Best Adult Books December 2024

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart

George Foss never thought he’d see her again, but on a late-night visit to his favorite Boston bar, there she was. Liana Dector, his college girlfriend, vanished twenty years ago. Now she’s back, with a desperate plea for help. George can’t resist her pull, despite knowing she’s trouble. As he’s drawn into her dangerous world of lies and murder, he realizes some people never change. This gripping thriller explores the power of first love and the consequences of betrayal, leaving readers breathless until the final twist.

Home Before Dark

Maggie Holt returns to her childhood home, Baneberry Hall, determined to uncover the truth behind her father’s bestselling horror memoir. As she renovates the eerie Victorian mansion, long-buried secrets resurface, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Haunted by fragmented memories and inexplicable occurrences, Maggie grapples with her own skepticism and the house’s dark history. With each creaking floorboard and shadowy corner, she’s drawn deeper into a mystery that threatens to consume her, just as it did her family years ago.

The Last Time I Lied

Emma’s return to Camp Nightingale stirs up more than just memories. Fifteen years ago, her three cabinmates vanished without a trace, leaving her haunted by unanswered questions. Now, as an art teacher at the newly reopened camp, Emma’s determined to uncover the truth. But as she digs deeper, she realizes some secrets are better left buried. With each revelation, the line between past and present blurs, and Emma begins to question her own sanity. Sager’s gripping thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, leaving you breathless and wondering who you can trust.

Final Girls

Quincy Carpenter survived a brutal massacre that left her the sole survivor of a killing spree at Pine Cottage. Ten years later, she’s finally moved on, but her fragile peace is shattered when another “Final Girl” is found dead. Forced to confront her past, Quincy teams up with fellow survivor Sam to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper, dark secrets emerge, blurring the lines between victim and killer. Sager’s gripping thriller keeps you guessing until the very end, exploring trauma, survival, and the haunting question: can anyone truly escape their past?

The Kind Worth Killing

On a night flight to London, Ted Severson meets the enigmatic Lily Kintner. Over martinis, they play a game of truth, revealing dark secrets. When Ted confesses his desire to murder his unfaithful wife, Lily offers to help. What follows is a twisted tale of deception and betrayal, where nothing is as it seems. As the body count rises, Ted begins to question Lily’s motives and his own sanity. Swanson’s chilling thriller will keep you guessing until the very last page, leaving you breathless and wondering: who can you really trust?

The Girl Who Lived

Sarah Townsend’s life shattered when her family was brutally murdered on her 12th birthday. Now, a decade later, she’s the sole survivor, haunted by memories and plagued by survivor’s guilt. Determined to uncover the truth, Sarah returns to her hometown, where whispers and suspicious glances follow her every move. As she digs deeper, long-buried secrets resurface, threatening to unravel everything she thought she knew. With danger lurking in the shadows, Sarah must confront her past to reclaim her future in this gripping tale of resilience and redemption.

The Third Grave

Chilling secrets lurk beneath the surface in Lisa Jackson’s gripping thriller, “The Third Grave.” When a decades-old cold case resurfaces, Detective Nikki Gillette is drawn into a web of lies and betrayal. As she unravels the mystery, she confronts her own demons and a killer who’s been hiding in plain sight. Jackson’s masterful storytelling keeps you guessing until the very end, with twists that’ll leave you breathless. A haunting tale of buried truths and the lengths some will go to keep them hidden.

Find Her

Haunted by her sister’s disappearance, Detective D.D. Warren delves into a chilling case of abduction. As she unravels the twisted threads of a serial kidnapper’s mind, she encounters Flora Dane, a survivor with a dark past. Together, they race against time to save the latest victim. Gardner’s gripping narrative keeps you on edge, blending psychological suspense with raw emotion. A heart-pounding thriller that explores the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths we’ll go to find the truth.

The Heart Principle

Anna Sun, a talented violinist, finds her world unraveling when her boyfriend suggests an open relationship. Struggling with burnout and a recent autism diagnosis, she seeks solace in a no-strings-attached fling with tattooed motorcyclist Quan. As their connection deepens, Anna grapples with family expectations and her own identity. Hoang’s poignant exploration of self-discovery and love resonated with me, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected encounters can lead to profound personal growth. I couldn’t put it down!

The Bride Test

Khai Diep’s autism makes romance challenging, but his meddling mother won’t give up. She travels to Vietnam to find him a bride, returning with Esme Tran, a mixed-race girl from the slums of Ho Chi Minh City. Esme seizes this chance for a better life, determined to win Khai’s heart. As they navigate cultural differences and personal struggles, unexpected sparks fly. But can Esme break through Khai’s emotional barriers? A touching tale of love, family, and self-discovery that will leave you rooting for this unlikely pair.