Inspired by real events, this gripping historical thriller unfolds in German-occupied Rome during World War II and follows the courageous efforts of rInspired by real events, this gripping historical thriller unfolds in German-occupied Rome during World War II and follows the courageous efforts of real-life Catholic priest Hugh O’Flaherty. Alongside a small band of unlikely allies, O’Flaherty establishes the “Rome Escape Line” to aid those fleeing from Nazi prison camps. This brave Irish priest goes head to head with his ruthless adversary, Gestapo head Paul Hauptmann, but with meticulous planning, their group risks everything to save hundreds of lives.
The novel’s narrative style blends multiple perspectives as characters reminisce, creating a rich tapestry of voices from different walks of life. The prose is vivid and filled with striking imagery that immerses readers in the austere atmosphere of WWII Rome. O’Flaherty’s bold nobility shines through, and his struggle balances the violence and intensity of the times with moments of uplifting humanity. Overall, this is a powerful tale of hope and resistance that commends an inspirational group of men and women who dared to confront the horrors of war.
This gripping thriller is set in a small town of Minnesota during the summer of 1977. The story follows Heather and her group of teenage friends as thThis gripping thriller is set in a small town of Minnesota during the summer of 1977. The story follows Heather and her group of teenage friends as they explore the local quarries, play together as a band, and otherwise navigate the complexities of adolescence while grappling with the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface of their seemingly idyllic community. Their town is shaken when a girl goes missing, and Heather grows increasingly suspicious after she witnesses something shocking in the tunnels that connect the basements between their homes. Law enforcement is dismissive, and soon Heather realizes that the safety of her and her friends is at risk.
This story is loosely based on actual serial killings that took place in Minnesota during the 1970s, and it’s a compelling read for fans of true crime and psychological suspense. As you take a deep dive into the hidden darkness of a tight-knit community, disturbing topics are handled with nuance, and the atmosphere evokes a sense of eerie nostalgia. Heather’s growth reflects the confusion and determination of teenage years in a world that isn’t as safe as she was led to believe. She is a relatable character who is forced to grow up too soon because of the real-life horrors she faces.
The Quarry Girls delivers a chilling exploration of the dangers that lie close to home. It’s a layered mystery with surprising twists and an impactful conclusion.
Struggling novelist Jack Givins is just starting to get desperate for a job when he’s offered a lucrative opportunity. The job entails writing detaileStruggling novelist Jack Givins is just starting to get desperate for a job when he’s offered a lucrative opportunity. The job entails writing detailed fictional backstories for those in witness protection. Strangely enough, he has his own furtive history with the Witness Security Program, since his father was rushed away by them when he was just a child. After decades of separation, Jack now has the chance to seek him out again, even if his father is a killer.
Author Linwood Barclay has written dozens of crime novels, so he’s an expert of the craft, and this one similarly excels at building suspense and weaving the threads of the plot together. Bursting with unexpected twists, this is a thriller that constantly shifts course and keeps you on your toes. Jack’s new job is very hush-hush, as are the motives of those who hire him, which also adds to the tension. On top of that, Jack is a fully realized and dogged character, and it’s easy to root for him as an everyman who is swept up by father-son intrigue.
Isabelle Drake hasn’t been able to sleep since her son Mason was kidnapped out of his crib a year earlier, and the lack of clues to his disappearance Isabelle Drake hasn’t been able to sleep since her son Mason was kidnapped out of his crib a year earlier, and the lack of clues to his disappearance is confounding and suspicious in itself. Isabelle’s last hope is to turn to the true-crime crowd, so she enlists the help of a podcast host, Waylon Spencer. Each of Waylon’s probing questions dredges up another tragedy, involving her own childhood, her murky marriage, and the waking nightmare that is her current life.
From the bestselling author of A Flicker in the Dark, this is another gripping thriller that is effortless to read. Multiple mysteries emerge during her investigation, and in the midst of hidden motives and climactic twists, you’re never quite certain what is what. Nevertheless, the resolution is tidy and original. This is definitely a page-turner, but it’s also a thought-provoking novel about how women grapple with the burdens of motherhood and a mother’s innate guilt. Furthermore, Isabelle’s story is a compelling portrayal of overwhelming grief and the emotional drain of desperation.
Off the coast of a small island in Maine, recently paroled killer Israel Pike finds seven men murdered on a yacht. Naturally, suspicion immediately faOff the coast of a small island in Maine, recently paroled killer Israel Pike finds seven men murdered on a yacht. Naturally, suspicion immediately falls on him. His only ally might be the FBI agent assigned to the case, Jenn Salazar, but Jenn has her own secrets. Elsewhere on the island, twelve-year-old Lyman Rankin flees from his abusive father and stumbles upon a mysterious injured woman in an abandoned house.
