Five Survive by Holly Jackson is a tense, claustrophobic young-adult thriller. It was published in November 2022. The story mixes locked-room suspense, a missing phone, buried secrets, and a slow unraveling of trust among five friends trapped together in a dangerous situation. Plot Overview Red and her four friends—her best friend Maddy, Maddy’s brother Arthur,…

Frozen Stiff Drink (Braxton Campus Mysteries Book 6) by James J. Cudney is a cozy yet suspenseful academic mystery with warm humor, family dynamics, and a wintry small-town setting. It was published in December 2019. The story mixes holiday cheer, hidden secrets, murder investigation, and the continuing charm of Kellan Ayrwick’s amateur sleuthing. Plot Overview…

The Secrets of Good People: A Novel by E. G. Scott is a tense, twist-filled domestic psychological thriller. It came out in February 2026. The story mixes marriage under strain, hidden pasts, small-town secrets, gaslighting, and a shocking final reveal that redefines who the “good people” really are. It is a standalone with slow-burn suspense…

The Quarry Girls: A Thriller by Jess Lourey is a gripping, atmospheric coming-of-age crime thriller set in the summer of 1977 in small-town Minnesota. Published in 2022, the book draws on real-life unsolved disappearances and the author’s own childhood memories to create a tense, nostalgic, and deeply unsettling story of teenage girls facing danger, secrets,…

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig is a chilling, slow-burn folk horror novel with dark thriller elements. It was published in September 2024. The story mixes small-town secrets, corporate greed, supernatural dread, and the unsettling power of apples in a way that feels both grounded and deeply unnerving. Plot Overview The novel is set in…

Still Life (Chesapeake Valor Book 2) by Dani Pettrey is a gripping romantic suspense novel that blends high-stakes FBI investigation, workplace tension, second-chance romance, and faith-based themes. It was published in 2017 and remains a fan-favorite in the series for its emotional depth and fast-paced action. Plot Overview Avery Tate is a determined, talented FBI…

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a masterpiece of mystery and psychological suspense. First published in 1939 (originally titled Ten Little Niggers in the UK, later changed due to the offensive term), it is widely regarded as one of the greatest crime novels ever written and Christie’s best-selling book (over 100 million…

Europa (City Spies Book 5) by James Ponti is an exhilarating, fast-paced middle-grade spy adventure. It came out in February 2026. The story mixes high-stakes espionage, international intrigue, family loyalty, and the signature humor and heart of the City Spies series. It is book five and raises the stakes higher than ever. Plot Overview The…

Next of Kin: A gripping and shocking psychological legal crime thriller that you won’t want to miss! by K.L. Slater is a tense, twist-heavy domestic-noir thriller. It came out in February 2026. The story mixes inheritance disputes, family secrets, gaslighting, unreliable narration, and a final reveal that turns the entire plot upside down. Plot Overview…

Lone Wolf: A Novel by Gregg Hurwitz is a high-octane, emotionally charged thriller. It came out in February 2026. The story mixes intense action, family loyalty, moral conflict, and the return of one of Hurwitz’s most iconic characters—Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, the Nowhere Man. It is book nine in the Orphan X series and…