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Woman's World
12 Captivating Summer Mysteries To Throw In Your Beach Bag!
By Melissa D'Agnese,
2 days ago
Whether your summer vacation plans include beach trips, weekends spent lakeside or leisurely afternoons relaxing in the shade at home, a good book is always the perfect companion. And mysteries — with their simmering suspense and intricate puzzles — provide excellent entertainment while also guaranteeing a fast-paced summer read. Here, we gathered up 12 of the best summer mysteries (both new and old!) from bestselling authors like Ruth Ware, Sally Hepworth, Delia Owens and more.
From psychological suspense-filled mysteries to historical mysteries and contemporary whodunits, we have something for everyone! Feel like escaping to Italy and solving a decades-old murder? Pick up The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. Want to be transported to an Adirondack summer camp filled with secrets? Dive into Liz Moore's The God of The Woods , which is buzzing as this summer's "best mystery." Keep scrolling for all of our enthralling, must-read recommendations.
Bestselling author Ruth Ware is known as the queen of thrillers and psychological suspense — and her latest searing story proves this yet again! Scientist Lyla is unsure whether to join her aspiring actor boyfriend, Nico, on an island getaway to film a competitive new reality TV show called One Perfect Couple . She finally agrees to go, and regrets her decision when an overnight storm turns the game into one of real-life survival.
What readers are saying: “I’m a huge fan of eerie psychological thrillers,” says Shay Trotter , Woman's World Associate Editor. “And Ruth Ware’s books are among the hardest to put down. This plot had my adrenaline pumping and I was riveted until the last page!"
Inseparable childhood friends Chess and Emily grew apart over the years. So when Chess suggests a girls’ trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect. Villa Aestas is a high-end holiday home now, but the house has a dark, sinister past. In 1974, it was the scene of a notorious rock star’s murder. As Emily digs into the house’s history, she thinks there might be more to his demise than sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll gone wrong. The closer she gets to uncovering the truth, the more tension she feels, and it looks like the villa might claim another victim before the summer ends.
What readers are saying: “As a police detective’s daughter, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a good crime novel, and after being stuck inside due to rainy weather, this book set in gorgeous Italy made it even more enticing,” says Kathy Fitzpatrick , Woman's World Features Director. "Dual stories, decades apart, both oozing with deceit and betrayal, made for great reading, and took this armchair traveler on a trip to remember!”
From best-selling author Alex Michaelides comes another page-turning tale. When former A-list actress Lana Farrar invites a few friends to a getaway on a private island, someone ends up dead as a storm rolls in and leaves them stranded. Everyone is a suspect, and readers get glimpses of what happened as key scenes are revisited from different perspectives.
What readers are saying: “Traveling is my favorite hobby, but when I can’t get away, I like to get lost in novels instead,” says Rachel Cosma , Woman's World Health Writer. “And this mystery set in picturesque Greece was such an escape. The twists will keep you guessing to the very end!"
Danger, deception and secrets…this heart-racing saga penned by Sally Hepworth has it all. The plot follows Jessica, Norah and Alicia, who are taken in by a foster mom, Miss Fairchild. They think they’ll finally have a good family life — until Miss Fairchild’s rules become suffocating and the girls break away. But when a body is discovered under the home they grew up in years later, the women return to the house to discover the truth.
What readers are saying: "The story was a captivating page turner that keep me intrigued. I really like the main characters, the girls. Their dynamics and history and bonds through trauma. It just kept me coming back for more or relentlessly turning the next page."
Set on an island in Michigan's Great Massasauga Swamp — also known as “The Waters” — this thrilling tale follows herbalist Hermine “Herself” Zook, who has three estranged daughters. The youngest daughter, Rose Thorn, has even left her own daughter, 11-year-old Dorothy “Donkey” Zook to grow up wild with Herself. Donkey spends her days searching for truths in nature, waiting for her mother and longing for a father. Then, Rose Thorn returns and family secrets begin to unravel. Will Donkey ever get the family she dreams of or will these secrets tarnish what's left of their relationships forever?
What readers are saying: "What a ride this story was! What a talented author Bonnie Jo Campbell is. The characters and their names were cleverly created. The setting was unique. The story flowed along beautifully at a fast pace. There was never a dull moment. I adored Dorothy the most."
This #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Delia Owens takes readers on a journey through the marshlands of North Carolina. The story follows Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous wetlands. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted the town of Barkley Cove, isolating Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself up to a new and startling world; but when one of them turns up dead, she is immediately the main suspect. As the case unfolds, the secrets that hide within the marsh may be revealed.
What readers are saying: "Where do I begin with this book? I did not want the story to end. This novel was enjoyable from the first sentence until the very last. It was very beautifully written; it provided such a clear depiction of the coast that I could smell the salt. A great summer read that I would recommend to nature lovers who enjoy a good story!"
Riveting family drama and absorbing history meld in this fascinating page-turner. Camp Emerson is located in the Adirondack Mountains and owned by the Var Laar family. One August morning in 1975, a camp counselor uncovers an empty bunk where Barbara Van Lear was sleeping…and it’s not the first time a Van Laar child has gone missing. What follows is a nail-biting community search rife with secrets and, hopefully, second chances.
What readers are saying: "This is definitely a favorite read for me so far this year and worth the recommendation to mystery and suspense story lovers! With phenomenal storytelling — even as a slow burn — I was engaged and wanted to know the truth of what had truly happened not only to the missing siblings, but each character in the book."
Set on the seaside cliffs of Maine, this moving, lyrically written novel follows Jane Flanagan, who discovers an abandoned house that becomes her hideaway as a teenager. Years later, Jane is sad to find the new owner, Genevieve, renovated the house drastically. Strangely, Genevieve believes the home is haunted, and she hires Jane to research its history. What follows is a tale of ghosts, family secrets and homecoming.
What readers are saying: "Once again, I’m swept up in a novel by J. Courtney Sullivan! At once sweeping and intimate, The Cliffs will be the book I recommend most this year."
Beloved author Mary Kay Andrews has penned 24 books filled with heartfelt charm — and her latest novel, Summers At The Saint , is a sweet summertime escape! The story follows Traci Eddings, owner of the St. Cecelia hotel (“the Saint”), as she navigates the lodge’s scandalous past and future. A fun, scenic tale that blends romance and mystery.
What readers are saying: "I have read every one of Mary Kay Andrews' books and I have to tell you that this is one of the very best stories she has given us. There is even a 'I didn’t see that coming' moment or two! Pick this book up, you will not be disappointed."
This delightfully fast-paced whodunit centers on single mom Mavis Miller. When PTA president Trisha Holbrook asks Mavis to head up a brand-new school committee, she agrees. But at the first meeting, the principal’s plans infuriate Trisha. Later, Mavis spots Trisha loading cleaning supplies and a large, eerie trash bag into her car. Then the principal is declared missing and Mavis vows to get to the bottom of things fast.
What readers are saying: "This book is so much fun! A cozy mystery with a dash of romance, centered around an elementary school PTA and a missing principal, with an epilogue that definitely leaves the door open for more — sign me up!"
This historical mystery takes place in 1959 L.A., and follows Mercy Welles, who is far from her roots and has molded herself into a movie star…then she vanishes. Almost 60 years later, Kit O’Neill finds a box of items that reveal her grandmother was the Mercy Welles — and this fact leads Kit to Martha’s Vineyard. A thrilling and fun tale.
What readers are saying: "I am a sucker for good historical fiction and this was a knockout! Lovable, relatable characters combined with an idyllic setting really set this one up for success and excellent writing was the cherry on top!"
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