Try Something New This Weekend
The Bookends Team are feeling a little bit more feisty than normal this Friday, so inspired by the matriarch of women’s fiction Marian Keyes, who officially dubbed Grip-Lit a ‘thing’ earlier this year, we’ve put together a list of some of the most gripping of psychological thrillers that have had us on the edge of our sun-lounger this summer. Written by women with a kick-arse female at the heart of the story, what’s not to love? We promise you that these are the types of books you won’t be able to put down. So if you’re looking to add an edge to your bookshelf or to get your pulse-racing this weekend, then try something new with one of our Bookends Grip-Lit picks:
THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS’ NEST by Stieg Larsson
The third chapter in the Millennium series sees fierce, feminist icon and super-hacker Lisbeth Salander return to plot her revenge – against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straightforward campaign, as she is set to face trial for three murders. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must not only prove her innocence, but identify and denounce the corrupt politicians that have allowed the vulnerable to become victims of abuse and violence. Once a victim herself, Salander is now ready to fight back.
THE LIFE I LEFT BEHIND by Colette McBeth
Described by Marian Keyes as ‘Grip-lit of the highest order’, we could hardly leave this off the list. What happens when the only one who knows what happened is dead? Six years ago Melody was left for dead. When the body of another woman, Eve, is discovered, Melody realises the only way she can survive is to follow the clues that Eve left behind.
CRASH & BURN by Lisa Gardner
Meet Nicky Frank. She wakes to find herself in hospital after crashing her car. The only thing that she can think about is Vero. She knows she has to save her but why couldn’t she find her? She’s just a little girl.
The man standing in Nicky’s hospital room tells her they are married but there is no Vero… According to Sophie Hannah, Lisa has pulled off ‘the perfect thriller’ in CRASH & BURN and everyone knows Sophie’s word in grip-lit is law. Check out Lisa’s brand new site Case Files for chapter samplers, exclusive content on the elusive Vero and more.
REMEMBER ME THIS WAY by Sabine Durrant
She thought losing him was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong. Her sister, the police, they tell her not to worry. They say it’s only natural, when someone close to you dies, to see him everywhere, sense him still nearby. But they don’t know Zach like she does. How much he loved her. How he liked things just his way. How far he would go to get revenge.
A GAME FOR ALL THE FAMILY by Sophie Hannah
After escaping London and a career that nearly destroyed her, Justine plans to spend her days doing as little as possible in her beautiful home in Devon. But soon after the move, her daughter Ellen starts to withdraw when her new best friend, George, is unfairly expelled from school. Justine begs the head teacher to reconsider, only to be told that nobody’s been expelled – there is, and was, no George. Queen of psychological crime Sophie Hannah is back with a chilling standalone novel – a literary puzzle set to unlock the dark side of the mind…
Liked this? Why not read about our books that have been read and recommended by Good Housekeeping’s Reader Review panel.