Crime novel fans know that a killer’s favorite tactic for getting away with murder is hiding the body. But bodies have a pesky habit of not staying hidden.
In my thriller, What You Made Me Do, the murder takes place on a fictional Dutch island in the Wadden Sea, inspired by the real island of Terschelling. The Wadden has always intrigued me, especially its tides. Twice a day, the sea retreats, revealing vast mudflats where you can walk—but watch out, the mud can be treacherous, and the tide comes rushing back quicker than you’d expect.
My daughter, ever the enthusiastic research assistant, joined me on Terschelling to find the perfect spot to stash a body. Easier said than done.
We wandered through pine forests, clambered over dunes, and trekked across grassy polders, all while breathing in the Wadden’s signature scent—a mix of salt and rotting seaweed. We thought we hit the jackpot with an abandoned World War II bunker, but after crawling inside, we found it littered with empty bottles, a pair of socks, and an old weed bag. Graffiti covered the walls, clearly marking it as the local teen hangout. It seemed there wasn’t a single nook on the island that was secret enough for my fictional murderer. Just when we were about to call it quits, the perfect hiding place practically jumped out at us.
Here are six of my favorite thrillers where the victim’s body is hidden, only to be uncovered later… moved to a new spot… or never found at all.
Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French – Now this is an ingenious spot to stash a body! The alarm bells ring when Charlotte Salter is a no-show at her husband’s fiftieth birthday bash. She’s vanished into thin air, leaving her children in turmoil. Things only get worse when a family friend meets a violent end just days later. Fast forward thirty years, and a true crime podcast digs up the past, triggering yet another murder. Nicci French always keeps things fresh, and this mystery had me guessing right until the end.
Blacklands by Belinda Bauer – Nearly twenty years ago, Steven’s uncle Billy was abducted by Arnold Avery, who buried his victims on the wild moors of Exmoor. But Billy’s body was never found, and Avery isn’t spilling any secrets. Steven lives in a house soaked in sadness, with his grandmother keeping a lonely vigil by the window, waiting for her son to come home. Convinced he can heal his family by finding Billy’s body, Steven sneaks off to the moor at every chance to dig. But when digging gets him nowhere, he starts a dangerous correspondence with Avery. Can an ordinary boy outsmart a cold-blooded killer? The suspense had me biting my nails.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt – Bunny Corcoran goes missing for ten days before his body turns up—plenty of time for his friends to perfect their alibis. We know right off the bat who did it—the big question is why. Bunny’s body is left at the bottom of a ravine, buried under snow, until a spring thaw reveals his grim fate to a girl out walking her dog. The novel then dives into the dark motives behind the murder and the deep scars it leaves behind. I’ve read this book four times, and each time I’m drawn back in by its morally twisted characters. It’s chilling how easily killers can justify their actions—whether in fiction or real life.
Ripley Under Ground by Patricia Highsmith – This novel includes some unforgettable scenes where Ripley first buries a body, only to have to dig it up again when the police start sniffing around. I have a soft spot for Ripley. Despite his gruesome crimes, Highsmith somehow makes him oddly likeable, and I find myself rooting for him. Ripley Under Ground is my top pick in the series—I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, eager to see how the talented Mr. Ripley would wriggle out of trouble this time. The dark humor sprinkled throughout adds to the fun. A timeless thriller that never loses its edge!
The Family Plot by Megan Collins – Dahlia has spent a decade searching for her missing twin brother. When her estranged father dies, she reluctantly returns home for the funeral. But her world shatters when Andy’s skeletal remains are discovered in their father’s burial plot. This story has all the ingredients for a spine-tingling read. A creepy island, a family home nicknamed The Murder Mansion, Dahlia’s true-crime-obsessed mom, and a serial killer on the prowl. As Dahlia digs into the mystery, she uncovers shocking secrets about her brother—and the truth is more chilling than she ever imagined.
End of Story by A.J. Finn – Who knows how to dispose of a dead body better than a mystery writer? Two decades ago, Sebastian Trapp’s wife and son vanished without a trace. They are presumed dead and likely murdered, with Trapp—a celebrated mystery writer—as the prime suspect. Trapp has been in contact with Nicky Hunter, a young mystery novel expert, for several years. Now, with only months to live, he asks her to write his story and invites her to move into his mansion’s attic room. But Nicky has more on her mind than writing—she should have let sleeping dogs lie! This beautifully crafted mystery is packed with unforgettable characters and a twist that left me reeling.
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