Crucial connections masterfully thread these narratives together, and the mystery is as compelling as the characters themselves. These are characters with troubling pasts and uncertain futures. A sense of unease haunts their every decision, justice seems constantly out of their grasp, and their struggles evoke strong feelings in the readers. This is a thought-provoking and atmospheric thriller, where the stormy coastal setting personifies the island’s corruption. It explores many dark themes, and the suspense is engaging until the very end.
In the suburbs of Massachusetts, twenty-year-old Eden Perry is murdered, and the three teenagers that were with her that night swiftly become the mainIn the suburbs of Massachusetts, twenty-year-old Eden Perry is murdered, and the three teenagers that were with her that night swiftly become the main suspects. Hannah is a sweet but troubled girl, Jack is a popular bully, and Christopher is diffident and desperate to fit in. The mess is further complicated as more and more people in the neighborhood get involved, including the parents, who will do anything to protect their children.
This is great for those who enjoy slow-burn mysteries with high tension, and for those who enjoy compulsively readable domestic drama. The story shifts between many different perspectives, and each perspective is its own thought-provoking character study. They are representations of serious struggles like addiction, grief, and the injustice of class privilege. Overall, this is dark and tragic neighborhood suspense with carefully plotted escalation and unexpected twists.
Secret Service agent Erik Hill’s growing disillusionment with institutional corruption has led him to the brink of resignation. But then rumors start Secret Service agent Erik Hill’s growing disillusionment with institutional corruption has led him to the brink of resignation. But then rumors start to circulate about Operation V, and shortly after there is an assassination attempt on the president. Erik Hill and his rookie partner Amber Cody foil the attempt, and then the president and his agents escape to an isolated doomsday bunker, Raven Rock.
This is an action-packed thriller with a breakneck pace and an explosive finale. The tension escalates from start to finish, because as the title of the book implies, the true threat emerges from within their own ranks. Agents Hill and Cody exemplify the balance between duty and cynicism as they struggle to uncover the truth behind this political coup. They don’t know who to trust, they can’t escape, and they’ll do whatever is necessary to unravel this cinematic conspiracy.
David Burroughs is an innocent man who was convicted of murdering his son. Numb from the loss of his child, he rots in prison until he receives evidenDavid Burroughs is an innocent man who was convicted of murdering his son. Numb from the loss of his child, he rots in prison until he receives evidence that his son might still be alive. That possibility revives him and spurs him into action, because his only option is to escape from prison and find out the truth about what really happened to his son all those years ago.
This is a cinematic and absorbing on-the-run thriller that is perfect for old fans and new of Harlan Coben. It’s pure adrenaline-fueled and breathless suspense that flies by at a furious pace. The narration shifts between the FBI agents who hunt him, a disgraced investigative journalist, the warden of the prison, and more as the mystery unravels. The mystery itself is wild but well-crafted, and the ending is a conspiratorial spectacle.
Ernest Cunningham is back in this fast-paced sequel to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. He joins other mystery writers on the Australian Ernest Cunningham is back in this fast-paced sequel to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. He joins other mystery writers on the Australian train between Darwin and Adelaide for an event hosted by the Mystery Writers’ Society. Some are up-and-comers like himself, and others are masters of the craft. But when one writer is murdered, all of them are suspects, because who could better commit a murder than an author of murder mysteries?
The first book in this series was well-received, and the sequel is just as punchy and smart. As a narrator who speaks directly to the reader, Ernest Cunningham has a unique and genuine narrative voice. He still abides by the rules of mystery novels, and his story is essentially a meta-pastiche of the whole classic mystery genre, with a nod to Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Throw in some snappy dialogue, witty humor, and a cast of entertaining characters, and you have a refreshing and offbeat thriller.
After suffering a terrible tragedy, Emma Carpenter retreats to a remote beach house on the Washington coast, where she works as a house-sitter. To filAfter suffering a terrible tragedy, Emma Carpenter retreats to a remote beach house on the Washington coast, where she works as a house-sitter. To fill her time, she plays word games with her old neighbor, Deek, and reads cheap e-books. She considers the latest book so terrible that she writes a one-star review, which quickly backfires when the author retaliates with threatening messages. Soon, Emma finds herself trapped in her own horror novel.
The premise of this story is an author seeking revenge for a poor review, but it escalates into a truly creepy and unnerving thriller with dizzying tension. This is riveting psychological suspense that thrives on the unexpected and twists the traditional roles of predator and prey. Emma is an indomitable heroine pitted against a psychopath, and theirs is a non-stop battle for survival. You’re constantly thrown off-balance by the conflicting narratives, and you’re never entirely certain what will happen next.
