Mystery Thriller Archives – Page 2 of 14

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell [Book Review]

Posted on November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 by Darinda

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BOOK INFO

Title: Dead of Summer

Author: Jessa Maxwell

Publisher: Atria Books

Publish Date: July 22, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Orla O’Connor hasn’t been to the isolated New England enclave of Hadley Island since she graduated from high school a decade ago. As a teenager, her best friend Alice disappeared from its shores without a trace—but with plenty of rumors.

Now, Orla returns to her family’s beachfront home to clean it out before her parents sell it. The island and her best friend’s house next door, abandoned after her family left in grief, are stirring up memories she would like to avoid. Then there are the locals, always gossiping and watching Orla’s every move. Worst of all, David, Orla’s childhood crush and son of a wealthy Manhattan family, is back for the summer with his new, impossibly pretty girlfriend, Faith.

Faith suspects that David is going to propose but as soon as she settles into his family’s sprawling Hadley Island estate, she feels out of place. She anticipated a luxurious summer of fun and romance, but David is never around—lured into business conversations with his entrepreneur father from dawn to dusk. With nothing else to do, Faith begins to investigate the island’s dark past, curious about what really happened to Alice all those years ago.

Meanwhile, local Henry hasn’t left his house since the young girl went missing, in an attempt to let the accusations against him die down. Except they never have. For years, Henry has had an endless supply of time to pursue his only hobby, watching the island from his telescope and recording the activities of its inhabitants. But Orla’s return has shaken him and lately he’s been seeing strange things: shadowy figures walking on the beach in the middle of the night and a light on in the upstairs window of the long-abandoned house of the missing girl.

When there’s another disappearance on the island, all three find themselves pulled into an eerie and twisty mystery that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

MY REVIEW

Alice disappeared a decade earlier, but her disappearance is still felt on a small New England island.

Dead of Summer is told using multiple points of view – Orla, Faith, and Henry. Orla has returned to the island to clean out her parent’s home before selling it. She was best friend’s with Alice, the teen who disappeared. Faith is visiting the island with her boyfriend, David. David comes from a wealthy family, and was Orla’s crush from many summers ago. Henry is a local who hasn’t left his home since Alice disappeared. He watches the island and its inhabitants from his home.

Dead of Summer is a slow burning and atmospheric mystery. The characters are well developed, and the plot is clever.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

The Lake Escape by Jamie Day [Book Review]

Posted on November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Lake Escape

Author: Jamie Day

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publish Date: July 15, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

BOOK BLURB

JULIA, DAVID, AND ERIKA grew up together spending summers at their idyllic Vermont lake homes for as long as they can remember. Now adults— with their own sullen teens, endless mortgages, and low-voltage sex lives— the three friends have amassed secrets over the years.

This summer, David is eager to show off his newly renovated home—which now blocks his friends’ cherished lake views—and his much-younger girlfriend. He also, unwittingly, brings a nanny with a hidden agenda. What could possibly go wrong?

When David’s girlfriend mysteriously vanishes after a shouting match, Julia and Erika wonder just how well they know their lifelong friend. The lake harbors a harrowing past: two young women, with no known connection, vanished without a trace thirty years ago. Did the lake take another?

As a search is mounted, an intricate web of lies, deceits, and betrayals spanning generations starts to surface, and everyone finds themselves in danger of becoming the next victim. Of the lake, or something darker.

MY REVIEW

Three childhood friends (Julia, David, and Erika) spent their summers together at a lake in Vermont. They return for a summer vacation together as adults, with adult problems – marriage, kids, jobs, etc.

The Lake House is told using dual points of view from Julia and Izzy. Julia is one of the friends returning for the summer. Izzy is the nanny of David, the friend whose girlfriend goes missing during their stay. She is not the first woman to go missing at this lake.

The Lake House is tense with drama and mystery. Secrets, lies, and resentments make for a gripping story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sunburned by Katherine Wood [Book Review]

Posted on November 13, 2025November 13, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Sunburned

Author: Katherine Wood

Publisher: Bantam

Publish Date: July 1, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

When Audrey Collet’s ex Tyson calls, threatening to expose the skeletons in her closet unless she helps him figure out who is blackmailing him, she wants nothing more than to refuse. Though their relationship ended over a decade ago, the scars are deep. And since his tech company made him a billionaire, he’s become more than a little eccentric . . . and paranoid.

