Book Club Thriller

"Welcome to the family," Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I'll soon learn that the Winchesters' secrets are far more dangerous than my own . . .Every day I clean the Winchesters' beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew's handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it's hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina's life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.I only try on one of Nina's pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it's like. But she soon finds out... and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it's far too late.But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don't know who I really am.They don't know what I'm capable of . . .An unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won't be able to put this down!Read what everyone's saying about The Housemaid:"I got severe whiplash from the twistiest turns... Every time I thought I had it figured out... WRONG!!!... I am still reeling... outstanding... If you love a top notch psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own sanity, then this 5-star read is for you" NetGalley reviewer, FIVE STARS"What a wild ride!!! Freida definitely delivered the best twisty ending... Gripping from start to finish... honestly, I just could not put it down... An absolutely mind-blowing shocker that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat literally until the very end" Goodreads reviewer, FIVE STARS"So many twists and turns... I was hooked right away - I even read my Kindle while waiting in my kid's school pick-up line so I wouldn't have to put this book down!... addictive... pure perfection!" Goodreads reviewer, FIVE STARS

Read more less

'Here are characters who are real and likeable, even when they are complicated and flawed. Paula Hawkins is a genius' Lisa Jewell IT'S THE QUIET ONES YOU HAVE TO WATCH Three women, connected by one brutal crime. Three women, determined to right the wrongs done to them. Three women, with everything to hide. When it comes to revenge, even good people are capable of terrible things. But only one person killed Daniel Sutherland. How long can their secrets smoulder, before they explode into flame? The new SCORCHING bestseller from #1 author of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN and INTO THE WATER 'This twisted story with its cast of damaged characters builds to a brilliant conclusion.' Shari Lapena 'From the first sentence to the last, this explosive, startling novel grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Fiendishly clever' Kate Mosse 'Shocking, moving, full of heart' Observer 'Twists and turns like a great thriller should, but it's also deep, intelligent and intensely human' Lee Child 'Gripping and intriguing, I loved every moment' S J Watson 'Superbly told... utterly compelling' Daily Mail 'Paula Hawkins' best novel yet' Harriet Tyce

Read more less

'Clever, twisty, and altogether spine-chilling. . . . [A] deliciously terrifying story. . . .You'll want to read this one after dark, ideally with the wind whistling in the eaves and a window banging somewhere just out of reach. But keep the light switch handy. You just might need it' Ruth Ware, Book of the MonthWhat was it like? Living in that house.Maggie Holt is used to such questions. Twenty-five years ago, she and her parents, Ewan and Jess, moved into a rambling Victorian estate called Baneberry Hall. They spent three weeks there before fleeing in the dead of night, an ordeal Ewan later recounted in a memoir called House of Horrors. His tale of ghostly happenings and encounters with malevolent spirits became a worldwide phenomenon.Now, Maggie has inherited Baneberry Hall after her father's death. She was too young to remember any of the events mentioned in her father's book. But she doesn't believe a word of it. Ghosts, after all, don't exist.But when she returns to Baneberry Hall to prepare it for sale, her homecoming is anything but warm. People from the pages of her father's book lurk in the shadows, and locals aren't thrilled that their small town has been made infamous. Even more unnerving is Baneberry Hall itself - a place that hints of dark deeds and unexplained happenings. As the days pass, Maggie begins to believe that what her father wrote was more fact than fiction. That, either way, someone - or something - doesn't want her here. And that she might be in danger all over again . . . THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLEROne of . . .Huff Post's "10 Of The Most Anticipated Book Releases Of June 2020" - Good Housekeeping's "The 35 Best Books of 2020 to Add to Your Reading List" - Travel + Leisure's "20 Most Anticipated Summer 2020 Books" - PopSugar's 17 Most Anticipated Summer Thrillers - Working Mother's "The 20 Most Anticipated Books of 2020" - Newsweek's 20 most anticipated summer reads - Publishers Weekly's "Summer Reads 2020" - BookPage's "2020 Most Anticipated Thrillers and Mysteries" - Today.com's "16 highly anticipated summer reads" - The Star Tribune's "Great Escapes" summer reads - BookPage's "Private Eye July" - USA Today's"Summer reading guide: 20 new books you won't want to miss" - CrimeReads "10 New Books Coming Out This Week" - Buzzfeed "17 New Thrillers That Will Keep Your Summer Exciting" - The Everygirl "30 Books That Should Be on Your Summer Reading List."

