Books That Just May Keep You Up All Night

In my book (pun intended), the absolutely scariest stories are the ones that can happen in your own home. I know other people might find horror, like It, scary, but it seems too farfetched to really have me scared. These favorites of mine seem just plausible enough, or insidious enough, to keep me staring up at the ceiling, awake all night, wondering if it could happen to me.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

You've most likely already heard of this novel, but just in case you haven't, there's nothing out there like Gillian Flynn's terrifying, captivating writing.

The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty

When 4 women go on a retreat, they find out that each of them is hiding something. But who has the most dangerous secret, and what is it? If you've ever had a group of girlfriends, this will probably scare the hell out of you.

All the Pretty Things by Emily Arsenault

Ivy’s father, Edward Corker, owns the amusement park, Fabuland. While Ivy is away from home, her best friend finds the body of Ethan, a friendly man with Down’s Syndrome who works at Fabuland as well. Soon, Morgan suffers a breakdown and refuses to speak with Ivy. Ivy begins looking into how and why Ethan died, finding answers to questions she didn't know she had. 

The Twin by Natasha Preston

16 year old twins Iris and Ivy have lost their mother to a tragic accident. Iris subsequently moves in with Ivy and their father. Iris is distant and cold, and Ivy begins to realize all is not right with her twin.

 

Ugly Young Thing by Jennifer Jaynes

This is the book that got me back into reading for fun after college. I downloaded it as an audiobook as I was driving from Portland to Tacoma, in the dark, alone, and I scared the hell out of myself. This book is part of a series but works as a stand-alone too. Allie has recently lost her cruel mother and serial killer brother and is placed in the foster home of Miss Bitty. Girls around town begin to disappear, and Allie fears she is next. 

Saving April by Sarah Denzil

I'm sure you have at least heard of The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn. Well, dump that trash and SPOILERS!!! read this one instead. 

From the back of the novel: Do you ever really know your neighbours?

Hannah Abbott is afraid of the world. Plagued by anxiety, she lives an isolated, uneventful life in suburban Yorkshire. She rarely leaves her house, and her only friend is Edith, her elderly neighbour. But when the Mason family moves in across the street, Hannah's quiet life is changed forever. They seem perfect, with their pretty teenage daughter, April, and their public displays of affection. But one day, Hannah sees April place an unsettling sign in the window, and has to make a choice. Laura Mason is sick of pretending everything is okay. To everyone else she has a beautiful family, a good job, and a loving husband. But behind closed doors, nothing is what it seems. A family broken by lies. A woman traumatized by a dark past. A child caught in the crossfire.

Who will save April?

Just What Kind of Mother Are You? by Paula Daly

Kit isn't near old enough to have sleepovers, but when she does, this book will come back to haunt me. Lisa is a very busy, disorganized mom, just like most of us. Her daughter’s best friend, Lucinda is supposed to have spent the night, but when she doesn’t return home the following morning, Lisa realizes that Lucinda has gone missing while she was supposed to have been under Lisa’s watch. As one girl in the community has already been kidnapped and subsequently found assaulted, they all fear that the same thing has happened to Lucinda. Soon the finger pointing begins, and Lisa works tirelessly to find out what happened to Lucinda. 

The Breakdown by BA Paris

After unknowingly witnessing a crime scene, strange things start happening to Cass. She can’t remember where she left her car, what her husband has said, if she took her pills, or why she ordered a pram when she doesn’t have a baby. Is her guilt driving her mad, or is something more sinister at play? 

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinsborough

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I will say this one is less plausible but still super scary. You just have to read it for yourself, because there’s no explaining this one. 

From the back: Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake, but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.

And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend. But she also just happens to be married to David. And if you think you know where this story is going, think again, because Behind Her Eyes is like no other book you’ve read before.

David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife. But then why is David so controlling? And why is Adele so scared of him?

As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong. But Louise can’t guess how wrong—and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Written in 1951 by the woman behind some of Alfred Hitchcock's success, My Cousin Rachel is classic gothic noir and a story of an unreliable narrator. Phillip Ashby, the narrator, was raised by his older cousin Ambrose, who died in Rome after a whirlwind courtship and marriage. Phillip inherits the estate. Soon, Phillip receives a letter from Ambrose that was penned shortly before his death, implicating his now widow, Rachel, in his death. When Rachel comes to visit the estate, she seems to want nothing from Phillip, and is nothing like Ambrose has described in his last letters. Was Ambrose mad, or is Rachel a murderer? 

Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt

Kat Grant and Alice Campbell happen to meet in an airport and hit it off. Though they are from different socio-economic worlds [by the way, why does money matter in friendships? Something I've been thinking about lately], the women soon become close confidants. While Kat is away, her husband, Howard, falls to his death. Suddenly, Kat is unreachable. Alice's phone calls go unanswered and Kat's family won't let Alice see her. Meanwhile, the police are looking at Alice as a suspect. Was Howard's death an accident, or a murder? If there is a killer, who is it? And why? The questions will pile up as you race towards the end of this both. And there are some shocking twists. I still shiver when I think about the conclusion of this book. 

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

I recently recommended this book to my step-grandfather-in-law and he wasn't as impressed as I was. Perhaps it's because I have a young daughter, but this one definitely gave me nightmares.

Anne and Marco Conti seem to be the perfect middle-class couple; a nice house, a good neighborhood, and a lovely baby named Cora. But one night, when they are at a dinner party next door- with Cora left at home, asleep- a terrible crime is committed. Immediately, Anne and Marco are considered the most likely suspects. Can they even trust each other?

Believe Me by JP Delaney

I get shivers thinking about this book. I literally finished it just last night, but I have a feeling it will stick with me for a long time. 

Claire Wright is an aspiring actress and student who moonlights for a law firm as a potential pick-up for men whose wives believe they are cheating. One night, Claire gets a very odd client; Stella warns Claire that her husband is very dangerous and that she should not turn her back on him. The husband, Patrick, seems innocent enough and doesn't even try to pick Claire up. The next day, Stella is found dead in a hotel room and Patrick is suspect number one. Claire is enlisted by the police to get Patrick to confess, but she is surprised to find that she is in love with him. But who is Patrick Folger? Is he an innocent husband or a murderer? Who is Claire Wright? Is she a woman just trying to get by, or is she the murderer herself? Conclusions will be whipping around your head, only for you to change your mind minutes later. Don't worry, you'll probably be wrong either way. 

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

Of course you've probably heard of this book, or at least the movie based on the book. You probably know how it goes, so I'll just say that the book is so much scarier. 

The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood

This is another personal nightmare of mine, especially since I became a mom. A group of very wealthy, influential people gather at a beach house to celebrate Sean's fiftieth birthday. During the weekend one of Sean's twin daughters, three-year-old Coco, goes missing and is never seen again. Years later, the same group gathers for Sean's funeral, and Coco's twin sister, Ruby, and older sister Mila, search for the truth about what happened to Coco. This sounds depressing- it does sound quite a bit like the case of Madeleine McCann (which hopefully will have a resolution very soon!)- and there are certainly some parts that are, but overall it was a really enjoyable read. I was constantly suspicious of every character and it's only towards the end where I started going, "Oh no, oh no, oh no," because I'd finally figured it out.

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

I have been a huge fan of Joshilyn Jackson since I stumbled upon Backseat Saints in the library shortly after we moved to Washington. I scooped up this book because it was hers, even though I didn't know that it was a thriller. But oh, it is, and I think it's the best thing she's ever written.

Amy Way is a dive instructor in Pensacola, Florida. She has a great life; she's very happily married, and has two wonderful children, 15-year-old Maddie (stepdaughter), and eight-month-old Oliver, and has plenty of mom friends who she regularly has book club with.

Amy has just one problem. She has a secret from her past that drags her down with shame and regret. During book club one evening, a new neighbor, Roux, shows up and hijacks the night with a game of Never Have I Ever. Amy senses that she has been singled out by Roux. The novel is from Amy's point of view and zig zags between past and present as Amy's secret is revealed (past) and she and Roux face off (present). 

Little Sister by Isabel Ashdown

Jess and Emily, estranged sister, are reunited after 16 years. Jess moves in with Emily and her husband James, and babysits their infant daughter, Daisy. One night, while Jess is alone in the house, Daisy disappears from her crib. Jess is definitely an unreliable narrator, and she blacks out under stress. Does this mean she's the culprit? What really happened that night?

Silent to the Bone by EL Konigsburg
I read this one when I was still in elementary school, and it is a sad and scary one that has stuck with me all this time. It's a YA novel published in 2000, but it does deal with heavy subject material such as death, child abuse, sexual abuse, and even racism. Some people really did not like these topics being in a YA novel, but I think Konigsburg was way ahead of her time as middle schoolers and even elementary-aged kids deal with things their parents wouldn't think imaginable. I understand, because I will probably be feeling the same way when Kit is old enough to read this. However, even as an adult this is a great book and is partially responsible for my interest in mysteries and thrillers today.

