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There’s something unnerving about the idea of a vacation gone wrong.
I’ve had my own moments when a getaway turned unexpectedly stressful (don’t even get me started on the time I lost my luggage in my hometown).
But nothing compares to the creepy, spine-chilling scenarios in the books on this list.
Imagine being stuck in a remote cabin or on an isolated beach with danger lurking at every corner.
If I were in any of these terrifying situations, I’d be completely lost on how to survive.
These vacation gone wrong thriller books are perfect for anyone looking for a heart-pounding adventure, and I truly believe everyone will love the books I’ve picked out.
1. A Stranger on Board by Cameron Ward
Sarah, an ex-marine, gets a fresh start on a luxury superyacht, hoping it’ll help get her life back on track.
But when a crew member goes missing, she realizes someone on board is a killer.
As Sarah races to protect the passengers and figure out who’s behind it, the tension mounts, and she realizes not all of them will make it out alive.
I love the suspense in this one; it really pulls you into the isolated, high-stakes environment.
2. We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
Emily and Kristen are best friends on their annual backpacking trip, but things take a dark turn when Kristen kills a backpacker in self-defense – again.
It turns out, this horrifying incident mirrors one from the previous year, and Emily is forced to face the secrets between them.
This book is so tense! It explores how people can hide their true selves, even from those closest to them, and I think the twist will keep you guessing.
3. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
A luxurious wedding on a remote Irish island takes a deadly turn when someone is found dead.
With everyone having a motive, from the bride to the wedding planner, the dark secrets of the guests slowly come to light.
This one is such a classic whodunit, and the setting really makes the mystery even creepier.
It reminds me of those classic Agatha Christie stories.
4. The Long Weekend by Gilly Macmillan
Three couples head to a secluded barn for a getaway, only to find a chilling note saying one of their husbands will be murdered.
With no cell service and nowhere to run, the women’s friendships are tested as secrets unravel.
This is such a twisty one, and the isolation gives it a real edge. It’s impossible to know who to trust.
5. Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
Anna and her friends head to Aruba for spring break, but when her best friend Elise is found murdered, Anna is accused and trapped in a foreign country.
As she works to uncover the truth, her relationships and the truth about love and friendship come into sharp focus.
This book was absolutely gripping – so many twists and turns, and it really makes you question what people are capable of.
6. The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
Four friends reunite in a beautiful French chateau, but things take a dark turn when the host is murdered.
With a mysterious Instagram account posting their secrets, the friends must uncover the truth before more lives are lost.
I love the idea of a beautiful place turning deadly, and the layers of mystery keep you on edge the whole time.
7. The Wedding Night by Harriet Walker
After a wedding is cancelled, a group of friends heads to a villa in the South of France, hoping for a fun getaway.
But when they wake up with no memory of the night before, things get suspicious quickly.
I think the mystery of what happened is what makes this one so intense – can you imagine trying to figure out what went wrong when you have no memory of it?
8. One by One by Ruth Ware
In a snowy mountain chalet, a group of app developers gather for a retreat, but when an avalanche traps them, things start to go horribly wrong.
Tensions rise, and one by one, people go missing.
This one has such a chilling atmosphere, and the mystery builds so perfectly. It’ll make you want to keep the lights on for sure.
9. Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
Lux and her boyfriend sail two women to a remote island, but things take a dark turn when their group is joined by a rich couple with their own secrets.
As tensions rise, the group is forced to confront the truth of their pasts.
I really loved how the island setting adds to the suspense and it’s a perfect place for secrets to unravel.
10. Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok
When Sylvie, the older daughter in a Chinese immigrant family, disappears in the Netherlands, her younger sister Amy searches for answers.
As she uncovers hidden family secrets, she learns more than she bargained for.
I think this one is such a beautiful, emotional read with a real mystery at its heart.
And it’s about family, love, and the secrets we keep from each other.
11. They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
Miriam thinks she’s going on a relaxing vacation to a private island, but soon realizes she and the others have been brought there under false pretenses.
As strange accidents begin to happen, secrets emerge, and people start to disappear.
This one was a real page-turner for me – everything about it screams who can you trust? Plus, doesn’t it remind you of And Then There Were None?
12. The Last One by Will Dean
Caz is on the vacation of her dreams on a luxury cruise, but when she wakes up, her boyfriend is gone, and the entire ship is mysteriously empty.
Now, she’s alone on the ship, and the terrifying mystery begins.
This is definitely one of the best vacation gone thriller books I totally couldn’t stop reading.
It’s spooky and mysterious with a sense of isolation that’ll keep you hooked.
13. Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger
Six friends head to a luxury cabin in the woods for a relaxing weekend, but it quickly turns into a nightmare when they realize someone is out to get them.
With a deadly storm brewing and long-hidden secrets coming to light, trust becomes a thing of the past.
I think this book is perfect for fans of the locked-room thriller style – it’s tense and full of twists.
14. The Note by Alafair Burke
What was supposed to be a fun reunion vacation with friends turns dark after a drunken prank goes wrong, and May finds herself at the center of an investigation.
As secrets unfold, the friends begin to question each other’s motives.
This one definitely has some serious twists that will keep you thinking long after you turn the last page.
15. The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
A family on vacation at a remote cabin is confronted by four strangers who need their help to save the world.
As the strangers’ terrifying demands unfold, the family is forced to make impossible choices.
This one is chilling, emotional, and suspenseful all at once. It really keeps you on edge, wondering what will happen next.
If you’re craving more, don’t miss my posts on domestic thrillers, psychological thrillers, and legal thrillers for more stories that will keep you up at night.
Drop a comment below to let me know which book you’re most excited to pick up, or if you’ve already read one.
I can’t wait to hear what you think.
