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Vanessa Lillie

Vanessa Lillie is originally from Miami (Mi-am-MUH), Oklahoma, and studied English at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, before moving to Washington, D.C. While there, she was lucky enough to join the local chapter of Romance Writers of America and credits much of what she knows about thriller writing to romance authors.

Now living in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and dinosaur aficionado four-year-old son, she's smitten with the smallest state, and enjoys organizing book events and literary happenings in the city's robust creative community.

Genres: Mystery

Novels

   Little Voices (2019)
   For the Best (2020)
   Young Rich Widows (2022) (with others)
   Blood Sisters (2023)

Vanessa Lillie recommends

Indian Burial Ground (2024)
Nick Medina
"You may arrive at Indian Burial Ground because of author Nick Medina's incredible debut, Sisters of the Lost Nation, or his exceptional story in the bestselling Never Whistle at Night anthology, or perhaps he's a new-to-you author, and now you have the pleasure of reading both of these, but the important thing is you have arrived at an exceptional new novel that lingers long after the last page is turned. From two compelling points of view decades apart, Medina has crafted a story of generational trauma and mythical fears, with deep roots in Native history and modern life, that's part supernatural horror, part mystery, but perhaps most importantly, a story of hope in the darkness."

Hurt for Me (2024)
Heather Levy
"Spicy thriller readers rejoice because Hurt for Me is the BDSM feminist suspense novel you will burn through the night to finish. In an incredible follow-up to her powerful debut, Heather Levy skillfully guides readers into BDSM culture via Rae, a main character who is as compelling as she is a straight up badass. Hurt for Me brings sizzle crime fiction needs."

Midnight Is the Darkest Hour (2023)
Ashley Winstead
"Woe unto the preacher's daughter, or at least that's what you might think navigating the dark and broody twists of Ashley Winstead's spellbinding latest, Midnight is the Darkest Hour. Prepare yourself (if you can) for serpents of the Deep South gospel slithering into a beautifully rendered Twilight fever dream-like all of Ashley's incredible books, you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough."

And Then She Fell (2023)
Alicia Elliott
"And Then She Fell is an unblinking look at the complex and often terrifying journey of new motherhood and what we're told we should want, with moving insights into connecting with our ancestors and our own identity. Alicia Elliott is a powerful storyteller, and this book is both suspenseful and heartfelt, with haunting elements that linger long after the final page is turned."

The Revenge List (2023)
Hannah Mary McKinnon
"A page-turning journey toward some truly shocking moments and deeply compelling characters."

Lacie's Secrets (2022)
Tullan Holmqvist and Teresa Sorkin
"Don't miss the enthralling Lacie's Secrets, another compelling thriller from Sorkin and Holmqvist. Set in a summer home off the coast of Maine, the sprawling estate becomes the harbinger of secrets, old and new, leading to shocking twists and haunting turns."

The Family Plot (2021)
Megan Collins
"The Family Plot is true crime meets house of horrors with incredibly twisted & fascinating characters. All the complicated family dynamics and vivid writing you expect from a Megan Collins thriller, but with a true crime twist. I could not put it down!"

I Don't Forgive You (2021)
Aggie Blum Thompson
"The truth won't stay hidden, even in the leafy suburbs of Washington D.C. in the fast-paced and riveting debut, I Don't Forgive You by Aggie Thompson. Life in the Capitol is richly drawn as the propulsive plot rockets the reader through dark secrets that won't stay hidden and shocking twists that reveal things can always, always get worse."

The Darkest Flower (2021)
(Allison Barton, book 1)
Kristin Wright
"PTA presidents and poison don’t usually mix, but they’re the perfect blend in Kristin Wright’s fantastic thriller debut The Darkest Flower. Wright has created a propulsive legal thriller with plenty of juicy secrets to uncover behind those perfect picket fences. The Darkest Flower is Desperate Housewives meets Big Little Lies, and you won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough."

Ruby Falls (2021)
Deborah Goodrich Royce
"Ruby Falls is a fantastic combination of a sweeping Hollywood story folded into a twisty thriller. Fans of Rebecca will be enthralled with how the classic story is woven into the masterful plot of Ruby Falls."

Lies We Bury (2021)
Elle Marr
"Dark and compelling, Elle Marr has written another atmospheric and twisted thriller that you don’t want to miss. Lies We Bury delves into the darkest of pasts and explores the fascinating tension between moving on and revenge. This is a fly-through-the-pages thriller."

Call Me Elizabeth Lark (2021)
Melissa Colasanti
"Call Me Elizabeth Lark is everything I love about thrillers: strong voice, complex characters with lots of family secrets, and so many twists I couldn’t put the book down. Don’t miss this fascinating and expertly told thriller exploring the truth and lies among mothers, sisters and wives."

Don't Ever Forget (2020)
(Adler and Dwyer, book 1)
Matthew Farrell
"Fans of fast-paced thrillers will be engrossed in this propulsive page-turner that expertly delves into memory, crimes of the past, and terrors that haunt us our whole lives."

Hurry Home (2020)
Roz Nay
"Compelling and unsettling, Hurry Home is a twisted tale of sisterhood and deftly explores how we may be done with the past, but it's almost never done torturing us."

The House of the Rising Sun (2020)
Richard Cox
"Has a literary sensibility with a thriller's premise and pacing while exploring vital questions within post-apocalyptic America."

Derailed (2020)
(Kelly Pruett Mystery, book 1)
Mary Keliikoa
"DERAILED is a fantastic mystery debut featuring private eye Kelly Pruett, who is one smart and tough mother. Mary Keliikoa has created a compelling new PI series with twists, turns and lots of heart."

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