There’s nothing better than settling down with a gripping book over the weekend, losing yourself in a world of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists. Whether you love the psychological depth of a thriller, the tension of a classic whodunit, or the intrigue of a small-town mystery, these three novels deliver plenty of drama to keep you turning the pages. From the eerie isolation of a remote island to the dark underbelly of reality television and the tangled secrets of a coastal town, each story promises a thrilling escape.
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney
Alice Feeney’s latest brand new psychological thriller, Beautiful Ugly, delves into the complexities of grief, reality, and the many hidden facets – both beautiful and ugly – of human relationships. Set against the eerie backdrop of a remote Scottish island, the novel weaves suspense with emotional depth, culminating in unexpected twists that took me by surprise.
The story follows Grady Green, a once-successful author whose life unravels after the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Abby. On what should have been a celebratory evening – marking his book’s ascent to the New York Times bestseller list – Grady’s world shatters when Abby vanishes without a trace. A year later, unable to write and plagued by insomnia, he accepts his publisher’s offer of a secluded cottage on a remote Scottish island. It’s a chance for solitude and quiet – an opportunity to regain his focus and return to writing.
The island’s isolation, unpredictable weather, and peculiar inhabitants, combined with the absence of modern conveniences such as telephones, create an unsettling atmosphere. Its eerie silence – noticeably devoid of birdsong – intensifies the tension, leaving Grady questioning whether what he’s experiencing is real or a figment of his imagination.
As the narrative unfolds, flashbacks to his past, particularly his relationship with Abby, reveal hidden cracks that challenge initial perceptions and expose the deeper mysteries lurking beneath the surface.
ONE PERFECT COUPLE by Ruth Ware
Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple is a psychological thriller that seamlessly blends the allure of reality television with the suspense of a classic whodunit – reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
The story follows Lyla, a post-doctoral researcher facing career uncertainties, and her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor eager for his big break. When Nico is offered a spot on the latest reality TV show, The Perfect Couple, he persuades Lyla to join him. She reluctantly agrees, seeing it as a chance to breathe new life into both their futures.
The show brings together five couples on the secluded Ever After Island, where they compete in various challenges. However, when a storm cuts them off from the outside world, the competition takes a sinister turn as contestants begin to meet mysterious and violent ends. The once-idyllic setting quickly becomes a claustrophobic nightmare, with trust crumbling and paranoia running high among the survivors.
One Perfect Couple explores themes of reality versus perception, the facades people maintain, and the lengths they will go to for their 15 minutes of fame – or to protect their secrets.
LIARS, by James O’Loghlin
Set in the tranquil coastal town of Bullford Point, New South Wales, Liars follows Barb Young, a 58-year-old handywoman whose life is upended when her husband leaves her for another woman.
When Joe Griffiths returns from Sydney after six years of drug addiction, jail, and rehab, Barb takes pity on him and offers him a job. But when a local resident is murdered, Joe becomes the prime suspect. Convinced the police have it wrong, Barb begins her own investigation. Is the murder tied to the developers circling the waterfront home Joe inherited? Or has his crime podcast about his ex-girlfriend unsettled the wrong people?
The author skillfully captures the complexities of small-town life, where everyone knows each other’s secrets – or so they think. Using a unique narrative structure that weaves in emails, text messages, and podcast transcripts, he provides multiple perspectives that deepen the mystery.
As Barb uncovers a tangled web of lies, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew.
