Updated April 2023

If you’re thinking about self-publishing a mystery or thriller, it’s important to carefully consider your cover design. Your book cover is the ultimate point-of-purchase sales pitch for your book, so it should grab the attention of your audience and make them want to hit the “buy” button. The cover design experts at Self-Publishing Relief have laid out all the clues you’ll need to spot elements that will make your book cover irresistible. Check out the latest book cover trends for mysteries/thrillers!

Newest Book Cover Trends For Mysteries/Thrillers 

Obscured And Partial Imagery. For mysteries and thrillers, there’s an element of suspense. Part of the fun of these genres is unraveling the mystery and piecing together clues as you get further along in the story. This is reflected in the popular and effective trend of visual interruption or showing only a partial view of the image to create visual intrigue and interest.

High Contrasts, Bright Colors. Watch for vivid colors and stark contrasts in this book cover trend. Depending on what the cover art is depicting, this bold style of design is not only eye-popping, but it can also be a little unsettling. It’s a powerful way to grab your readers’ attention and improve your odds of making a sale.

Title As An Integral Design Element. This trend puts the book title front and center. This approach often replaces letters in the title with objects or silhouettes that tie in with the story. It’s a simple but bold way to intrigue readers and tempt them to buy your book.

Blurry Imagery. Intentionally blurry or out-of-focus imagery can make a memorable statement on the cover of your self-published thriller or mystery. This technique is a great way to pique your readers’ curiosity with eerie, intriguing images. The blurry effect can also add a sense of movement to the cover if handled properly.

Keep in mind the thriller and mystery genre audiences expect a certain type of cover design. The better you hit all the right notes on your cover, the more likely your book will be purchased by your target fan base. Using any one of these design trends can help lure in thriller and mystery readers with an unforgettable, impactful book cover. If you’d like to leave something as important as your cover design to the professionals, the experts at Self-Publishing Relief are ready to help! Be sure to also check out our many predesigned covers.

Question: What are some of your favorite thriller/mystery book covers?