10 thrillers perfect for a summer beach read

If you frequent the beach during the summer months you might be in need of some new books Here are 10 can’t-miss thrillers you should try.

Summer is officially upon us and that means there are plenty of beach days ahead. If you’re seeking out some new books to read, here is a list of 10 gripping thrillers that should tide you over while you catch some rays.

10. Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger

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Alger is the talented writer behind the runaway hit, The Banker’s Wife, which released last year. Now she’s back with another heart-stopping thriller, Girls Like Us. This is the story of a Nell Flynn, a behavioral analyst at the FBI who must return to her home town after her father’s passing.

While there she is pulled in on a potential serial killing case, one that could implicate her own father. There are plenty of conspiracies and intrigue to find hidden in this book and it will certainly keep you hooked, my full review of the novel is available here. Girls Like Us will be available to purchase on July 2nd.

9. Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of Riley Sager’s latest thriller and it’s easily my favorite book of the year so far. It’s a thrilling tale about a girl who is down on her luck and finds a mysteriously perfect job apartment-sitting at the exclusive Batholemew apartment complex.

If you were a fan of Sager’s previous books, The Last Time I Lied, or Final Girls, you will certainly want to be on the lookout of his next sure-to-be-bestseller, Lock Every Door. It will be available to buy on July 2nd.

8. The Better Sister by Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the popular author behind other thrillers like The Wife and You Don’t Own Me, her latest novel, The Better Sister, focuses on the murder investigation surrounding the death of one sister’s dear husband.

When he dies, his wife, Chloe, is forced to reach out to her estranged sister, Nicky, after her step-son, Ethan, becomes the prime suspect in his father’s death. It’s a character-driven mystery you’ll be glued to from beginning to end.

7. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

PopSugar, Bustle, and Entertainment Weekly all highly recommend Hepworth’s latest book, The Mother-in-Law. The story centers on a complicated relationship between newly-married Lucy and her mother-in-law, Diana.

It’s clear Diana doesn’t believe Lucy is a suitable match for her son and has even tried to sabotage their relationship. Fast-forward five years into the future and suddenly Diana is dead, leaving behind nothing but a suspicious suicide note. Lucy finds herself embroiled in a tense mystery and you will too.

6. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

This is author Karen McManus’s debut thriller and its an exceptionally fun read. If you love shows like Pretty Little Liars or The CW’s Riverdale then One of Us is Lying will be right up your alley.

One day, a student named Simon, someone who is reviled by most of the student body due to his tendency to spread nasty rumors, dies by someone tampering with his peanut allergy. Simon had planned to post secrets about four students which makes them the prime suspects. This page-turner will have you flipping out in the sand, just make sure you reapply your sunscreen!

5. My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Braithwaite’s frightening debut novel tells the story of two sisters, Korede and Ayoola in this short, frothy, vicious, and darkly hilarious novel. Ayoola has a nasty habit of murdering her boyfriends.

It is only because of her sister Korede that she’s yet to be caught. Korede helps nurture Ayoola’s sociopathic tendencies whether she means to or not by assisting her sister in the clean-up process. My Sister, The Serial Killer was a finalist for the 2019 Women’s Prize and it won The LA Times book prize for Thriller/Mystery.

4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Released in February of this year, The Silent Patient is a gripping psychological thriller about a wife who is pushed to an extreme act of violence against her husband for seemingly no reason. Alice Berenson lives a comfortable life with her fashion photographer husband in an affluent London neighborhood.

One night, her husband arrives home late after work and Alice shoots him in the face five times. Her actions force her into therapy with Doctor Theo Farber, a criminal psychologist determined to get to the root of Alice’s violent decision. The Silent Patient became a #1 New York Times bestseller immediately upon its release.

3. The Witch Elm by Tana French

Tana French is a prolific crime writer who is perhaps best known for writing the Dublin Murder Squad book series. Her latest book, The Witch Elm, is a standalone crime novel that came out in 2018. It is about a young man named Toby who is robbed, beaten, and left for dead.

To recover from his trauma, Toby moves into his ancestral home to care for his uncle and in the process, he discovers something in the attic that may change his life forever and completely alter the way he sees his family’s history. Stephen King called The Witch Elm “extraordinary.”

2. The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook! That is the basis of The Cheerleaders. Years ago, two girls were murdered and since then, the cheerleading team was disbanded to protect the memory of the girls that died. But the problem is, its been years and the town wants to commemorate the fallen.

Except Monica is struggling to do that. She makes some disturbing discoveries in her home that lead her to believe their deaths are not as resolved as everyone would like to believe. The Cheerleaders is a deliciously fantastic thriller. It’s dark, disturbing, and a beach read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

1. The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond

This is one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. I had a hard time connecting with thrillers after reading all of Gillian Flynn’s books. I worried I wouldn’t find one that measured up! But The Marriage Pact changed that. The story follows newlyweds Alice and Jake who get invited to join an exclusive group known as The Pact. Their creed is to help married couples stay together by following certain guidelines.

With their membership, Alice and Jake are invited to a glamorous new world including parties, galas, and more. The Pact opens doors for the couple, so long as they play by the rulebook. Their initial seduction turns into a nightmare when they realize just how far The Pact will go to protect the sanctity of marriage.

Which of these books have you read? If you haven’t read any of them which ones entice you the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!