We are now entering the toughest time of the year: post-holiday winter. When the sun sets at 5 p.m. and the outside air is cold and dry, all I want to do after a long day is curl up in bed with a hot tea and a good book. My favorite genre to read during this time is mystery-thriller; the books that keep me hanging onto every word. Plus, it’s a total vibe reading this genre is your bed as cold rain or snow hits your windows, rather than by the pool on a sunny summer day.
So, here is a list of books that combine mystery, thriller, and a splash of horror, perfectly:
- “The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton:“
“The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” is a wildly twisted and equally confusing tale that intertwines the tropes of a time loop and corrupt family murder mystery; think “Groundhog Day” meets “Knives Out”. While this novel is a little hard to follow, given the different timelines and the blurred rules of how changing the past can influence the future, it’s still a really fun read.
Evelyn Hardcastle is murdered at a family soirée at exactly 11 p.m. every single night. The protagonist, Aiden Bishop, wakes up in a different “host” (the body of a different guest at the party) everyday. His only hope of breaking the loop is solving Evelyn’s murder, but Aiden is in for trouble when he discovers he’s not the only player in this deranged game.
2. “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides:
You may know Alex Michaelides from his internet viral novel, “The Silent Patient”. But, he has another title that I think is even better; “The Maidens” is a classic murder mystery tragedy turned obsession. When a Cambridge University student is found dead, Mariana Andros, university alumna, and her cousin Zoe, a current student at the university, are left devastated. Mariana suspects – no – she knows Edward Fosca, a charmingly handsome professor at Cambridge, is guilty of foul play. As with most of Michaelides’s novels, this one incorporates concepts of Greek mythology and an unreliable narrator to build the mystery. It’s a truly stunning book with twists, turns, and unexpected betrayal.
3. “Behind Closed Doors” by B.A. Paris:
If you like “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden, you will definitely enjoy this book. Jack and Grace are the perfect couple… too perfect. Though Grace doesn’t have a job, she’s always far too busy to leave her house, yet she never answers the house phone when her friends call. It’s odd really, seeing Jack and Grace so inseparable (Grace is just never alone), but as newlyweds, with their big house and fancy wardrobes, they must just be madly in love.
Looking back on my review of this book, I may have been a little harsh. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t frustrated by the protagonist’s constant bad decisions. You know in a horror movie, when you’re screaming at your TV, telling the character to “not follow that noise!” – that’s exactly how this book made me feel. However, the overall plot was unique and shocking. You kind of understand where the book is going from the get-go, but as the story unravels more, you will be left speechless.
4. “The Haunting of Maddy Clare” by Simone St. James:
A more recent read of mine, “The Haunting of Maddy Clare” tells the story of Sarah Piper, a temp who is tasked with assisting Alistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, with investigating the spirit of Maddy Calre. Maddy was an enigma to the people in town up until her suidide; as just a young teen, she appeared in town out of nowhere, completely alone, knew nobody, rarely spoke, and had an extreme fear of men. Though originally a non-believer, Piper discovers that ghosts are very much real after Maddy makes her anger and frustration from the afterlife apparent. St. James has an eloquent and beautiful way of writing mysterious and tragic stories. I highly recommend this book if you’re into reading about paranormal activity and the afterlife.
5. “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley:
Another play on a classic murder-mystery, “The Guest List” takes place on a remote island with no cell service (gasp!). A bride and groom, ready for the happiest day of their lives, turns out to be their deadliest. Unlike most classic murder-mystery novels, Foley doesn’t reveal the identity of the deceased until the later half of the book. This was slightly frustrating, as the book is written in a dual perspective (flipping between past and present), but it also kept me tied down, reading for hours. This book gives modern Agatha Christie vibes; perfect to curl up with on a snow day.
6. “Pretty Girls” by Karin Slaughter:
This book is very heavy, graphic, brutal, and powerful; I encourage you to do some research on the trigger warnings before reading, as it can be intense for many. With that being said, I still recommend and encourage you to give “Pretty Girls” a try.
Julia Carroll, a beaming and brilliant college student, vanished without a trace; Claire Scott, Julia’s younger sister, was shattered. Two decades later, Claire has pulled through her trauma and is living a content life with her perfect husband… until she’s not. Claire discovers a recent missing person’s case that is eerily similar to Julia’s, leading her to spiral down a dark and sinister path filled with lies, deception, and betrayal. Claire’s life is flipped upside down when she discovers the frightening secrets of her past, her home, and her loved ones. This book is gripping and heartbreaking; unfortunately, there is no “good” or “happy” ending. However, the conclusion was one of the most powerful and moving things I have ever read.
7. “Storm of the Century” by Stephen King:
What better book to read when you’re snowed in than “Storm of the Century”? The residents of Little Tall Island, ME, are gearing up for a nasty Nor’eastern. This storm, coined the “storm of the century,” is bringing over four feet of snow, intense winds, and an ominous force. Shortly before the storm is set to swing in, Martha Clarendon, the town’s oldest resident, is found murdered. However, her murder, Andre Linoge, is exceptionally calm when he is discovered. In fact, he wanted to be discovered. “Storm of the Century” is a creepy and disturbing read with one of King’s classic unsettling endings. Do note that this book is written as a screenplay, as it was adapted into a television series – if that’s not your style, maybe skip this one.
8. “The Sun Down Motel” by Simone St. James:
Simone St. James does mystery-thrillers so well, hence why she has two books on my list. “The Sun Down Motel” is one of the few books on my five star list for its thrilling story that captures you from the very first page. This book takes on a dual perspective with some of the chapters following the story of Carly, a recent college dropout who tragically lost her mother, while other chapters jump back to 1982 to unravel the strange story of Carly’s missing aunt, Vivian. This book mixes themes of a classic “whodunit”, a paranormal thriller, and a sprinkle of romance making a well-rounded and engaging plot for readers who love all genres
9. “The Shining” by Stephen King:
I don’t have much to say about this classic other than the fact that it’s the perfect read for when you’re snowed in. Jack Torrance is a struggling writer desperate for some inspiration and much needed quiet time. When he receives an easy job as the winter care-taker at the remote and scenic Overlook Hotel, it feels like a blessing. But, after a few nights at the hotel, Danny Torrance, Jack’s son, realizes there are dark and evil spirits lurking in the cursed hotel. A bonus read to this story is “Doctor Sleep”, which picks up many years after “The Shining” with a grown up Danny, who actually now prefers “Dan” – another five star read.
10. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Muder” by Holly Jackson:
Andie Bell is murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh who then takes his own life. The little town of Fairview is still recovering from this tragic loss years after. But, Pip, a lifelong resident of FAirview (a 17 whole years) always felt the case was never fully uncovered. The entire town believed Sal killed Andie because that’s what his suicide note said, but why was Andie’s body never found? Why is there little evidence that actually connects Sal to this crime? Did the police ever even look into alternative possibilities? Pip doesn’t think so. Thus, for her senior thesis, she decides to unofficially reopen Andie Bell’s murder case, just as a precaution, in-case the police missed something that would prove Sal is innocent. Trust me, this TikTok viral thriller, along with the other two books in the trilogy, are worth all the hype.
I hope you have a fun and cozy time picking up one of these thrillers the next time winter boredom starts to take hold!