I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday, which was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog,
Today’s theme is “books with ___ as a plot device,” and I’m sort of tweaking the theme and going with books that have serial killer plots. I’ve found eight books I’ve read and loved, and two upcoming releases I’m excited to read. My reviews are linked for the books I’ve read.
Books I’ve read:
All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce is a historical horror story about a family of serial killers. You’ll notice Bruce shows up on this list twice, which isn’t a surprise. She writes really good serial killer stories!
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James was my first book by the author and I loved it. This is a mystery/thriller about a woman who has a blog dealing with cold cases, focusing on serial killers. She’s thrown into a real life situation and craziness ensues.
Come With Me by Ronald Malfi is a complex, emotional story about the hunt for a serial killer, and it’s also my favorite Ronald Malfi book. Actually it’s probably one of my top five books of all time!
In the Garden of Spite by Camilla Bruce. I loved this book, another historical horror story from Bruce that shows how a woman wronged gradually becomes a serial killer. This was brutal and graphic and not for the faint of heart!
Such a Pretty Smile by Kristi DeMeester takes place in two different time lines and is a disturbing serial killer story with speculative elements.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito is one of the most original serial killer stories I’ve read, and it’s full of black humor too.
Where He Can’t Find You by Darcy Coates. This is the only YA book on this list, but it was a good one. This is a disturbing story about a very creepy serial killer called the Stitcher.
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall is a twisty thriller that I couldn’t put down!
And two books on my TBR:
Interestingly enough, both these books involve older protagonists! The title of The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi pretty much sums it up. This is a mystery/thriller that takes place in a retirement home, and it sounds fantastic.
Too Old For This by Samantha Downing focuses on a retired serial killer, and I can’t wait to read it!
I have actually read What Lies in the Woods! I really enjoyed that one!
Me too, I need to read more by the author now:-)
I haven’t read any of these yet but i do have a couple on my list – The Book of Cold Cases and Come With Me. I’m tempted to add a few more after seeing this post @D
Those two are both very different but so good.
Ooo, fabulous list! Serial killer stories are hit and miss for me, but there are a few that just really work for some reason!
All of these worked really well for me:-)
The Book of Cold Cases, Where He Can’t Find You, and Victorian Psycho were great. Thanks for introducing me to Too Old For This because it sounds great!
Doesn’t it? I can’t wait:-)
Thanks for making a list of 10 books I’ll probably now not read!! (I say that in jest since I think you know I’m not really a horror/mystery/thriller reader.)
LOL!
Sone of these can work for me if they are more thriller / mystery than horror. I read the Simone St. James.
Anne – Books of My Heart
A lot of them are. I like the mystery aspects too.
Someone else mentioned serial killers in their post today. What a scary theme!
Scary but fun!
I don’t read a lot of books from the genre although I’ve got quite a few of on my TBR or interest list. That Samantha Downing book looks really fun? The cover makes me want to check it out immediately!
That’s what I thought! The cover is fantastic!
I haven’t read any of these! I have My Sister the Serial Killer on my (virtual) shelf, but haven’t gotten to it yet. I suppose, other than Stephen King books (Mr. Mercedes, and probably others?), I just haven’t read serial killer books! Fun topic today 🙂
I was surprised at how many I’ve read:-)
I haven’t read anything by Samantha Downing yet, but Too Old For This sounds like so much fun and I’m really excited to read it!
Me too! This will be my first Downing too, if I read it:-)
I loved What Lies in the Woods and The Book of Cold Cases
Me too, I need to read more by both authors:-)
definitely check out Jessica R. Patch’s Her Darkest Secret, A Cry in the Dark, and Garden Girls. So good! My TTT
I’ll check them out!
I’ve been wanting to read st. James for a while. And omg Marshall’s book too.
They’re both so good!
Interesting topic. I think serial killers tend to fascinate a lot of people which is part of why thrillers & crime TV shows are so popular. The ones I want to get to first are Victorian Psychopath, In The Garden Of Spite & Book Of Cold Cases. Plus Come With Me after your exceptionally high praise for it. I also have my eye on the two unreleased ones, especially Samantha Downings as I generally love her work.
I haven’t read Samantha Downing yet, so I’m hoping this will be my first.
Ooh enjoy
Oh I got shivers just thinking of this topic haha, It’s not one I delve into much because I’m a bit chicken. Though ‘In The Garden of Spite’ is such a cool title and that cover is so stunning, that’s one that’s appealing to me also given the historical & feminist aspects. 🙂 I hope you like the ones on your TBR too!
In the Garden of Spite is so good!
Awesome, I’m glad to hear it! 🙂
I have a hard time stomaching serial killer books these days. I’m getting soft in my old age! LOL
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Ha ha totally understand!
I’ve read a couple of these. I immediately thought of “You” when I saw your list. I only read the first book in that series but really like it and enjoy the Netflix series as well. You know how much I loved Victorian Psycho. Great topic.
I watched the first season of You on Netflix and then forgot to watch the rest, lol. I would like to read the book though.
I just saw Victorian Psycho on another blog. I think I need to read that one.
It was crazy!
Aww, what a fantastic list – I wish I’d thought of this too – we could have compared books.
Lynn 😀
Normally I would have no suggestions as this is not a genre I enjoy, but Tamara Pierce wrote a quartet of fantasy novels featuring teenagers dealing with serial killers (Magic Steps, Street Magic, Cold Fire, and Shatterglass). In this case, I had read and enjoyed previous books featuring the characters and that carried me through. Thanks for the list and happy reading!
TamOra Pierce, dratted autocorrect
Interesting timing reading this today as I just bought the audiobook of The Book of Cold Cases today. 🙂