Choosing a new book to read can be a daunting task, particularly for those who are slower readers.
However, Francesca is here to help. She aims to read an impressive 100 books each year, so she’s well-versed in which ones should be at the top of your list. Known as ‘your go-to thriller girly’ online, Francesca recently shared on TikTok five books she wishes she could experience again for the first time.
The Manchester-based book enthusiast regularly reads and reviews thriller novels, helping others decide which ones to tackle first. The 26 year old said there was “just something about these five books that are just a little bit different”, and they’ve stayed with her long after reading them.
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1. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
First on the list, which won’t surprise those familiar with Francesca, is I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. “Honestly, I’ve just never seen a twist like this coming, it’s just an absolute must-read,” Francesca enthused.
Originally published in 2011, the book follows Jenna, whose “life is absolutely shattered when she witnesses a five-year-old being involved in a hit-and-run”, according to Francesca. “She goes to the Welsh coast to try to find some sort of peace, meanwhile the police are investigating exactly what happened to him”.
Francesca admitted the book “spun her head 360” because she had “no idea where the twist was going to come from next”.
2. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Blake Crouch’s Dark Matter, a science fiction thriller first published in 2016, has been praised for its gripping narrative. Francesca remarked: “I just wish I could experience this plot coming together for the first time.”
She described the book as a “sci fi thriller centred around parallel universes, but it’s more about Jason’s story of love and friendship and just the power that it holds”.
3. The Quiet Tenant by Cleménce Michallon
Francesca also highlighted The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallon as one of the “most impactful stories” she’s encountered since its release in 2023. Despite being a thriller, it prompted her to think “so much more deeply than that”.
She detailed the plot: “This follows an absolutely beloved small-town family man who has actually had a woman locked in his shed for the last five years,” adding, “It’s told from both their points of view but it’s honestly the best escape story I’ve ever read.”
4. The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Turning to The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager, Francesca admitted: “This book did me over in a way no other book has shocked me before,” Published in 2022, the book features a “very strange plot twist”. She elaborated: “This follows a widower and actress Casey who befriends and then investigates the disappearance of another actress who is residing in the lake. I feel like this is definitely a love it or hate it book and I personally loved it.”
5. No Exit by Taylor Adams
No Exit, a gripping thriller by Taylor Adams released in 2017, has left readers on the edge of their seats. Francesca shared her experience: “I wish I could read this book again because of the pure intensity of every single page. I genuinely couldn’t breathe when I was reading No Exit by Taylor Adams.”
She further described the plot, saying: “This follows a woman who is trapped in a snowstorm at a service station with four strangers and it’s not too bad until she realises a young girl is locked in one of their vans.”
This post was originally published on here
