Dude.
You guys, Into the Darkest Corner is SO GOOD. When I'm writing (really writing, writing hard), I find I can't read within my own genre, so I depart from it. Right now that means I'm reading mostly memoir and thrillers. This one? Oooh, this is the best I've read in so long.
Set in London, it's the story of Cathy, who loved a bad guy. No spoilers. You know this from the first page. There's no mystery as to who the bad guy is. It's Lee. He's bad. He's beyond bad, he's just awful. And somehow, Elizabeth Haynes (a fellow NaNoWriMo'er!) manages to make the novel completely spell-binding and page-turning. I read it in a day and a half, which is fast for me. Well written, emotionally satisfying, and scary enough to make you leave the lights on, I HIGHLY recommend it.
And, because I'm not keeping books anymore, I'll send my own copy (purchased at the wonderful Murder By the Book in Houston, grab one there if you don't win) to one lucky commenter. Tell me your favorite thriller? Or just say hi. Either is a valid entry. I'll draw the winner on Wednesday. OH MY GOD and I'll DRAW the WINNER on WEDNESDAY. Seriously. I'll do a sketch of whoever wins, if she'd like me to. Heh.
PS – I'm sending out my tinyletter later today with a confession and I'm giving away the new Gretchen Rubin book. Make sure you're signed up!
PPS – Ah! I was looking at Elizabeth Haynes's bio page, and I've already read and loved Human Remains (SUPER grisly and awesome). I'm her newest (and not-so-new, apparently) biggest fan!
I’m not sure I have a favourite thriller. I love murder mysteries such as Denise Grover Swank’s Rose Gardner mysteries. Since I can’t tell you my favourite thriller, I’ll just say HIYA! 😉
I grew up loving the Iris Johansen novels about Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor. They become a bit rote, but the still keep me on the edge of my seat!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love your tiny letters and your book recommendations!
I don’t have a favorite thriller. I read mostly cozy mysteries. I’m a librarian and I have a list a mile long with books I want to read….I just need a few more hours in each day!!
I loved WINTER’S BONE by Daniel Woodrell. Could not put that book down!
I’m trying to think of the last Thriller I read… and while this book seems that I’d really like it, I honestly think that the last thriller I read was the liner notes to the Michael Jackson album. (Sigh, I’m old)
It’s been so long since I read anything that wasn’t a parenting book, that I’m desperate for a good read! Will take your recommendation! Also? HI!!
Love your books Rachael! Your charachters are so easy to get comfortable with. When it comes ro thrillers I have difficulty picking a favorite. “It” would be near the top, and “Silence of the Lambs”, along with “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”.The most lovable villain would have to go to “Dexter”. I couldn’t put the Dexter books down – long before they were made into a tv serial.I’m always on the lookout for a good story. Thank you for bringing this one to my attention. Have a great day!
Mystery thriller has always been my fave genre. My all time favorite thriller? The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner. So deliciously scary I have never forgotten it.
Hi! I have recently reverted to reading YA novels. I remember the Lois Duncan YA thrillers from my teen years — I wonder if they hold up these days.
Hi Rachael, would love to win your book. It sounds like a really good thriller, BUT I would truly love to win one of your sketches. If I dont win, i will buy the book as it sounds really good. Cbeers.
Fingersmith by Sara Waters was one I couldn’t put down. The plot is very twisty and I only came across it because Tracy Chevalier recommended it on her blog. Thank you for taking the time to share books that captivate you.
Hiya! I’m not a thriller reader normally — the closest I get is watching Walking Dead on tv. 😀 But, I did download a sample of the book you mentioned in your newsletter — I think I’m probably the same type as you.
Rachael, I just read your latest rolltop desk missive. One of my friends did the couch to 4k thing a few years ago, and it was really good for him. He was a runner in high school, then twenty-five years later had a desk job and the body to go with it… signed up and six months later, got his groove back, bikes and runs and hikes everywhere. Might be the thing you need.
Silence of the Lambs was my very thriller. It scared me so much that I had to read it in the morning or I would have nightmares at night!
