Who likes to guess who the murderer is as they are reading? Sometimes I can’t help myself, but I prefer the full effect of the reveal. Whether it’s the soaring temperatures, longer days, or simply the time to keep those pages turning, August is made for thrillers! We still have plenty of sunlight left, so whether you love to read at the beach, snuggled in a hammock, or in your favorite indoor spot with the air conditioning blasting, here are six thrilling novels to add to your stack!
The Next Mrs. Parrish is the long-awaited follow-up to Liv Constantine’s bestselling novel, The Last Mrs. Parrish. While her latest novel is a stand-alone, there is extra fun if you’ve read the first book. I’ve been known to read out of order, which gives a whole other perspective on the characters. While Constantine’s books are fast-paced and plot-driven, it’s the deep dive into the characters that keeps me turning the pages.
Love a good domestic suspense novel? Kimberly McCreight of A Good Marriage and Friends Like These (the titles alone, right?) brings us Like Mother, Like Daughter. This gripping novel by the New York Times bestselling author taps into all of the high notes: fraught relationships, misunderstandings, and a mother who will protect their child at whatever cost. This propulsive read will keep you up, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The Hollywood Assistant by May Cobb is one of those novels you read and think: well surely, we’ll be watching this on the screen sometime soon; think Devil Wears Prada meets The White Lotus. As the subtitle teases, “her big break will lead to big trouble,” which is what happens to Cassidy Foster when she lands what seems to be her dream job in Hollywood working for a famous couple. When one of them is found dead, Cassidy is a suspect!
Lily Samson’s debut novel The Switch is a seductive dance involving obsession and two couples, so buckle in because it is quite a ride! The plot centers on Elena and Adam, a young couple who are house-sitting in a posh London neighborhood; when Elena meets their neighbors, she becomes obsessed with the pair. The four become fast friends and a secret partner swap is suggested. What could go wrong?
Another debut is Knife River by Justine Champine, the haunting tale of Jess and Liz, two teenage sisters whose mother goes missing after a walk. Fifteen years later, when they learn their mother’s remains have been found, younger sister Jess must return to the small town she fled and finds Liz frozen in time and obsessed with missing persons cases. Jess plans to stay until the case of their mother is solved, but the sisters have old wounds to heal, wrongs to right, and perhaps a chance at a new life.
From the beloved author who brought us The Guest List, it’s The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley. This locked-room murder mystery has all the elements of the perfect whodunit. It’s the opening night of The Manor, a luxurious resort where guests have come to rejuvenate and relax, but old friends and enemies are afoot, and when a body is discovered it’s anyone’s guess as to which guest is guilty.
Taking the advice of her mother, Robin Kall never leaves home without a book. “People want to know what I’m reading,” says the “fairy book mother” widely known under the moniker Reading With Robin (RWR). Based in East Greenwich, since 2002 Kall has been connecting readers and writers via author events and interviews, book clubs, giveaways, a podcast, and online platforms. A self-made force in literary and publishing circles, Kall receives advance review copies of books, and hosts popular events that have included authors Wally Lamb, Jodi Picoult, and Alice Hoffman, among many others.
On August 23, from 9am-4pm, join Robin Kall and publishing coach Lisa Tener for the Seaside Writing Retreat for Creative Flow. This one-day event in Narragansett includes lively discussion, a delicious lunch, writing prompts, a Q&A, writerly swag, and more. Learn more and register at LisaTener.com.
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