Five Thrillers for Your Beach Bag
Well, HAPPY SUMMER, my loves!!! From my world to yours. This spring was nothing short of a whirlwind around here, between finishing book #3, wrapping up the school year, signing with a literary agent (I die!!!), and stepping into the sunshine. So, I skipped my intended spring book review. My apologies!
I do (kinda) make up for it here, though, in this new episode of the Booked Solid Podcast, where we cover Our Best Summer Book Recs for 2024. So many gems in here! Twenty-three, to be exact. Listen anywhere now and/or get the linked list of books on Spotify!
Since I haven’t blogged in a minute, I thought it would be fun to provide you guys with a supplemental post of the thrillers I discuss in the episode. Muahahahaha! Plus, I know some of you plain-old don’t listen to podcasts and prefer an old-fashioned write-up. Did I mention you’re forever my people?!
Below you will find five of my FAVORITE thrillers of the year (so far).
In addition, first, I’m dropping the following four honorable mentions that I read this spring—and that stuck with me! These books are all so fantastic:
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry: Immediately one of my new favorite historical fiction reads of all time, this book took the spot as our first-ever podcast book club pick. It is a masterpiece. WHOA. Dive into the surprising, moving, unforgettable love story between C.S. Lewis and his wife, Joy Davidman. I savored everything about this book and cherished the absolute honor of speaking with Patti on Booked Solid this spring. If you read the book, don’t miss this conversation!
Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis: This spring release and fiction debut is just beautiful. Infused with magical realism and major heart, the story follows a grieving woman, who lost a child, through two possible outcomes of her life. I enjoyed every word! Kendra is a writer to watch.
Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner: Bethany Turner is such a talent at the top of her game! I’m obsessed with her and gobbled up this swoony latest. I admittedly went into it unaware that it’s technically a spin-off of Turner’s previous book, Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other. But guess what? It didn’t matter one bit! I loved it. And now can’t wait for more of Brynn and Sebastian.
Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself by Crystal Hefner: Okay, okay. Hold the judgment. Ha! Holy moly. This memoir is unbelievable. Obviously rated adult. Utterly fascinating. It’s unreal what Crystal experienced and endured as Hugh Hefner’s wife. I live for a real, gritty celebrity memoir, and this one did NOT disappoint. I also dream of writing a (tasteful!) fiction book one day in which my heroine is stuck in a similar world and finds Jesus. Stay tuned and get ready, world!
And now, for the thrills and chills…
Multifaceted, fun, diabolical, twisty, brilliant, page-turning, WOW. That was this book for me! Two strangers, Amanda and Wendy, meet at a support group and then over drinks. They share a burning desire for revenge against the men who wronged them. Naturally, they agree to commit murder for one another, to avoid getting caught for the crimes. Inspired by the classic Strangers on a Train, this romp kept me guessing until the literal final page. I gasped! You will not be disappointed, you guys! This one is a TREAT, through and through!
Nightwatching is one of my favorite thrillers I’ve read in ages. The visceral terror, the examination of perspective, a harrowing and propulsive snippet of motherhood—I devoured it! I opted for the audio, however, and my only caution would be not to listen alone in the dark, on a walk in the dark, anywhere in the dark! You catch my (chilly) drift. If you’re looking for a read that will get your pulse pounding and your eyeballs bulging, this is it!
Mary Kubica is a national treasure. Local Woman Missing is another favorite by her—and I loved this one just as much! ICU nurse and single mom Meghan’s world is rocked when a patient, Caitlin, arrives at the hospital in a coma after a major fall. Did she slip? Jump? Was she pushed? Quickly enraptured by the mystery and tangled up in the mess, Meghan fights for the truth. Her quest is full of twists, inquisitions, and intrigue! I couldn’t put this one down! Highly recommend.
Like Listen for the Lie (below), here’s a novel that perfectly weaves in the element of pop-culture-true-crime reporting. Eighteen-year-old Annabel (Bel) was the only one to witness her mother’s disappearance sixteen years ago. And yet—she remembers nothing. When a crew decides to spotlight the case for a documentary, however, Bel is forced into the hotseat as well as the past. AND THEN, everything gets even weirder when her mom shows up once again! What in the?! This book is amazing. I never read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, but I know what I’m doing this summer! Rachel Price sank her hooks into me. I NEEDED ANSWERS. What the heck happened to Rachel and why, why, why is she back? I couldn’t stop. This book was frothy, addicting, and twisted in all the best ways. Go get it!
I read this book months ago and still recommend it constantly! I love a good podcast storyline, and this one stands out from the pack. When good-looking hit podcast host Ben Owens decides to crack open the long-ago case of her best friend’s murder, Lucy returns to her hometown, finally willing to look at the past. This book is so impressively crafted. The tone is sharp; the atmosphere, vivid; the twists, on point! I loved everything about it. ENJOY!
That’s all, my friends!
What are you reading this summer?!
Based in Orange County, California, Stephanie Mack is a longtime writer, wife to one, and mom of three little girls. She has been blogging at MOMentary Insanity® since 2014. Her work has also been featured on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC. When We Blinked is her debut novel.
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In 2024, one specific piece of writing advice has persisted in reaching my ears. Through the Booked Solid podcast, landing my dream agent, and my ever-trustworthy author friends, the message echoes: Get out of the slush pile.