I like John Sandford. I love murder mysteries!! I think it secretly scares my family:)
Ooh, I’m not a big thriller reader but Lauren Beukes’ The Shining Girls is vv good (I’ve just started her Broken Monsters, also). Zoo City is my favourite of hers but I’m not sure it completely qualifies as a thriller. Not sure why I’m not sure, either, it’s big on the creepy.
Totally hugely second the rec above for Fingersmith, it’s my favourite Sarah Waters by a mile, and all her stuff is pretty great.
Don’t read a lot of thrillers, though good ones can get my attention. My faves are anything by Patricia Highsmith. That lady could write!
I love Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul’s “Oregon Files” books. They’re all pretty much the same and nowhere near great literature but they’re not bad, and I can’t stop reading them as they trickle out.
Nothing seems to beat Silence of the Lambs…
Hi hope to win 😉
Haven’t been doing much reading (or much of anything else either) lately. Working graveyard shift is still kicking my ass, or maybe it’s shifting back to a more normal schedule every weekend so I can have something vaguely resembling a normal life that’s doing that. But I’d love to win!
I love Sanford! I’ve recently discovered Tana French and her Irish detective novels. Her last one was a really good one!
Jeffrey Deaver keeps me awake at night reading… And Sandford. They are my favourites but love my murder mysteries I do.
I’m so enamored of Joyland by Stephen King that I recommend it to anyone who will listen. Its a departure from his typical work, and it is spectacular.
Tana French – WONDERFUL.
Louise Penny – FABULOUS
Laurie R. King – MAGNIFIQUE
How in blazes am I supposed to chose my favorite?
Donna Leon. Books are set in Venice. Historical and geographic information included as part of the read. I’m getting myself ready for my trip there in 2016.
Ditto re Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. I’m making myself go through them slowly (there are ten so far) because I know I’m going to be devastated when I get caught up and then have to wait for another installment. Her writing is beautiful and the stories never disappoint.
I’ve been reading the Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo lately. Love love love.
I read self help books and dystopian fiction (The Razorland Saga is my favorite). Thrillers freak me out….most of the time. If I win this book, I’ll give it a go. 🙂
Love Kathy Reichs’ Temperance Brennan novels. Latest one I read was Bone of the Lost. So good.
I like Faye Kellerman’s Decker/Lazurus series.
Hi!
Favorite book? It would be whatever book I am currently reading…..so it would be hard to chose. Plus I don’t remember titles once I finish….I just finished wished a VI Warshawski and a Kay Scarpetta….now I am reading a kids book that has intrigued me for awhile…Ridley Pearson Keeper of the Kingdom.
Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, hands down.
I don’t usually read a lot of thrillers, but if you say this is the best, I’d love to try it!
Can’t remember the last thriller I read but wanted to say hi whilst on your continent! Currently (until Saturday) in Marco Island.
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite, but I do remember what got me started on the genre, Mary Higgins Clark’s Where are the Children? I was about 10 or 11 at the most, quite a terrifying read.
I’m new to your blog. I just finished your ‘A Life In Stitches’ – cried so hard I can barely compose this comment. I may have guessed I’m a knitter, and my mother died recently. Knitting got me through it – your story could also be mine. Knitters are part of an amazing community. I have 2 close ‘knitter-friends’ we meet each week to knit together. I plan to give each of them a copy of your book.
Amyknit40 on Ravelry
I adore thrillers and mysteries! Yay for a new name to read.
If I had to choose I’d read anything by Henning Mankell and Val McDermid. Val’s a bit of a scare, but I love her. The classics are always good – Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. But enough! It was fun reading everyone’s answers.
Ann Rule for me. Ever since Ted Bundy abducted and murdered the sister of one of my students. He was so much worse than Manson, with whom I worked with for 16 years.
I recently read the first two books in Anne Cleeland’s New Scotland Yard mystery series (gobbled them up, more like) and haven’t read a book with a character like Lord Acton EVER. Very intriguing and scary at the same time. He actually reminded me of JD Robb’s Roarke – taken to the extreme.
I want to read the next book but it’s hardback and I limit my purchases of those. 🙂
Murder in Thrall is book one, followed by Murder in Retribution. There were some plot similarities in the books; the third book will tell the tale for me – haha – of the author’s creativity.
Reading novel is different concept but i prefer to watch thriller shows online
I can’t even remember the last thriller I read. But this sounds amazing.