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ELLA DICKINSON satisfies her reading hunger with the fast-paced page turners that leave your brain scrambled
Popcorn thriller books - literary snobs would say that these fast-paced and easy to read novels don’t class as ‘proper reading’. I beg to differ. As an experienced reader of the genre, I’m here to convince you to dive into my own recommendations.
Each to Their Own
One question that can often crop up in any area of life is, what do you do for fun? What do you do in your spare time? As an English Language student, I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that I love to read. However, I often feel that the stereotypical expectation of me is to pick up the classics. Jane Austin, Jane Eyre, Dickens – the types of books you can find in their own classics section in Waterstones with the fancy clothbound covers. Although I recognise these works as literary masterpieces, they’re not my go-to. Popcorn thrillers are much more up my street.
The Basics
So, what is a ‘popcorn’ thriller? The term was coined to describe thrillers that are fast-paced, lighter-hearted page-turners without overly complicated plots that leave your brain scrambled. They hook you in with jaw-dropping prologues that leave you with a million and one questions. You just have to read on. They can often be read in a single day by enthusiastic bookworms! With the help of BookTok, popcorn thrillers are experiencing a rise in popularity. BookTok is the side of TikTok where eager readers find reviews, recommendations and discussions surrounding the latest books on the shelves. Viral videos have us racing to the bookstore for the latest releases.
Riveting Recommendations
If I haven’t persuaded you to delve into this genre already, here are my top five recommendations to get you started:
The Housemaid Series – Freida McFadden
“From behind closed doors, she sees everything.”
A troubled young woman employed as a housekeeper for a wealthy couple soon finds there’s more to her employers than meets the eye…
Ok, so it may be cheating to place this series as a singular suggestion, but once you’ve read the first book, I guarantee you’ll be itching to read the sequel.
This was my introduction to McFadden, and I have her to thank for opening my eyes to the world of popcorn thrillers. This is yet to be topped for me. The twists and turns will leave your jaw on the floor and your hands frantically turning to the next page. You won’t be able to put it down. Three words to sum up these books are … intense, unexpected and masterpiece. Just when I thought I couldn’t be more in awe of Freida McFadden, I learned she was also a brain surgeon!
Watching You – Lisa Jewell
“You think you’re safe but what if someone is watching you?”
A gruesome murder in a well-to-do neighbourhood upends the life of a newlywed woman, and as the investigation continues, secrets are upturned for many families.
This was the first Lisa Jewell book that I rated five stars. Although others I rated at a close four stars, this one takes the cake and is my second favourite thriller to date. Raising hairs on the back of your neck, this book leaves you questioning who you can trust in the fictional world. Three words to describe this book are … eerie, compelling and thrilling.
The Babysitter – Emma Curtis
“You’d trust her with your child… wouldn’t you?”
Three women harbouring secrets are intertwined by the disappearance of a baby.
This book takes on a slightly darker tone. Despite the fact it has a slower pace than the others mentioned, the twist is worth the wait. Three words to describe this book are … deception, drama and unpredictable.
The Boyfriend – Freida McFadden
“Is he the man of your dreams or your worst nightmare?”
A woman thinks she’s found the perfect boyfriend, but in the wake of a murder she starts to suspect he’s not what he seems…
The boyfriend is one of McFadden’s latest releases, and she doesn’t disappoint. The twist in this book caused me to audibly gasp. I’d convinced myself I’d finally guessed one of her plot twists, but I’ve never been so wrong! Three words to describe this book are … surprising, fast-paced and jaw-dropping.
The Teacher – Freida McFadden
“It’s a lesson she’ll never forget.”
Following a student-teacher affair scandal, teacher Eve finds the girl at the epicentre of it all assigned to not only her class, but also her husband’s.
Although this book didn’t get the best reception, I loved it. If you ever need a book to get you out of a reading slump, this will do the trick. Yes, I can agree that some plot lines are a bit far-fetched, but does this make the read any less enjoyable? Absolutely not. Three words to describe this book are … bonkers, brilliant and entertaining.
Honourable mention: The Doctor’s Wife – Daniel Hurst.
“He thinks his secret is safe. But she knows the truth.”
Her husband is not the respectable doctor he appears to be, and now she has her own plans for their new life in Scotland…
Three words to describe this book are … succinct, engaging and quality.
I hope I’ve convinced you to give this genre a go, if you haven’t already. So, pop down to The Works, grab your popcorn and join the club. You know you want to!
Written by ELLA DICKINSON
(BA English Language student, University of Chester, UK)
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