Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm.
I rarely read mysteries/thrillers and I do not know why that is. I think I have a hard time navigating which ones are worth my time. There are a lot of them out there and my tastes when it comes to mysteries is very particular. You may notice from the books I share today that my favourites are typically not traditional thrillers and the mystery elements are much more quiet and more in the background.
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
I Let You Go is probably the most traditional mystery/thriller on this list. It has one of the greatest twists that I have ever come across in any form of media. I was absolutely floored! This book has stayed with me ever since I read it and I don’t think another twist will catch me off guard in quite the same way again.
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
Bitter Orange is both literary fiction and a mystery, and it’s brilliant! There is something sinister brewing throughout the story and Fuller slowly gives the reader hints as to what is to come. It is incredible atmospheric and character-driven. The characters are unlikable but authentic. I loved everything about this one!
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
My Sister, the Serial Killer is another example of a book that is not your typical mystery/thriller. The reader is always in the know and the mystery lies in what our main character is going to do next. It reads more like a character study and a look at morality and our society than a traditional mystery.
You by Caroline Kepnes
I have never read a book quite like You. It is told in the second person which adds a level of creepiness that I have never experienced before. I listened to the audiobook for this one and it was amazing- it really messed with my head for awhile. I have yet to listen to the sequel, Hidden Bodies, because I am not quite sure I am quite ready to live in Joe’s mind again.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Dark Matter is a SciFi thriller and it is a ride! There are so many twists and turns and it absolutely blew my mind. If you want a thriller that will make your heart race, this is the one for you. I have an eARC of his upcoming novel, Recursion, and I can not wait to get to it. I have already heard great things!
What is your favourite mystery/thriller novel? It is a genre that I need to explore more and I would love your recommendations!
Oooh, is You the one that Netflix has done the series on with as Joe?
Penn Badgley… (not to self, WordPress deletes anything in arrows that isn’t a hyperlink…)
Haha yes it is! He perfectly embodies the character. I was so impressed with how they adapted the show and gave you th same feeling you have when you read the book.
I know what you mean about it being hard to navigate which thrillers are worth your time!! If I see one more “thriller” with ‘woman’, ‘girl’ or ‘wife’ in the title… I may throw a VERY unlady-like fit. 🤣 I really want to read “Bitter Orange” and “My Sister, the Serial Killer” and I LOVE DARK MATTER! What a FANTASTIC book! ❤️❤️
Yes! Domestic thrillers were interesting at the beginning but now they are overdone and one book blends in to the next. Bitter Orange and My Sister are so original! I hope you love them!
I loved Dark Matter too! Some of my favourites are Shutter Island and Six Years 🙂
Ohh I don’t know why I have not thought of reading Shutter Island. Instantly added it to my TBR!
Dark Matter sounds interesting since it’s a sci fi! I’m not big on the thriller genre but I’ll read anything sci-fi!
Oh you’ll love it! It’s an interesting take on the SciFi genre. So fun!
I feel SOOOOOO stupid right now! How could I not add Dark Matter to my list??!?!?!?! It’s one of my all time favourites! Great list!
Hahaha shameful!!!
😂
Is Dark Matter the book that was made into a TV show?
Also I’ve read a book like that where the readers know more than the characters about the mystery. Of course I can’t remember the name of the book now but it was really good. I’m going to have to look into that one.
I just looked it up and it isn’t! Funny though that they are both SciFi with the same name. Apparently that show is a comic book though!
I love when books do that. It is such a clever way to tell a story!
LOL…. confusing though!
Great list of thrillers! I’ve had my eye of My Sister, The Serial Killer for quite a while.
Thank you! It is a good one!
How many interesting titles! I have Dark Matter on my TBR and I really hope to read it soon!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Dark Matter is so fun! So many twists and turns.
I had no idea You on Netflix was based on a book! I’m so glad I haven’t watched it yet. I don’t read a lot of mysteries or thrillers but when I do, I find they don’t genuinely unsettle me the way I want them to. I think You could be a story that does. Great list!
It is! Definitely read the book first. It really messes with your head!
Loved I Let You Go! You is by far the most unsettling book I have read and for that reason I look back on it with mixed feelings, but it is undeniably well written.
Unsettling is the perfect word to describe it.
Great list! Dark Matter was one of my faves 🙂
I read You last month and i’m watching the series now and i’m so disappointed. The book was so unique and creepy…
Dark Matter is amazing! I thought the show was pretty good but it would be so difficult to perfectly capture the same level of creepiness!
Dark Matter has been sitting on my shelf for about 2 years. I think it’s time that I pick it up, especially since I’ve been on this Thriller reads lately. I added “My Sister, The Serial Killer” when you did the quotes post, it instantly intrigued me!
It is definitely time! I am so happy that you added My Sister to your TBR. It’s really great!
YAY!
Bitter Orange is a TBR of mine already because the summary just sounds so appealing. I must bump it up my list!
Ah it is so great! It’s definitely for a specific type of reader but wow it sticks with you!
I’ve read YOU, and Dark Matter and I love them both so much!! From your list, I’d love to read Bitter Orange, sounds fantastic!!
Aren’t they so good!? I just adore Bitter Orange. I hope you do too!
Oh I need to give Bitter Orange a try. I love atmospheric books.
You is really great and the audiobook is one of the best I’ve listened to. I’ve yet to try Hidden Bodies as well.
Bitter Orange is a great one!
I listened to the audiobook for You as well. The narrator was fantastic!
My all-time favorite book (of any genre) is “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier. A classic!
I have been meaning to read Rebecca for years!!
I haven’t read Bitter Orange yet (or any of Claire Fuller’s novels, even though she’s been on my TBR forever! Must change that!) but otherwise I’ve loved all of these. Great choices! They all seem to push the bounds of the mystery/thriller genre in their own ways.
You are so right about these books pushing the boundaries. I love when thrillers do something different. That is definitely the case for Claire Fuller as well!
I really enjoyed my sister the serial killer, it was a great character study as you said from a pov I’d not seen before
I agree. Very unique book!
Dark Matter was great! I added Bitter Oranges to my list and am thinking about You. Great list!
It makes me so happy to see people adding Bitter Orange to their TBR! It is such a fantastic book! You is a great one too if you want something completely creepy.
“You” is still the most messed up book I’ve ever read (but not in a bad way). Have you read Clare Mackintosh’s other books. I haven’t read the most recent yet, but her other two I both liked a little more than the one you mentioned, so you should check them out if you haven’t yet! I also really loved My Sister, The Serial Killer. It was so different.
I haven’t read her other books yet. They are on my list though! More excited to read them now that I know you liked them even more!
That is what I loved about My Sister. I have never read anything quite like it.
I don’t tend to read mystery/thrillers either, but that’s mostly because I’m a scaredy cat! I even started Dark Matter because I’d heard such good things, but had to put it down pretty early on because I was getting too creeped out!
It is definitely creepy in its own way. It messes with your head!
Really glad you liked you and dark matter- I definitely want to check those out!
I truly think you’ll love both!