37 Books like Joyland

The Quarry Girls

by Jess Lourey • 2022

1977 Minnesota: a girl vanishes into the tunnels beneath town, where the sheriff buries his secrets.

4.01

130k+

🏘️ Small Town Thriller 🔍 Missing Girl 🤫 Small Town Secrets 💔 Family Betrayal 🌑 Dark Coming Of Age

The Quarry Girls 93%

1977 Minnesota: a girl vanishes into the tunnels beneath town, where the sheriff buries his secrets.

by Jess Lourey 2022

4.01

130k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Thriller 🔍 Missing Girl 🤫 Small Town Secrets 💔 Family Betrayal 🌑 Dark Coming Of Age

Summer of Grace

by Shani Struthers • 2021

Three friends, one golden summer, and the girl who vanished. Ten years later, Jules has to know why.

4.18

439

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 🕵️ Cold Case 🤝 Found Family ✨ Enigmatic Outsider ⏳ Dual Timeline

Summer of Grace 93%

Three friends, one golden summer, and the girl who vanished. Ten years later, Jules has to know why.

by Shani Struthers 2021

4.18

439 ratings

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 🕵️ Cold Case 🤝 Found Family ✨ Enigmatic Outsider ⏳ Dual Timeline

The Silver Eyes

by Scott Cawthon • 2016

A memorial brings Charlie home, but the derelict pizzeria's mechanical mascots are still alive.

4.07

24k+

🕰️ Nostalgic Horror 🤖 Haunted Machines 👥 Childhood Friends Reunite 🏚️ Small Town Secrets 🧒 Missing Children

The Silver Eyes 93%

A memorial brings Charlie home, but the derelict pizzeria's mechanical mascots are still alive.

by Scott Cawthon 2016

4.07

24k+ ratings

🕰️ Nostalgic Horror 🤖 Haunted Machines 👥 Childhood Friends Reunite 🏚️ Small Town Secrets 🧒 Missing Children

Come Home, Katie

by J.R. Erickson • 2024

A columnist who hears the dead follows a plea to a town where a girl vanished.

4.35

1k+

🕵️ Psychic Detective 🏘️ Small-Town Mystery 🔪 Serial Killer 👤 Missing Person Mystery 👻 Ghostly Visions

Come Home, Katie 93%

A columnist who hears the dead follows a plea to a town where a girl vanished.

by J.R. Erickson 2024

4.35

1k+ ratings

🕵️ Psychic Detective 🏘️ Small-Town Mystery 🔪 Serial Killer 👤 Missing Person Mystery 👻 Ghostly Visions

Unspeakable Things

by Jess Lourey • 2020

Boys vanish. A girl hunts the predator. But her father's footsteps climb the stairs toward her room.

3.78

92k+

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 👧 Child Narrator 🔑 Dark Family Secrets 🤫 Conspiracy Of Silence 🌫️ Creeping Dread

Unspeakable Things 92%

Boys vanish. A girl hunts the predator. But her father's footsteps climb the stairs toward her room.

by Jess Lourey 2020

3.78

92k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 👧 Child Narrator 🔑 Dark Family Secrets 🤫 Conspiracy Of Silence 🌫️ Creeping Dread

Middle of the Night

by Riley Sager • 2024

His best friend vanished. Three decades later, a haunting on his childhood street demands answers.

3.67

191k+

🕵️ Cold Case 🏘️ Suburban Thriller 👻 Ghost Mystery 🤫 Accidental Death Cover-Up 😞 Childhood Guilt

Middle of the Night 92%

His best friend vanished. Three decades later, a haunting on his childhood street demands answers.

by Riley Sager 2024

3.67

191k+ ratings

🕵️ Cold Case 🏘️ Suburban Thriller 👻 Ghost Mystery 🤫 Accidental Death Cover-Up 😞 Childhood Guilt

The Friend of the Family

by Dean Koontz • 2026

Bought as a toddler for a carnival freak show, she is freed by filmmakers who want a daughter.

4.27

12k+

🏠 Found Family 🎪 Carnival Freak Show 💫 Supernatural Healing 🌿 Outsider Protagonist 🖤 Quiet Horror

The Friend of the Family 92%

Bought as a toddler for a carnival freak show, she is freed by filmmakers who want a daughter.

by Dean Koontz 2026

4.27

12k+ ratings

🏠 Found Family 🎪 Carnival Freak Show 💫 Supernatural Healing 🌿 Outsider Protagonist 🖤 Quiet Horror

Acceleration

by Graham McNamee • 2003

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

3.74

5k+

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

Acceleration 92%

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

by Graham McNamee 2003

3.74

5k+ ratings

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

Wonderland

by Jennifer Hillier • 2015

The new deputy chief's daughter works at the amusement park where young men keep vanishing.

