Summer is officially here! You know what that means: time to stock up on reading material. Here you'll find my summer must-reads, divided into three categories:
1. Psychological Thrillers
2. Serial Killer Thrillers
3. Books on My To-Read List
The CBTB Summer Reading List has a little something for everyone. From addictive, twisty-turny psychological thrillers to a bloody serial killer thriller and some fantastic Nordic Noir choices, plus a short list of the books that I have lined up to read next! Read on to find your perfect summer crime book.
For the Psychological Thriller Reader:
THE LYING GAME by Ruth Ware (July)
Gallery Books; 7/25/17
When it comes to addictive, binge-worthy psychological suspense, it’s hard to beat Ruth Ware. Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10, In A Dark, Dark Wood) has been praised for writing thrillers that put a modern spin on Agatha Christie-worthy plots. Ware’s newest ventures away from the Christie-reminiscent plotting, and gives readers a story that might be more aptly compared to Pretty Little Liars. Light on violence and heavy on interpersonal intrigue, THE LYING GAME is perfectly titled, as it explores the lasting fallout of the lies we tell others—and the lies we tell ourselves.
Plot: A group of four childhood friends must band together when secrets from their past threaten to be revealed. Part boarding school drama, part spine-tingling suspense, all entertainment.
Read the CBTB Review // Amazon
THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter (June)
Lake Union; 6/6/17
This might just be my perfect summer thriller. THE WEIGHT OF LIES is the first book by Emily Carpenter that I’ve read, and it won’t be my last. Part psychological thriller, part ode to cult-classic horror, this gripping suspense story kept me glued to the pages throughout. It’s not a horror novel in and of itself, but fans of horror classics like Scream, Friday the 13th, and Halloween will feel instantly at home in Carpenter’s world. Pick this book up for its gorgeous cover; stay for its clever ode to the horror greats, from its pop-culture references to its cinematic final showdown.
Plot: The disillusioned daughter of a bestselling horror novelist sets out to write a tell-all memoir about growing up under her mother’s shadow—and discovers that the work of fiction that made her mother so famous might have been based in real events.
Read the CBTB Review // Amazon
THE CHILD by Fiona Barton (June)
Berkley Publishing; 6/27/17
Fiona Barton made a name for herself with her New York Times bestselling debut, THE WIDOW. Now, Barton is back with a thriller that I loved even more than her first. THE CHILD is a character-driven psychological suspense novel that delves into the lives of four women, all told in relation to the discovery of an infant’s skeleton. If you love richly developed characters and an emotional, thoroughly-woven mystery, this is the summer read for you.
Plot: When the skeleton of an infant is found in a building site in rural London, journalist Kate Waters begins to dig into the lives of women who lived in the surrounding homes at the time of the child’s death. The secrets she uncovers will upend not only their lives, but Kate’s life as well.
Read the CBTB Review // Amazon
THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS by Michael Robotham (July)
Scribner; 7/11/17
I almost ran out of time to read this book before writing this post, and that would have been a huge shame. Michael Robotham has written an utterly unputdownable, visceral, shocking thriller that will surely be topping my list of 2017 favorites. THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS is a stunner—it literally left me with goosebumps. Robotham blends commercial thriller pacing with skilled, standout writing to deliver an impeccable piece of crime fiction. An immersive, masterfully plotted story of delusion, lies, and love.
Plot: When wayward Agatha meets Meg, successful mommy blogger, wife to a loving husband, and mother to two gorgeous children with another on the way, she begins to fixate upon this perfect woman—and the two soon find their lives - and their secrets - entangled... with unforgivable consequences.
Full review to come // Amazon
EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell (June)
Orenda Books; 6/15/17 (UK publication date)
*Note: American readers, this book will release in the US in October—or you can grab it from BookDepository upon its UK release!
Fatal Attraction meets psychological thriller in this unputdownable, sexy, taut novel. A twisty-turny story of obsession and love, EXQUISITE traces the increasingly twisted relationship between a bestselling author and a young aspiring author. I’m not usually one for romance in my thrillers, but Stovell has infused her book with just the right amount of chemistry and tension between her lead characters—just enough to enhance the story without overpowering the darkness at its core.
