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Natural elements have a way of bringing out the worst in people, and a snowstorm is absolutely bonkers.
Imagine being trapped because of a blizzard or discovering a body buried under piles of snow. Isn’t that just the most terrifying thing?
In this post, I’ve listed some absolutely amazing thriller books that take place during snowstorms, and I think everyone needs to read them.
A snowstorm really heightens those feelings of fear, and it’s easy to see how some people can spiral into chaos.
If this is a subgenre you think you could get into, then definitely check out this post.
No Exit by Taylor Adams
This one had me holding my breath!
Darby is stuck at a snowy rest stop with strangers, on her way to visit her sick mom.
Then she sees a little girl locked in a van outside – someone here has kidnapped her.
There’s no phone signal, no help coming, and she has no idea who to trust.
It’s intense, fast-paced, and scary in the best way.
You really feel for Darby and wonder what you’d do in her place.
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
A snowy mountain, a group of strangers, and a cabin that’s supposed to be a safe place but it turns into a nightmare.
Christa just wanted peace and maybe a fresh start, but when the guide turns up very dead, it becomes clear someone in the group is a killer.
This book is twisty, super atmospheric, and gave me that classic don’t trust anyone feeling.
I couldn’t stop guessing who the killer was!
The Storm Murders by John Farrow
This one starts right after a huge snowstorm.
Two people are found dead in a house, but the weird part? There are no footprints anywhere.
How did the killer get in or out?
I love that it’s a real puzzle and gives detective Emile Cinq-Mars some tough questions to crack.
If you enjoy snowy mysteries with clever twists, this one really pulls you in.
61 Hours by Lee Child
Reacher walks right into a snowstorm and straight into danger.
There’s a woman in town who’s supposed to testify, but bad people want to stop her.
Reacher’s job? Protect her, survive the storm, and stop a killer.
I loved how the clock is always ticking – it makes the tension feel real.
It’s cold, thrilling, and classic Reacher.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Imagine a creepy old hospital turned into a luxury hotel, hidden in the snowy Alps.
That’s where Elin finds herself when her brother invites her for a getaway.
But once the storm hits, the hotel is locked down – and people start disappearing.
It’s eerie and chilling, and I couldn’t help but feel on edge the whole time.
The snow made it all feel even more claustrophobic.
Cover Your Tracks by Daco S. Auffenorde
This one surprised me!
Margo is pregnant and on a train in the Rockies when an avalanche hits.
She and a stranger, Nick, are the only ones who make it out.
Now they’re stuck in the snowy wild with no food, wild animals, and secrets they’re hiding from each other.
This one is both a survival story and a thriller, and I loved the combo of action and emotion.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
Old friends, a beautiful snowy lodge, and lots of secrets – that’s how this New Year’s getaway starts.
But then one of them ends up dead, and it’s clear that their friendship wasn’t as perfect as it seemed.
It reminded me of a grown-up version of a locked room mystery with a modern twist.
Everyone has a motive, and I enjoyed piecing it all together.
The Chalet by Catherine Cooper
This story flips between a ski trip in 1998 and the present.
Someone went missing back then and now, four people return to that same snowy resort.
They all have secrets, and someone wants revenge.
I liked how the layers of the story slowly came together.
The setting is beautiful but also feels like a trap, and it adds a real edge to the mystery.
The Dark Side of the Road by Simon R. Green
This one’s a little different – it has a creepy, supernatural vibe.
Ishmael, who works in secret investigations, is invited to a fancy house for Christmas, but his host vanishes in the middle of a snowstorm.
Trapped with a bunch of strange guests, Ishmael knows someone’s hiding something – maybe even murder.
I liked the combination of mystery and spooky elements. It’s like Clue, but snowier and darker.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena
A cozy lodge in the woods, a bunch of guests hoping for a peaceful weekend, and then someone dies.
At first, it seems like an accident, but then it happens again. And again.
With the snow cutting them off from the world, no one can escape and anyone could be the killer.
I love how it keeps you guessing and gives off strong Agatha Christie vibes but with a modern touch.
So, what do you think? Are you going to check out any of these scary thriller books set during snowstorms?
Let me know in the comment section below!
And if you want even more recommendations, check out these posts:
- 20 Thriller Books That Take Place in Hotels, Apartments, or Cabins
- 20 Mystery Books Set on the Sea Everyone Needs to Check Out
- 20 Scotland Yard Detective Thriller Books That Are Fun and Super Interesting
