Sunlit Reads Ideal for Extended Holiday Periods
For those seeking a chill in their summer reads, we have a list of psychological thrillers that offer suspense and dark undertones set against the backdrop of hot, summer locations.
First on our list is "The Resort" by the author featured in CrimeReads. This thriller takes place on a remote Thai island where expatriates harbour dark secrets. If you're looking for something set in a different location, "Dead of Summer" by Jessa Maxwell offers island secrets, layered friendships, and slow-burn summer suspense.
Moving on to the most anticipated thrillers of summer 2025, "The Tenant" by Freida McFadden and "The Missing Half" by Ashley Flowers deliver chilling domestic suspense and cold case mysteries with an intense, darker psychological edge.
"The Tenant" follows a group of international students who participated in a study abroad program ten years ago, with one student's remains discovered a decade later. In "The Missing Half", the story revolves around a group of online true-crime sleuths investigating a brutal triple murder in a small Idaho college town.
If you prefer a mix of humour and horror, "Diavola" by Jennifer Marie Thorne is a psychological thriller primarily set beneath the Tuscan summer sun. The narration is laugh-out-loud, but the terror on its pages is palpable. The protagonist, Anna, is not looking forward to her family vacation at an Italian villa due to strained relations with her family. However, as she begins hearing unsettling noises in the villa and receiving disturbing warnings from locals, the vacation takes a sinister turn.
For readers who prefer a darker tone throughout, "This Stays Between Us" by an unnamed author is set throughout the east coast of Australia. The story follows a group of students who participated in a study abroad program ten years ago, and one student's remains are discovered a decade later. The group reunites in Australia to discover that there may be a murderer among them.
"Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt is a psychological thriller set in January in Burlington, Vermont. Despite the winter setting, the book is guaranteed to send a shiver up your spine, even on the hottest of summer days. The story follows Alex Kelley, a scorned crime author and widow who accepts a position as the ghost writer of a book detailing the tragedies that happened throughout the 20th century at a Burlington Orphanage known as Coram House. As Alex's research leads her to the truth of what really happened at Coram House decades ago, it's clear that the orphanage's crimes won't stay in the past.
Last but not least, "All Her Fault" by Andrea Mara is an addictive thriller about a mother's worst nightmare: her son going missing from a playdate. This thriller offers a different kind of summer chill, making it a perfect addition to our list.
These titles combine the atmosphere of summer heat with suspenseful, psychological darkness, making them ideal for readers seeking thrillers with a darker tone set during summer. Happy reading!
- For a change from thrillers, readers can delve into topics of lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and books by following popular hashtags on social media, such as #OOTD, #Bookstagram, or #BeautyHaul.
- Sticking with the theme of entertainment, followers of several movie and celebrity accounts on social media can keep updated with the latest fashion trends worn by their favorite stars in summer blockbusters or award shows.
- To maintain psychological intrigue, avid book readers might also find mystery novels intertwined with other genres such as romance or humor, like the psychological thriller "Diavola", a perfect blend of horror, dark humor, and an unsettling summer read.