But a foot has washed ashore in the Everglades—that’s right, an actual human foot, encased in an Air Jordan—and Tyson is quick to remind Audrey that it’s one whose long-dead owner they both have a connection to. A connection that could prove problematic, if it got out.

Audrey reluctantly agrees to meet Tyson at his home on the swanky Caribbean island of St. Barth’s to help him figure out who in his entourage is extorting him and what they know about the secrets he and Audrey share. Once there, she realizes that each person staying at Tyson’s lavish estate has a reason to wish him harm. Could the culprit be the gorgeous Belgian wife whose wings he’s clipped? The celebrity business partner he’s essentially holding hostage? The older brother who’s always been in his shadow? Or the sexy French butler he seems to trust more than he should?

Audrey has only just scratched the surface of what’s going on behind closed doors when Tyson’s birthday dive turns deadly, and she realizes that one of the seven people trapped on his yacht with her is not just a blackmailer but a murderer. If Audrey can’t catch the killer in time, she might become the next victim.

MY REVIEW

Audrey is hired, more like demanded, by her ex-boyfriend Tyson to find out who is blackmailing him. Audrey and Tyson have a complicated past, and she reluctantly goes to his home in the Caribbean to find the blackmailer. Things get more dangerous when it turns into a murder mystery.

Sunburned is told from Audrey’s point of view, and uses past and present timelines. Audrey and the other characters are well-devleoped, with most being unreliable. The beautiful setting is a highlight, and the plot is tense.

Sunburned is a compelling thriller. Slow-burning and atmosperic.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell [Book Review]

Posted on November 13, 2025November 13, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Matchmaking for Psychopaths

Author: Tasha Coryell

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: July 15, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 4/5

Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell

BOOK BLURB

When Lexie’s fiancé runs off with her so-called best friend on her birthday, her carefully crafted fairy-tale life shatters. Having survived horrors in her past, she was determined to finally get her happily-ever-after—and she’s not giving up yet.

To distract herself, Lexie throws herself into her unusual job: matchmaking psychopaths (a specialty her clients are blissfully unaware of). But the loneliness is crushing. So when a gorgeous, overprotective new client named Aidan insists they’re soulmates, and another intriguing client, Rebecca, seems perfect to fill the best-friend-shaped hole in her life, Lexie can’t help but find the attention comforting—despite her own professional boundaries.

Then a human heart appears on Lexie’s doorstep. As more threatening packages arrive and her fiancé mysteriously disappears, she must confront a terrifying question: did she inadvertently match herself with a killer? Between Aidan’s claims that her fiancé will never return, Rebecca’s growing presence in her life, and her own dark past resurfacing, Lexie’s matchmaker instincts are being tested like never before.

Because someone is determined to ensure her story ends with a funeral.

MY REVIEW

Lexie is a matchmaker. Her specialty is matching psychopaths. When Lexie’s life gets turned upside down, she focuses on work and a new man.

Matchmaking for Psychopaths is a slow burning thriller with unique characters. Good for readers who enjoy dark humor in their mysteries.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Our Last Wild Days by Anna Bailey [Book Review]

Posted on November 12, 2025November 12, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Our Last Wild Days

Author: Anna Bailey

Publisher: Atria Books

Publish Date: May 20, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

The Labasques aren’t like other families.

Living in a shack out in the swamps, they made do by hunting down alligators and other animals. To the good people of Jacknife, Louisiana, they are troublemakers and outcasts, the kind of people you wouldn’t want in your community.

So, when Cutter Labasque is found face down in the muddy swamp, no one seems to care, not even her two brothers. The only person who questions the official verdict of suicide is Cutter’s childhood friend, Loyal May, who has just returned home to care for her mother. When she left town at eighteen years old, she betrayed Cutter. Now with a ragtag group from the local paper where she works, Loyal goes in search of answers, uncovering a web of deceit and corruption that implicates those in town. It may be too late to apologize to Cutter, but Loyal has restitution in mind.

MY REVIEW

A woman is found dead in a swamp, and nobody cares but an old childhood friend who hasn’t seen her in years.