Read more less

In the shadows of an ancient wood, guests gather for the opening weekend of The Manor: a beautiful new countryside retreat. But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. And the candles have barely been lit for a solstice supper when the body is found.

Read more less

The cult Japanese bestseller about a female gourmet cook and serial killer and the journalist intent on cracking her case, inspired by a true story. There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in Tokyo Detention Centre convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. The case has captured the nation’s imagination but Kajii refuses to speak with the press, entertaining no visitors. That is, until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew and Kajii can’t resist writing back. Rika, the only woman in her news office, works late each night, rarely cooking more than ramen. As the visits unfold between her and the steely Kajii, they are closer to a masterclass in food than journalistic research. Rika hopes this gastronomic exchange will help her soften Kajii but it seems that she might be the one changing. With each meal she eats, something is awakening in her body, might she and Kaji have more in common than she once thought? Inspired by the real case of the convicted con woman and serial killer, "The Konkatsu Killer", Asako Yuzuki’s Butter is a vivid, unsettling exploration of misogyny, obsession, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan.

Read more less

Sloane Caraway is a liar.   They are harmless lies, she tells herself, to make her own life a bit more interesting.   So when she sees a child in tears in a playground one afternoon, she tells the girl’s (very attractive) dad she’s a nurse and helps him pull a bee sting from his daughter’s foot. With this lie and chance encounter, Sloane becomes the nanny for Jay and Violet Lockhart who have everything: a beautiful brownstone house, a daughter in private nursery school, and long summers on an idyllic island just off the coast of New York. Sloane wants to be just like them.   She wants their life and she’s prepared to lie about almost everything to get it. But Sloane isn’t the only one lying, and soon she begins to realise that all that’s picture-perfect about her employers hides a much more dangerous truth . . .

Read more less

THE MARTINI CLUB ISN’T OPEN TO EVERYONE . . .   Maggie Bird’s ‘book group’ is an unusual one – a group of retired spies living an anonymous life in the seaside town of Purity. And this summer they plan little more than ‘reading’ (whilst sipping martinis), and some gentle birdwatching. But trouble is just around the corner as the summer guests arrive. For acting Police Chief Jo Thibodeau, summer brings its own problems – packed streets, bar brawls, petty theft. And now, a missing teenager down by the lake.   When their good friend becomes a prime suspect in the girl's disappearance, Maggie and her Martini Club must put down their binoculars and roll up their sleeves. Leaving Jo to deal with not only a powerful family desperate for answers, but a meddlesome group of retirees.   Can Jo and the Martini Club find a way to work together, as they uncover one of the deadliest scandals their small town has ever seen?

Read more less

THE REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK'Dark academia, secret societies, and murder - what's not to love?' Jessica Payne'Takes you on a wild ride. It's a must-read!' Courteney CoxHow far would you go to belong?Maya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion - it's been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her time there. This visit is special because Maya will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi.But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya's worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on.As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister's death, she begins to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya's warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus - the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it.The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi's decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya's time at Princeton wasn't as wonderful as she'd always made it seem - after all, her sister wasn't the first young woman to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past . . . and to the secret she's kept all these years.'A dark and haunting debut that explores secret societies, the bonds of sisterhood, and the intricacies of privilege at an elite college . . . I couldn't put this twisty tale down' Julia Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of The Writing Retreat'Prepare to meet your summer obsession . . . has everything I want in a book: a twisty plot, powerful social commentary, beautiful writing, and emotional resonance' Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of The Girls Are All So Nice Here'Filled with secrets and collegiate scandals . . . I loved this twisty thriller!' Halley Sutton, author of The Hurricane Blonde

