Thriller Fans, Your Next Read is Here: 9 Books to Dive Into After Holly Jackson’s “Not Quite Dead Yet”
The runaway success of Holly Jackson’s young adult thriller, “Not Quite Dead Yet,” has left readers craving more suspenseful, twist-filled narratives. Jackson’s blend of mystery,relatable characters,and high stakes has resonated with a broad audience,prompting a search for similar reads to fill the void. For those finishing the book and looking for their next literary obsession, here are nine recommendations to keep the adrenaline pumping.
The popularity of the thriller genre continues to surge, with sales increasing 17% in 2023 according to NPD BookScan data. This demand is fueled by a desire for escapism and the intellectual challenge of unraveling complex plots. Whether you enjoyed the investigative elements of “Not Quite Dead Yet” or the fast-paced action, these selections offer a range of suspenseful experiences.
1. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (2017): Often compared to The Breakfast Club meets Pretty little Liars, this young adult mystery centers around five students who enter detention, but only four come out alive. The remaining four become suspects in the death of the fifth, and everyone has a secret to protect.
2. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (2018): Stevie Bell arrives at Ellingham Academy, a prestigious boarding school with a dark past, determined to solve a decades-old kidnapping case. This atmospheric mystery blends classic whodunit elements with a modern sensibility.
3. The Guest List by Lucy Fokley (2020): Set on a remote island during a lavish wedding, this locked-room mystery unfolds as a storm rages and secrets are revealed. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, building suspense with each chapter.
4. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (2020): Avery Grambs,a seemingly ordinary teenager,inherits a fortune from a billionaire she’s never met. But with the inheritance comes a series of puzzles and challenges set by the billionaire’s eccentric family.
5. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (2021): Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are the only Black students at Niveus Private academy. When a mysterious texter begins revealing their secrets,they must team up to uncover the identity of “Aces” before their lives are ruined.
6. The Final Girls by Riley Sager (2019): Quincy Carpenter was one of the final girls – survivors of a massacre. Years later, she’s drawn into a mysterious group of other final girls, and begins to suspect that one of them is not who they seem.7. Good girl,Bad Blood by Holly Jackson (2022): For readers who haven’t yet explored Jackson’s other work,this is the first book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series,which follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi as she investigates a closed murder case for a school project.
8. My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa (2021): Amelia Silva is trying to rebuild her life after a traumatic past when she receives a disturbing message: someone knows her secret. This psychological thriller explores themes of identity, trauma, and revenge.
9. The Plot by Jean Hanff korelitz (2021): Jacob Finch Bonner, a struggling author, steals a plot from a deceased former student and publishes it as his own. But when he receives anonymous messages accusing him of plagiarism, he realizes someone knows his secret.