While searching for their dream home, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan get snowed in at the remote manor home of the late Dr. Adrienne Hale. A lot of mysterWhile searching for their dream home, newlyweds Tricia and Ethan get snowed in at the remote manor home of the late Dr. Adrienne Hale. A lot of mystery surrounds the psychiatrist’s death, and Tricia feels that something is off about her home. From there, the narrative bounces back and forth between Tricia as she investigates the secrets of this creepy house, and Adrienne in the past as she deals with a handful of especially unnerving patients.
What starts out as your typical domestic suspense novel soon transforms into something truly disturbing. This is an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller with straightforward prose, a quick pace, and a perplexing mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. It’s made darker and more ominous by the themes of isolation and obsession from the perspectives of unreliable narrators, and it all wraps up with a shocking and crazy twist.
In the midst of a storm that blows across the Iowa plains, true crime writer Wylie Lark has retreated to a secluded farmhouse to work on her next bookIn the midst of a storm that blows across the Iowa plains, true crime writer Wylie Lark has retreated to a secluded farmhouse to work on her next book, which features the mystery of a young girl who went missing in the year 2000. When she steps outside for a moment, she discovers a little boy exhibiting clear signs of trauma, but she can’t contact the authorities due to the storm. The mystery surrounding his unexpected appearance only becomes more unnerving from there.
This is a tense and terrifying mystery with solid delivery. The twisty tale jumps back and forth between the present day and the case she’s writing about. The flashbacks reveal the truth in increments, and all of the seemingly unconnected perspectives masterfully intersect. Everything comes together in a brutal and nail-biting manner, to the point that you feel transported right into this taut and cold winter night. The answers are unsettling, but the book ends on a hopeful note.
Ultimately, this is a chilling and atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing. –AD
This first-rate thriller is aptly named, since you’ll still be wondering what the truth is up until the very last page.
Alix Summers and Josie Fair meThis first-rate thriller is aptly named, since you’ll still be wondering what the truth is up until the very last page.
Alix Summers and Josie Fair meet at a pub and discover that they are birthday twins: they share the same birthday, and they were even born in the same hospital. While Alix is a popular and successful podcaster, Josie is a meek housewife hoping to completely transform her life. Alix decides to feature her on her podcast about inspirational women, but as Josie’s narrative slowly unfolds, it’s anything but inspirational. It’s downright disturbing.
Twisted and addictive, this is creepy psychological suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s easy to become wholly invested in the lives of these two women, to question Josie’s ambiguous motivations and to sympathize with Alix’s increasingly intense misgivings. The podcast style and the transcripts from interviews add the perfect touch to an already chilling game of cat and mouse. –AD
The pages fly by in this riveting fictional true crime novel that expounds upon America’s obsession with mystery and mayhem. Sara Purcell, a sixteen-yThe pages fly by in this riveting fictional true crime novel that expounds upon America’s obsession with mystery and mayhem. Sara Purcell, a sixteen-year-old violin prodigy, goes missing, and her brother’s viral video transforms her disappearance into a national sensation. A reality show production team comes out to film the search in real time, and the situation and the people involved only get crazier from there.
This book is a wild ride, full of diabolical twists and turns, and at times it feels more real than reality. The story is conveyed as a series of interviews in documentary/podcast style, featuring the perspectives of everyone involved: family, friends, neighbors, teachers, the investigative team, and so forth. The way that people tell the same story in different ways, how their perceptions and memories vary, is psychologically fascinating.
Along with the ingenious narrative form, the mystery itself is expertly plotted, with a perfect use of foreshadowing and a snowballing chain reaction of consequences and exposure, elevating this typical mystery to a whole new level. There’s tension in the mystery, but there’s also tension in the social commentary about how private tragedy is devoured by the public.
Daisy’s dysfunctional family has excelled at avoiding each other, but they all come together in an old gothic mansion on a tiny tidal island for Nana’Daisy’s dysfunctional family has excelled at avoiding each other, but they all come together in an old gothic mansion on a tiny tidal island for Nana’s 80th birthday. Nana reveals her vindictive will at the party, and then she is found dead the next morning. One by one, each member of the family is relentlessly haunted by their own vices, and since the tide is up, no one can escape.
Twists abound in this spooky and sinister mystery that pays homage to Agatha’s Christie And Then There Were None. This is perfect for fans of locked-room mysteries and family drama, with intense escalation and fully realized characters. There is something off about the narrator, and something equally awry with the expanding list of suspects.
