I don't often delve into thrillers or mysteries but when I do, I'll occasionally find a really good one. These books are enjoyable reads, particularly when you're on vacation or want to get creeped out on a dark night.
1. The Cabin in the Woods by Sarah Alderson
My Rating: B Tier (8/10)
Genres and Tropes: Thriller / Action / Abuse / Suspense / Women's Fiction
The life story of a woman trying to survive while someone close to her hunts her down.
I received this as a free arc but still think about it occasionally. There isn't a lot of mystery to this, but the suspense is great. I loved the 'hiding in a cabin in the woods' vibes and was rooting for the main character the whole time. A perfect vacation/summer read.
2. Come with Me by Ronald Malfi
My Rating: A Tier (8.5/10)
Genres and Tropes: Mystery / Romance (kind of) / Serial Killer / Stalker
After the death of his wife, a man uncovers mysteries surrounding her past. While trying to hunt down answers, he uncovers a murder mystery.
This one is more focused on the mystery aspect, with some suspense mixed in. (Warning that there is a sex scene in it, though it's quick.) If you love crime shows like CSI, you might like this.
3. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
My Rating: A Tier (9/10)
Genres and Tropes: Mystery / Suspense / Action
While on a cruise, the main character hears someone get thrown over the side. No one believes her and no one is missing, so it's up to her to figure out who was killed.
I loved getting to see this story unfold. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and even when you get the reveal, you're still nervous because you don't know how it will end. This is one story where I loved the climax too. It felt like what would actually happen if you had to run from a wealthy killer.
4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
My Rating: A Tier (9/10)
Genres and Tropes: Mystery / Suspense / Murder / Romance (kind of)
A man's husband dies and his wife, the only one who witnessed the murder, refuses to say a word.
I'm normally cautious when it comes to super popular books, but this one did live up to the hype. The flip between points of view, coupled with the mystery surrounding the wife, led to a great twist at the end that felt earned.
5. The Whisper Man by Alex North
My Rating: A Tier (9.5/10)
Genres and Tropes: Serial Killer / Mystery / Suspense / Action / Father
The Whisper Man is a serial killer who whispers to his future child victims through the the window before killing them. The killer was eventually jailed, but now a new child is claiming to hear whispers at his window again.
This is a great mystery about a father trying to protect his son. He has to hunt down a copycat killer while also dealing with his son's trauma. It's a great read that would make a really good film. My only complaint was that you couldn't detect the killer that easily on your own without outside knowledge. But still, it was an enjoyable thriller.
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