From the back: Connor is sure his best friend, Branwell, couldn't have hurt Branwell's baby half sister, Nikki. But Nikki lies in a coma, and Branwell is in a juvenile behavioral center, suspected of a horrible crime and unable to utter the words to tell what really happened. Connor is the only one who might be able to break through Branwell's wall of silence. But how can he prove Branwell didn't commit the unspeakable act of which he's accused — when Branwell can't speak for himself?

Just Between Us by Rebecca Drake

I feel that this book is so, so underrated. When you deduce that one of your best friends' husbands is an abuser, what do you do? How far would you go to help another mother? 

Alison, Julie, Sarah, and Heather are four tight-knit suburban mothers. They all appear to be leading the perfect life, but things quickly unravel when Alison spies a bruise on Heather's wrist, which she of course shares with Julie and Sarah. The three confront Heather, who refuses to leave her husband, even though they all fear for Heather's life and dread the call they suspect will come. However, when the call comes, it's not Heather who is dead. 

Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding

Frances is a slightly overweight, very stressed out mom with too many things on her plate. When her troubled son begins at a new private school, Frances doesn't make friends with anyone in the elite, snobby group, except for newcomer Kate Randolph. Kate is stunningly beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident- everything Frances is not. Frances loves her friendship with Kate, but doesn't understand why Kate would pick her, out of all the moms, to be friends with. Then, one of the women discovers a dark secret; one of them is Amber Kunik, a woman who murdered a teen named Courtney. Courtney's brother fills in some of the past and present, as he attempts to track down the woman he knows as Amber Kunik. If you follow true crime and this seems at all familiar, it's because it's loosely based on Karla Homolka. 

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Trigger warning: Everything by Karin Slaughter is pretty graphic, and this one is no exception. Please be careful reading it; there are graphic descriptions sexual assault, violence, and terrifying situations. 

Claire and Lydia are two estranged sisters, who have not been close since their older sister, Julia, disappeared. Claire is a trophy wife, married to millionaire Paul, and Lydia is a recovering junkie with a teenaged daughter, Dee, and an ex-con boyfriend, Rick. To say that their lives are different is an understatement. After another tragedy befalls the family, the sisters begin talking and quickly start unraveling the truth about their sister's disappearance. Of all the books on this list, this one scared me so much I did have to put it down once or twice because it was that upsetting. 

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing

MLW is Samantha Downing's debut novel, and it is hard to believe because it's stunning, well-crafted writing plated up in an impeccable manner. She's releasing a second novel this year and EEEK! I cannot wait. 

The narrator in the story is Millicent's husband, but we don't know him by any other name. It's not painted as obvious, so when I was trying to think of the character's name, I finally realized it just then. Anyway, Millicent and her husband have had a wonderful marriage together, but after fifteen years together, things have gotten a little stale. So Millicent and Mr. Millicent decide to spice things up with some murder, as ya do. As far as thrillers go, I laughed during this one more than others. Downing has a way of turning such dark material into something shockingly funny.

The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald

I read this book in high school and it scared my pants off. Please note that there are graphic descriptions of child abuse and murder, and it is quite long at over 800 pages. This book is based on the true story of Steven Trescott. This one is not funny, not at all. It is dark and depressing, but a really good read nevertheless. 

Eight-year-old Madeleine is living on a Royal Air Force Base near the Canadian border in the early sixties. Her father, Jack, is in the RAF and is under a world of stress. Soon, a little girl is found dead in the woods, and everyone living on base must discover where their loyalties lie, what they believe, and who they think the murderer is. The death of the little girl stays with Madeleine over the next twenty years, and she goes on a quest to find out the truth. TWTCF is rife with descriptions of the sixties and the tumultuousness of that time.

You by Caroline Kepnes

You is an absolutely delicious thriller based around Joe Goldberg, who is a handsome, well-read, charming, intelligent man- and, oh, yeah, a bit of a psycho. Joe falls in love with Guinevere Beck, a beautiful graduate student and aspiring writer, who comes into his bookstore one fateful day. Joe would do absolutely anything for Beck, since he's in love with her. He will make sure that nothing, not even Beck herself, will stand in their way.

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

How well do you know your friends?

Leah is a failing journalist who needs to get out of town immediately. By chance she runs into an old friend, Emmy Grey, who is leaving a relationship, so the two women set off to start anew in small town Pennsylvania. Leah takes a teaching position at the local school, and things are going well until someone attacks Leah's doppelgänger near their new house, Emmy disappears, and the police begin to suspect that Emmy Grey is not who she says she is. Maybe she doesn't even exist. 

Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica

Heidi, Chris, and their tween daughter Zoe live in Chicago. Chris is a corporate lawyer without enough time, while Heidi is a serious do-gooder, described by Chris as a "bleeding heart." Heidi fosters animals, works with a non-profit, and is the type of person to invite a strange teen mom to move into her house. And that's exactly what happens when Heidi sees Willow standing on a train platform with an infant in her arms, much to her husband's chagrin. Told in alternating voices, between Chris, Heidi, and Willow, we learn that something dangerous has come into their household. 

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

Like a darker version of Wisteria Lane ala Desperate Housewives, Pleasant Court is hiding dark secrets that don't quite match up with the street name. Ange, Fran, Essie, and newcomer Isabelle are all hiding things their neighbors know nothing about. The first three women focus on Isabelle, trying to figure out her secrets as theirs are let out of the bag. Nothing will ever be the same on Pleasant Court. 

 

The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

I grew up in an odd neighborhood. It was a normal area for New Mexico, but I think it would appear low-income to people not from the area. And maybe it was actually, a little bit. Or maybe more than a little. Anyway, it was a weird neighborhood in that we had the best neighbors ever, as well as the worst neighbors ever. Next door was Mrs. Molina, a grandmother about the same age as my mom. She invited us over for every single birthday party, baby shower, or event they ever had. She brought over frijoles or if she made extra, or carne adovada, or tamales. When Kit was born she sent me a beautiful hand-made mermaid tail blanket, and recently sent us a doll who sings in Spanish because she knows I'm trying to teach Kit Spanish while working on learning more myself. Mrs. Molina is all-around stand-up human being. On the other hand, there was a meth house down the street with people coming and going at all hours. Some of our neighbors were serious creeps. But there were also other great neighbors who've been there forever, like Jeanette and Cuco. They always got us extra-special treats for Halloween. It's just a weird, lovely, and sometimes scary place to live. It didn't entirely sink in until I visited with Kit in tow and found some needles at the playground I played at as a kid, among other things. 

Anyway, now I'm lucky to live in a more idyllic neighborhood with parks all around, but it's nowhere as nice as where these folks live. Clare moves into the neighborhood with 12-year-old Pip and 13-year old Grace. The neighborhood- more of a community than a neighborhood- has a community garden in the center of it with the houses built around it in a circle. Kids run free here and nobody worries about them being in danger. In the opening scene, Pip and a very, very intoxicated Clare are coming home from a party. Pip leaves to look for Grace, and eventually finds her half-naked and unconscious in the garden. From there, the story rewinds to when Clare and her daughters first move to the neighborhood and meet their new neighbors. Sometimes, an idyllic neighborhood is hiding some awful secrets. 

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser

After a fun, alcohol-filled, kid-free evening, a mother and her children go missing and the suspicion immediately turns to her soon-to-be-ex husband. This book is a bit of a slow-burner, but it will string you along for every second. 

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
"My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 
1. I’m in a coma. 
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore. 
3. Sometimes I lie."

When Amber wakes up in the hospital, she is paralyzed. She's not even able to open her eyes. She doesn't t know why, but she is deeply suspicious of her husband. Amber tries to figure out what happened as she listens to the conversations around her, supplemented with excerpts from a childhood diary. 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks
First of all, the cover art for this book is just stupendous. I spent a lot of time staring at it weirdly, to the point where I probably looked like I was in a trance. 

"When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love. 
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing."

This novel is told in two primary voices. The first, Vanessa, is Richard's ex-wife, who is determined to break up his new relationship. There's also Nellie, a pre-school teacher who suffers from anxiety and insomnia, who is receiving strange, threatening calls and turns to her fiancé, Richard, for protection. Vanessa seems insane and dangerous; Nellie seems like she's heading right for disaster. Despite the considerable length of this novel, I read it in maybe two sittings because I couldn't put it down.

Interestingly, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen wrote this book together- not alternating chapters, but literally working on every single line together using Google Docs. 

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage

I'm not sure what it is about bad-seed type stories, but we seem to love them in America, probably because it's the most horrifying thing we can possibly think of; well-loved children, who, for no reason at all, become evil killers. Baby Teeth is exactly that kind of story. Seven-year-old Hanna loves her daddy, because he's the only one who can possibly understand her. Her mother? Not so much. In fact, Hanna would love to be rid of her mother, Suzette, forever. 

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