From Cult Fiction to Serial Killers: Starter Thrillers You’ll Love episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 30, 2025 · 32 MIN

From Cult Fiction to Serial Killers: Starter Thrillers You’ll Love

from What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode was originally published on March 11, 2023If your idea of a cozy night includes a glass of wine and a fictional murder—this episode’s for you.In this Thriller Starter Pack episode, I chat with Chelsea and Olivia from Thrillers by the Bookclub to help new readers dip their toes into the dark, twisty world of thrillers. From cults to cold cases, we share the best gateway thrillers—whether you love fast-paced mysteries, eerie slow burns, or a touch of romantic suspense. If you’ve been living on romance novels and want something that’ll make your heart race for a different reason, this is your essential starter guide.📚 Books Mentioned I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | Audio ✅This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel — Buy on Amazon | Cult Thriller | Audio ✅The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Suspense | Audio ✅The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead — Buy on Amazon | Dark Academia / Cult Thriller | Audio ✅Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver — Buy on Amazon | Literary Thriller / Cult | Audio ✅ The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | Audio ✅Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense / Police Procedural | Audio ✅Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Suspense | Audio ✅Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola — Buy on Amazon | Mystery / Legal Thriller | Audio ✅Dead End Girl by L.T. Vargus & Tim McBain — Buy on Amazon | FBI Procedural / Crime Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅⏱️Timestamps:[00:00] Meet Chelsea & Olivia[00:08] Why Thrillers by the Bookclub Exists[00:12] Laura’s Confession: New to Thrillers[00:13] Chelsea’s Cult-Themed Thriller Recs[00:21] Olivia’s Starter Thrillers for Every Reader[00:31] Final Thoughts & Where to Find ThemConnect with Thriller by the Book Club Podcast -https://www.instagram.com/thrillersbythebookclubpod/Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Oct 30, 2025

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Today’s guest is Chelsea and Olivia from the Thrillers by the Bookclub Podcast. In this episode, you must add ten thriller book recommendations to your TBR. We have a mix of backlist, books about cults, unputdownable thrillers. In this episode, we chat about the following:How did the Thrillers by the Bookclub Podcast get started? What to expect from each episode of Thrillers by the Bookclub Podcast? Olivia is an author, and in this episode, she shares how she came up with her pen name. Our reading journey from childhood books and what we gravitate now If you are new to the thriller genre, this episode is for you as we introduce you to books at different levels of trigger warnings, gore, suspense, etc. SHOWNOTES AND BOOK LINKShttp://www.whattoreadnextblog.com (http://WhattoReadNextBlog.com)Check out our YouTube Channel;https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/youtube (https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/youtube)Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/sunnyLicense code: 0RDRBKGH6NGQCAXRBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support).

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From Cult Fiction to Serial Killers: Starter Thrillers You’ll Love

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This episode was published on October 30, 2025.

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