Our Last Days has well developed characters, a Southern gothic atmosphere, and tense plot. Recommended for readers who enjoy highly atmopsheric mystery thrillers.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis [Book Review]

Posted on November 12, 2025November 12, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Safari

Author: Jaclyn Goldis

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Publish Date: May 20, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Odelia Babel, CEO of a sustainable fashion empire, is about to marry for the second time—to a man twenty-five years her junior. Asher Bach is the thirty-something designer of Odelia’s luxury clothing line, the darling of every high-fashion journalist, and madly in love with Odelia.

Eager to celebrate her nuptials with her nearest and dearest, Odelia invites her adult children, her daughter-in-law, her grandchild, and her best friend/assistant to an all-expenses-paid luxury safari at Leopard Sands in South Africa, the Babel family’s favorite vacation spot.

It seems like the perfect trip, but not everyone is thrilled for the happy couple. Amid game drives in the bush and bonfires beneath the desert stars, tensions among the family threaten to boil over. And then, the morning after a big fight with her son Sam—and hours before the wedding—Odelia is found murdered. Sam is immediately the prime suspect, but he claims he has an ironclad alibi—he was with his twin sister, Bailey. Only Bailey is nowhere to be found…

MY REVIEW

A woman finds a second chance at love, and invites her family and friends to her wedding at a luxury safari. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy for her, and she is killed before her wedding.

The Safari has shady characters, a unique setting, and a twisted plot. There are plenty of suspects to choose from in this mystery thriller. A heavy dose of drama and dysfunctional family.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey [Book Review]

Posted on November 11, 2025November 11, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Serial Killer Games

Author: Kate Posey

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: April 29, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold perfectly: strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves.

The new office temp is definitely a serial killer.

Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all.

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . .

MY REVIEW

The office where Delores works hires a new temp, Jake. They are drawn to one another, and start watching and trying to figure out one another. Soon, they each suspect the other of being a serial killer.

Serial Killer Games is told using dual points of view – Delores and Jake. It is fun to read the thoughts and actions of both characters, and see how it plays out.

This novel is a more romance than mystery. With quirky characters and dark humor, Serial Killer Games is a fun read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang [Book Review]

Posted on November 9, 2025November 9, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Julie Chan Is Dead

Author: Liann Zhang

Publisher: Atria Books

Publish Date: April 29, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with nothing to lose, finds herself thrust into the glamorous yet perilous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a popular influencer. Separated at a young age, the identical twins were polar opposites and rarely spoke, except for one viral video that Chloe initiated (Finding My Long-Lost Twin And Buying Her A House #EMOTIONAL). When Julie discovers Chloe’s lifeless body under mysterious circumstances, she seizes the chance to live the life she’s always envied.

Transforming into Chloe is easier than expected. Julie effortlessly adopts Chloe’s luxurious influencer life, complete with designer clothes, a meticulous skincare routine, and millions of adoring followers. However, Julie soon realizes that Chloe’s seemingly picture-perfect life was anything but.

Haunted by Chloe’s untimely death and struggling to fit into the privileged influencer circle, Julie faces mounting challenges during a weeklong island retreat with Chloe’s exclusive group of influencer friends. As events spiral out of control, Julie uncovers the sinister forces that may have led to her sister’s demise and realizes she might be the next target.

MY REVIEW

Julie doesn’t have a lot going for her, but her long lost twin sister is a popular influencer. When Julie discovers her sister’s dead body, she decides to hide the fact her sister’s died, and take over as her.

Julie Chan is Dead is told through the point of view of Julie herself, since she’s not really dead. Julie is a bit unhinged, making for an entertaining viewpoint. She dreams of the perfect life, but realizes her sister’s life wasn’t as perfect as it appeared.

Dark humor and mystery combine in this debut novel. Julie Chan is Dead is a fun ride with satire and a twisted story.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via EdelWeiss in exchange for an honest review.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman [Book Review]

Posted on November 9, 2025November 9, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: All the Other Mothers Hate Me

Author: Sarah Harman

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Publish Date: March 11, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman

BOOK BLURB

Florence Grimes is a thirty-one-year-old party girl who always takes the easy way out. Single, broke and unfulfilled after the humiliating end to her girl band career, she has only one reason to get out of bed each day: her ten-year-old son Dylan. But then Alfie Risby, her son’s bully and the heir to a vast frozen food empire, mysteriously vanishes during a class trip, and Dylan becomes the prime suspect. Florence, for once, is faced with a task she can’t quit: She’s got to find Alfie and clear her son’s name, or risk losing Dylan forever.

