40+ Mystery/Thriller Book Recommendations For the Perfect Beach & Vacation Summer TBR

#1-3) My Summer Darlings by May Cobb

One of my favorite thriller authors, I’ve read all of her books. My Summer Darlings is rich with drama and complex relationships. I also highly recommend The Hunting Wives, also a five star for me, and her most recent release, A Likeable Woman.

#4) You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard

This story takes place on a luxury island, surrounded by the upper crust of society. It’s isolated, it’s dangerous, it delves into a complicated friendship, and will have you turning the pages to uncover schemes and motives. Plus, the main character’s name is Summer (can’t get more on the nose than that). This cover is definitely giving sinister summer, and it was a solid four star read for me.

#5-7) Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

Set on a serene, exotic island in the South Pacific, with a macabre history of shipwrecks and cannibalism. A group of six is unsettled when a lone stranger arrives. Secrets, rocky histories, and strained relationships take their toll on the group when one of them goes missing and another turns up dead.

Rachel Hawkins is an absolute favorite author of mine, I have and will continue to read everything she writes. I also highly recommend The Villa, a gothic suspense set at an Italian villa with a dark history, and The Heiress, set at the sprawling Ashby House estate in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and full of estranged family bonds and twisted secrets. I was blessed by the publisher with ARCs of both of these books so you can:

read my full review of The Villa here

read my full review of The Heiress here

#8) The Pact by Sharon Bolton

Set during the summer months, six teens play a game that leaves three strangers dead. Megan takes the blame, in exchange for a favor when she is released from prison. Twenty years later, it’s time to pay up, and the other five teens begin to disappear. It sounds super twisty, and I’ve definitely added it to my TBR list.

#9) The Lion’s Den by Katherine St. John

Belle is invited by her best friend, Summer (another book with the perfect character name!), to a Mediterranean getaway on a billionaire’s yacht, called The Lion’s Den. But when the girls are treated more like prisoners than guests, Belle realizes that they may not make it off alive.

#10) Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

Three girls were raised in the foster home of Miss Fairchild, who wasn’t the lovely mother that everyone thought she was. Years later, after a body is discovered on Miss Fairchild’s property, they are forced to reckon with the events of their past, as both witnesses and suspects. This is a story with a strong sisterhood, dual timelines, and a dark, emotional undercurrent. I was blessed by the publisher with an ARC so you can:

read my full review here

#11) The Perfect Ruin by Shanora Williams

Ivy seeks to infiltrate the elite circle of the woman who destroyed her life, Lola, a wealthy Miami socialite. This book is full of lies, deception, revenge, betrayal, and has some shocking twists. I devoured it in two days, it’s utterly addictive.

#12-13) The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

This is the juicy story of Amber, who craves a life of money and power. She inserts herself into the wealthy Parrish family, traveling across Europe. But secrets from her past could ruin everything. It’s said to be a twisty, addictive read. This is the recently released sequel, so check out the first book in this series, The Last Mrs. Parrish.

#14) The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman

Mia, an aspiring actor in Hollywood, meets Emily at an audition. When Emily goes missing, Mia is suspected to be the last person to see her. But then, someone shows up claiming to be Emily, except she’s nothing like Mia remembers. I love a book told from the perspective of an unreliable narrator that’s questioning their own sanity. Hollywood is a great summer setting, with all its glamour and illusions.

#15) The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

When Ann’s husband is found dead, she goes in search of answers. She checks into The Sycamores, a run-down motel room that her husband used as an art studio. The more she learns, the less she understands. And then threatening letters start to appear under her door. I loved the diverse cast of characters living at the motel, and learning all the juicy gossip, as well as the remote desert location. I was blessed by the publisher with an ARC so you can:

Read my full review here

#16) Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

This story takes place at the St. Cecilia, a hotel on the coast of Georgia, rich with tradition and scandal. It has a more contemporary vibe, with an underlying thriller plot of mysterious and tragic deaths. I fell in love with the depth of the characters. It would make a great beach read. I was gratefully sent an ARC by the publisher and you can:

read my full review here

#17) The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

If there is one book I’ve read so far this year that will without a doubt make my top ten of 2024, it’s this one. A high-concept murder mystery, this one is for science-fiction lovers. It’s a brilliant puzzle to solve, set against the backdrop of an isolated island that’s the last survivable place on earth. A scientist has been found stabbed to death, ultimately causing the failure of the island’s security system. Now they only have 107 hours until the last survivors of humanity will die from the encroaching poisonous fog. Oh, and also, all of their memories have been wiped clean. I was graciously sent an early copy of this book and you can:

read my full review here

#18) The Unwedding by Ally Condie

A destination wedding and vacation at a luxury resort in Big Sur, California, where a dead body is found the day of the ceremony. Before police can arrive, a storm causes a mudslide that washes out the only road leading to the resort, leaving everyone trapped while bodies continue to be found. Another book that I was blessed to be sent an early copy of.

