Eight Gripping Suspense Stories
A book list for when you need an unputdownable read
All I’ve wanted to read lately are mysteries and thrillers. I love many types of books, including literary and contemporary fiction, memoirs, poetry, history, theology, etc. I still love those genres, but right now, I want twisty pageturners full of unpredictable plots and morally complicated characters.
The state of the world is a lot these days, with headlines seemingly getting scarier and darker as the days progress. In January, I wrote a post called Why I Read in which I shared five reasons why reading matters to me. One of those reasons is entertainment. That’s exactly what I’m after right now. I want stories that will sweep me up and distract me from doomscrolling for a while.
Whether you too are craving some unputdownable books or are new to suspense, I hope you’ll find some books on this list you can’t wait to devour. Here are eight reads sure to entertain.
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham: It’s been one year since Isabelle Drake’s toddler son disappeared from his bed in the middle of the night. It’s been one year since Isabelle has been able to sleep for any length of time, the unsolved case destroying her peace, sanity, and marriage. She’s desperate for answers, so when a true crime podcaster contacts her and wants to tell her story, she agrees. He doesn’t seem to be who he says he is, though, and Isabelle is forced to reckon with the stranger she’s let into her life and home in this complex story that kept me guessing until the end.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston: Evie Porter is living a life many would envy. She has a handsome boyfriend, a beautiful home, and a group of girlfriends. But what looks like perfection is actually a facade since Evie Porter doesn’t exist. The woman living as Evie is on assignment from her boss, the mysterious Mr. Smith. All she knows is that her mark is Ryan, the man she’s dating and is slowly starting to love. When Evie meets a woman who introduces herself using Evie’s true identity, she must scramble to figure out what’s going on and who’s trying to blow her cover. (This book is especially good on audio.)
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim: In 2020, twenty-year-old Mia and her twin brother are home from college due to the pandemic. Mis narrates Happiness Falls, a mystery and family drama that begins when Mia tells us, “We didn’t call the police right away.” She’s talking about the day her younger brother, Eugene, returned home from the park without their father. Eugene has a rare genetic condition that prevents him from speaking, so he has no way of explaining to his family what happened to his dad or where he got his scrapes and bruises. That premise sets up a fascinating and heartwrenching story about disability, family bonds, and how far we’ll go to protect those we love the most.
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager: Jules can’t believe her luck. Heartbroken after a breakup and needing cash, she finds a gig that seems too good to be true. She’ll be an apartment sitter at one of NYC’s most glamorous buildings, the Bartholomew. There are some rules, though: no nights away, visitors, or becoming too friendly with the neighbors. Despite that last rule, Jules starts befriending a woman named Ingrid who warns her that the Batholomew has some dark secrets. Jules is skeptical until Ingrid disappears. Riley Sager frequently delivers gripping reads, and this creepy mystery is one of his best.
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett: In this epistolary thrill ride, we read text messages, emails, memos, and articles that tell the story of a cult called the Alperton Angels. They’re said to have ensnared a pregnant teenager into their group, declaring her child the antichrist. When true crime writer Amanda Bailey begins writing a book about the Angels, she learns a rival author is following the same scoop. They decide to work together and what they find is something neither one expected.
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell: Alix is a beautiful, wealthy podcaster who meets a woman named Josie when both are out celebrating their 45th birthdays. The two bump into each other again days later, and Josie, a plain woman with a much older husband, approaches Alix with an idea: Alix should record a new podcast series about Josie as she embarks on serious changes in her life. The more Alix learns about Josie’s dark past, the more questions she has. Still, Josie keeps worming her way into Alix’s life until things reach a terrifying breaking point. Lisa Jewell is one of my go-to thriller writers, and None of This Is True is one of my favorites.
Unmissing by Minka Kent: Merritt and Luca are a married couple with satisfying careers and a growing family. Luca was previously married to Lydia, who went missing. A decade later, she turns up at Merritt and Luca’s house even though everyone thought she was dead. Lydia tells the couple about the horrendous kidnapping and confinement she faced, and Luca agrees to help her get back on her feet after hearing about her harrowing ordeal. But Merritt isn’t convinced by Lydia’s story, so she tries to learn the truth about what really happened to Lydia and where she’s been for the last ten years. I devoured this book in one sitting, and I suspect you might, too.
The Winner by Teddy Wayne: Conor is a good guy. He’s studying to become a lawyer and has been living with and caring for his diabetic mother. Things suddenly look up for Conor when he gets an offer to spend his summer giving tennis lessons in exchange for free lodging in an exclusive gated community near Cape Cod. Once he arrives, Conor is disappointed that more people don’t want lessons. He needs cash, so when a rich older woman named Catherine approaches him and hints that she wants more than tennis lessons, Connor agrees to her arrangement. Complications arise when he falls for another girl, closely connected to Catherine. Conor tries to balance his deepening relationships with both women and finds himself getting caught in a tangled web of lies, greed, sex, and violence. The Winner is a provocative, shocking, and timely examination of wealth and male entitlement.
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There are many suspense stories I love, but these eight have special places in my book-loving heart. What mysteries and thrillers would you recommend to me? Do you have thoughts about any of the titles I listed? Leave a comment and let me know.
I am grateful for escape reads, and most of these are new to me. Thanks for the recs!
Love this! One I haven't read yet but want to is Our Wives Under The Sea.