Most people enjoy reading contemporary and romance books during the summer. They are fun and easy to get lost in. Books you would read while laying on the beach. On the other hand, however, I usually enjoy reading all the dark, spooky, thriller books where the main character is running away from some evil force or a group of friends is trying to discover a mystery. So, I wanted to share some of the summer thriller books I am planning on reading this coming season!
I have never been one to sit on the beach and read. There is too much sand, water, and sun. I don’t want my books to get ruined or my skin to get burned.
But I am a fan of reading outside, which is why I absolutely love spending time in my backyard during the summer, lounging on a chair with a glass of lemonade and a good book. It is top tier relaxation, and maybe the only redeeming quality of summer.
When I am lounging outside, I like to forget about the summer sun and mosquitos and escape into a world entirely different. A world of murder, mystery, and excitement!
I haven’t read any of these summer thriller books on my TBR list, but I am so excited to, and I am so excited to share them! I hope we can all escape the heat for a little bit this summer and enjoy some mystery and intrigue!
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Summer Thriller Book Recommendations
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
Title: The Murder of Mr. Wickham
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Publish Date: May 3, 2022
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
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One of the first books I added to my TBR when I started my blog was a trilogy written by Claudia Gray, the first book being A Thousand Pieces of You. Of course, I haven’t read the series yet, and I am still here adding more Claudia Gray books to my TBR. But I wouldn’t be Bookish Coffee without my neverending TBR, would I?
Anyway, this book is about a couple who decides to invite their friends and family for a summer house party. They invite everyone they know except Mr. Wickham who has garnered a lot of enemies with his financial schemes. However at this house party, Mr. Wickham does show up, but he has been murdered and the murderer is one of the guests. Two guests, Juliet and Jonathon decide to take it upon themselves to find the killer.
This sounds like a classic whodunit story, and I couldn’t be more excited! This will definitely be a fun read this summer.
My Summer Darlings by May Cobb
Title: My Summer Darlings
Author: May Cobb
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Publish Date: May 17, 2022
Publisher: Berkley
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The book cover alone is giving summer vibes! Who doesn’t want a cherry on top of their frozen mocktail! In My Summer Darlings by May Cobb, three best friends spend their summer days drinking wine and gossiping about their neighbors. That is until Will moves into the biggest house in the town and they have something else to talk about. They become obsessed with him, each friend forming a relationship with this mysterious man. Suddenly, Will pulls away from all of them, leading to them making discoveries they would have never expected.
There are pretty mixed reviews on this book, but I do think it will be a fun read for the summer. One of those books that feels like a lifetime movie, you know?
The Castaways by Lucy Clarke
Title: The Castaways
Author: Lucy Clarke
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Publish Date: May 18, 2021
Publisher: Harper Collins
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When I tell you, I actually have no idea what this book is about, I’m serious. Just go to the Goodreads page and you can see how little information they give in the summary! All I know is that there is a seeming destination island however once you go there, you can’t leave!
That is literally all I need and I’m hooked! Give me all the creepy mysterious island vibes! Perfect for summer.
The Family Holiday by Shalini Boland
Title: The Family Holiday
Author: Shalini Boland
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Publish Date: March 29, 2022
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When a woman swaps houses, leaving her old cottage in England for a beautiful villa in Italy, she is thrilled. However, soon after she arrives she finds a picture of her husband in the villa, something she can’t explain. Who was this person that she allowed into her home? Can this person put her and her family in danger?
Does anyone remember the show, Wife Swap? I feel like this is going to be like that, but with mystery! Hopefully, there is some murder as well!
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
Title: The Newcomer
Author: Mary Kay Andrews
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Publish Date: May 4, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
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In The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews, Letty has found her sister, Tanya, dead in her apartment, and she assumes it was Tanya’s ex who did it. So, following her sister’s last wishes, she takes to the road with Tanya’s four-year-old child. On the run, she finds herself at The Murmuring Surf Motel, where she works to find answers to her sister’s murder while also managing a blooming romance.
I’ve never read a romance/thriller but I’m kind of intrigued! Sounds like the perfect mix for my next summer beach read.
The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton
Title: The Cuban Heiress
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Publish Date: April 11, 2023
Publisher: Berkley
Click here to purchase this book on Amazon!
Click here to add this book to your Goodreads TBR!
I just talked about this book on my April 2023 book releases post, I knew as soon as I read the summary that this was going to be one of my summer reads this year. In this book, two woman step foot onto a cruise from New York to Havana. Here, a mystery unfolds and two complete stranger’s lives will come together as a mystery unfolds.
I have been wanting to add more historical fiction into my reading, I think this will be the perfect place to start this summer!
I am definitely going to be sprinkling in some contemporary and romance books into my TBR list this summer, but I feel like it is going to be a mysterious reading season with all these summer thriller books! Lately, I have been in the mood for the books that I can’t put down until I find out who did it!
Summer is basically the prep for Autumn anyway. I need to get in the spooky mood before all the horror and ghost novels I read in the fall months!
Thank you sharing the pile of books. The Summer Holiday is in my TBR. You can also add Menacing Angels: That Night. It is also a thriller book about the past times where women faced many tough realities. You should check it out.
I will definitely be checking that book out, thank you so much for the recommendation!