Welcome to the book club! You might have been a member of the previous email-based format and have come here feeling a little confused. All you need to know about this modern format of the book club is that there are no rules, deadlines or specifics. You can simply use this page as a resource to find your next read.
I often receive emails and messages from those of you who were a part of the old book club, telling me that I give the best crime and thriller recommendations, so I decided it was time to put it all in the one place and make the process easier and less exclusionary. On this page you will find the books I am currently reading, as well as books I have previously read that I have loved and want to share with you.
I encourage you all to pick your next read from this extensive list, make your way through the book and then email me or reach out on Instagram if you want to discuss the book in detail, or let me know how you got on with it! Otherwise, just think of me as your girl with all of the recommendations you could ever need. If you want to keep up with my reading progress in real-time, you can find me on Goodreads. You can also add me as a friend on Goodreads if you simply want to be pals!
Oh, and for those of you asking which Kindle I have, you can find the exact model here.
CURRENTLY READING
JAR OF HEARTS BY JENNIFER HILLIER
When she was sixteen years old, Angela Wong—one of the most popular girls in school—disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever suspected that her best friend, Georgina Shaw, now an executive and rising star at her Seattle pharmaceutical company, was involved in any way. Certainly not Kaiser Brody, who was close with both girls back in high school.
But fourteen years later, Angela Wong’s remains are discovered in the woods near Geo’s childhood home. And Kaiser—now a detective with Seattle PD—finally learns the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James. The same Calvin James who murdered at least three other women.
To the authorities, Calvin is a serial killer. But to Geo, he’s something else entirely. Back in high school, Calvin was Geo’s first love. Turbulent and often volatile, their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met right up until the night Angela was killed.
For fourteen years, Geo knew what happened to Angela and told no one. For fourteen years, she carried the secret of Angela’s death until Geo was arrested and sent to prison.
While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep. And what happened that fateful night is more complex and more chilling than anyone really knows. Now the obsessive past catches up with the deadly present when new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the exact same manner as Angela Wong.
How far will someone go to bury her secrets and hide her grief? How long can you get away with a lie? How long can you live with it?
PREVIOUSLY READ
THE ESCAPE ROOM
After reading the back cover, I picked this book up and read it in one sitting. This one is for you if you love a fast-paced thriller with themes of greed, corruption and Wall Street insanity.
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
Everyone and their mother has read this book by now, surely. An addictive, slow-burning mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Excellent film adaptation, too.
THE BREAK DOWN
The most unreliable of memories, a murder in the woods and endless strange phone calls… This book has all the makings of a best seller, and the last 25% solidified that for me. Loved this one.
ONE OF US IS LYING
A fun young adult novel with threads of mystery and thrills throughout — I loved this book. Five students walk into detention, but only four walk out. What’s not to love?
YOU
The creepy narrator of this novel is bookstore clerk turned meme-star, Joe Goldberg. Read the book before watching the Netflix series, if you haven’t already.
IN A DARK, DARK WOOD
The perfect mystery thriller to indulge in on a rainy weekend. I don’t want to say any more about the plot because I think that this is the kind of read to just dive right into. Enjoy!
THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR
Definitely worthy of the initial buzz when it was first released. Such a tense read with lots of crazy secrets and lies, and really eerie too. This one stressed me out — in the best way possible.
A DEADLY THAW
A slow burning mystery that is reminiscent of a classic detective novel. It took a while to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. Expect lots of twists and turns, and lots of family secrets long-buried.
THE DRY
This was such a thrill of a read. I loved the elements of the Australian culture and landscape scattered throughout. Two mysteries, both somehow intertwined. Lots of shock discoveries, too. You’ll love it.
THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
An unreliable narrator with a drinking problem and a crippling case of agoraphobia, and a family across the way that seems to have a lot of things to hide… An incredible read.
THE PERFECT STRANGER
The cosiest of mystery thrillers. A lot of this story takes place in the creepiest of cabins, so you just know it’s gonna be a good one. Lots of twists and turns, so hold on to your seat for this one.
