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A good thriller will keep you glued for hours, and in this post, I’ve rounded up some of the very best ones you need to read this summer.
I have a love-hate relationship with thrillers because I get scared way too easily, so I usually avoid the genre.
But I have to admit—some of my all-time favorite books are thrillers because they leave the biggest impact.
So, if you love thrillers and are wondering which ones to add to your summer reading list, this post is for you!
I’ve put together a list of absolutely amazing summer thrillers that I genuinely believe everyone needs to check out.
I just know you’re going to love them!
Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
Imagine a secret school where students learn the fine art of getting away with the perfect crime.
The McMasters Conservatory isn’t your average college—it’s where people with ethical reasons for murder get an education in the deadly arts.
If you’ve ever jokingly (or not-so-jokingly) wished a certain someone would just disappear, this book plays with that idea in a darkly humorous and clever way.
It’s witty, twisty, and full of surprises.
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
Spring has arrived in the charming town of Three Pines, but not everything should come back to life.
When two siblings—who lost their mother in a tragic murder years ago—return, Inspector Gamache can’t shake the feeling that something sinister is brewing.
Then an old letter leads to the discovery of a bricked-up attic filled with eerie secrets.
As the villagers uncover its mysteries, Gamache realizes they’ve awakened something dangerous.
This one feels like a slow-burning puzzle, and it’s perfect for mystery lovers who like deep, thoughtful storytelling.
The Secret Hours by Mick Herron
This spy thriller follows two civil servants, Griselda and Malcolm, who were supposed to investigate British intelligence but got totally stonewalled.
Just as their careers seem doomed, a mysterious MI5 file surfaces, revealing a dangerous, long-buried secret from Cold War-era Berlin.
It’s a mix of dry humor, political intrigue, and clever twists, which makes it a great pick for anyone who loves smart, gripping espionage stories.
The 24th Hour by James Patterson
The Women’s Murder Club is celebrating a birthday and a wedding when—of course—chaos strikes.
A violent attack turns into a complicated case where nothing is as it seems.
As one of their own fights in court, another hunts a high-society killer, and this makes this an intense, fast-paced read.
If you love crime fiction with strong female leads, this will keep you hooked!
Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville
Rebecca and her daughter, Moonflower, are on the run with a terrifying secret.
Meanwhile, an FBI agent is closing in on a serial killer who drains his victims of blood. (Creepy, right?)
As their paths collide, the line between predator and prey starts to blur.
This is a gory but gripping horror-thriller that keeps you guessing.
Definitely not one to read alone at night!
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
Detective Chelsey Calhoun has spent her career searching for missing girls—including her own sister, who vanished 20 years ago.
When a girl named Ellie Black, who disappeared two years ago, suddenly reappears, Chelsey hopes for answers.
But Ellie refuses to talk, and her silence hides something chilling.
This one is full of mystery, emotional depth, and surprising twists.
It’s the kind of thriller that makes you feel every moment.
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
In 1958, a small Minnesota town is shaken by the murder of a wealthy landowner.
As Sheriff Brody Dern investigates, old wounds from war, racism, and small-town secrets resurface.
With a rich cast of characters, this novel is part murder mystery, part historical fiction, and deeply emotional.
If you love stories that explore the messy, complicated sides of human nature, this one will stay with you.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
Mallory, a recovering addict, takes a job as a nanny and bonds with sweet five-year-old Teddy.
Everything seems perfect—until his innocent stick-figure drawings turn into scarily realistic sketches of a murder.
As Mallory tries to unravel the eerie mystery, she wonders: is something supernatural at play?
This is a creepy, atmospheric thriller with a great mix of heart and horror.
Perfect for fans of eerie, slow-burning mysteries!
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff of his small Virginia town, but his job gets even tougher when a school shooting reveals a hidden serial killer.
As he hunts the murderer, dark secrets start surfacing—ones that threaten the town and his own past.
This one is intense, thought-provoking, and full of suspense, with a powerful look at race, justice, and history.
Toxic Prey by John Sandford
Letty Davenport and her father, Lucas, are on the hunt for a dangerous scientist who believes the only way to save Earth is by reducing the human population.
With time running out, they must stop him before he unleashes a deadly virus.
This thriller is fast-paced, full of action, and totally gripping—perfect for fans of high-stakes crime stories!
The Unwedding by Ally Condie
Ellery is newly divorced and taking a solo trip to a fancy resort in Big Sur. Sounds peaceful, right?
But on the morning of a wedding, she stumbles upon a dead body, and suddenly, her getaway turns into a murder investigation.
Think The White Lotus meets Agatha Christie—full of secrets, intrigue, and drama.
If you love a glamorous whodunit, this one is for you!
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
Sally Diamond never expected to cause a scandal—she was just following her father’s instructions to put him out with the rubbish when he died.
But now, she’s at the center of a media storm, with the police concerned and a mysterious figure from her past reaching out.
As Sally, a lifelong recluse, steps into the world for the first time, she discovers both friendship and the unsettling truth about her childhood.
But, when messages arrive from someone who seems to know her better than she knows herself, Sally realizes that her past isn’t just a mystery—it’s a threat.
Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger
When a Minnesota politician’s teenage daughter disappears, the search dominates the news.
But while authorities focus on the missing girl, Cork O’Connor and the Iron Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police stumble upon the body of a young Ojibwe woman—an unsettling discovery that no one else seems to care about.
As they investigate, they uncover a link between the two cases, drawing Cork’s grandson into the crosshairs of a killer.
In this gripping new installment of the Cork O’Connor series, secrets run deep, and danger is closer than anyone realizes.
The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Wilderness guide Emlyn has spent years avoiding her past, but when an old flame, Tyler, shows up with troubling news, she’s forced to confront it.
Their mutual friend Janessa, now a social media star, has vanished—posting from one location while claiming to be in another.
Despite her reluctance, Emlyn is the only one with the skills to track Janessa through the wilderness.
As she and Tyler search, old feelings reignite, but so do suspicions.
Something doesn’t add up, and as they delve deeper into the woods, it becomes clear that Janessa isn’t the only one in danger.
The Nature of Disappearing is a suspenseful, emotional journey about survival, second chances, and the dangers that lurk in the wild.
Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter
Andrea thought she knew everything about her mother, Laura—until a shocking act of violence at the mall reveals that Laura isn’t who she claimed to be.
For decades, she’s been hiding from her past, but now that past has caught up with her.
With the police demanding answers and Laura refusing to talk, Andrea sets on a desperate journey to uncover the truth.
But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that knowing the secrets of her mother’s past may come at a deadly cost.
For more summer book recommendations, check out these posts:
- 15+ Summer Cozy Mysteries
And if you’re in the mood for something darker and more intense—something that will keep you up for hours—check out these posts:
