Does your summer reading list need a page-turner? If you’re in the mood for some twists, turns, and surprises, you’ll need to add these spine-tingling thrillers to your list. These picks are a combination of books that I’ve finished and enjoyed, and TBR on my personal summer reading list. You’ll find a link to my review for the ones that I’ve finished. Here are 8 spine-tingling thrillers you need to read this summer.
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8 Spine-Tingling Thrillers to Read This Summer
1) The Last Word by Taylor Adams
Goodreads Rating: 3.89
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From the publisher: Emma Carpenter lives in isolation, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. One day, she reads a poorly written horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. This can’t just be a coincidence, could he be stalking her, too?
2) The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Goodreads Rating: 4.37
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From the publisher: “Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own.
3) The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
Goodreads Rating: 3.49
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From the publisher: Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled. Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. But then the women begin to die.
4) The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James
Goodreads Rating: 4.03
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From the publisher: Every small town like Fell, New York, has a place like the Sun Down Motel. Some customers are from out of town, passing through on their way to someplace better. Some are locals, trying to hide their secrets. Viv Delaney works as the night clerk to pay for her move to New York City. But something isn’t right at the Sun Down, and before long she’s determined to uncover all of the secrets hidden. Read my review here.
5) The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Goodreads Rating: 3.58
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From the publisher: Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress trying to escape a streak of bad press, has retreated to the peace and quiet of her family’s lake house in Vermont. Armed with a pair of binoculars, she passes the time watching Tom and Katherine Royce, the glamorous couple living in the house across the lake. When Katherine suddenly vanishes, Casey immediately suspects Tom of foul play. Read my review here.
6) Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
Goodreads Rating: 4.12
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From the publisher: Gina Royal, a housewife with a happy marriage and two children, discovers her husband’s secret life as a serial killer. With her ex now in prison, Gwen has finally found refuge in a new home on remote Stillhouse Lake. But just when she’s starting to feel at ease in her new identity, a body turns up in the lake—and threatening letters start arriving from an all-too-familiar address. Read my review here.
7) The Resort by Sarah Goodwin
Goodreads Rating: 3.80
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From the publisher: Mila is on her way to sister’s wedding at a beautiful mountaintop retreat with her husband Ethan. But when their directions send them down a narrow, steep road, the car engine stops and won’t start again. Stranded in the snowy mountains and with night closing in, they break into an old cabin to spend the night out of the cold. When Mila wakes, Ethan is gone. She is all alone. Or is she?
8) The Hiking Trail by Jenny Blackhurst
Goodreads Rating: 3.99
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From the publisher: Maisie leaves the UK to hike the West Coast Trail in Canada with brother and sister Sera and Ric. What begins as a fun-filled experience quickly turns sour. 25 years later, a woman named Laura is panicked to learn that a body was found near the trail and the police suspect they’re the bones of Sera. The secret she’s been hiding for a quarter of a century is about to come out – and someone is determined to make sure she tells the truth.
I hope you found some chilling thrillers to add to your summer reading list. Which ones caught your interest? I’d love to know. If you have any recommendations of your own, please share them in the comments! For more book related posts, visit my tag here. Happy reading everyone!
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My reading list is in need of some thrillers – all these sound great though they may make me think twice about writing retreats and harsh reviews 😂
Hahaha right! I hope you’ve found some to add to your list. Thank you for reading Sarah!
It’s been a while since I read a Thriller! I like the sound of The Resort, The Hiking Trail and The Last Word – I’ll be adding those to my reading list. Thanks for sharing these suggestions!
I’m so glad you found some for your list! Happy reading Sophie!
I haven’t read any of these. I am a bit rubbish when it comes to scary but maybe I should give one a go! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
Haha they’re great options if you’re looking for a page turner. Thank you for reading Lauren!
Thanks for these fun reading ideas! Nothing beats reading a fun mystery at the beach while watching the waves roll in.
Oh yes, that sounds lovely Heidi! Thank you for reading!
We’re always looking for a good thriller. Thanks for the recommendations.
My pleasure! Thank you for reading!
Ohhh these are great recommendations! I am not sure if I am into thrillers, but it doesn’t hurt to find out! Lol. Have a great weekend!
PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com
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Haha, absolutely! I love the way thrillers keep you on the edge of your seat. Thank you for reading Perla!
Ooh, yes these books seem perfect for my reading list; I love to get stuck into a really good thriller with a story that keeps me wanting to read more. These recommendations sound great — thanks!
Right! Nothing beats a good page turner. Thank you for reading Molly!
I’ve had Sundown Motel on my TBR (my actual, physical, about-to-topple-over-from-being-too-tall TBR) for what seems like forever! I always love a good thriller in the summer, so I might just need to move it to the top. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome! I hope you get around to it, I thought it was a great story. Thank you for reading!
I love reading about thrillers and didn’t read a lot but watched many movies. Would love to try and read one. Thank you for sharing!
I love watching thrillers as well! Thank you for reading Fransic!
I do enjoy reading the occasional thriller and these all look good! Thanks for sharing about them!
Thank you so much Jodie!
All of the books sound exciting but I think The Writing Retreat and the Resort are the ones I would love to read. I love it when the characters get stranded in places because they are out of their environment.
I agree, those are my favorite kinds of thrillers. Thank you for reading Lanae!
The Hiking Trip is on my TBR pile which I am super excited to dive into!
Rosie
That’s great to hear Rosie! I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!