Plot: Bo seems to have it all: a beautiful family, lovely home, and number of bestselling books to her name… and then she meets Alice, an aspiring author who’s lost her way. The two become entangled in an all-consuming relationship that threatens to destroy both of them.
CBTB’s Top 3 Reasons to Read EXQUISITE
For the Serial Killer Thriller Reader:
THE THIRST by Jo Nesbo (May)
Knopf; 5/9/17
Norwegian King of Crime Jo Nesbo is back with his endearing, deeply-troubled series protagonist, Harry Hole. There’s so much to love about Nesbo’s crime series, from its complex, layered mysteries to its brooding atmosphere and its vivid, three-dimensional characters. Nesbo is #1 on my list of favorite authors, and THE THIRST reaffirms his mastery of crime fiction—although personally, I don't think it was ever in doubt. This visceral, gritty thriller will work for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction and first-time Nordic Noir readers alike.
Plot: A killer is stalking Oslo, using Tinder to lure new victims to him… and he has a taste for blood, literally. Harry Hole is back to hunt a vicious killer with ties to Harry’s past.
Read the CBTB Review // Watch my Interview with Jo Nesbo // Amazon
THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker (June)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 6/27/17
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just want to read a really dark serial killer thriller - bonus points for a touch of over-the-top action. J.D. Barker’s forthcoming THE FOURTH MONKEY delivers exactly this kind of read. Fans of The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en, listen up: this one’s for you. Undeniably gory and dramatic, THE FOURTH MONKEY is as cleverly-plotted as it is cinematic. Barker puts his own spin on the classic serial killer thriller, and it’s wildly successful. Not for the faint of heart (seriously - it’s bloody), and wholly addictive.
Plot: The Fourth Monkey killer has been terrorizing Chicago for years - until one day, he is found dead. But on his body, the police find a journal—and a series of clues that indicate that he’s already kidnapped his next victim, and time is running out for her.
Read the CBTB Review // Amazon
THE CROW GIRL by Erik Axl Sund (June)
Vintage Crime/Black Lizard; Paperback edition, 6/27/17
That’s right, guys: my beloved THE CROW GIRL is being released in paperback this summer. This massive Swedish crime novel (originally published in Sweden as a trilogy - now combined into one tome for American readers) is arguably my favorite book of all time - it’s tied only with a Jo Nesbo book, that’s how serious I am about loving it. Relentlessly dark and brutally violent, THE CROW GIRL is the brainchild of a writing duo working under the name Erik Axl Sund. It’s as much a harrowing crime novel as it is an exploration of mental illness and a damnation of misogyny. It’s a triumph.
Plot: It all begins with the discovery of a young boy’s body, found mummified and bearing brutal wounds. From there, the story’s web widens to encompass civilians, police officers, politicians, and more, all entangled by corruption, brutality, and violence.
Read the CBTB Review // Read About My Lunch with the Authors // Amazon
My Personal To-Read List
Since I've already devoured all the titles listed above, here's what I'm planning to read next this summer! Each title listed below has particularly caught my eye, and I'm betting these will be thrillers to keep on your radar.
- ARE YOU SLEEPING by Kathleen Barber; Gallery Books, 8/1/17
- THE DOLL FUNERAL by Kate Hamer; Melville House, 8/15/17
- THE MARSH KING'S DAUGHTER by Karen Dionne; G.P. Putnam's Sons, 6/13/17
- THE LOST ONES by Sheena Kamal; William Morrow, 7/25/17
And that's a wrap on my Summer 2017 Reading List! As always, I'd love to hear from you: are any of these books on your radar? Which appeal to you most? Whichever you choose, I hope you'll have a fantastic summer full of great crime reads ahead! xx A
Disclaimer: I received free review copies of the books covered in this post, in exchange for my honest review. I am an employee of Penguin Random House - all opinions my own.