8 "Gripping" Mystery & Thriller Books To Read This Summer

Device Free Weekend by Sean Doolittle

This novel by Sean Doolittle follows Ryan Cloverhill, a tech billionaire and founder of a popular social media platform, who invites six of his closest college friends to his private island. The catch? No phones are allowed.

However, what starts as a luxurious getaway spirals into chaos when the group wakes up on the second day to find Ryan missing. Plus, a strange tablet is waiting in Ryan's place that sends his friends on a scavenger hunt woven with clues from their past. Device Free Weekend is fast-paced, tension-filled, and perfect for people who enjoy puzzles.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

What would you do if the person you loved vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a cryptic note? This is character Hannah Hall's reality after her missing husband Owen leaves her a note that simply reads, "Protect her."

The "her," in this case, is Bailey, her teenage stepdaughter, who can barely tolerate Hannah. Nonetheless, as federal agents start to close in and Owen's identity comes into question, Hannah and Bailey are forced to rely on each other to uncover the truth.

You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose

This story centers around Grace Evans, a woman who trades in the chaos of her New York City life to visit a ranch in remote Wyoming. Yet, her dream vacation turns into a nightmare.

At first, her host, Calvin, seems charming and handsome, but the lack of cell service, a local woman's mysterious disappearance, and Calvin's increasingly unsettling behavior make Grace feel uneasy. You Shouldn't Have Come Here begins as a slow-burning romance but morphs into a psychological thriller that will keep you gripped.

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

In We Were Never Here, Andrea Bartz tells the tale of a backpacking trip in the mountains of Chile that turns deadly when Emily stumbles upon a bloody murder scene, and her best friend, Kristen, claims to have acted in self-defense.

But this isn't the first time a vacation with Kristen has ended with violence. So, after they return home, Emily can't shake the feeling that history is repeating itself and her friend might be hiding something.

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

Seven strangers and a lavish island retreat: what could possibly go wrong? They All Fall Down follows Miriam Macy, who gets a surprise invitation to travel to a private island on a yacht with six strangers. However, once she and the others arrive, it becomes clear that this isn't an ordinary getaway.

Every guest actually has their own secret, and someone is determined to make them all pay. So, accidents start to claim lives, and suspicion and fear become overwhelming.

Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews

This book by Alexandra Andrews centers on Florence Darrow, who's craving a more exciting life when she lands a job opportunity with a famous novelist named Maud Dixon. They go on a research trip to Morocco, and Florence believes it'll be the adventure she's been dreaming of.

Eventually, though, a car accident leaves her injured, and Maud is missing. These strange circumstances give Florence an unexpected chance to slip into her boss's identity.

The Matchmaker by Aisha Saeed

Nura Khan has a stellar record as a matchmaker until someone starts sabotaging her clients' weddings. What feels like a cruel prank soon escalates into something more sinister, and Nura realizes both she and her business are under threat.

With the help of her childhood best friend and fake fiancé, Azar, she must figure out who's behind the scheme. The Matchmaker is a suspenseful mystery that also has rom-com elements, so it's a solid summer read.

Saltwater by Katy Hays

Below the cliffs of Capri, Sarah Lingate was found dead in 1992. She left behind her daughter, Helen, who was only 3 years old at the time, and despite some suspicions of foul play, her death was ruled an accident.

But when Helen returns to her family's villa three decades later, something is different: her mother Sarah's necklace, which was last seen the night she died, has somehow reappeared.

The piece of jewelry causes old secrets to resurface, and the facade that the Lingates had been putting on begins to crack. If you love slow-burning suspense, you definitely have to pick up Saltwater this summer.