Books and movies featuring thrillers are becoming increasingly popular. A sizable portion of TV and film shows are also in the criminal and psychological thriller genres, and this genre often makes up a large portion of the the New York Times Bestselling books list.

The following thriller books are scheduled for release in August of 2024:

1. The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson

An investigative journalist visits a tiny community and discovers a sinister secret that the ladies have been holding for many generations in this viscerally intense and intense folk horror-mystery. This dramatic narrative of female wrath, body autonomy, and generational pain heralds the emergence of a master storyteller. It is unbearably tight and completely captivating. Quirk Books is scheduled to release this book on August 6, 2024.

2. House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen

They appeared to be the ideal family living a great life. They constructed the ideal falsehood from the inside out. A youthful caretaker who fell to her demise, or was she forced? a nine-year-old girl who is silent and collects sharp items. a lawyer whose task it is to determine which family member is the killer and who is the victim. But with everyone lying about, how can you discover the truth? St. Martin's Press is scheduled to release this book on August 6, 2024.

3. Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown

Would you go to any lengths to fit in? A dark and eerie debut delving into the complexities of privilege at an exclusive institution, sisterhood relationships, and hidden organizations. Lauren Ling Brown has had an incredible start and proven to be a really talented person. Bantam is scheduled to release this book on August 13, 2024.

4. This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter

The New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Girls and After That Night, Karin Slaughter, returns with another gripping suspense story starring Will Trent and Sara Linton! In Slaughter's terrifying twelfth adventure, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Will Trent's honeymoon becomes a macabre locked-room mystery. Slaughter's mastery of characterisation and tension wins the day. William Morrow is scheduled to release this book on August 20, 2024.

5. You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto

In this gripping suspense book by renowned author Jesse Sutanto, an influencer discovers that envy is just as viral as a video as cracks begin to appear in her carefully manicured existence. Sutanto has demonstrated that she is a formidable author of suspenseful thrillers. This book offers a stinging social commentary on social media, influencer culture, and the reasons we should never accept anything we see online in addition to being a thrilling read that will keep you up late. There are several moments that will make you gasp, and Jesse skillfully blends dark humor with the relentless twists. It is anticipated that Berkley will publish this book on August 20, 2024.

People's ability to comprehend and respond psychologically to other people and social circumstances is somewhat enhanced by reading fiction. And that was, for the most part, after only one story. Research suggests that dedicating thirty minutes each day to reading a book might lead to a brighter and healthier mind, which in turn can predict a 20% decreased risk of death around ten years later.

The fiction books listed below are scheduled for publication in August 2024:

1. Five-Star Stranger by Kat Tang

A "Rental Stranger," a companion hired under several identities, blurs the boundaries between personal and professional in unexpected new ways in Kat Tang's gripping and emotional debut. The remarkably evocative novel Five-Star Stranger explores themes such as loneliness in a hyperconnected society, the commercialization of relationships in a gig economy, and the dangers of demanding what we want from others who are unable to provide it. This is the tale of a guy who, by becoming someone else, discovers who he is. It is anticipated that Scribner will publish this book on August 6, 2024.

2. The Rich People Have Gone Away by Regina Porter

The hunt for a missing lady unites a varied group of New Yorkers in this kaleidoscope book by the highly renowned author of The Travelers about treachery, racism, and human connection.  The Rich People Have Gone Away, which is set against the backdrop of a city that is always changing, weaves together the stories of common New Yorkers to create a moving tale of injustice, love, and hope for the future—while also serving as a poignant reminder that no one ever leaves the past behind. Hogarth is scheduled to publish this book on August 6, 2024.

3. And So I Roar by Abi Daré

Abi Daré, the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice, has written a breathtaking and heartbreaking new book. Tia is about to go on a desperate mission to discover a secret her mother has been keeping for almost twenty years when she unintentionally overhears a whispered discussion between her aunt and her terminally sick mother, who is lying in a hospital bed in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Dutton is scheduled to release this book on August 6, 2024.

4. Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by M.J. Wassmer

In this witty social satire, White Lotus teams up with Kevin Wilson to tell the story of a guy who is stuck on an island resort when the sun physically bursts and has to decide between helping other guests escape the island alive or saving himself from the turmoil. Sourcebooks Landmark is scheduled to publish this book on August 6, 2024.

