Thrilling reads for ominous October nights | Arts & Entertainment
We’re in the thick of October, when you can finally crunch the orange leaves on the sidewalk, drink fall-inspired coffees and feel the chilly wind blowing every which way as you trudge along to class. I get it, you want some suspenseful thrillers to cozy up with when you get a chance to breathe and relax (well, relax enough to read a thriller).
It can be hard to find the “right” thriller, especially if you’re anything like me and don’t like getting scared, but crave a sense of eeriness in literature and media around this time of year. Lucky for you, I have curated a short list of thriller books that were enough to get me spooked, but nothing so traumatic I was afraid to go to sleep. Whether you read these immediately or save them to your “to be read” list, these stories will fit the bill for your next trip to Barnes & Noble.
-
“The Woman in the Library” by Sulari Gentill
“The Woman in the Library” was actually the first book to really get me into the thriller genre. This whodunnit is definitely mild, yet maintains a mysterious vibe that kept me guessing until the end. Featuring a murder mystery taking place in the Boston Public Library, four strangers become friends and also suspects in the crime that has taken place. This story captivated me and proved to be a page-turner, making me addicted to the satisfaction of finishing a suspenseful novel. If you’re looking for a light thriller story to dig into this season, I can’t recommend this one more.
-
“Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch
“Dark Matter” is arguably the most unique thriller on this list. With elements of science fiction and alternate universes, this story is filled with conflict and suspense that kept me curious and on edge. I don’t want to say much regarding the plot, because it is so deep and multi-layered that to say anything could ruin the adventure, but it definitely has that eerie quality I hoped for, while also presenting concepts related to quantum mechanics. I literally had no idea where this story was going and the ride was incredible. “Dark Matter” also touches on the theme of possibilities and consequences—how a minute choice can provide a vastly different outcome. This thriller will have your mind bent into a pretzel, leaving you wanting more.
-
“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
I wanted to save the most thrilling for last. “The Silent Patient” is a psychological thriller featuring a famous artist, Alicia, who has taken the life of her husband and has stopped speaking to everyone. The story unfolds through occasional diary entries written by Alicia, and the first-person viewpoint of her therapist, Theo. Without giving much away, the story will leave you constantly flipping the pages and will have you questioning everything as you journey through. This book is a bit darker than the others in terms of content, but there’s a twist at the end that completely floored me and continues to leave a lasting impression, earning its place on this list.
While there are plenty more books for your spooky reading, these are just a few to get you started. Happy reading!
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of The Torch.
link
