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Suspense and Thrillers for the Summer

By Skokie Staff Advisory Services

Enjoy this variety of suspense and thriller novels during the summer and beyond.

  • One of Us Knows

    2024 by Cole, Alyssa

    A riveting thriller about the new caretaker of a historic estate who finds herself trapped on an island with a murderer—and the ghosts of her past. If you like your thrillers with large doses of a gothic vibe, this book is for you. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Village in the Dark

    2024 by Yamashita, Iris

    After the disappearance of her husband and son, Detective Cara Kennedy is determined to uncover the truth. Set in a remote Alaskan village, this read will give you the chills, even on a hot summer day. Suggested by Brenna.

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  • You Know What You Did

    2024 by Nguyen, K. T.

    If you enjoy your thrillers on the darker side, be sure to pick up one of the buzziest titles of the year. Nguyen successfully combines hair-raising psychological suspense, a poignant study of war’s intergenerational trauma, and mental illness. Fans of Lisa Unger and Tessa Gerritsen should take note. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder

    2024 by Yuzuki, Asako

    After asking for a beef stew recipe, a solitary Tokyo journalist begins a correspondence with a gourmet cook convicted of killing multiple lonely businessmen and notices herself slowly beginning to change after each meal she eats. Inspired by the real life crimes of the Konkatsu Killer in early-2000's Japan, Yuzuki has crafted a novel that is part psychological suspense and part social commentary. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Extinction

    2024 by Preston, Douglas J.

    This science-fiction-tinged thriller about a private preserve full of resurrected Ice Age megafauna is upfront about its debt to a certain novel by the late Michael Crichton. Fortunately, Preston has come up with a story that can stand on its own—although fans may be thinking of a different Crichton novel before they reach the end. Suggested by Andrew.

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  • What Mother Won't Tell Me

    2024 by Menger, Ivar Leon

    Raised in strict isolation, Juno, when she's spotted by a stranger, sets in motion a chain of frightening events that make her realize she doesn't know her parents at all or herself—and whoever they are, they'll do anything to keep her to themselves. This English debut thriller will hold you captivated until each secret is revealed. Perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins and Gillian Flynn. Suggested by Rummanah.

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  • Blood Sisters

    2023 by Lillie, Vanessa

    Syd Walker is an archeologist for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. She's pulled back to the home town that holds only bad memories when her troubled sister goes missing and a human skull turns up with Syd's first BIA ID card between its teeth. Picher, OK, is a place where the bloodlines are tangled and the banal evil runs generations deep. Suggested by Andrew.

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  • The Block Party

    2023 by Day, Jamie

    With two narrators recounting the drama, this book is a suspenseful read that is incredibly smart in its delivery and is wickedly fun. Paired with a constantly shifting timeline and an incredible cast of characters, this title will have you on the edge of your seat throughout. Suggested by Amber I.

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  • The Housekeepers

    2023 by Hay, Alex

    Park Lane is London’s toniest address. Dinah King intends to rob it during the gala of the 1905 season, but there’s a reason the pros say you never do a job when it’s personal. Fans of costume dramas (think The Gilded Age) and heist thrillers (think Ocean's 8) should enjoy watching Mrs. King insert her all-female crew into the massive workforce of an Edwardian mansion. Suggested by Andrew.

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  • Kala

    2023 by Walsh, Colin

    Set in an idyllic seaside village, Walsh's debut title boasts some incredible characterization combined with a page-turner of a thriller. It's unpredictable and really explores the struggle the human heart must endure in times of despair. Perfect for fans who enjoy classic suspense but want something a little more thought-provoking. Suggested by Amber I.

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  • None of This Is True

    2023 by Jewell, Lisa

    This twisty thriller isn’t what it seems–but you’re given that warning right away from the title. Each character you meet has their flaws, but what are their intentions? Rich with complex characters and tricky plot twists, your perception of the truth will constantly shift until the very end. Suggested by Elise.

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