There’s just something about a book that keeps you in suspense – that makes you not want to go to bed … not eat … not be disturbed by your spouse, kids, friends! Here are 3 books that did it for me – that held me in suspense like woah!
Don’t Breathe a Word, Jennifer McMahon
On a soft summer night in Vermont, 12-year-old Lisa went into the woods behind her house and never came out again. Before she disappeared, she told her little brother, Sam, about a door that led to a magical place where she would meet the King of the Fairies and become his queen. Now, 15 years later, Lisa’s ‘fairy book’ resurfaces and he starts receiving calls from someone claiming to be Lisa.
This book took me in all kinds of directions – I was completely and 100% WRONG with where I thought the mystery was headed. And when it took me there – I couldn’t believe it! Go ahead and add this one to your reading list – and save it for a night when you’re ready to stay up for hours reading.
The Husband’s Secret, Liane Moriarty
Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives … what would you do?
OohI wanted her to open that letter so bad – but the author kept delaying and delaying – grrrr – I really wanted to skip ahead. But I am SO glad I held out, because when that secret was revealed – it wasn’t any of the things I thought it might be! What a surprise – and the consequences of the secret … oh my!
The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. And then she sees something shocking. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
This book starts out a bit slowly, but by the mid-point, I was caught up in the drama. Rachel is a bit of a nutcase, but as the story slowly unravels, we find out that people aren’t as perfect as they seem. I went through a lot of emotions before this book was finished with me, and I felt spent at the end.
What’s the last book that kept you wrapped up in suspense?
// Comments //
Zoe @ Stories on Stage
Ahh…I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews for The Girl on the Train and how mind-blowing and thrilling it is! Definitely going to have to give it a try. 🙂 Also, have you read Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas? It’s so unpredictable and twisted in the best possible way. Thanks for sharing this post – definitely going to have to check these all out!
Tanya Patrice
Ooh thanks for the recommendation For. I’ll definitely check it out.
Kim@Time2Read
I’ve read The Husband’s Secret…twice! (Once was for book club). The Girl on The Train has been on my list a year now….I just need to find time for it. I’ll have to check out the other one, too.
BTW, if you enjoyed The Husband’s Secret, you really need to pick up her next book, Big Little Lies. As much as I enjoyed The Husband’s Secret, this one was even better!
Bree @ The Things We Read
Yes you must! I finished Big Little Lies this week. So good!
Kim, did you guess the ending before it happened? I was clueless.
Tanya Patrice
@Bree I’m definitely picking up Big Little Lies now!
Kim@Time2Read
Haha, Bree. No, I don’t think I really guessed. I thought it COULD have been him…or her….or her…or him….
I think the author did a great job putting us on track and then throwing us off again!
Tanya Patrice
Thanks for the recommendation Kim! I hope to read it before the end of the year – the sooner the better because you’ve got me intrigued!!!
Nish
I didn’t guess the killer in Girl on the Train for the longest time. I totally thought it was someone else. I loved the suspense in that book. I should pick up the Husband’s Secret soon. It sounds so intriguing.
Tanya Patrice
@Nishitak – I didn’t guess either, and I was blown away when it was revealed.
Alex (Sleepless Reader)
The only one I’ve read of the 3 is Girl on the Train and unfortunately ther wasn’t much suspense there for me. It was definitely a page-turner, but by around page 35 I had a pretty good idea of whodunnit (it was because of a conversation about the amount of times Rachel called her ex).
Heard great things about Don’t Breath a Word and now I’m curious!
Tanya Patrice
@Alex, ooh you’re good. I didn’t guess at all!
Bree @ The Things We Read
Completely agree with you on the last two. Actually I read the last two because of your suggestion earlier this year. Lol I feel like I tried the McMahon book and wasn’t in the mood at the time but maybe I’m thinking of something else. Hmmmm need to try again.
Open the damn letter already I wanted to scream at the wife, if only to satisfy me. Here let me open it for you. When you talk to the book like its real life, you know it’s a good book
Tanya Patrice
@Bree – I wanted to scream it too!!!
// Trackbacks & Pingbacks //
[…] for example the books in #ReadThis … 3 Books Where The Suspense Almost Killed Me. I didn’t guess the ending in any of the books. When The Husband’s Secret, Liane […]
[…] What would you do? What’s the secret? I couldn’t even begin to imagine, and when I finally found out – woah! I didn’t see it coming. This book made my list of 3 Books Where the Suspense Almost Killed Me. […]
[…] This was another audiobook experience that was phenomenal – although in this case, I don’t think it better than reading the physical book. Though the main character isn’t always likable – oh my gosh isn’t she’s just a bit of a sad sap! – but the mystery was delightful to follow and unravel. It made my list of 3 Books Where The Suspense Almost Killed Me. […]