12 Engaging Summer Mysteries Perfect for Your Beach Bag!

Whether your summer vacation plans include beach trips, lakeside weekends or relaxing afternoons at home, a good book is always the perfect companion. Mysteries — with their simmering suspense and intricate puzzles — provide excellent entertainment while guaranteeing a fast-paced summer read. Here are 12 of the best summer mysteries (both new and old!) from bestselling authors like Ruth Ware, Sally Hepworth, and Delia Owens.

From psychological suspense-filled mysteries to historical mysteries and contemporary whodunits, there’s something for everyone! Feel like escaping to Italy to solve a decades-old murder? Pick up The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. Want to be transported to an Adirondack summer camp filled with secrets? Dive into Liz Moore’s The God of The Woods, which some are calling this summer’s “best mystery.” Check out all our enthralling, must-read recommendations below.

Bestselling author Ruth Ware is known as the queen of thrillers and psychological suspense — and her latest story reaffirms this! Scientist Lyla is unsure about joining her aspiring actor boyfriend, Nico, for a reality TV show on a remote island. She finally agrees, only to regret it when an overnight storm turns the game into real-life survival.

What readers are saying: “I’m a huge fan of eerie psychological thrillers,” says Shay Trotter, “and Ruth Ware’s books are among the hardest to put down. This plot had my adrenaline pumping and I was riveted until the last page!”

Inseparable childhood friends Chess and Emily grew apart over the years. So, when Chess proposes a girls’ trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance to reconnect. Villa Aestas is a luxurious holiday home now, but it was the scene of a notorious rock star’s murder in 1974. As Emily delves into the house’s dark past, she uncovers secrets that might point to the murder being more than just sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll gone wrong.

What readers are saying: “As a police detective’s daughter, I enjoy a good crime novel, and this book set in Italy was even more enticing,” says Kathy Fitzpatrick. “Dual stories, decades apart, both oozing with deceit and betrayal, made for great reading and a memorable armchair travel experience!”

A new page-turner by Alex Michaelides. When ex-A-list actress Lana Farrar invites friends to a private island, the party turns deadly as a storm traps them. Suspicions rise as readers are given various perspectives of what transpired.

What readers are saying: “Traveling is my favorite hobby, but when I can’t, novels like this mystery set in Greece are my escape,” says Rachel Cosma. “The twists kept me guessing until the very end!”

Danger, deception, and secrets abound in this heart-racing saga by Sally Hepworth. It follows Jessica, Norah, and Alicia, who are taken in by a foster mom, Miss Fairchild, only to find stifling rules that make them flee. Years later, a body is discovered under their former home, drawing them back to uncover the truth.

What readers are saying: “The story was a captivating page-turner. I loved the main characters, the girls. Their dynamics and bonds through trauma kept me relentlessly turning the pages.”

Set on an island in Michigan’s Great Massasauga Swamp, this thrilling tale follows herbalist Hermine “Herself” Zook and her estranged daughters. The youngest daughter Rose Thorn leaves her own daughter, Dorothy “Donkey” Zook, with Herself. When Rose Thorn returns, long-held family secrets unravel.

What readers are saying: “What a ride! Bonnie Jo Campbell is so talented. The characters and their names were cleverly created, and the story flowed beautifully at a fast pace. Dorothy was my favorite.”

This #1 bestselling novel by Delia Owens takes readers to the marshlands of North Carolina. Kya, an abandoned girl, raises herself in the perilous wetlands. Isolated from her community, she opens up to two young men, and when one is found dead, she becomes the main suspect. As the case unfolds, marshland secrets may reveal themselves.

What readers are saying: “This book was beautiful from start to finish. It depicted the coast so well that I could smell the salt. A great summer read for nature lovers who enjoy a good story!”

This fascinating novel blends family drama and absorbing history. Camp Emerson in the Adirondack Mountains is owned by the Van Laar family. In August 1975, a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk where Barbara Van Lear was sleeping, sparking a community search full of secrets and potential second chances.

What readers are saying: “A favorite read of mine this year, worth recommending to mystery and suspense lovers! Phenomenal storytelling that kept me engaged till I learned the truth about the missing siblings and other characters.”

Set on the seaside cliffs of Maine, this moving novel follows Jane Flanagan, who discovers an abandoned house that becomes her hideaway as a teenager. Years later, Jane is sad to find the new owner, Genevieve, has drastically renovated the house and believes it’s haunted. She hires Jane to research its history, unveiling a tale of ghosts, family secrets, and homecoming.

What readers are saying: “I’m swept up in J. Courtney Sullivan’s novels! At once sweeping and intimate, The Cliffs will be my top recommendation this year.”

Beloved author Mary Kay Andrews has written 24 books with heartfelt charm — and her latest, Summers At The Saint, is a sweet summertime escape! The story centres on Traci Eddings, owner of the St. Cecelia hotel, as she navigates the lodge’s scandalous past and future, blending romance and mystery.

What readers are saying: “I’ve read all of Mary Kay Andrews’ books and this is one of her best. There are even a surprise moment or two! Pick this book up, you won’t be disappointed.”

This fast-paced whodunit centres on single mom Mavis Miller. When PTA president Trisha Holbrook asks Mavis to head a new school committee, she agrees. But at the first meeting, the principal’s plans infuriate Trisha. Mavis sees Trisha loading a large trash bag into her car later, and when the principal is declared missing, Mavis vows to get to the bottom of things quickly.

What readers are saying: “This book is so much fun! A cozy mystery with a dash of romance, centered around an elementary school PTA and a missing principal. The epilogue left me hoping for more!”

This historical mystery takes place in 1959 L.A. and follows Mercy Welles, who has transformed herself into a movie star only to vanish. Almost 60 years later, Kit O’Neill finds a box revealing her grandmother was the famous Mercy Welles — leading her on an adventure to Martha’s Vineyard.

What readers are saying: “I love good historical fiction and this was a hit! Relatable characters and an idyllic setting made this an excellent read.”

Source: Woman’s World, Particlenews