Deliciously moreish thrillers to bookmark now for the beach
Hands up who’s in the mood for a beach break this summer? We personally cannot *wait* to hit golden sands – preferably with palm trees and a strawberry Daiquiri or two in close vicinity.
Because yes, Flash Pack is all about vibrant, off-radar adventures. But we’re also game for some down time in the mix, too, for the ultimate blend of action meets chill-your-beans.
And to complete this sun-flecked vision, a smashing list of crime fiction beach reads is called for. You know the kind we’re talking about: easy to read yet addictive, with plenty of taut storytelling and suspenseful plots to keep us hooked throughout.
For all such occasions, we’ve picked out just a few of our favourite thrillers to romp through on the beach. Whether you’re hanging loose on a hammock in the Philippines or island-hopping in Colombia, these moreish reads should be top of your to-pack list for lazy seaside days.
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton
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If you need to cool off on your beach, this masterful novel from Rosamund Lupton will do the job: it’s set during a Somerset blizzard. When a local school comes under siege in the middle of a snow storm, police must fight against the clock to find out who the hostage-takers are – and what could possibly stop them. Prepare for a riot of unexpected twists, and storytelling that is both moving and compulsive.
The Girl Who Fell From The Sky by Simon Mawer
Marian Sutro is parachuted into Nazi-occupied France on a do-or-die mission: to track down a nuclear physicist whose knowledge could save the war. Based on the real-life accounts of WW2 resistance fighters, Simon Mawer’s novel is brimming with historical detail – along with a brooding sense of tension that will keep you reading long into the night.
True Murder by Yaba Badoe
When 11-year-old Ajuba is left at a Devon boarding school by her Ghanaian father, she quickly falls under the spell of Polly and her bohemian family. Together, the two girls start to look into a long-forgotten crime – but their investigation is soon overshadowed by a family rift, as cracks emerge into a full-blown crisis, to devastating effect.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
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This irresistible whodunnit has hints of a modern-age Agatha Christie about it. On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather for a glamorous wedding. But as a storm sets in and reception cuts out, one unlucky visitor will end up dead.
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
Soon to be a major Netflix series, this pacey thriller follows a high-profile Westminster marriage that is thrown into turmoil following a shocking allegation. As Sophie rushes to defend her husband James against the backdrop of a growing media storm, the story poses the question: how well can you really know anyone? The perfect thriller for a #MeToo age.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia and Gabriel appear to have the ideal marriage: but when he returns home late one evening, she shoots him five times in the face. Confined to a secure unit, she refuses to speak another word; that is, until criminal psychotherapist Theo realises that there is far more to this unusual case than meets the eye.
Tangerine by Christine Mangan
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This thriller comes with a welcome side serving of wanderlust: it’s set in 1950s Morocco. A novel with hints of Daphne du Maurier-style gothic suspense, the story follows Alice as she arrives in Tangier with her husband John; and is surprised to bump into her old school friend, Lucy. The two haven’t spoken since a horrible accident some time before – but Lucy offers to be Alice’s guide in this new and baffling land. Their friendship, however, becomes rapidly stifling; and things come to a head when Alice’s husband disappears.
The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong
Yu-jin wakes up one morning covered in blood, with his mother’s dead body lying at the bottom of the stairs in the Seoul apartment that they share. A history of seizures means he struggles to piece together what happened the night before – apart from a hazy memory of his mother calling his name. His hunt for her killer takes on an even more sinister edge, as young women start disappearing in his neighbourhood.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
There are so many brilliant Liane Moriarty books you could read, but this twisty murder mystery has to be top of the list. When a parent is found dead following a fancy-dress party at the local school, all the school mums and dads fall under suspicion. As rumours swirl, friendships are forged and dark family secrets are uncovered – with events that soon spiral beyond control. The beauty of this particular beach read is that it’s got a good dose of humour and pathos to go with the growing sense of unease.
Got more great beach thrillers to add to the mix? Let us know on Instagram.
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