9 Thrillers to Give you Chills
It’s no secret that I love a bit of thrill. Especially when I’ve been reading several romance novels in a row. Sometimes it’s nice to breakup all of that light-hearted love with a little suspense. This is not to say that I love horror, because I don’t. However, I do enjoy feeling a bit spooked every now and then. I’ve found that a good thriller is the perfect balance between feeling creeped out and downright terrified. It’s the happy medium that keeps me on the edge of my seat, but also allows me to sleep peacefully with the lights off. I’ve read many thrillers over the years, some scary, some predictable, some I didn’t finish. Of those that I’ve read, there are a few that I can’t get out of my mind! Here are 9 thrillers to give you chills.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
When local golden girl Andie Bell goes missing, the idyllic town of Fairview is turned upside down. A few days after she disappears, her boyfriend, Sal Singh, confesses to her murder and commits suicide before he can be charged. Five years later, Pip Fitz-Amobi is looking to solve the case for her capstone project. Something never sat right with Pip, and she’s determined to clear Sal’s name. But someone out there wants things to stay buried, and it isn’t long before the danger of the past resurfaces.
This is a wonderfully written teen detective story full of suspense, twists, and turns. This novel had me glued to every page, and I was left wondering “who done it?” until the very end. It has now been adapted into a tv show on Netflix, but the book is much better!
Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson
This is the first in a YA series featuring teen detective, Stevie Bell. The first book picks up with Stevie arriving at the famous Ellingham Academy. Ellingham is an exclusive boarding school for high school students with exceptional talents. Stevie’s talent happens to be solving crimes, and she intends to solve the infamous Ellingham Academy case.
Naturally, things aren’t so straight forward, and it isn’t long before the danger of the past starts to emerge in the present.
This is one of my absolute favorite YA series. Maureen Johnson crafts such a suspenseful, complex, addictive mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. If you love modern day murder mysteries with a boarding school setting, you will love Truly, Devious.
Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Sam Franco is her high school’s It-Girl. She’s popular, she’s rich, and she’s dating the hottest boy in school. She’s got the dream life. If only she could remember it. When she wakes up in the hospital, bruised and without her memory, her family tells her she was last seen with her best friend Cassie. While Sam was found, Cassie remains missing.
As she works to rebuild her life, Sam can’t help feeling like the truth about Cassie’s disappearance is somewhere in her subconscious. If she can remember what happened that night, maybe she can help bring Cassie home. But someone else knows what happened and is intent on keeping it a secret, no matter the cost.
This is such a well written mystery that had me biting my nails until I finished the last page. It’s full of suspense, surprises, and a touch of romance.
There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Makani Young flees her life in Hawaii for her grandmother’s native Nebraska, where she hopes to leave the secrets and mistakes of her past behind. So far, so good, as Makani makes friends and begins to fall in love. However, the peace is short lived. When students from the high school start getting picked off by what looks to be a serial killer, Makani and her friends are forced to do everything in their power to simply survive.
This is one of those books that lingered in my mind long after I finished the last page. It’s definitely the scariest of the books on this list, and may even lean towards horror. Netflix adapted this into a movie, but I probably won’t watch it because I value nightmare free sleep. However, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. The suspense had my heart rate at a constant high, and I couldn’t figure out who was behind the murders until the end.
Readers should note that this one is pretty graphic in its descriptions of murder and violence.
That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally
One cold night in November, a teenage girl is found on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. She’s bruised and dirty and doesn’t remember her name, where she came from, or how she got there. When a man arrives at the police station claiming she’s his lost daughter Mary, it seems like the mystery is solved. He has proof, after all. Meanwhile, in a neighboring town, a girl named Lola is missing. The police have changed the case from missing persons to murder and Lola’s boyfriend is the number one suspect. But Drew is innocent. Or so he says, and he’s determined to bring Lola home before it’s too late.
This novel is one of my favorite uses of dual perspective. Told from both Drew and Mary’s perspectives, I had an overwhelming sense that something was not right, but I just couldn’t figure it out.
The suspense in this novel is unreal, and I couldn’t relax until I finished it. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away. If you’re curious about this book, I wrote a more in depth review that you can read here.
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Five students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive. When the police reveal that the student’s death was not an accident, the other four are the primary suspects. Secrets and lies abound, and the remaining four are left to find out which one of them is guilty before it’s too late.
This is a classic murder mystery novel where everyone is guilty until proven innocent. McManus has written a novel full of secrets, clues, and twists that had me questioning every character’s motives.
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Stevie Bell, of Truly, Devious fame, is fresh off of solving one of the nation’s most notorious cold cases. She should be pleased, but instead she’s feeling restless. When a summer camp reaches out for help with solving a decades old quadruple homicide, Stevie can’t resist. However, danger still lurks at Sunny Pines. Someone wants the past to stay buried, and the closer Stevie gets to answers, the more they try to silence her.
This novel was an exciting break from the boarding school setting of the previous Truly, Devious books. I loved the haunted summer camp vibe. The setting, paired with the 1978 flashback chapters, made this one of my favorite Stevie Bell mysteries. This is part of the Truly, Devious series, but it could be read as a stand alone. That being said, I do recommend reading all of the Truly, Devious books, especially if you’re looking for a classic teen detective story.
172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
NASA opens a prestigious contest offering three high school students the chance to travel to the moon. If they are to win, each student will enjoy a week long stay at the moon base where they will learn and gain valuable first hand experience. It’s the trip of a lifetime, and it almost feels too good to be true. When three teenagers are selected, strange things start occurring, causing them to question if this is an opportunity or a death sentence.
I remember finishing this book in high school and then just taking a moment to reflect on what I read. It’s a wild sci-fi thriller that will have you questioning everything and everyone throughout the novel.
Closer than She Knows by Kelly Irvin
Teagan O’Rourke is a court reporter who transcribes testimonies by day, and devours mystery novels by night. Her life is happy, habitual, and comfortable, until one day when everything changes. After witnessing the murder of a police officer, Teagan starts receiving mysterious and threatening notes from a man claiming to be a serial killer. Desperate to get back to the normal life she loves, Teagan teams up with her friend Max to solve the mystery before it’s too late.
Closer than She Knows is a cat and mouse novel perfect for lovers of romantic suspense. The twists and turns, made this a super quick read, and I easily finished it in a couple of days. Irvin has created like-able characters with depth and intelligence, that will have you rooting for their survival and for their relationship.
That wraps up my list of 9 Thrillers to Give you Chills.
What are your favorite spooky books? Leave the titles in the comments!
Xx, M
