With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to start thinking about heading to the nearest beach for some fun in the surf and sand. But before you finish packing your beach bag, you’ll need a great book or two for company while lounging in your chaise. So settle in, grab a Mai Tai, and get lost between the pages of these dirty dozen tales ranging from gothic thrillers to a high-stakes caper — all perfect for your summer reading list.
The award-winning writing duo of Weis and Astor have woven a cinematic Southern Gothic, psychological thriller that has both Gillian Flynn and Bret Easton Ellis vibes. The series centers around the powerful, secretive Devereaux family and the idyllic town of St. Benedict, Louisiana. Their only son is the handsome and charming star quarterback of the high school football team. He’s also a psychopath who unleashes his predatory instincts on the unsuspecting along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River. Unfortunately, only 17-year-old Leslie Moore can see who he truly is — and that is a dangerous role to play in this twisted, nerve-jangling story that hits close to home by showing how the most terrifying monsters are the ones we never see coming. A tale of obsession, secrets, murder and revenge, this series debut will keep you riveted until the shocking end. (Read BookTrib’s review here.)