gripping new thrillers

We can’t think of a better feeling than losing ourselves in a suspenseful storyline. Here’s our verdict on these hot-off-the-press reads…

VELVET WAS THE NIGHT by Silvia Moreno-Garcia out 17th August The lowdown

It’s 1970s Mexico City, and there’s political unrest. We meet Maite, a self-styled bore who lives vicariously through the characters in her romance comics, and Elvis, a gangster with a soul who (ironically) hates violence. As the lives of the two become entangled when Maite’s neighbour goes missing, things quickly get tense – and you’re never sure who you can really trust.

Twist rating

Pacy enough to keep you hooked – as it reaches its climax, so will your heart rate.

Looking for a pageturner?

COLD SUN by Anita Sivakumaran out now The lowdown

When the former wife of the British Foreign Minister becomes the fourth high-profile woman to be murdered in Bangalore, DI Vijay Patel is sent to India to assist in the investigation. Patel is a Leicester-born son of Gujarati immigrants, and his first proper introduction to India and the culture makes this a really insightful and interesting read. Cold Sun is an exciting start to what should be a super-gripping new thriller series from Sivakumaran.

Twist rating

You’ll be kept guessing as to the killer’s identity throughout, and DI Patel’s ability to wholeheartedly throw himself into danger will have you totally hooked.

THE DAMAGE by Caitlin Wahrer out now The lowdown

In a small New England town, a family battles with the after-effects of a brutal sexual assault, as the case plays out in the courts (and the court of public opinion). A suspenseful family drama, with each chapter told by a different person involved in the case, it draws you in right from the get-go and constantly leaves you guessing and questioning – sometimes even shouting at the page.

Twist rating

The pace and the threat of violence from Tony – the older brother of the assault victim, Nick – gathers towards the finale, leading to an explosive ending you will not see coming. If you’re reading it around friends or family, expect to need to ignore them for a few hours while you finish it.

MY BEST FRIEND’S MURDER by Polly Phillips out now The lowdown

This debut from Polly Phillips, centred around toxic friendships and relationships, has all the ingredients of a great thriller, including a host of characters you’ll love to hate. Bec and Izzy have been best friends since their school days, but Bec is becoming frustrated with Izzy’s manipulative behaviour. After an explosive argument, Bec returns to Izzy’s house to find her body sprawled at the bottom of the stairs – and knows that when the police begin the hunt for a killer, she’ll be the prime suspect.

Twist rating

With what feels like hundreds of twists and turns, this book will have you constantly questioning who the true victim is. Prepare for a lot of late nights – it’s super-addictive.

ROCK PAPER SCISSORS by Alice Feeney out 19th August The lowdown

Screenwriter Adam and his wife Amelia win a weekend away in remote Scotland, so they head there to celebrate their wedding anniversary… and to see if they can save their marriage. But both of them are hiding a lot of secrets, which begin to unravel throughout the weekend as it becomes clear that their holiday destination holds more significance than either of them could ever have known. Could the mysterious woman living in the nearby cottage hold the answer?

Twist rating

Adam having prosopagnosia, a brain disorder that means he can’t recognise people’s faces, means the reader never quite knows who’s telling the truth about who they really are.