7 Summer Reads: Blockbuster Fiction

Athena McKenzie | July 2nd, 2016

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy. These seven blockbuster books are perfect for patio, porch or beach.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley, penned by Fargo’s show runner, has been hailed as “the book” to read this summer. A hair-raising suspense, it follows two survivors of a mysterious plane crash off Martha’s Vineyard. Was it merely chance that so many privileged passengers disappeared into the ocean?

I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid will save you money on air conditioning. A road trip in a snowstorm takes many chilling turns in this psychological thriller, where our narrator is traveling with her rather creepy boyfriend to a secluded farmhouse to meet his parents.

Fire by Toronto-born C.C. Humphreys takes place in 17th century London where, fresh off the Plague, the Great Fire rages. Blending sex, sin, murder and royals in one giant melting (literally) pot, it’s the sort of Backdraft meets British tabloid headlines tale that you won’t be able to put down.

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin looks at the complicated relationships between sisters. Meredith, the traditional one, married Mr. Right and raised their daughter but still wonders if she got it wrong. Singleton Josie, who lives with her best guy friend, desperately wants to start a family but can’t find her perfect man. (Just try reading without picturing Kathryn Heigl as Meredith.)

The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone should come with a content warning one gets before a film — this is not for the faint of heart. A long dormant and evil flesh-eating species is back and the consequences could be apocalyptic. TV and film rights were acquired at auction by Joel Silver, of The Matrix fame, before the book was even published.

Rise the Dark by Michael Koryta gets its mysterious title from the last words written in Lauren Novak’s notebook before she was shot in a strange Florida village. Her husband, private investigator Markus Novak, thinks he knows who killed her and he’s out for revenge — but another woman has been abducted and time is ticking.

The Fireman by Joe Hill chronicles the aftermath of a plague that causes its victims to burn to death. When a mysterious fireman appears to lead nurse Harper to the safety of a group of survivors all is not what it seems.