Whether you're planning to read on the beach or stay cool inside, this August is chock-full of captivating mysteries and thrillers [1] that will keep you guessing until the final page. This month's selection of must reads include books from debut authors and tried and true favourites alike. From Megan Collins's tale of what happens when murder visits a true crime-obsessed family to Zoje Stage's story of a nightmarish journey through the Grand Canyon, these novels are packed with all the twists, suspense, and unforgettable characters you could possibly ask for. But just in case you manage to read through all 14 of these thrillers and mysteries in August, don't forget to check out July's list [2], too.
The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones
A wedding weekend turns deadly in Sandie Jones's atmospheric thriller The Guilt Trip [4]. Old friends Rachel, Jack, Paige, and Noah are all invited to their pal Will's wedding in Portugal. However, Rachel uncovers a dark secret about Will's fiancée, Ali, that threatens the safety of everyone on the trip.
Out Aug. 3
The Husbands by Chandler Baker
The Husbands [5] by Chandler Baker is the gender-swapped take on The Stepford Wives the world has been waiting for. Like so many women, Nora Spangler is fighting burnout as she balances her career as a lawyer with the never-ending domestic tasks that come with being a wife and a mother. So imagine her surprise when she moves to a seemingly perfect neighbourhood where all of the husbands pitch in with the day-to-day running of their households without a single word of complaint.
Out Aug. 3
The Turnout by Megan Abbott
Fans of Black Swan are in for a deliciously dark treat with The Turnout [6] by Megan Abbott. Set in a dance studio run by Dara, her sister Marie, and her husband, Charlie, the story follows the trio as they begin to unravel thanks to a disastrous performance of The Nutcracker.
Out Aug. 3
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
How well do you really know your friends? That's the question at the heart of Andrea Bartz's chilling We Were Never Here [7]. After two trips with her friend Kristen end with Emily helping her pal dispose of a dead body, Emily begins to wonder what secrets Kristen is keeping from her and whether or not their holiday indiscretions will end up ruining her life.
Out Aug. 3
Mrs. March by Virginia Feito
Soon to be a movie starring Elisabeth Moss [8], Mrs. March [9] by Virginia Feito is a psychological thriller with shades of Hitchcock. Always the devoted wife, Mrs. March is nothing but supportive of her writer husband — at least she is until a local shopkeeper suggests she was the inspiration for the loathsome character in his latest book. Now Mrs. March is questioning everything she thought she knew about her spouse, including whether or not her husband might be capable of murder.
Out Aug. 10
The Sister-in-Law by Pamela Crane
You are not prepared for the twists The Sister-in-Law [10] by Pamela Crane has in store for you. This domestic thriller centres around Candace, a woman who marries her dream guy, only to discover his live-in sister will do anything to get rid of her. The schemes that Candace's sister-in-law concocts are sure to have you at the edge of your seat.
Out Aug. 10
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
56 Days [11] by Catherine Ryan Howard is one of the first novels set during the pandemic, but don't let the novel's setting put you off. Howard uses lockdown as an excuse to force two virtual strangers to quarantine together in Dublin, Ireland. But while Ciara and Oliver happily enter lockdown together, one of them will be dead by the time the book ends.
Out Aug. 17
The Family Plot by Megan Collins
A true-crime-obsessed family is forced to unravel a murder that hits close to home in The Family Plot [12] by Megan Collins. Years after she left her eccentric family of true-crime devotees behind, Dahlia returns home after her father dies. However, things take an unexpected turn when the body of her long-missing twin brother shows up in her father's grave.
Out Aug. 17
Getaway by Zoje Stage
Zoje Stage, the author of Baby Teeth, returns with another chilling thriller that will definitely make you lose sleep at night. In Getaway [13], three friends leave the world behind as they set off on a hike through the Grand Canyon. But they don't get very far before secrets and long-simmering animosities bubble to the surface.
Out Aug. 17
How to Kill Your Best Friend by Lexie Elliott
Utterly unnerving and completely engrossing, How to Kill Your Best Friend [14] by Lexie Elliott traps a group of funeral attendees on an island during a storm. Among them are Georgie and Bronwyn who can't quite figure out how their friend Lissa, who was a gifted swimmer, drowned while swimming in Kanu Cove. With the storm coming in and questions swirling, both women are certain there is more to the story.
Out Aug. 17
The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer
Inspired by the real theft of the "Mona Lisa" in 1911, The Last Mona Lisa [15] by Jonathan Santlofer is a thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of the world of fine art. Art professor Luke Perrone is in a unique position to discover what happened to the "Mona Lisa" during the two years the painting was missing. This is because he happens to be a descendant of the man who stole it! With the help of a detective, Luke is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting himself in danger.
Out Aug. 17
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic author Silvia Moreno-Garcia proves she's just as adept at writing thrilling noir novels as she is gothic horrors in Velvet Was the Night [16]. When her neighbour disappears, romance-obsessed Maite launches her own investigation, completely unaware that her neighbour has some very dangerous people looking for her as well.
Out Aug. 17
The Last Guests by J.P. Pomare
Prepare to get goosebumps when you read The Last Guests [17] by J.P. Pomare. When a newlywed couple decide to rent out their lake house for extra income, the last thing they expect is for someone to be watching their every move — which is especially inconvenient since Lina and Cain have secrets they're desperate to keep.
Out Aug. 31
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
Bestselling author Paula Hawkins's latest thriller, A Slow Fire Burning [18], takes place during the aftermath of a man's death on his London houseboat. Three disparate women are all suspects, and they all have their own reasons for wanting the man dead. But would one of them really commit murder?
Out Aug. 31