The Plot Thickens
Hey there, sleuths. Welcome back to another iteration of your go-to column for all things thriller and mystery. Grab a flashlight, sharpen your instincts and get ready to lose yourself in a world where danger lurks behind every turn. As we dive into another exploration of the dark and mysterious, remember … the only thing you can trust is the next page.
Kicking things off with a slight detour from the conventional boundaries of the thriller genre is a sci-fi adventure that tugs at the heartstrings. TJ Klune, best known for the cult-hit “The House in the Cerulean Sea,” has veered away from his usual fantasy and romantic romps featuring LGBTQ+ characters to deliver a story with soul, humor and a pinch of cosmic chaos.
In “The Bones Beneath My Skin” (Tor Books, $29.99), when down-on-his-luck journalist Nate stumbles upon a gruff protector, a quirky little girl named Artemis Darth Vader, and a whole lot of government secrets, his quiet cabin retreat turns into an intergalactic road trip. Packed with found-family feels, laugh-out-loud banter, and just enough danger to keep the tension nice and taut, this book is a wild ride that is as thrilling as it is deeply moving. Warning: Side effects may include emotional attachment and an uncontrollable urge to hug this book.
Passion, ambition and obsession collide in “The Favorites” (Random House, $28), an electrifying novel set in the cutthroat world of elite figure skating. Leaning more toward romance, Layne Fargo’s latest follows Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha, once an unstoppable ice-dancing duo who captivated audiences with their undeniable chemistry — until a shocking scandal shattered their partnership. A decade later, an explosive documentary threatens to expose the truth, forcing Kat to reclaim her story before the world rewrites it for her.
Fargo, author of psychological thrillers “They Never Learn” and “Temper,” and co-author of the bestselling “Young Rich Widows” series, has once again delivered a master class in spine-tingling storytelling, interweaving rivalry, media scrutiny and betrayal into a sensational, high-stakes drama where fame is fleeting, talent isn’t enough and love can be as dangerous as the ice beneath their skates.
Pro tip: The audiobook is a must-listen. “The Favorites” unfolds through a series of interviews in a gripping documentary-style format — think “Daisy Jones & The Six” — and the audio version features a dynamic cast of narrators, amplifying the tension and drama and making for an even more immersive experience. This unique storytelling format will keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth behind the scandal.
Known for psychological suspense novels such as “Confessions on the 7:45,” “In the Blood” and “Last Girl Ghosted,” New York Times and internationally bestselling author Lisa Unger returns with another white-knuckle survival thriller. In “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” (Park Row, $30), a seemingly innocent childhood game turns into a deadly nightmare.
When extreme adventurer Maverick Dillan invites contestants to a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on a remote island, Adele, a struggling single mother, joins the competition, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows. As a raging storm cuts them off from the world, the game becomes a crooked battle against unseen threats. Twists arrive relentlessly, keeping readers on edge and guessing until the final, breath-stealing twist. “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” proves that sometimes the real threat is hiding in plain sight.
Susan Barker’s “Old Soul” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, $29) is a mesmerizing literary horror that blends supernatural mystery and psychological depth into a globe-trotting thriller. The novel follows Jake, a man grieving the inexplicable death of a loved one, as he discovers a chilling link to an ageless woman who preys on victims across decades. As he pieces together testimonies from others who have encountered this enigmatic figure, the novel unfolds as a slow-burn investigation into mortality, morality and the cost of survival.
Barker’s razor-sharp writing immerses readers in haunting settings that shift from Osaka, Japan, to New Mexico’s eerie Badlands. At the same time, the alternating narrative structure, weaving past accounts with present events, builds relentless anticipation, culminating in an unforgettable finale. “Old Soul” is dark, thought-provoking and wholly original — a must-read for gothic horror fans.
Murder, mischief and a castle full of secrets — what could go wrong? “The Author’s Guide to Murder” (William Morrow, $30) by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and literary satire, where three very different authors retreat to a Scottish castle for a writing getaway, only to find themselves entangled in a real-life whodunit when a literary superstar turns up dead.
With secret passageways, scandalous pasts and a grumpy detective who’d rather be anywhere else, this locked-room mystery is as witty as it is twisty. Packed with snark, suspense and just the right amount of plaid, grab a cuppa and enjoy the chaos of this charming crime fiction with a bite.