The only problem? Florence has no useful skills, let alone investigative ones, and all the other school moms hate her. Oh, and Florence has a reason to suspect Dylan might not be as innocent as she’d like to believe…

MY REVIEW

A mother wants to prove her son’s innocence after a classmate goes missing on a field trip.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me is told through Florence’s point of view. She is the mother of a ten year old boy, who is suspected of having something to do with a classmate’s disappearance. Florence sets out to prove her son’s innocence. Florence is eccentric, and lives a fairly chaotic existence. She’s a mess, and feels the other mother’s judge her.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a debut novel. It is a fun mystery with humor and suspense. Good for readers looking for a more lighthearted mystery.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Session by Julia Bartz [Book Review]

Posted on March 25, 2025February 25, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Last Session

Author: Julia Bartz

Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Publish Date: April 1, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 3/5

BOOK BLURB

When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.

Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.

MY REVIEW

Thea, a social worker at a psychiatric unit, recognizes a patient and wants to help her. When the patient abruptly leaves the facility, Thea tries to find her, and ends up in a remote wellness retreat.

The Last Session is told through Thea’s point of view. Thea is naive and makes some poor decisions throughout the book. The plot is entertaining, but does involve suspending disbelief.

This is a slow burning and bizarre mystery. Good for readers who enjoy fiction involving cults and wellness retreats gone wrong.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Books by Julia Bartz:

The Writing Retreat
The Last Session

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn [Book Review]

Posted on February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: Kills Well with Others

Author: Deanna Raybourn

Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: March 4, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: Killers of a Certain Age #2

My Rating: 3/5

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn

BOOK BLURB

After more than a year of laying low, Billie, Helen, Mary Alice, and Natalie are called back into action. They have enjoyed their time off, but the lack of excitement is starting to chafe: a professional killer can only take so many watercolor classes and yoga sessions without itching to strangle someone…literally. When they receive a summons from the head of the elite assassin organization known as the Museum, they are ready tackle the greatest challenge of their careers.

Someone on the inside has compiled a list of important kills committed by Museum agents, connected to a single, shadowy figure, an Eastern European gangster with an iron fist, some serious criminal ambition, and a tendency to kill first and ask questions later. This new nemesis is murdering agents who got in the way of their power hungry plans and the aging quartet of killers is next.

Together the foursome embark on a wild ride across the globe on the double mission of rooting out the Museum’s mole and hunting down the gangster who seems to know their next move before they make it. Their enemy is unlike any they’ve faced before, and it will take all their killer experience to get out of this mission alive.

MY REVIEW

Four retired female assassins are called back to action. A mysterious Eastern European figure with a connection to the four friends’ first mission is targeting the four ladies.

Kills Well with Others is the second book in the Killers of a Certain Age series. This book is better enjoyed if you have read the first book, Killers of a Certain Age, and are familiar with the characters – Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie.

This book is told through Billie’s point of view, and includes flashbacks from the past. The characters are well-developed and interesting. The story is action-packed and entertaining.

Kills Well with Others is a fast-paced and fun mystery.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Killers of a Certain Age series:

Killers of a Certain Age
Kills Well with Others

The Other People by C.B. Everett [Book Review]

Posted on February 8, 2025February 8, 2025 by Darinda

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, read my Disclosure Policy.

BOOK INFO

Title: The Other People

Author: C.B. Everett

Publisher: Atria Books

Publish Date: March 25, 2025

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Series: na

My Rating: 2/5

BOOK BLURB

Ten strangers.

An old dark house.

A killer picking them off one by one.

And a missing girl who’s running out of time…

And then there was one.

Ten strangers wake up inside an old, locked house. They have no recollection of how they got there. In order to escape, they have to solve the disappearance of a young woman. But a killer also stalks the halls of the house and soon the body count starts to rise. Who are these strangers? Why were they chosen? Why would someone want to kill them? And who—or what—lurks in the cellar?

Forget what you think you know.

Because while you can trust yourself, can you really trust The Other People?

MY REVIEW

Ten strangers are trapped in an old house, and a killer is picking them off one by one.

The Other People is told using the multiple points of view of the people in the house. It’s a locked room mystery with interesting characters and plenty of drama. I usually enjoy locked room mysteries, but this one fell flat for me.

Fans of locked room mysteries may enjoy this one. It’s a bit creepy and does have a good twist.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.