5. Burn by Peter Heller

From the critically acclaimed author of The Last Ranger, a book about two men who have been friends since childhood and who awaken in a dystopian society plagued by mind-boggling violence from the woods of rural Maine. Immersed in the splendor of the natural environment and sensitive to the particular rhythms of male camaraderie, even in this dire situation, Heller's groundbreaking work serves as both a poignant cautionary tale about the political turmoil dividing our divided nation and a hymn to the resilience of our selected families. Knopf is scheduled to release this book on August 13, 2024.

"There are moments in life that you wish with all your heart you could take back. Like, just erase from existence. Like, if you could, you’d erase yourself right out of existence too, just to make that moment not exist.”

--Jenny Han, It's Not Summer Without You

Jenny Han, the New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, returns with a follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty, where Belly discovers what happens after falling in love.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started—at Cousins Beach.

My reaction to this novel...

Okay, I promised myself I wasn’t going to finish this story since I was so annoyed with Belly. I still don’t like her character here, but because I admire Jenny Han, I tried to read the first chapter. And, believe it or not, I did not anticipate to finish this sequel. It was because I burst into tears when I learned what happened to Susannah. Jenny Han’s words during this scene made my heart ache with every syllable and paragraph she wrote. She had once again grabbed my heart on that part. Even still, I maintain my dislike for Belly.

Yes, I’m still certain that I don’t like Belly’s love life, even a bit, because it was bothersome. In addition to her age giving the story a certain air of immaturity, the fact that she was a little flippant made me think of her as shallow and lacking in character. She was extremely receptive and did not convey to people around her any sense of self-control. Perhaps it’s simply that I’m getting older, but I find it upsetting when female characters act horribly. To put it frankly, Belly is irritatingly immature. Even though she is still in love with Conrad, she leaps right in when she has the first chance to kiss Jeremiah. Even while she has always known that she truly loves Conrad, something about getting kissed by Jeremiah seems to have changed her mind about her so called love for Conrad. I disliked it again and again.

It takes a while for this novel to get going, and by the time the history is through and there is actual action, you are already fairly far into the story. I didn’t believe the two-person point of view offered anything to this one, and the back and forth didn’t function as well as it did in the first. Despite the fact that I adore Jeremiah in this book, knowing what goes through his head is not a super wow factor for me. Conrad ought to have been the other standpoint if there was to be one.

Conrad irritated me just as much as Belly did. Regardless of how he feels, he fails to connect with or engage with his family. It is very typical of manly characteristics. His equanimity amplified the drama. Because of what happened to his mother, I understood his sentiments, but it got stressful when he felt that way throughout the book. He irked me as well, I must admit.

This same, overused plot has grown old to me. It is completely improbable. Although I believed the plot would be stronger in the second book because I did enjoy the scenes in which Belly and her mother clashed, and I really cried when I read what happened to Susannah. But no matter how high my expectations were raised, this novel always let me down. Though I love Jenny Han, I’m debating whether to finish the last book in the series because this installment was so disappointing. I’m not sure how to recommend it.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐✨(2.5/5)

"A mistletoe kiss means nothing, everyone knows that; but this did not quench the warm glow inside her."

--Katie Flynn, A Mistletoe Kiss

Katie Flynn wrote a charming historical romance book called A Mistletoe Kiss. The book does a fantastic job of capturing sacrifice, love, and friendship amid trying times.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Hetty Gilbert is a canal child with no permanent address, so when she needs to join the library, she cannot do so. Miss Preece dislikes children, but Hetty's longing for books touches a chord and she stretches the rules to allow the girl to read on the premises.

Soon, Hetty's chief desire is to become a librarian like her friend. But with war on the horizon, their lives will never be the same. In 1939 Hetty joins in the war effort, for her knowledge of canal boats is desperately needed, whilst Miss Preece can only sit and listen to the dangers her young friend faces, knowing she herself can do nothing to help.

But her chance will come, and with it the meaning behind that fragile mistletoe kiss.

My reaction to this novel...

I am unfamiliar with Katie Flynn's work, so I do not know what to expect from reading her book for the first time. I happened to acquire one of her books when I purchased a bundle online. Although I initially did not want to read it since we do not celebrate Christmas, I felt it would be a waste not to, so I started reading it right away. But fortunately, it's not actually about Christmas; it's more about war, so I was somewhat excited while reading this book.

Regarding the author, I can say that I appreciate how she composed the story. Each scene is detailed, allowing the readers to vividly imagine every event in the story she've made. You'll also find yourself wondering what will happen next, as she skillfully add excitement for the readers. I also pondered whether this book leans more towards romance or friendship, and I was pleased with the direction the plot took.