This is a foreboding mystery with clever construction, and the flashbacks add depth to the story and offer poignant insights about family and childhood. -AD
The year is 1980, and haunted by a violent past, Travis Stillwell is a mysterious young man wandering through the dusty backroads of rural Texas. TravThe year is 1980, and haunted by a violent past, Travis Stillwell is a mysterious young man wandering through the dusty backroads of rural Texas. Travis is not a good man, and he takes out his frustration with life on the women he encounters, until he encounters the wrong woman. Reeling and forever changed by their embrace, he stumbles out of his cab and finds himself at a deserted motel owned by the widow Annabelle and her son Sandy. In the meantime, Reader the Texas Ranger is hot on Travis’ heels.
This slow-burning and bold debut novel is an absorbing mix of police procedural, horror, and western, where vampires and cowboys collide. It’s bloody and dark, and the grim atmosphere evokes a strong feel for the era and the place. All of the characters are flawed, and their layered stories make it hard to decide if anyone is truly a villain, despite the horrible things they do.
The stylistic complexity of the writing gives off Cormac McCarthy and Stephen Graham Jones vibes, and you can see why it was a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award. Perfect for those who enjoy gritty horror and literary psychological suspense. -AD
This story is not at all what you think it is. It begins in 1989 as a coming-of-age tale, featuring the awkward teenager Wilder Harrow, who summers inThis story is not at all what you think it is. It begins in 1989 as a coming-of-age tale, featuring the awkward teenager Wilder Harrow, who summers in a cottage overlooking Whistler Bay along the Maine coast. He befriends Nat and Harper, who teach him about the local folklore and about the Dagger Man, who takes threatening pictures of children as they sleep. The appalling truth behind the Dagger Man will upend all of their lives, and the story spirals more and more out of control from there.
Blending witchcraft, serial killers, secrets, and identity, this is psychological horror at its best and most unsettling. More than an unreliable narrator, it follows an entire unreliable cast. The pages are full of uncertainty as they blur the line between reality and fiction. It’s a story within a story within a story that morphs into a maze of multilayered meta madness. It’s creepy and mind-bending, and you won’t see the end coming. -AD
The co-author of The Shape of Water with Guillermo del Toro presents a nerve-wracking tale of survival in Monterey, California. Jay is a young scuba dThe co-author of The Shape of Water with Guillermo del Toro presents a nerve-wracking tale of survival in Monterey, California. Jay is a young scuba diver who has a contentious history with his father, a local legend and maritime master. Feeling crushed under the weight of expectation and disappointment, Jay performs one last dive to prove himself. When he’s swallowed by a sperm whale, with only one hour before he runs out of oxygen, he’ll have to draw upon everything he’s ever learned from his father and the ocean to get free.
This hard sci-fi thriller conveys a great respect for nature, especially for whales and the ethereal beauty and ferocious dangers of the ocean. The scientific and biological accuracy enhances the disturbing realism of what it would actually be like to be swallowed by a whale. Jay’s plight is viscerally intense and claustrophobic, even as he grapples with real and raw emotions that stem from remorse and a need for reconciliation. In terms of cinematic and wild suspense, it’s great for fans of Andy Weir, but the tone is far more austere. -AD
Eleven years ago, two women were found dead and one little girl went missing. But then the girl escapes her captors, reappears as a teenager, and is rEleven years ago, two women were found dead and one little girl went missing. But then the girl escapes her captors, reappears as a teenager, and is reunited with her emotionally overwhelmed father and her skeptical brother Leo while their well-meaning neighbors look on. The investigators are still stumped as to what really happened all those years ago, but the girl’s sudden return forces the truth to bubble to the surface.
This is a tantalizing and suspenseful mystery layered with deceit. The plot follows multiple perspectives from a cast of relatable and believable characters, though someone among those characters is not who they seem. A mess of red herrings and misdirection are so expertly woven together that it’s nearly impossible to guess who the real culprit is. The story also leaps backwards and forwards through time with practiced precision, slowly revealing the darkness that mars a shiny suburban neighborhood and the rotten core of a hidden murderer. –AD
When a man takes Bill Hoffman’s wife and children hostage, he offers him an impossible choice: to save the lives of his family, or to save the lives oWhen a man takes Bill Hoffman’s wife and children hostage, he offers him an impossible choice: to save the lives of his family, or to save the lives of the 144 people aboard the plane he pilots. Bill refuses to choose either, and this addictive edge-of-your-seat page-turner takes off from there.
The author T.J. Newman is a former flight attendant herself, so this book provides real and emotional behind the scenes insight into the duties of a flight crew and their enormous responsibility. Their intense and high-flying heroics combat the sense of hopelessness and helplessness that comes from being trapped on a plan with terrorists, a fear that resonates with most people. The pace is extreme and adrenaline-inducing, despite the fact that the main protagonist is stuck in the cockpit for the duration of the story.
Overall, this is superb race-against-the-clock suspense with impossibly high stakes. -AD
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