What is it that draws us to destinations unknown? That compels us to explore and discover new places? There’s something so alluring about taking that leap out of our comfort zone, about traveling to unfamiliar locations far and wide, even if only within the pages of a book.
There’s a reason why destination thrillers are becoming increasingly popular. Perhaps it’s the escapism they offer— allowing readers to experience the new and different from the comfort and safety of their favorite reading nooks. Or perhaps, it’s the added element of suspense that layers these far-flung mysteries. Here, the setting is more than just a backdrop to the plot line. It can sometimes feel as though it takes on a life of its own, becoming a character in its own right, so prevalent is it in the outcome of the story as we watch our main character grapple not only with the conflict that centers the plot, but also with the element of the unknown.
But maybe our love for jet-setting thrillers derives from something darker. After all, these stories bring us to some of the most idyllic places in the world, and we wait with baited breath to watch them burn. There’s something about the imagining of wanderlust turned on its head— a dream transformed into a nightmare— that draws us in like a moth to the flame. The intriguing, and inherently unsettling, juxtaposition of a white sandy beach soaked in blood, an ethereal seaside mansion concealing a violent death. Perhaps the thrill in these thrillers is rooted in the suggestion that no where is safe. That danger can find us even in the most beautiful of places.
In writing my latest thriller, The Perfect Sister, this was something I wanted to explore as Alex Walker journeys to the glittering and exclusive shores of the Hamptons in search of her missing sister. But Alex soon finds that a life of luxury isn’t always what it seems as she uncovers a wealth of secrets worth killing for.
Ready to dive into your next destination thriller? Here are some of my personal favorites:
The Guest List
Lucy Foley
The Guest List is perhaps my favorite destination thriller of all time. This delectable story takes us to a remote island off the coast of Ireland, accessible only by boat, for the wedding of two affluent guests. What could possibly go wrong, right? Foley’s vivid descriptions of the wild and untamed natural island will make you feel like you’ve earned a coveted spot on the guest list. But best of luck to you when the tides start to turn. . .
One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
In this story, Ware takes us to a remote, luxury island, a twenty-hour boat ride off the coast of Indonesia, with Lyla and her actor boyfriend as they compete in a new reality dating show aimed at determining who is the most compatible couple on the island. But when a bad storm turns the would-be-paradise into the travelers’ worst nightmare, the stakes suddenly become much higher than deciding who will make the perfect couple— now, they’re fighting for their lives.
I could so easily picture the storm strewn island, the fallen palm trees, the gorgeous five-star resort turned to ruin. It was the ideal setting for Ware’s latest thriller.
The Villa
Rachel Hawkins
Join best friends, Emily and Chess, on a girls trip to Italy. You’ll be staying in Villa Aestas in Orvieto, a high-end vacation home with a deadly legacy. I loved the gorgeous, dreamy setting in this one, which clashed perfectly against sinister secrets of the house’s past.
Something in the Water
Catherine Steadman
Erin and Mark are on their dream honeymoon in Bora Bora. Picture private villas, crystal-clear waters, scuba diving excursions to exotic reefs. Until they find something floating in the water that will change their lives forever. Only, there’s no way to tell if that will be for better or worse.
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