School’s Out Forever: Six Killer Campus Thriller Novels
One of the most popular sub-genres of mystery and suspense books over the last several years is dark academia. In dark academia novels, mysteries and crimes take place on campus, usually either a high school or a college. They often involve faculty and students who are wealthy or elitist in some way, and many have a revenge plot. While there has been a recent surge in popularity, dark academia books have been around for many years. For example, there was Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie in 1959, Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan in 1978, and The Secret History by Donna Tartt, the legendary 1992 novel by which all other campus novels are measured.
Why are dark academia books so popular? Is it the idea that a supposedly safe place, such as a school campus, is dangerous? Is it the allure of the wealthy and revered behaving badly? Is it the thrill of young characters away from home for the first time getting into so much trouble? Whatever the reason, the sub-genre continues to grow, with more incredible suspense novels set at schools being added each month. So put down your pencils and silence your cellphones, because here are six great campus thrillers to add to your TBR.
Megan Abbott is the contemporary queen of lethal teen drama, and Dare Me is one of her best. Addy and Beth have always been best friends and constant companions in high school, both in the classroom and on the cheer squad. But the arrival of a young new coach shakes up the squad dynamics, and the girls find themselves fighting for positions and the coach's attention—until the news of a death close to them threatens to expose the dark heart of the squad and ruin their futures. Who will be left with something to cheer about?
And last, but not least, one of the most popular dark academia mystery books in translation, a delicious tale of revenge! Middle school teacher Yuko Moriguchi's whole life was her pupils and her four-year-old daughter. But when an apparent accident at school claims her daughter's life, Yuko's world is shattered. She decides to leave the school, but not before she delivers one last lecture to her students. It will be a riveting, revealing story about two of their classmates, and the ending is going to shock them all.
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