While reading this book, I am delighted by Hetty's character because even at a young age, she is already fierce. Honestly, I am pleased because the character loves to read and aspires to be a librarian, which is rare in the characters I encounter in the romance novels I've read. In my current country of residence, the youth have a different perception of librarians, and there are also many people who are no longer fond of reading. Therefore, it pleases me when the author portrays characters who are bookish like myself.

I also got engrossed in this book, so I was expecting the story to eventually focus on the war. However, as I continue reading, it becomes boring because it takes a long time before reaching the exciting part of the story. There are many events that could have been skipped, as they only lengthen the story and confuse readers due to the numerous characters introduced. It would be better if the author didn't focus too much on adding repetitive events because it gets boring when it's the same thing over and over again.

I was happy and thrilled about the part where Hetty rode on the motorcycle and was searching for the man who gave her a ride. It was amusing because my guess about who the man was turned out to be correct, but it was also where I appreciated the author's skill in creating confusion, making you wonder who the man really was that kissed Hetty I prefer Hetty's love story over her friend Miss Preece's. The story is good, but the pace is slow, so there are times when it becomes tiring and I need to rest before continuing to read because it gets monotonous if I continue without a break. For me, I would recommend this book, especially if the reader is looking for a light story with elements of friendship. However, if the reader is looking for quick reads, this is not it.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3/5)

“When you are in the middle of a story it isn't a story at all, but only a confusion; a dark roaring, a blindness, a wreckage of shattered glass and splintered wood; like a house in a whirlwind, or else a boat crushed by the icebergs or swept over the rapids, and all aboard powerless to stop it. It's only afterwards that it becomes anything like a story at all. When you are telling it, to yourself or to someone else.”

― Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace

 Canadian author Margaret Atwood has written a historical fiction book titled Alias Grace. It was nominated for the Booker Prize and won the Canadian Giller Prize when it was first published by McClelland & Stewart in 1996.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

It's 1843, and Grace Marks has been convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer and his housekeeper and mistress. Some believe Grace is innocent; others think her evil or insane. Now serving a life sentence, Grace claims to have no memory of the murders.

An up-and-coming expert in the burgeoning field of mental illness is engaged by a group of reformers and spiritualists who seek a pardon for Grace. He listens to her story while bringing her closer and closer to the day she cannot remember. What will he find in attempting to unlock her memories?

My reaction to this novel...

I've had this book for a long time now, and honestly, I've tried reading it several times but I always get stuck at chapter 3. Every time I reach that chapter, I lose interest in continuing. I don't know why, but I really feel lazy to read it because there are parts without quotation marks, which makes it confusing and tiresome. It's only now that I decided to give it another try, and finally, I finished the story after many attempts. I enjoy reading this kind of genre, but with this particular book, I became too lazy to finish it. Fortunately, I was in the mood to read, so I was able to complete it.

This actually has a touch of a true-to-life story, but the author added her own creative twist. It also has a historical aspect, so if readers are fond of this genre, they will definitely be drawn in based on the synopsis. Personally, it piqued my interest enough to purchase it, especially since I enjoy reading historical fiction and the author is well-known. My expectations were high, so at first, I was disappointed because I couldn't finish it. The story was really dragging, and the book was too thick with too many pages. Honestly, I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it because I always feel that way whenever I start reading this book.

After finishing this book, I am still disappointed. It's because it was so long, yet the story turned out to be so simple. I had a different twist in mind, but the one that came out was just like that I am not satisfied because I was expecting a different ending. It's hard to believe that was the reason behind the main character's actions. It feels strange and lacking. Perhaps that's what happens in real life, but still, I feel unsatisfied.

It's incredibly implausible that the only way the main character could be released from prison after serving a lengthy sentence was the reason they discovered. They ought to have taken action sooner. And because of the consequence of what they did to the main character in order to discover the truth, they quickly trusted what she told them and concluded that it was not her who committed the crime. It really is that simple to clear the protagonist's name after all these years. It certainly doesn't seem realistic to me.

Anyway, I wasn't really happy with the story of this book. Unlike other books I've read that were psychological thrillers based on real life, I couldn't compare the boredom I felt while reading this one. I hope the author didn't drag out the story too much, because for me, there were many unnecessary parts that made the plot of this story boring. I wouldn't highly recommend it because I really didn't like the flow of the story, so I was really disappointed.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐(2/5)