That's the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.

 

One Small Mistake by Dandy Smith

Dandy Smith’s debut psychological thriller, One Small Mistake is a gripping exploration of ambition, deception, and the fragile bonds of sisterhood. With a premise built around a single lie that spirals into a life-altering crisis, this novel delivers a tense and emotionally charged narrative that keeps readers hooked.

Elodie Fray is desperate to escape the shadow of her seemingly perfect sister Ada, quits her job to pursue her dream of becoming an author, however, after a drunken night leads to a lie about landing a book deal, Elodie finds herself trapped in a web of deceit. Her disappearance triggers a frantic search, with Ada questioning everything from her marriage to the man accused of Elodie’s abduction. Told from both sisters’ perspectives, the story unravels secrets and challenges assumptions about truth, loyalty, and identity.

One Small Mistake is a standout debut that blends emotional complexity with thriller elements. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys stories where one misstep can unravel an entire life.

False Idols by Karla Marie Sweet

Karla Marie Sweet’s upcoming thriller, False Idols, is a razor-sharp exploration of vulnerability, power, and the seductive pull of belonging. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Los Angeles, this novel plunges readers into the murky depths of the wellness industry, where healing and manipulation blur into one another.

Sadie, the protagonist, is adrift—emotionally and geographically—when she stumbles upon Deep Flow, an exclusive wellness class led by the enigmatic Lilith. What begins as a search for peace quickly morphs into obsession. Lilith’s magnetic presence and the sisterhood she fosters offer Sadie a sense of empowerment and escape. But as Sadie becomes more entangled, the sinister undercurrents of the group begin to surface. There is a scarily fine line between empowerment and exploitation

The prose is compulsive and atmospheric, with a tone that oscillates between dreamy introspection and chilling suspense. It’s escapist yet introspective, seductive yet unsettling.

 

Watching You by Helen Fields

Watching you is a razor-sharp thriller that plunges you into the shadowy streets of Edinburgh, where a serial killer known only as The Watcher is on the loose. The story opens with a brutal murder, but it’s just the beginning — seven more victims are promised, and delivered…

At the heart of the novel is Beth Waterfall, a renowned surgeon grieving the loss of her daughter, who was stalked and killed a year prior. Now, Beth herself is in the killer’s sights. Leading the investigation is DS Lively and Dr Connie Woolwine, a forensic profiler whose insights are as unnerving as they are brilliant.

If you love psychological thrillers with a strong female lead and a twisty plot, this one’s worth keeping on your radar. It is enlightening, explorative and a real deep dive into so many elements of the human mind. I loved it!

 

To Love a Liar by L.V. Matthews

Chris Fletcher is a man with secrets. Nineteen years ago, his lover was found dead in an abandoned house. Now, his wife Jillian has vanished without a trace. As the narrative unfolds, we are forced to explore the ethics behind special forces infiltrating organisations that threaten the safety of the public en masse. What is for the greater good? How much can the public really know? Transparency is not always safe for anyone. Matthews forces readers to ask: is Chris guilty of one crime—or both? And if so, which one? Does Chris Fletcher even know?

Set in a ‘not for long’ quiet and idyllic loch in Scotland, the novel explores the fragility of trust and the devastating consequences of deception, and not just for those being deceived.

“There are two motives for reading a book: one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.”