10 Chilling Books for Mystery/Thriller Lovers This Winter
This winter, pick up one of these thrillers sure to leave you with chills. From deep dives into dark eras of history, to medical nightmares, urban fantasies, suburban mysteries, night market murders and more, these reads will have you at the edge of your seat with each shocking twist and turn.
P.S. Any of these stories would make a perfect last-minute holiday gift for the book lovers in your life.
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
Newlyweds Jack and Grace seem to have it all. Some might call it the truest of love. Others might wonder why Grace doesn’t answer the phone or meet for coffee, why she doesn’t take anything with her when she leaves the house, or why there are high-security metal shutters on all of the windows. Pick up a copy of this best-selling debut for a chilling psychological thriller.
The Neighbor’s Secret by L. Alison Heller
This novel taints the sanctuary of a lush, kid-friendly neighborhood with desperate cover ups and thinly veiled lies. Heller has crafted characters real enough for an ordinary Wednesday night PTA meeting, and proceeds to launch them into awful realities big enough to break them. This twisty read will make you wonder: How well do you really know your neighbors?
The Second Husband by Kate White
This psychological thriller follows Emma Hawke as she rebuilds her life after her first husband’s tragic death. Then one day, a homicide detection shows up and Emma is suddenly forced to grapple with old wounds and terrifying new questions about her current romance. This soul-stirring tale will have you guessing until the very last page.
The Last Raven (Riftborn Book 1) by Steve McHugh
If you have a friend who loves both speculative fiction novels and thrillers, this is the perfect gift. The Last Raven is a fantasy noir about a riftborn fighter determined to solve the killings of FBI and RCU agents, attacks that are connected to the murders of his guild members seven years ago.
The Lobotomist’s Wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff
This enthralling historical novel examines a shocking chapter in American medical history: the “miracle cure” of the lobotomy. When Ruth falls in love with charismatic doctor Robert Apter who champions a radical new treatment for mental illness, she becomes blind to his spiral into delusion. Robert operates on patients recklessly, and when a new young mother agrees to be his next victim, only Ruth can uncover the truth and save her.
Dissection: A Medical and Political Thriller by Cristina LePort
This debut medical thriller by Dr. Cristina LePort, a real life cardiologist, would make an excellent gift for any thriller reader in your life. The high-stakes plot and political subplot will captivate and intrigue, and could make a great stocking stuffer for anyone (or yourself!)
The Hunt for the Peggy C: A World War II Maritime Thriller by John Winn Miller
The Hunt for the Peggy C is a historical fiction novel with thriller and romantic elements — a smuggler rescues Jewish refugees and gives chase on his cargo ship. We already have this one lined up to give to our history buff friends and family members; if you have a loved one fascinated by World War II or historical fiction, make sure this is on your gift-buying list this holiday season.
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik
After a string of tragic losses, Wini can’t wait for her next girls’ trip. But when a freak accident occurs, the women are left stranded until they happen upon their new lifeline: a campsite. Little do they know that their saviors have secrets of their own. Dark, steadfast, and riveting, this novel is one you won’t want to put down.
Death Doesn’t Forget by Ed Lin
There’s a reason that Ed Lin’s Taipei mystery series is so well-loved, and this fourth entry is no exception. When Taipei is rocked by back-to-back murders right before a popular festival, Jing-nan, owner of a night market food stand, is caught in the tangle. After being framed for the string of high-profile crimes, Jing-nan must now solve the mystery while keeping his business afloat.
The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
After being hired to snap photos at a birthday party, Delta Dawn longs to be a part of the elegant and elite family’s household. When her plans to befriend the family by babysitting their daughter actually work, Delta finds herself happily thrust into their lavish lifestyle. But things take a turn when she realizes that photos aren’t all that she can manipulate. An obsessive, emotional, and entertaining read.