4.06

44k+

🔍 Serial Killer Investigation 🤫 Small Town Secrets 🎡 Dark Amusement Park 👮‍♂️🔪 Killer In Law Enforcement 👩‍👧⚡ Mother Daughter Tension

Wonderland 92%

The new deputy chief's daughter works at the amusement park where young men keep vanishing.

by Jennifer Hillier 2015

4.06

44k+ ratings

🔍 Serial Killer Investigation 🤫 Small Town Secrets 🎡 Dark Amusement Park 👮‍♂️🔪 Killer In Law Enforcement 👩‍👧⚡ Mother Daughter Tension

Little Ghosts

by Gregg Dunnett • 2023

A murdered girl's ghost asks her brother to find a killer the police missed.

4.18

7k+

🖤 Supernatural Thriller 👻 Child Ghost 🔍 Unlikely Detectives 💔 Grief Horror 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Little Ghosts 92%

A murdered girl's ghost asks her brother to find a killer the police missed.

by Gregg Dunnett 2023

4.18

7k+ ratings

🖤 Supernatural Thriller 👻 Child Ghost 🔍 Unlikely Detectives 💔 Grief Horror 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Pay the Piper

by George A. Romero • 2024

A bayou town's children vanish, and a girl's death log faces an ancient horror demanding payment.

3.58

2k+

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🐊 Louisiana Bayou 🌿 Folk Horror 💀 Generational Curse 👧 Child Protagonist

Pay the Piper 92%

A bayou town's children vanish, and a girl's death log faces an ancient horror demanding payment.

by George A. Romero 2024

3.58

2k+ ratings

🏚️ Southern Gothic 🐊 Louisiana Bayou 🌿 Folk Horror 💀 Generational Curse 👧 Child Protagonist

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

by Jeff Lindsay • 2004

A Miami forensics expert who kills murderers meets a new killer whose methods mirror his own.

3.90

221k+

🗡️ Serial Killer Protagonist ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🎭 Double Life 🌴 Miami Noir 😈 Dark Humor Crime

Darkly Dreaming Dexter 92%

A Miami forensics expert who kills murderers meets a new killer whose methods mirror his own.

by Jeff Lindsay 2004

3.90

221k+ ratings

🗡️ Serial Killer Protagonist ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🎭 Double Life 🌴 Miami Noir 😈 Dark Humor Crime

The Murder House

by James Patterson • 2015

A detective returns to a cursed mansion crime scene; the house remembers the childhood she buried.

4.06

51k+

🔪 Serial Killer Thriller 🏚️ Gothic Atmosphere 🩸 Generational Curse 🧠 Repressed Memories ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction

The Murder House 92%

A detective returns to a cursed mansion crime scene; the house remembers the childhood she buried.

by James Patterson 2015

4.06

51k+ ratings

🔪 Serial Killer Thriller 🏚️ Gothic Atmosphere 🩸 Generational Curse 🧠 Repressed Memories ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction

Don't Let Go

by Harlan Coben • 2017

Fifteen years after his twin died, a cop's missing girlfriend reappears at a murder scene.

4.05

82k+

🔍 Cold Case 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🚀 Cold War Mystery 👤 Missing Persons 🕯️ Secret Society

Don't Let Go 92%

Fifteen years after his twin died, a cop's missing girlfriend reappears at a murder scene.

by Harlan Coben 2017

4.05

82k+ ratings

🔍 Cold Case 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🚀 Cold War Mystery 👤 Missing Persons 🕯️ Secret Society

The Sun Down Motel

by Simone St. James • 2020

A haunted motel swallowed her aunt. She takes the night shift, and the ghosts know why.

3.99

195k+

🕯️ Supernatural Mystery 🚺 Feminist Horror 🕰️ Dual Timeline 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 📋 Unsolved Disappearance

The Sun Down Motel 92%

A haunted motel swallowed her aunt. She takes the night shift, and the ghosts know why.

by Simone St. James 2020

3.99

195k+ ratings

🕯️ Supernatural Mystery 🚺 Feminist Horror 🕰️ Dual Timeline 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 📋 Unsolved Disappearance

Hunting for Hidden Gold

by Franklin W. Dixon • 1928

Summoned to Montana, two brothers hunt for buried gold as a ruthless gang closes in.

