Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is a psychological gothic novel centered on a young, unnamed narrator who marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter. Upon moving to his estate, Manderley, she finds herself haunted by the memory of his charismatic first wife, Rebecca. As secrets unravel, themes of identity, obsession, and deception emerge. With suspenseful pacing and atmospheric writing, the novel explores the power dynamics in relationships and the lingering grip of the past. It remains a masterwork of romantic suspense.
An English author and playwright, renowned for her atmospheric and suspenseful Gothic and psychological thrillers. Her most famous novels, including Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, and My Cousin Rachel, are characterized by their compelling plots, strong female protagonists, and often unsettling sense of foreboding. Du Maurier's masterful ability to create tension and explore themes of identity, memory, and hidden desires has made her a beloved and enduring voice in suspense literature.
Series: The Naturals (#2)
Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a riveting installment in the Naturals series, weaving together elements of psychological thriller and mystery. Following protagonist Cassie, a natural profiler, and her teammates at a special FBI program for gifted teens, the story delves into a chilling case involving a notorious serial killer’s copycat. As they navigate the complexities of criminal minds, Cassie also battles her own demons and secrets from her past. The novel explores themes of identity, trust, and the thin line between hunter and prey, delivering twists that keep readers on edge. It’s an engaging exploration of the human psyche, masterfully blending suspense with character development.
by Emily Bronte
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is a dark, gothic tale of passion and revenge set on the Yorkshire moors. It tells the turbulent story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, whose intense but doomed love leads to generational conflict and psychological torment. Narrated through nested perspectives, the novel explores themes of obsession, class, nature, and the supernatural. Despite its initial criticism, it has since become a literary classic known for its emotional intensity, atmospheric setting, and unorthodox structure.
by Victor Hugo
An emotionally stirring story, Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is rightfully considered to be one of the finest novels ever written. Rejected by fifteenth-century Parisian society, the bell-ringer Quasimodo believes he is safe under the watchful eye of his master, the Archdeacon Claude Frollo. But after Quasimodo saves the beautiful Romani girl Esmeralda from the gallows and brings her to sanctuary in the cathedral, he and Frollo's mutual desire for her puts them increasingly at odds, before compassion and cruelty clash with tragic results.
by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen
The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is a twist-filled psychological thriller that explores the complexities of love, jealousy, and obsession. At first glance, it seems to follow a familiar tale of a jealous ex-wife fixated on her former husband’s new fiancée. But nothing is as it appears. With each chapter, the narrative peels back layers of deception, revealing unexpected truths and hidden motivations. The novel plays cleverly with reader assumptions, challenging perceptions and keeping tension high. Fast-paced and intricately plotted, it’s a compelling examination of manipulation, trust, and the blurred lines between victim and villain.