Psychological thrillers, and domestic thrillers in particular, have had one long moment in the cultural spotlight; from GONE GIRL to THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN to BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and more, this trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Psychological suspense might be all the rage right now, but it isn’t actually a new form of crime novel—and THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN by Celia Fremlin is the perfect example of a classic crime novel that seems a direct predecessor of today’s psychological suspense. Exploring the tensions of marriage and the demands of motherhood, THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN draws readers into a home, a marriage, and the mind of one woman, themes that translate seamlessly from the 1950’s to 2017.