#19) The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

Ten years ago, in a tragic accident, two vans filled with high school seniors crashed into a ravine. Only nine students survived. They make a pact to meet every year on the anniversary at a house on the Outer Banks. When one of them dies, they come together once again in grief, and suspicions fly as sinister plots are revealed, all while they’re staying together at a beach house with an impending storm. Told in dual timelines and multiple POVs, I was absolutely hooked by this one, and the devastation that these characters suffered as teens really got to me emotionally.

read my full review here

#20) Bad Tourists by Caro Carver

Three friends go on a divorce trip to the Maldives exclusive Sapphire Island Resort, only to find a body on the beach and realize that there’s a murderer staying there with them. This one is dark, delves into the complexities of female friendship, loyalty and chalk full of lies. This author has previously published popular horror books under the name C.J. Cooke.

#21) The Other Guest by Heidi Perks

Laila and her husband are on holiday in Greece, where they meet another couple and their teenage sons. After something terrible happens, Laila thinks she knows the truth of it and is torn on whether to tell the other couple. Vacation spot in Greece is the perfect setting for a summer thriller.

#22) Stranded by Sarah Goodwin

A group of stranger travel to a remote island to take part in a challenge, to live there for a full year without any contact with the outside world. This setup alone sounds like a perfect summer thriller plot. After the twelve months are up, the boat that is supposed to return for them never shows up. I love a good psychological, survival thriller in the summertime.

#23) The Beach Party by Nikki Smith

In 1989, six friends go on holiday to a luxury villa on Mallorca, where an unfortunate accident occurs. Now, years later, they have buried the truth about what happened that night, except someone else knows and threatens to bring their secrets to light. I was immediately drawn to this cover, the bonfire on the beach and the beautiful color palate. It sounds to be a great book for beach reading.

#24) One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

Five couples are trapped on Ever After Island after a storm as a bodies turn up one by one. Lyla and her boyfriend, Nico, are invited to take part in a new reality TV series, competing against four other couples. After the storm, they are cut off completely and are fighting to survive. Ruth Ware’s previous few releases were a total miss for me, but with this one, she’s finally back to her caliber of psychological suspense. I was so grateful to receive an ARC of this book, you can:

read my full review here

#25) The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis

Ginevra Ex, a reclusive famous author, has sent her latest main character muse, Rory, on a luxury train trip aboard the Orient Express across the Italy and the Mediterranean coast. But when Rory boards, she’s surprised to find her brother, her best friend, and her ex-fiancé are passengers, as well. Everyone here has secrets, and the voyage takes them on a twisting, sinister path. The publisher blessed me with an ARC, and you can:

read my full review here

#26) The Safe Place by Anna Downes

Emily moves to an estate in France with her boss’s family, in order to care for their daughter. She starts to suspect that her employers are hiding dangerous secrets underneath their glamorous facade. I love the vibes of this cover for poolside reading, and I have previously read another book from this author and really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be adding this one to my TBR this summer.

#27) Two Truths and a Lie by Meg Mitchell Moore

Small-town secrets, summer romance, an idyllic beach town, mommy group drama, family drama, it has all the ingredients for a fantastic summer thriller. I think the cover gives the perfect vibe for the setting of this book, and from the title alone you can know that the plot will be juicy.

#28) The Missing by Kiersten Modglin

Five strangers are abandoned on an island, with no idea where they are or who they can trust. Lies, secrets, and people willing to do anything to get home and uncover the truth about their mysterious situation. I absolutely love this author. I have now read several books by her and have loved all of them. I can’t wait to read this one, it’s perfect for the season. I have reviews for her other books, that were kindly sent to me by the publishers:

read reviews of this author’s other books here

#29) We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

Emily goes on a backpacking trip in the mountains of Chile with her best friend, Kristen. When Emily walks in on a terrible scene, she helps Kristen cover up the consequences. But that isn’t the first time it’s happened, and Emily begins to question her friend’s motives and true nature.