3.93

7k+

⛏️ Gold Prospecting Mystery 🔍 Sibling Sleuths 🗺️ Hidden Treasure Hunt 🧠 Amnesia Plot 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Hunting for Hidden Gold 92%

Summoned to Montana, two brothers hunt for buried gold as a ruthless gang closes in.

by Franklin W. Dixon 1928

3.93

7k+ ratings

⛏️ Gold Prospecting Mystery 🔍 Sibling Sleuths 🗺️ Hidden Treasure Hunt 🧠 Amnesia Plot 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Mister Magic

by Kiersten White • 2023

She remembers nothing of the children's show she starred in. The desert reunion has not forgotten.

3.55

30k+

📺 Haunted Media 🧠 Repressed Memories 👫 Childhood Reunion 💛 Found Family 💔 Sibling Grief

Mister Magic 92%

She remembers nothing of the children's show she starred in. The desert reunion has not forgotten.

by Kiersten White 2023

3.55

30k+ ratings

📺 Haunted Media 🧠 Repressed Memories 👫 Childhood Reunion 💛 Found Family 💔 Sibling Grief

Dark Places

by Gillian Flynn • 2009

A broke massacre survivor takes money from true-crime fanatics to clear the brother she convicted.

3.94

848k+

🌫️ Cold Case Mystery 🔪 True Crime Fandom 🧠 Unreliable Memory 🩸 Family Massacre Survivor 👧 Secret Child

Dark Places 92%

A broke massacre survivor takes money from true-crime fanatics to clear the brother she convicted.

by Gillian Flynn 2009

3.94

848k+ ratings

🌫️ Cold Case Mystery 🔪 True Crime Fandom 🧠 Unreliable Memory 🩸 Family Massacre Survivor 👧 Secret Child

Deeper Than the Dead

by Debra Webb • 2024

Her stepmother's murder pulls a cop on the brink home to a cave with four other bodies.

4.04

24k+

🏘️ Small Town Secrets ⏳ Cold Case Murder 🏡 Hometown Return 🕯️ Buried Family Secrets 🔥 Old Flame Investigation

Deeper Than the Dead 92%

Her stepmother's murder pulls a cop on the brink home to a cave with four other bodies.

by Debra Webb 2024

4.04

24k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Secrets ⏳ Cold Case Murder 🏡 Hometown Return 🕯️ Buried Family Secrets 🔥 Old Flame Investigation

The Book of Cold Cases

by Simone St. James • 2022

A true crime blogger interviews an heiress acquitted of murder. Her mansion has never been empty.

3.78

132k+

🎙️ True Crime Blogger 🏚️ Haunted Mansion ❄️ Cold Case Mystery 😶 Ambiguous Guilt 🗝️ Deadly Family Secrets

The Book of Cold Cases 91%

A true crime blogger interviews an heiress acquitted of murder. Her mansion has never been empty.

by Simone St. James 2022

3.78

132k+ ratings

🎙️ True Crime Blogger 🏚️ Haunted Mansion ❄️ Cold Case Mystery 😶 Ambiguous Guilt 🗝️ Deadly Family Secrets

The Black Echo

by Michael Connelly • 1992

Harry Bosch's dead comrade pulls him into a bank heist where the FBI is the enemy.

4.14

218k+

🏙️ Los Angeles Noir 🕵️ Hardboiled Detective 💰 Heist Gone Wrong 🕴️ Corrupt Fbi Agent 👮 Police Procedural

The Black Echo 91%

Harry Bosch's dead comrade pulls him into a bank heist where the FBI is the enemy.

by Michael Connelly 1992

4.14

218k+ ratings

🏙️ Los Angeles Noir 🕵️ Hardboiled Detective 💰 Heist Gone Wrong 🕴️ Corrupt Fbi Agent 👮 Police Procedural

The Midnight Carousel

by Fiza Saeed McLynn • 2025

An orphan, a carousel, and its finest horse: children who ride it vanish without a trace.

3.72

2k+

🎠 Cursed Object 🌑 Dark Fairy Tale 👧 Orphan Protagonist 🔍 Obsessed Detective 🎪 Dark Carnival

The Midnight Carousel 91%

An orphan, a carousel, and its finest horse: children who ride it vanish without a trace.

by Fiza Saeed McLynn 2025

3.72

2k+ ratings

🎠 Cursed Object 🌑 Dark Fairy Tale 👧 Orphan Protagonist 🔍 Obsessed Detective 🎪 Dark Carnival

Murder Road

by Simone St. James • 2024

Newlyweds pick up a dying hitchhiker on a dark road with a history of murdered girls.

