You won't be able to stop thinking about these books
These will surely get you out of a reading slump
In the world of literature, there are thriller books that politely invite you in, let you settle in and get comfortable, as you slowly start to fill up on the story. Then there are books that grab you by the collar and refuse to let go. The unputdownable books, as the cool kids call them, have a hook so sharp it digs into you, leaving you jittering with excitement and anticipation for the next break you get in the day so you can get back to reading.
The Tweak India Book Club (click here to join) pick of the month, Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent, is a prime example of the latter with opening lines that say, “‘Put me out with the bins,’ he said, regularly. ‘When I die, put me out with the bins. I’ll be dead, so I won’t know any different. You’ll be crying your eyes out,’ and he would laugh and I’d laugh too because we both knew that I wouldn’t be crying my eyes out. I never cry.” Like all great unputdownable books, it grips you right from the opening paragraph and, with unforgettable characters, it’s the kind of book that makes you miss your stop on the Mumbai local or keeps you up late into the night.
Inspired by Nugent’s masterful storytelling, we’ve curated a list of equally unputdownable books with plenty of chills and thrills that you’ll want to devour in one sitting.
10 unputdownable books you’ll want to binge-read
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Lucy finds herself at the centre of a chilling mystery when she’s accused of her best friend’s murder, a crime she has no memory of committing. Despite insufficient evidence, the small town’s suspicion hangs heavy over her. Years later, a popular true crime podcast comes poking around and reignites public interest in the case, forcing Lucy to confront her past and the possibility that she may be guilty. As the charismatic host, Ben Owens, digs deeper, Lucy’s unreliable memory and the town’s secrets unravel in a gripping tale of guilt, deception, and the elusive truth.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
An imposing, isolated hotel high in the Swiss Alps isn’t Elin Warner’s idea of a great vacation. But she’s taken time off from her job as a detective, so when her estranged brother, Isaac, and his fiancée, Laure, invite her to celebrate their engagement, she reluctantly agrees. The hotel, a former sanatorium, has been renovated into a five-star minimalist retreat. However, it still has some old secrets that Elin must uncover, as Laure goes missing in the midst of a snowstorm. If you loved The Shining, then this may be up your alley.
Murder in Mahim by Jerry Pinto
Combining crime fiction with social commentary, Murder in Mahim begins with the brutal discovery of a young man’s body in a public toilet. Retired journalist, Peter D’Souza, becomes entangled in the investigation, drawn in by his connection to Inspector Zende. As Peter probes deeper, he exposes a clandestine world of homosexuality, stigma, blackmail, and desperation in Mumbai’s underbelly. The novel vividly personifies Mumbai, with Pinto’s evocative descriptions bringing its vibrant yet gritty backdrop to life. Through Peter’s journey, the story explores themes of loneliness, ambition, family dynamics, and the complexities of urban life.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, Alicia Berenson’s life seems perfect to everyone around her. But Alicia is arrested one day and committed to a secure forensic unit, after shooting her husband multiple times in their beautiful home. Theo Faber, the newest criminal psychotherapist, takes a keen interest in Alicia’s case, who has now gone completely mute, and is determined to get her to finally speak and answer the question on everyone’s mind – why?
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan embark on a search for their dream home and discover a remote manor once owned by the vanished psychiatrist, Dr. Adrienne Hale. Amidst a blizzard that traps them inside, secrets buried within the house begin to unravel, including a hidden room filled with revealing therapy tapes. As Tricia listens, the boundaries between truth and deception blur, raising unsettling questions about Dr. Hale’s disappearance and the dark secrets haunting their own relationship. We’re going to read this one with the lights on.
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Would you kidnap someone’s child to save your own (also kidnapped) child?
Rachel Klein’s ordinary morning turns into a nightmare when she receives a chilling call — her daughter Kylie has been kidnapped. Rachel now must become part of The Chain — an intricate scheme where parents must kidnap another child to secure their own’s release. With each abduction, victims become perpetrators, trapped in a moral dilemma that challenges their sense of right and wrong. As Rachel races against time to save her daughter, she discovers the horrifying depths of what parents will do to protect their own.
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
We can’t talk about unputdownable books without mentioning Gillian Flynn. Sharp Objects is a dark and suspenseful psychological thriller with a Southern Gothic twist. Reporter Camille Preaker reluctantly returns to her stifling hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, tasked with covering the brutal murders of two young girls. Estranged from her controlling mother and haunted by her troubled past, Camille’s investigation forces her to confront deep-seated demons amidst a town steeped in secrets and a suffocating atmosphere. As she delves deeper, the lines between victim and perpetrator blur, revealing chilling truths that hit close to home.
Even if you’ve watched the fantastic TV adaptation of this book, it’s still a must-read for Flynn fans (like this writer).
The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz
“I very much need to be dead” are the famous last words that turned Jane Hawk’s life upside-down. Her husband, FBI agent Lowell, is found dead, an apparent suicide. But Jane refuses to believe it. Convinced there’s more to Lowell’s death, she embarks on a relentless quest for truth. Her investigation uncovers a sinister secret operation tied to powerful forces (think brain chips, mind control, and conspiracies) intent on concealing the truth at any cost. Jane transforms from a grieving widow into a formidable adversary, navigating a treacherous landscape of paranoia and danger, where allies are scarce and enemies lurk in the shadows.
The filming rights for this one were reportedly picked up before it was published, so you definitely have something worthy coming to your watchlist soon.
Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson
In Before I Go to Sleep, Christine Lucas wakes each morning with no memory of her life due to a debilitating form of amnesia. Each day, she relies on a journal and recordings from her husband, Ben, to piece together her identity. However, as Christine begins to uncover cryptic messages and inconsistencies in Ben’s recordings, she starts to suspect something sinister. With her reality constantly shifting and memories unreliable, Christine cannot trust anyone — not even herself. Driven by a desperate need for the truth, she races against time to uncover her past, soon realising she may be in grave danger. A worthy contender for the top spot on our list of unputdownable books, it did lose points for ruining one of our favourite movies, 50 First Dates.
I Kill Killers by ST Ashman
In I Kill Killers, a chilling thriller, our protagonist, Leah Nachtnebel, seemingly has it all as a successful concert pianist, but finds a twisted sense of justice in hunting down and killing serial killers. As a vigilante with a dark past, she meticulously tracks down the most dangerous predators, turning the tables on those who prey on the innocent. However, her deadly mission becomes increasingly perilous as she encounters adversaries who are as cunning and ruthless as she is. With each kill, she delves deeper into a world of violence and moral ambiguity, questioning her own humanity. This suspenseful narrative explores the thin line between justice and vengeance, keeping you on the edge of your seat, as the hunter becomes the hunted. This ones for the fans of the show Dexter who love how it started and hate how it ended.
