai, Sen, finds herself tasked with protecting her family from being slaughtered following the abolition of the samurai class. The only thing that they seemingly have in common – a door between their two worlds and a quest for answers. Yet what they find in the house that they both share is beyond what either of them could ever have imagined.
We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune
Release date: April 28 (US) and April 30 (UK)
We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune
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We always get excited when a new T.J. Klune book is released, and We Burned So Bright sounds like it will be another smash hit. In his latest title, an ominous black hole is approaching earth and in around a month the world as we, and the characters, know it will cease to exist. With unfinished business to take care of and not very long to do so, husbands of forty years, Don and Rodney, embark on one final roadtrip. And in doing so they find themselves taking a moment to appreciate how everyone else is planning on living their final days.
Let’s just say, with the current state of the world, it definitely has us pondering how we would spend our last few days or weeks on earth, as Don and Rodney look back and reflect on their lives.
Ellis is a freelance journalist, based in the UK, with a love of all things books. She also routinely chairs bookish events up and down the country, getting the scoop from some of the biggest and bestselling authors to keep you in the know.
