Books Like...

Leigh Harker lives alone in her giant home, content with her solitary existence until the night the Intruder appears, a terrifying entity that forces her to take refuge in her living room. As Leigh confronts the Intruder, her life is forever changed, leading to a haunting twist that keeps readers on their toes. Darcy Coates weaves a tale of ghosts, murder mystery, and friendship, with poetic language and a rollercoaster of emotions that tie readers to the novel until the very end.

In Gytha Lodge's gripping novel, "A Killer in the Family," we are drawn into a tangled web of secrets and lies that threatens to tear a family apart. When the body of a young woman is discovered in a remote forest, Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens is called in to investigate. As he delves into the victim's life, he uncovers a trail of deceit and betrayal that leads him to suspect a member of her own family. Aisling Cooley, a single mother and game developer, is haunted by the disappearance of her father, who abandoned her and her mother years ago. Desperate for answers, she uploads her DNA to an ancestry website, hoping to find him. But instead, she receives a call from Detective Sheens, who informs her that her DNA matches a sample found at the crime scene.

In this twisted psychological thriller, a woman uploads her DNA online, searching for her father, but the man who contacts her is Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens. Panic about the Bonfire Killer quickly spreads through the sedate suburban area of Southampton. Women are urged not to travel alone at night, and constant vigilance is encouraged among the local residents. But single mom Aisling Cooley has a lot to distract her two beloved teenage sons and a quest to find her long-lost father, whom she hasn't seen since she was a teenager. Lodge masterfully weaves together the perspectives of Aisling, her sons, and Detective Sheens, creating a suspenseful and multilayered narrative, full of unexpected twists and turns.

'Midnight Is the Darkest Hour' by Ashley Winstead is a genre-bending novel that combines elements of Southern gothic, romance, and dark drama. Set in a small town under the influence of an extremist Southern Baptist religious cult, the story follows Ruth, a shy and obedient daughter who finds herself entangled with Everett, the class pariah. As they uncover the town's hidden secrets, Ruth's character evolves from meek to profound, while Everett remains mysterious and intriguing, evoking comparisons to Edward Cullen from Twilight. The web of relationships in the novel, along with the themes of power, gender, and inequity, adds complexity to the narrative, creating a story that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The book delves into the themes of loyalty, strength, and unraveling hidden truths, as Ruth and Everett navigate through the hysteria of the small town and confront the real monster within. With atmospheric writing that transports readers to the Louisiana bayou, the novel offers a unique take on dark romance, intertwined with elements of mystery and vampire vibes reminiscent of Twilight. The dual timelines and character-driven plot contribute to a slow burn narrative that may appeal to readers looking for a deeper exploration of relationships and societal norms within a Southern gothic setting.

'The Last Murder at the End of the World' by Stuart Turton is a unique blend of sci-fi and mystery set in a post-apocalyptic world. The book follows a murder mystery plot with elements of genre bending, including sci-fi and mystery, creating an intriguing and complex narrative. The story involves a society after the apocalypse, all on an island together, where things get weird, and the narrator is AI.

The writing style of Stuart Turton in 'The Last Murder at the End of the World' has been praised for its ability to seamlessly merge different genres like sci-fi and mystery while maintaining an optimistic tone. Readers have found the book engaging, with a mix of slower moments and interesting twists towards the end, making it an excellent read for those who enjoy a genre bender with a post-apocalyptic setting.

In "Survive the Night" by Riley Sager, college student Charlie is grappling with guilt and grief after her best friend is murdered by a serial killer known as The Campus Killer. Desperate to escape, she hitches a ride with a stranger named Josh, suspecting that he might be more dangerous than he appears. As the tension mounts over the course of a dark and suspenseful night, Charlie's film obsession blurs the lines between reality and fiction, leading to a gripping cat-and-mouse game filled with twists and turns.

The narrative unfolds like a Hitchcockian thriller, with Charlie as an unreliable narrator navigating a claustrophobic and menacing journey. The author expertly weaves in references to old movies, adding layers of suspense and intrigue as Charlie's suspicions about Josh grow, culminating in a dramatic and satisfying reveal.

"Endless Vessel" by Charles Soule is a dystopian novel set in a world plagued by a malady that is infecting humanity, leaving them unable to find meaning in their lives. The protagonist, Lily Barnes, a brilliant scientist, stumbles upon a discovery that changes the course of her life and potentially others as well. The story unfolds with multiple plot lines, surprising twists, and a mix of historical references, sci-fi elements, and magical realism. As Lily navigates through this chaotic world, readers uncover secrets, face high-stress situations, and delve into themes of mental health and human connection.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager follows Casey Fletcher, a recently widowed actress who escapes to her family's lake house in Vermont. As she struggles with grief and alcoholism, she becomes obsessed with her neighbors, Tom and Katherine Royce. When Katherine goes missing, Casey is determined to uncover the truth behind her disappearance, leading to unexpected twists and revelations about the dark secrets lurking in the serene setting of the lake.

The book combines elements of mystery, horror, and psychological thriller, with a setting that adds to the eerie atmosphere. Through the eyes of a complex and unreliable protagonist, the story unfolds with unexpected plot twists and suspenseful moments that keep the reader engaged until the chilling conclusion.

Final Girls by Riley Sager is a psychological thriller that follows Quincy Carpenter, one of three survivors of separate massacre incidents. Quincy, dubbed a Final Girl by the media, struggles with memory loss surrounding the night her friends were murdered at Pine Cottage. When another Final Girl is found dead, Quincy is forced to confront her past and unravel the mysteries surrounding the traumatic events that have haunted her for years. The book weaves between Quincy's present life and the chilling events of the past, keeping readers on edge with unexpected twists and suspenseful storytelling.

Riley Sager's "The Only One Left" is a twisty and spine-chilling gothic thriller set in a decaying cliffside mansion where Lenora Hope, accused of murdering her family years ago, is now mute and confined to a wheelchair. Kit McDeere, a home health aide, is assigned to care for Lenora and uncovers dark family secrets as she becomes obsessed with solving the mystery behind the deaths. The story is filled with haunting atmosphere, clever twists, and vivid descriptions that keep the reader on the edge of their seat, leading to a suspenseful and unpredictable journey towards the truth.

The novel intricately weaves together past and present, blending elements of psychological suspense with a gripping plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With vivid descriptions that make the mansion come alive, a complex relationship between Kit and Lenora, and a series of shocking revelations, "The Only One Left" delivers a rollercoaster of emotions and surprises that will leave readers captivated and eager to uncover all the dark secrets hidden within Hope's End.