As a big fan of thriller novels, I’ve come across some great reads that would be especially perfect for the winter season! Below, I’ve put together a list of thriller books set during winter, with a chilly atmosphere, snowy setting, or other winter-related aspects. Ideal for cozying up with by the fire!
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Chilling Winter Thrillers & Mysteries
If you love atmospheric seasonal reading as much as I do, these wintery thrillers are great choices for what to pick up next!
I’ve included two of my favorite reads from 2021, plus some buzz-worthy newer releases. (If you’re looking for genres other than mystery/thriller, check out this list of the best snowy winter fiction books.)
From snowed-in mountain resorts to great expanses of frozen tundra, you’ll love these thrilling winter reads.
Grab your favorite cozy drink and get reading!
For more awesome thriller reads, check out this list of the best 2023 thriller books!
Shiver by Allie Reynolds
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When ex-snowboarder Milla is invited to the French Alps for a reunion with some friends from her competition days, she’s intrigued enough to show up.
It’s been years since they’ve all seen each other, and the remote mountain resort they’re staying at brings back lots of memories: both good and bad. It also dredges up a whole load of secrets, especially surrounding the mysterious death of one of their friends 10 years ago.
But things aren’t always as they seem, and it turns out someone will do anything to get the truth.
I loved this book – it’s a perfect locked-room mystery to curl up with on a chilly night! It’s set in a snowy mountain chateau, so the atmosphere is ideal for winter reading.
These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
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These Silent Woods follows a father and his young daughter who live in a cabin in the Appalachian woods, living off the land – and hiding a secret.
But when their yearly supply delivery doesn’t show up and they stumble on a stranger in the woods, the father is forced to make a decision.
This book had so many things I love: a remote wilderness setting, great characters, and an undercurrent of mystery.
While I would describe it as more of a slow burn mystery, I never felt bored and I could not stop reading. Overall, it’s an absorbing and well-written story!
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
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After ten years of marriage, a couple – Adam and Amelia – wins a weekend vacation at a remote cabin in Scotland.
But their marriage has been on the rocks for a while, and one of them hasn’t been honest with the other.
This weekend trip is the last chance for their marriage, and the secrets swirling around them are about to come to light.
If you’re a fan of domestic suspense, this is a must-read!
No Exit by Taylor Adams
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When Darby Thorne gets caught in a terrible blizzard while driving, she’s forced to pull off at a highway rest stop. Four other strangers are there as well, waiting out the storm.
But then, Darby discovers a child locked in the back of a van in the parking lot.
One of the strangers is lying, and without cell reception, it’s up to Darby to figure out a way to save the child – and herself.
The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf
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A crime writer lives in a remote farmhouse, where she’s working on her latest book in the middle of a snowstorm.
But when she finds a lost child in the snow outside, she searches for answers – and realizes the farmhouse isn’t quite as isolated as she thought.
Christmas Presents by Lisa Unger
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A small town bookshop owner and a true crime podcaster team up to solve a cold case that may be linked to a more recent murder.
But as Christmas approaches – along with a blizzard – they find there’s more danger in their hometown than they would have ever guessed.
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
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Eight strangers become trapped in a remote, snowed-in cabin while on a tour in the Rocky Mountains.
When they find their tour guide dead the next morning, they realize there’s a killer among them – and they’re all in danger.
I hope you enjoy these chilling winter thriller books!
Which books are on your winter TBR this year? Let me know in the comments!
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