Read more less

Get ready to be obsessed with this funny and thrilling new murder mystery, perfect for fans of MURDER IN THE FAMILY by Cara Hunter, NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell, and HOW TO KILL YOUR FAMILY by Bella Mackie.⭐ INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ⭐⭐ THE SUNDAY TIMES 'PICK OF THE MONTH' ⭐⭐ WOMAN & HOME 'BOOK OF THE MONTH' ⭐⭐ TOP TEN KINDLE BESTSELLER ⭐'Dark comedy and darker thrills' - ALEX MICHAELIDES'A world-class whodunit' - STEPHEN KING'Edgy, thrilling, twisty - I loved it!' - LIANE MORIARTY‘Smart, surprising and very funny - wickedly entertaining’ – SHARI LAPENAAm I a murderer? You tell me . . .My name is Lucy Chase, but you already know that. Yes, I’m the woman who doesn’t remember murdering her best friend.You probably think I did it, too. I get it. Being found covered in her blood doesn’t exactly scream ‘innocent’.Look, I’m as frustrated as you. I’d love to know if I’m a murderer – it’s something you really should know about yourself, right?And now, thanks to true-crime podcast Listen for the Lie, I could finally have my answer. But how will I live with myself if it was me?And if I didn't kill her, then who the hell did?⭐ READERS ARE OBSESSED WITH LISTEN FOR THE LIE ⭐'This book invented a whole new genre of crime-com! A dark story that perfectly balanced the fun and dark, and with a racing ending that will keep you in a tight grip.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader Review'I just want everyone to read it. The author could write my council tax bill and I would love it.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader Review'Everything about this book is brilliant' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader Review'This novel was the perfection concoction of thrilling and humorous.' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader Review'An all-around perfect thriller!' - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Reader ReviewInstant New York Times bestseller, March 2024The Sunday Times Pick of the Month, March 2024Woman & Home Book of the Month, March 2024Top Ten Kindle Bestseller, April 2024

Read more less

**THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**‘The Thursday Murder Club on steroids’ SAGA Magazine'Irresistible and highly recommended!' LEE CHILD'I loved it. A hugely entertaining read!' ANN CLEEVES'A nice take on retirement-five old spooks whose bones may ache but whose minds remain sharp. You can expect mystery, action, and bloodshed in this exciting thriller' - Kirkus ***INTRODUCING MAGGIE BIRDIN A RIVETING NEW SERIES FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Maggie Bird is many things. A chicken farmer. A good neighbour. A seemingly average retiree living in the seaside town of Purity. She's also a darned good rifle shot. And she never talks about her past.But when an unidentified body is left on Maggie's driveway, she knows it's a calling card from old times. It's been fifteen years since the failed mission that ended her career as a spy, and cost her far more than her job.Step forward the 'Martini Club' - Maggie's silver-haired book group (to anyone who asks), and a cohort of former spies behind closed doors. With the help of her old friends - and always one step ahead of the persistent local cop - Maggie might still be able to save the life she's built.IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO RETIRE . . . UNTIL THEY FIND YOU.***Praise for The Spy Coast:'Gerritsen is a born storyteller, and this new series showcases her talents more than ever' LEE CHILD'Echoes of Richard Osman but Gerritsen offers us a darker and consistently exciting thriller' THE MAIL ON SUNDAY'Action-packed pages, G-force twists and turns, and a platoon of fascinating characters' DAVID BALDACCI'A riveting tale filled with engaging characters' KATHY REICHS.The Summer Guests, the second book in the Martini Club series is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER.

Read more less

‘Classic Nicci French: an unputdownable missing-persons thriller that’s also a searing examination of family, memory and grief. A big-skied, full-blooded, broken-hearted book' Erin KellyShe’s loved by all who meet her. But someone wants her gone . . .1990 When beautiful and vivacious Charlotte Salter fails to turn up to her husband Alec’s 50th birthday party, her kids are worried, but Alec is not. As the days pass and there’s still no word from Charlie, her daughter, Etty, and her sons, Niall, Paul and Ollie, all struggle to come to terms with her disappearance. How can anyone just vanish without a trace? Left with no answers and in limbo, the Salter children try and go on with their lives, all the while thinking that their mother’s killer is potentially very close to home.Now After years away, Etty returns home to the small East Anglian village where she grew up to help move her father into a care home. Now in his eighties, Alec has dementia and often mistakes his daughter for her mother.  Etty is a changed woman from the trouble-free girl she was when Charlie was still around - all the Salter children have spent decades running and hiding from their mother’s disappearance. But when their childhood friends, Greg and Morgen Ackerley, decide to do a podcast about Charlotte’s disappearance, it seems like the town’s buried secrets – and the Salters’ – might finally come to light.After all this time, will they finally find out what really happened to Charlotte Salter?PRAISE FOR NICCI FRENCH:  'Fantastic - a breathless drumbeat of dread and suspense . . . no one does it better than Nicci French' Lee Child 'Expertly paced, psychologically sharp, thoroughly enjoyable' Louise Candlish 'Heart-thumping, head-scratching, nail-biting stuff' Erin Kelly 'Perfection' Sophie Hannah 'No-one does the dark distortion of good intentions like Nicci French' Cara Hunter 'An absolute masterclass of crime writing' Kate Rhodes 'As well as a fantastic mystery, Nicci French has written  a powerful,  moving and wise story about the damage that loss does to families, with characters you can’t forget. I loved it' Jo Callaghan   

Read more less