3.68

60k+

👻 Paranormal Mystery 🖤 Ghost Story 🌑 Supernatural Thriller 💀 Vengeful Ghost 🏚️ Small Town Secrets

Murder Road 91%

Newlyweds pick up a dying hitchhiker on a dark road with a history of murdered girls.

by Simone St. James 2024

3.68

60k+ ratings

👻 Paranormal Mystery 🖤 Ghost Story 🌑 Supernatural Thriller 💀 Vengeful Ghost 🏚️ Small Town Secrets

Lullaby Town

by Robert Crais • 1992

Elvis Cole finds a director's missing wife and son. Then the mob comes for them all.

4.16

15k+

🕵️ Private Investigator 🎬 Hollywood Underworld 🔫 Mafia Ties 🏃‍♀️ Woman On The Run 💬 Witty Banter

Lullaby Town 91%

Elvis Cole finds a director's missing wife and son. Then the mob comes for them all.

by Robert Crais 1992

4.16

15k+ ratings

🕵️ Private Investigator 🎬 Hollywood Underworld 🔫 Mafia Ties 🏃‍♀️ Woman On The Run 💬 Witty Banter

Penpal

by Dathan Auerbach • 2012

A classroom balloon release yields only blurry photos of a boy, each showing him being watched.

3.86

63k+

👹 Creepypasta 👁️ Nosleep Horror 📸 Eerie Photographs 🔍 Missing Friend 🕵️ Childhood Stalker

Penpal 91%

A classroom balloon release yields only blurry photos of a boy, each showing him being watched.

by Dathan Auerbach 2012

3.86

63k+ ratings

👹 Creepypasta 👁️ Nosleep Horror 📸 Eerie Photographs 🔍 Missing Friend 🕵️ Childhood Stalker

When the Bough Breaks

by Jonathan Kellerman • 1985

A retired psychologist probes a child's memory of murder and discovers a ring of predators.

4.02

68k+

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🔍 Psychologist Sleuth 🕸️ Criminal Conspiracy 🌴 1980s Los Angeles 😬 Reluctant Investigator

When the Bough Breaks 91%

A retired psychologist probes a child's memory of murder and discovers a ring of predators.

by Jonathan Kellerman 1985

4.02

68k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🔍 Psychologist Sleuth 🕸️ Criminal Conspiracy 🌴 1980s Los Angeles 😬 Reluctant Investigator

The Ghosts of Belfast

by Stuart Neville • 2009

A Belfast hitman's twelve victims haunt him until he hunts the men who gave the orders.

3.93

9k+

🖤 Irish Noir 👻 Supernatural Noir 💀 Ghostly Vengeance 🏙️ Post-Conflict Belfast 🕊️ Redemption Arc

The Ghosts of Belfast 91%

A Belfast hitman's twelve victims haunt him until he hunts the men who gave the orders.

by Stuart Neville 2009

3.93

9k+ ratings

🖤 Irish Noir 👻 Supernatural Noir 💀 Ghostly Vengeance 🏙️ Post-Conflict Belfast 🕊️ Redemption Arc

What Remains of Teague House

by Stacy Johns • 2025

Returning home for their mother's funeral, three siblings find human bones in the pet cemetery.

3.42

861

🏚️ Gothic Family Saga 🔪 Small Town Murder 💔 Generational Trauma 🔍 Cold Case Mystery 🕯️ Cult Manipulation

What Remains of Teague House 91%

Returning home for their mother's funeral, three siblings find human bones in the pet cemetery.

by Stacy Johns 2025

3.42

861 ratings

🏚️ Gothic Family Saga 🔪 Small Town Murder 💔 Generational Trauma 🔍 Cold Case Mystery 🕯️ Cult Manipulation

Naked in Death

by J.D. Robb • 1995

A detective tracking a serial killer of escorts falls for her billionaire prime suspect.

4.13

205k+

👮 Police Procedural 🔪 Serial Killer Thriller 🖤 Haunted Detective ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 💰 Billionaire Romance

Naked in Death 91%

A detective tracking a serial killer of escorts falls for her billionaire prime suspect.

by J.D. Robb 1995

4.13

205k+ ratings

👮 Police Procedural 🔪 Serial Killer Thriller 🖤 Haunted Detective ⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 💰 Billionaire Romance

Vanishing Girls

by Lisa Regan • 2018

A suspended detective chases a whispered name into a town where girls vanish into silence.

