New York Times
Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers
December 21, 2025

Cover of The Widow by John Grisham
1. The Widow
by John Grisham

When Simon Latch, a lawyer in rural Virginia, is accused of murder, he goes in search of the real killer.
 
Cover of The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
2. The Secret of Secrets
by Dan Brown

As he searches for the missing noetic scientist he has been seeing, Robert Langdon discovers something regarding a secret project.
Cover of Brimstone by Callie Hart
3. Brimstone
by Callie Hart

The second book in the Fae & Alchemy series. To save those close to them, Saeris and Fisher face a new set of dangers.
Cover of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
4. The Correspondent
by Virginia Evans

Letters from someone she used to know push Sybil Van Antwerp toward revisiting her past and finding a way to forgive.
Cover of Alchemised by SenLinYu
5. Alchemised
by SenLinYu

After the war, an imprisoned alchemist is sent to a necromancer to recover her lost memories.
Cover of Return of the Spider by James Patterson
6. Return of the Spider
by James Patterson

The 34th book in the Alex Cross series. An enemy’s murder book suggests Cross may have made rookie mistakes years ago.
Cover of Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser
7. Mona's Eyes
by Thomas Schlesser

A 10-year-old who may get permanent vision loss is bolstered by her grandfather’s quest to bring beauty into her life; translated by Hildegarde Serle.
Cover of Nash Falls by David Baldacci
8. Nash Falls
by David Baldacci

A successful businessman’s life is turned upside down when he is recruited by the F.B.I. to stop a large money laundering scheme.
Cover of Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child
9. Exit Strategy
by Lee Child and Andrew Child

The 30th book in the Jack Reacher series. Reacher’s interest is piqued when he finds a handwritten note in his pocket.
Cover of The Intruder by Freida McFadden
10. The Intruder
by Freida McFadden

During a rough storm, Casey puts herself in danger when she lets a girl, who is covered in blood, into her cabin.
Cover of Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben
11. Gone Before Goodbye
by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben

When a mysterious man disappears, the former combat surgeon giving him medical assistance goes on the lam.
Cover of The Dark Is Descending by Chloe C. Peñaranda
12. The Dark Is Descending
by Chloe C. Peñaranda

The third book in the Nytefall trilogy. As the end of the world seems imminent, two lovers must make a big decision.
Cover of Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken
13. Fallen Gods
by Rachel Van Dyken

The fate of the world may depend on a complicated relationship forming at Endir University.
Cover of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
14. Dungeon Crawler Carl
by Matt Dinniman

A Coast Guard vet named Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, are trapped in a fantasy dungeon.
Cover of Twice by Mitch Albom
15. Twice
by Mitch Albom

Alfie Logan, who was gifted with the ability to live any moment a second time but must accept the outcomes, makes a risky love decision.
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A version of this list appears in the December 21, 2025 issue of The New York Times Book Review. Rankings reflect sales for the week ending December 6, 2025.
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