Psychological thriller author Natalie Barelli has a new release on Amazon. Unfaithful is only a few weeks old and already has 175 5-star reviews.
“Thank you,” I say sweetly when she tells me I’m lucky to have such a beautiful family. But I want to tell her it’s not just luck. A family is like a fortress you have to defend all the time. You can’t relax because there’s always someone looking for a breach, always someone trying to get in. Someone just like her…
When I arrive unannounced at my husband’s studio in need of a shoulder to cry on after hearing that my best student, Alex, has died, I see a pair of wine glasses drying by the sink and my deepest fear is confirmed: my husband is having an affair.
Most women would fall to their knees in tears and throw him out of the house–but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
Instead, I go home and cook a healthy dinner for our children, walk the dog and unload the dishwasher without complaint. I will make him see that I’m still the woman he married; attractive, successful, the glue that holds our perfect family together. I need this marriage to work to protect a terrible secret of my own, something that would destroy everything I’ve already sacrificed so much for.
But when the police arrive at my door asking questions about Alex’s death that I can’t answer, and threatening text messages start appearing on my phone, I know that someone close has been watching me very carefully.
The truth is, there are three people in my marriage, but only one of them is deadly…
Natalie Barelli’s Unfaithful is on sale for only $3.99 on Amazon and free to read for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
The last 12 months have seen an amazing amount high-profile crime thrillers. Here’s a sneak peek at my reading list:
“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides
Debut novelist Alex Michaelides came out swinging with this intricately plotted psychological thriller. Centered on a woman who allegedly murders her husband and then refuses to speak, the novel dives deep into psychological complexities and manipulative twists. It’s a locked-room mystery, a psychological thriller, and a crime drama all wrapped into one chilling package.
“The Lost Man” by Jane Harper
Set in the unforgiving Australian Outback, this novel is as much a family drama as it is a dark crime thriller. The unforgiving landscape sets the stage for a disturbing narrative revolving around the mysterious death of a family member. Harper’s storytelling takes you through a roller coaster of emotions and unexpected revelations.
“Recursion” by Blake Crouch
Mixing elements of sci-fi with dark crime, “Recursion” explores the idea of memory and time in a way that’s both innovative and thrilling. The narrative takes the reader from a futuristic New York City to a desolate, end-of-the-world scenario, revealing dark crimes along the way. Crouch’s philosophical quandaries add an extra layer of complexity to the suspenseful plotting.
“The Chain” by Adrian McKinty
The book’s premise is downright terrifying: your child is kidnapped, and the only way to get them back is to kidnap another child. This sets off a chain of abductions that puts the reader in a morally complicated situation. McKinty’s storytelling is fast-paced and heart-pounding, forcing you to consider what you would do in such dire circumstances.
“The Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware
Inspired by the Henry James classic “The Turn of the Screw,” this modern take by Ruth Ware incorporates smart homes and high-tech surveillance into a tale that blends domestic suspense with traditional ghost story elements. It’s a creepy, atmospheric read that capitalizes on modern fears.
“My Sister, The Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This title might have been published in late 2018, but its impact reverberated throughout 2019. Set in Nigeria, the novel follows two sisters—one of whom has a knack for killing her boyfriends. It’s a darkly comic take on the thriller genre, with undercurrents of social commentary.
“The Hunting Party” by Lucy Foley
A group of old friends gather in a remote hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands to celebrate New Year’s Eve. What could go wrong? Foley’s novel is a classic “whodunit,” but its psychological depth and character-driven storytelling set it apart. The isolated setting amps up the tension, making it a compelling read from start to finish.
“Conviction” by Denise Mina
“Conviction” is an exhilarating ride through the grim underbelly of society, but it also takes a clever meta approach to the thriller genre. The protagonist is obsessed with true crime podcasts, and it’s a podcast that sucks her into a web of intrigue and danger. Denise Mina’s twisty tale is socially insightful and layered, making you question the impact of media in our lives while keeping you engrossed in a complicated, unfolding mystery.
“The Border” by Don Winslow
Completing his trilogy on the Mexican drug cartels, Don Winslow’s “The Border” is a sprawling epic that doesn’t shy away from the gritty realities of the drug war. Although more of a crime drama than a conventional thriller, the stakes are so high and the world so dark, it deserves a spot on this list. The book provides a haunting look at the people who inhabit these terrifyingly violent corners of society, making it not only thrilling but also deeply unsettling.
“Lock Every Door” by Riley Sager
Sager’s thriller takes place in a classic setting for intrigue and dread: a grand but perhaps cursed apartment building in New York City. The protagonist takes a job as an apartment sitter but soon discovers that this seemingly cushy position might cost her her life. It’s a story that’s as compelling as it is creepy, keeping you hooked until the very end with its relentless pace and well-placed twists.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan of dark crime thrillers or new to the genre, these novels from 2019 are must-reads. Each offers its own unique take on what makes the genre so endlessly compelling. So grab your reading light and prepare for some late-night chills! 📚🌒🔪
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