4.19

29k+

🏛️ Police Procedural 🏘️ Small Town Crime 👮‍♀️ Female Detective 🔗 Abducted Women 🤫 Conspiracy Of Silence

Vanishing Girls 91%

A suspended detective chases a whispered name into a town where girls vanish into silence.

by Lisa Regan 2018

4.19

29k+ ratings

🏛️ Police Procedural 🏘️ Small Town Crime 👮‍♀️ Female Detective 🔗 Abducted Women 🤫 Conspiracy Of Silence

The Broken Girls

by Simone St. James • 2018

A skeleton in a boarding school well sends a journalist back to her sister's unsolved death.

4.05

131k+

🏰 Gothic Boarding School 🕰️ Dual Timeline 🔍 Cold Case Investigation 📰 Journalist Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Corruption

The Broken Girls 91%

A skeleton in a boarding school well sends a journalist back to her sister's unsolved death.

by Simone St. James 2018

4.05

131k+ ratings

🏰 Gothic Boarding School 🕰️ Dual Timeline 🔍 Cold Case Investigation 📰 Journalist Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Corruption

Some Choose Darkness

by Charlie Donlea • 2019

A serial killer nears parole. A forensic reconstructionist discovers his case holds her origin.

4.23

40k+

🧠 Psychological Suspense ⏳ Dual Timeline 🔪 Serial Killer Fiction 👤 Hidden Parentage 📁 Cold Case

Some Choose Darkness 91%

A serial killer nears parole. A forensic reconstructionist discovers his case holds her origin.

by Charlie Donlea 2019

4.23

40k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Suspense ⏳ Dual Timeline 🔪 Serial Killer Fiction 👤 Hidden Parentage 📁 Cold Case

The Chalk Man

by C.J. Tudor • 2018

A chalk drawing arrives. Thirty years after a childhood murder, someone wants the truth unearthed.

3.70

126k+

🏘️ Small Town Murder ⏳ Dual Timeline Thriller 👦 Childhood Friends ⛪ Corrupt Clergy ☀️ Summer Of Secrets

The Chalk Man 91%

A chalk drawing arrives. Thirty years after a childhood murder, someone wants the truth unearthed.

by C.J. Tudor 2018

3.70

126k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Murder ⏳ Dual Timeline Thriller 👦 Childhood Friends ⛪ Corrupt Clergy ☀️ Summer Of Secrets

The Night Shift

by Alex Finlay • 2022

Fifteen years after a Blockbuster massacre, the sole survivor learns the killer has returned.

3.90

86k+

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🕵️ Cold Case Investigation 💔 Sole Survivor 🏘️ Small Town Secrets ⚖️ Wrongly Accused

The Night Shift 91%

Fifteen years after a Blockbuster massacre, the sole survivor learns the killer has returned.

by Alex Finlay 2022

3.90

86k+ ratings

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🕵️ Cold Case Investigation 💔 Sole Survivor 🏘️ Small Town Secrets ⚖️ Wrongly Accused

Blood Like Mine

by Stuart Neville • 2024

To feed her vampire daughter, a mother hunts predators across backroads as the FBI closes in.

3.61

4k+

🧛 Vampire Thriller 👧 Child Vampire 🔍 Supernatural Crime ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🕵️ FBI Manhunt

Blood Like Mine 91%

To feed her vampire daughter, a mother hunts predators across backroads as the FBI closes in.

by Stuart Neville 2024

3.61

4k+ ratings

🧛 Vampire Thriller 👧 Child Vampire 🔍 Supernatural Crime ⚖️ Vigilante Justice 🕵️ FBI Manhunt

Agony Hill

by Sarah Stewart Taylor • 2024

In 1960s Vermont, a grieving detective questions a farmer's barn-fire death the town calls suicide.

3.83

2k+

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 📖 Literary Mystery 🔒 Family Secrets 🕵️ Haunted Detective 🌲 Rural Isolation

Agony Hill 91%

In 1960s Vermont, a grieving detective questions a farmer's barn-fire death the town calls suicide.

by Sarah Stewart Taylor 2024

3.83

2k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Mystery 📖 Literary Mystery 🔒 Family Secrets 🕵️ Haunted Detective 🌲 Rural Isolation

Stillhouse Lake

by Rachel Caine • 2017

She fled her serial-killer husband's crimes and built a new life. Then a body surfaces in her lake.

4.10

196k+

🏠 Domestic Thriller 🔪 Serial Killer 🎭 Hidden Identity 📋 Copycat Killer 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Stillhouse Lake 91%

She fled her serial-killer husband's crimes and built a new life. Then a body surfaces in her lake.

by Rachel Caine 2017

4.10

196k+ ratings

🏠 Domestic Thriller 🔪 Serial Killer 🎭 Hidden Identity 📋 Copycat Killer 🏘️ Small Town Secrets

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M