THE DARK LAKE
I really enjoyed this suspense thriller. I loved the lead detective, and found her flawed character both interesting and relatable. Did not see the ending coming — at all!
BRING ME BACK
I really loved this book. There are so many creepy elements and a narrator that loves to tell lies and has fits of rage that cause him to black out. This one kept me up at night!
THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS
I binge-read this one on a sunny weekend and was absolutely enamoured with how gut-wrenching the story is. Definitely a must-read.
LOCK EVERY DOOR
If you read just one book on this list — make this it! I honestly don’t have the words to say how much I enjoyed this gothic thriller set in New York City. It is absolutely un-put-downable.
THE LIKENESS
One of those books that stays with you for years after reading it… Tana French writes in the most beautiful way, and her character development is second-to-none.
ALL THE MISSING GIRLS
A mystery fiction told in the most unique of ways: backwards, quite literally. If you’re a fan of stories about small towns and big secrets, you’ll love this one.
THE WIVES
Admittedly, I was a little disappointed in the ending of this book, but I loved the first half so much that I just have to include it in this list. Read it for the initial plot-line alone!
EMMA IN THE NIGHT
This book has so many shocking twists and turns that seem like they never end. This is one that will stay with you long after you finish it, that’s for sure.
THE SNOWMAN
My favourite book blogger recommended this book and it’s since been one of my favourites. So shocking, so brutal, so Nordic. The film is brilliant too — the perfect cosy watch.
THE WIFE BETWEEN US
Think of a twisted love triangle with so many twists and turns that you’ll struggle to keep up. Definitely a must-read for psychological thriller lovers.
IN THE WOODS
One of the first mystery thrillers I ever read, so it has definitely earned a special place in my heart. A thrilling, creepy read that keeps you hooked until the very last page.
THE CHALK MAN
One of those books that has the most shocking ending — you’ll never see it coming. This is a mystery thriller with elements of horror, and I absolutely devoured it.
FINAL GIRLS
Another epic Riley Sager read, with horror movie vibes throughout. I cannot recommend this book enough. You absolutely must read it.
SOMETIMES I LIE
This is another book that I basically just assumed I knew the ending throughout, but again – I was so wrong. A really fun read with lots of plot-twists.
DARK PLACES
Another brilliant read from the author of Gone Girl — this book left me feeling so depressed. Trust the title when it says it’s dark. So, so dark. But, a must-read nonetheless.
FORCE OF NATURE
This book took me a while to get through, but I loved everything about it. Yet another read that takes a fear of mine and turns it into a captivating, compulsive thriller.
DON’T WAKE UP
I read this book in one sitting because the plot sounded like something out of a nightmare, and the first chapter was almost addictive to read. Such a gripping, creepy story. Loved it.
THE LAST HOUSE GUEST
A murder mystery in a small beach town? Or did rich girl Sadie Loman throw her body off the cliffs at Breakers Beach herself? So many surprises and shocking truths in this one!
STALKER
While this one took me longer to read than expected, I could not recommend Stalker more. It’s the ideal detective procedural mixed with serial murders mixed with fun characterisation. Absolutely loved it.
THE HUNTING PARTY
I absolutely tore through this whodunnit-style thriller, set in the Scottish Highland wilderness in the middle of a snowstorm. Basically, this is my ideal book. Such a page turner! I actually couldn’t put this one down.
A KILLER’S MIND
A creepy thrill ride full of twists and turns. Read this if you love a serial killer thriller with excellent characterisation. It’s part of a series, too, so it’s a great one to dive into.
THE GUEST LIST
I loved this book so much that I binge-read it in two sittings. Couldn’t recommend it more! Pick this up if you love atmospheric psychological suspense novels.
If you feel like we have the same reading preferences and have a book recommendation for me, send me a DM on Instagram. I love receiving suggestions from you guys — you know me so well!
