After Gone Girl, it seemed like every thriller that was released had the word "girl" in it. These days, a new theme has emerged - see if you can spot it.
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
Release Date: July 3, 2018
Synopsis: Emma Davis knows that returning to Camp Nightingale is a bad idea. Her time there as a child ended in tragedy when her four fellow cabinmates went missing. Still, she obsesses over the missing girls she once knew, and when she's recruited to come back to the camp for the summer, she can't resist. But, as she starts to dig deeper into the past, she realizes that the danger might not be gone, even after all these years.
My Thoughts: This book was phenomenal. If you love thrillers, as I do, you'll know that there are some books that are only good because of the twist. You trudge along, kind of confused, until the author throws in some wild twist that makes up for the lackluster start. That is not the case with this book. It is good, from start to finish and the twists are still crazy. If you pick up only one thriller this year, make it this one. You will not regret it. 5/5
You May Also Like: Final Girls by Riley Sager or The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Bonus: Reportedly picked up by Amazon for a limited series.
The Last Thing I Told You by Emily Arsenault
Release Date: July 24, 2018
Synopsis: It's unclear why Nadine Raines has returned to her hometown. Of course, finding her former therapist, Dr. Mark Fabian, dead in his office isn't ideal. She continues to seek his counsel, talking to him in her head as she delves into why she was sent to see him so many years ago. Meanwhile, hometown-hero Detective Henry Peacher is called in to look into the murder and he'll realize he's more connected to this case than anyone could have predicted.
My Thoughts: I loved this novel. I was drawn in immediately, found the twists and turns enjoyable and ended up really rooting for the characters, so much so that I'd be happy to read another book featuring this town. I would recommend this if you like thrillers that lean more into Crime/Detective Fiction rather than solely psychological affairs. 5/5
You May Also Like: The Dry by Jane Harper or Two Girls Down by Louise Luna
The Lies They Tell by Gillian French
Release Date: April 23, 2018
Synopsis: Townie Pearl Haskins doesn't believe her father was to blame for the fire that killed the majority of the Garrison family. So, when Tristan Garrison, the only survivor, returns to Maine for the summer and his friends start to reach out to Pearl, she welcomes the opportunity to get close to them and maybe learn the truth. But spending time with the Tristan and his gang is not what she expected and Pearl may be in over her head.
My Thoughts: This novel is set in a vacation town in Maine and, despite the trouble that the characters end up getting into, I enjoyed spending part of my summer vicariously through Pearl and her new friends. This is a novel where I enjoyed the journey more than the destination. It was compelling but without a twist that knocked me on the floor. Still, I don't regret the time I spent in Tenney's Harbor, Maine and I would definitely recommend it if you're looking for your next beach read (or something to read while wishing you were on the beach). 4.5/5
You May Also Like: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson
Release Date: May 29, 2018
Synopsis: In Austin, Gabe is coming to the realization that his girlfriend, Sasha, may be more trouble than she's worth. Sasha isn't planning on letting him get away easily, but Gabe never could have predicted how far she'd go. Meanwhile, in Portland, Elyse auditions for her school production of Romeo and Juliet knowing she'll lose out on the part to her best friend. But Elyse catches the attention of someone forbidden and she finds herself willing to take risks to see if he feels the same way.
My Thoughts: The set-up of alternating narrators for this novel is common for the genre, but I've never read a book where the two storylines really appeared to have nothing to do with one another. I was past the halfway point before I figured out the connection and, up to that point, I was definitely hooked trying to piece it together. This is a great YA thriller in that there are some unhinged characters and violent moments, but nothing so disturbing I'd feel uncomfortable recommending to readers unaccustomed to the genre. If you could handle an episode of Pretty Little Liars, you'd be fine to read this book. All in all, I really enjoyed the ride. 4/5
You May Also Like: One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Bonus: Debut Novel from Jennifer Donaldson
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