#30) The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

The Manor, Seaside Cottages, Woodland Hutches, cocktails, secrets, lies, murder, midsummer sun, darkness stirring, old friends, enemies, immaculate grounds, ancient forests, a fire, a body discovered on the cliffs – this one has all the makings of a great summer thriller read. Of course, if you love this genre, I’m sure you’ve heard of this author, but even if you haven’t, I highly recommend starting with this one. While I haven’t loved her previous popular books, I really enjoyed this one.

#31) The Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper

Two couples are vacationing at a beach cottage, when Lucy finds a picture of Cora’s husband with another woman. She hides what she has found until she discovers that the woman in the photo has gone missing. Lucy believes that Cora’s husband could be responsible, and the more she uncovers, the more it unravels. Who doesn’t enjoy a juicy story with relationship drama at the beach?

#32) Sun Damage by Sabine Durrant

In a small village in France, nine vacationers arrive a luxury home. They all know each other well except for one person, Lulu, who isn’t what they all thought the person they’d hired to be. This one is full of secrets exposed, loyalties tested, intrigue, and tension between the guests. The setting, cover, title, all give perfect summer reading vibes.

#33) One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke

A psychological thriller about six women on a bachelorette trip to a Greek island. Each of them are hiding secrets, one of them is determined to ruin the wedding, and one never leaves the island. With the destination setting and a plot full of female friendship drama, it’s definitely on my TBR this summer.

#34) Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

This is the perfect “rich people doing bad things” summer read. With infidelity, backstabbing, murderous intrigue, all taking place on the summer haven, Firer Island, where a body is found on the boardwalk. It’s told from multiple perspectives, each hiding their own secrets from the group.

#35) Keep Your Friends Close by Lucinda Berry

Kiersten McCann, president of the West Hollywood Moms’ Club, is found dead in her own pool, clearly not an accident. Three of the other mothers are now at the center of the investigation, all with secrets and motives. This is a super fast read, full of betrayals and sinister plots. It’s the perfect summer vibes cover, with rich people drama, a page-turning plot, and easy prose.

#36) She Started It by Sian Gilbert

A group of women are invited to travel to a luxury private island in the Bahamas for a bachelorette party. Everything takes a sinister turn as the girls become wary of Poppy, the bride to be and dark secrets about their pasts are revealed. From the tropical Caribbean setting, the twisty absorbing sequence of events, and the awful catty nature of female friendships, I couldn’t put this one down. I literally read it in one day. Highly recommend!

#37) Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

Another book that I absolutely devoured in one day because I just couldn’t put it down, and there’s something about suburban drama that just feels perfect for summertime reading. Nine-year-old Avery goes missing from an idyllic neighborhood after her father, William, loses his temper with her. But he isn’t the only one lying to police, as witnesses come forward with contradicting information, and neighbors become increasingly unhinged. The title of this one says it all, literally every single person in this story is lying about something. And you will never, ever see this twist coming. It left me reeling in shock, especially that last chapter.

#38-39) One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day

Set in a legendary hotel on the coast of Maine, with a hurricane looming, the Bishop sisters have come to claim their inheritance, while secrets emerge and major family drama ensues. It’s a twisty, fun, atmospheric, engaging read.

I also recommend her debut novel that released last year, The Block Party, as it also gives total summer vibes. The residents of this exclusive suburban neighborhood are caught up in secrets and scandal when, on the night of the summer block party, there’s a murder.

#40) You’re Invited by Amanda Jayatissa

At a Sri Lankan beach wedding, Amaya’s ex boyfriend is marrying her best friend, until harrowing events lead the police to accuse her of the bride’s murder. Everyone has secrets and hidden agendas in this one, with all kinds of relationship, friendship, and family drama.

#41) The Trouble with Drowning by Heather Hach

Kat is a struggling writer, working at a local bookstore, when she falls in love with Jacob, the son of her idol, a prolific author. Her obsession, and ambition begin to make her blur the lines between right and wrong. You can help but root for Kat, and I appreciated the real and deep way that mental health issues were discussed in this book. Itis an emotional, evocative story, and definitely not one that is lighthearted. So if you are looking for something with a little more substance to read this summer, I definitely recommend it.

#42) The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy

Full of childhood wonder and magical realism come to life, an unlikely group of teens find adventure in strange houses that only appear when you need them most. It’s told in two timelines, one covering their childhood summers, and the other fifteen years later after one of them goes missing and the others are called back to solve her disappearance. It’s genre-blurring, speculative, gothic, adventurous, emotional, and nostalgic. It explores a sense of community and belonging. This one is also a more dense read, but I think would make a great addition to your summer TBR.