11 chilling mysteries for winter reading
Megan McKeough
One by One by Ruth Ware
This book is a certified shiver-giver, and not just because of the snowy setting. When eight co-workers gather at a ski chalet in the French Alps for their corporate retreat, business tensions threaten to undo them. Then an avalanche traps them, and coworkers start disappearing one by one. Ware’s locked-room thriller is an enthralling and icy page turner from an author who has been lovingly named the modern-day Agatha Christie.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
Grant’s chilling atmospheric thriller explores family loyalty, survival, and the lengths one will go to keep a dark past from seeing the light of day. A father and daughter live in isolation in the Appalachian Mountains, an intentional choice for a man with much to hide. When their lifeline for food and supplies doesn’t show up one winter, things get desperate, and a mysterious stranger threatens life as they know it.
Cold People by Tom Rob Smith
Without reason, all of humanity is forced to move to Antarctica by an omnipotent being that has taken over the Earth. Smith’s teeth-chattering, futuristic fantasy follows a colony on a perilous journey through sub-zero conditions as they fight for survival, attempt to adapt, and start over in an utterly unforgiving place. Cold People is an imaginative dystopian tale of human survival, power, and resilience, and may require an extra blanket or two while reading.
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
Bartz’ enthralling locked-room thriller explores the dark side of competition between women, ambition, and fame. Young writer Alex is invited to an exclusive writing retreat, reigniting her dream of becoming a published author. The month-long event is hosted by iconic and erratic feminist horror author, Roza Vallo, who shocks her attendees with the revelation that each guest must complete a novel during their time together for a shot at a publishing deal. If the tense competition and haunting snowy atmosphere weren’t unsettling enough, the strange disappearance of one of the writers exposes more sinister intentions for this alleged “opportunity of a lifetime.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
Lauded by authors and critics alike as a literary masterpiece, Jones’ horror novel is a bone-chilling revenge tale about four friends who go on a fateful hunting trip on forbidden land, where things go south quickly. Ever since, they’ve been stalked by an eerie, supernatural being who is hellbent on vengeance. The gory thriller highlights and challenges ideas of Native identity in ways that are simultaneously humorous and utterly goosebump-inducing.
The Winter Sister by Megan Collins
Collins’ twisty novel explores the complexities between sisters and mother-daughter relationships, as one woman tries to piece together the events of her sister’s killing sixteen years earlier, navigating grief and guilt. Sylvie’s sister Persphone disappeared 16 years ago, and her murder has remained unsolved ever since. Now, returning home to her estranged mother, who has fallen ill with cancer, memories and old acquaintances force Sylvie to confront her past.
Cold, Cold Bones by Kathy Reichs
Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan is hoping to take a break from her taxing field and make up for lost time with her daughter. But a series of eerie reenactments of murders Brennan analyzed when she was younger reveals that someone is targeting her. Then, her daughter goes missing. With the help of her Montreal-based boyfriend and a retired detective, Brennan must work quickly to identify the suspect before it’s too late. Reichs’ revenge thriller is set in a wintry North Carolina, with a plot colder than the climate.
All the White Spaces by Ally Wilkes
This polar expedition was already bone-chilling, but when a group of explorers discovers they are being haunted by something deadly and mysterious, it becomes absolutely frigid. A cast of lively characters has set out on an expedition in the wake of World War I, embarking on a sailing trip in the Arctic Ocean. Chaos ensues aboard, forcing them to land in uncharted territory, where something is lurking, waiting to prey on their darkest fears. Jonathan Morgan, a stowaway determined to make his mark, must come to terms with his dark past and face his fears to save the expedition. Praised by many as one of the best survival horrors, Wilkes’ historical fiction explores human resilience, grief, and the devastating impacts of war.
Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik
Ferencik’s arctic adventure and psychological thriller follows a linguist who trades the safety of her studies for a subzero research center, where her skills are needed to communicate with a young girl who was discovered alive, thawed from the ice. Battling anxiety, alcoholism, and the mysterious loss of her twin brother, Val partners up with her late brother’s research partner to learn more about this mysterious girl and her brother’s alleged suicide. Set in a remote part of Greenland, Girl in Ice is a twisty ode to the power of language.
Little Red Death by A.K. Benedict
Many of us have found comfort in nostalgic children’s stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White. Though after reading Benedict’s twisty metafiction, they’ll likely send shivers down your spine. Detective Lyla Rondell is tasked with investigating a string of deaths that seem to be inspired by old fairytales, cutting deep into an event of her past. When the killer starts taunting her personally, the case grows into something deeper and more dangerous. She realizes they know more about her than they should. Benedict’s elaborate plot is a must-read for horror fans who appreciate the power of storytelling—for better and for worse.
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Murder On The Orient Express is the whodunnit legend, Christie’s most popular novel, with a plot as twisty and chilling as the Orient Express’ snowy European route. When a massive snowdrift derails the luxury train, an American businessman is found murdered. Detective Hercule Poirot happens to be on the train and takes the reins of the investigation. No passenger escapes suspicion, each having their reasons for wanting the deceased dead. In a fast-paced and fascinating locked-room adventure, Poirot must sift through evidence and apprehend the killer before they strike again. ++Want to read these titles? Sign up for a free 30-day trial to Everand, a digital subscription that gives you instant access to millions of bestselling ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more. Start reading on the web, iOS, Android, and even offline.
Megan McKeough