Why am I passionate about this?

Like most writers, I read a lot, and throughout my life, reading has gotten me through the highs and lows, providing a much-needed break! As an award-winning novelist, I’ve written three psychological thrillers, two of which were number 1 bestsellers, and my mission is to write gripping thriller novels that entertain my readers, allowing them a little time each day to relax and escape to another world. My love of writing thrillers stems from a love of reading them. As a writer, this genre is exciting but also challenging to write, which I love. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!


I wrote

The Perfect Lie

By Karen Osman,

Book cover of The Perfect Lie

What is my book about?

Claire Carmichael leads a charmed life. She has two beautiful sons, Jamie and Joshua, and a handsome and successful husband…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Wrong Place Wrong Time

Karen Osman Why did I love this book?

The thriller genre is so competitive but Wrong Time Wrong Place really stood out for me for several reasons. Firstly, the author takes an unusual concept (time travel) and executes it flawlessly. The pace and plausibility of the novel work together so well that you become completely immersed in the story. Secondly, I found the premise to be original, which is so hard to find these days. Thirdly, the novel was pure entertainment in that I couldn’t wait to get back to it each evening and when I was reading, it captured my attention completely. 

By Gillian McAllister,

Why should I read it?

10 authors picked Wrong Place Wrong Time as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

CAN YOU STOP A MURDER WHEN IT'S ALREADY HAPPENED?

'Perfection, every word, every moment. One of the best books I've ever read' LISA JEWELL
'Ingenious. A book to blow your mind and break your heart' ERIN KELLY
'Extraordinary' HARRIET TYCE
'I am totally in awe. This is one story I will not forget' HEIDI PERKS
'Genre-bending and totally original. A tour de force!' CLAIRE DOUGLAS

PRE-ORDER THE BOOK EVERYONE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT
_________

It's every parent's nightmare.

Your happy, funny, innocent son commits a terrible crime: murdering a complete stranger.

You don't know who. You don't know why. You…


Book cover of Disclaimer

Karen Osman Why did I love this book?

I recommend this book because the premise is so fascinating; imagine picking up a book only to discover it’s about you and your darkest secret. There were so many twists, turns, and unexpected surprises in this novel, it’s difficult not to be absorbed by it completely. It’s also a constant guessing game with the two main characters as to their motives and I really enjoyed the twist at the end – incredibly well done. 

By Renee Knight,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Disclaimer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

IMAGINE IF THE NEXT THRILLER YOU READ WAS ALL ABOUT YOU . . .

THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

'An addictive novel with shades of Gone Girl' Sunday Times

SHORTLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON'S OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2016
LONGLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE 2016

When an intriguing novel appears on Catherine's bedside table, she curls up and begins to read.

But as she turns the pages she is horrified to realize she is a key character, a main player.

This story will reveal her darkest secret.

A secret she thought no one else knew .…


Book cover of After Dark

Karen Osman Why did I love this book?

Personally, I love a mix of genres and nothing more so than a thriller with a dystopian vibe and that’s exactly what this book gives you. As a female reader, it’s refreshing to read a novel where women are in power too! The world-building by the author is really well done and is really immersive. I found it to be an unpredictable storyline too which only added to the drama and suspense. Finally, this is a great choice for a book club as it brings up lots of interesting conversation and differing opinions. 

By Jayne Cowie,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked After Dark as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'An original, if unsettling, debut' The Sun

'So timely, so relevant and so remarkably written, it's going to live with me for some time to come' John Marrs, #1 bestselling author of The One

WELCOME TO A WORLD WHERE WOMEN HOLD THE POWER.

They dominate workplaces, public spaces and government.

They are no longer afraid to cross a dark car park, catch the last train, or walk home alone.

With the Curfew law in place, all men are electronically tagged and must stay at home after 7pm.

It changed things for the better. Until now.

A woman is murdered late…


Book cover of The Wild Girls

Karen Osman Why did I love this book?

A who-dunnit-it amongst four friends is the premise at the centre of this novel and the setting (a safari lodge in Botswana) is the perfect backdrop for the story of friendship, betrayal, lies, and revenge. I found myself holding my breath at times because the tension was so high. The characters are relatable and you can identify easily with them too. 

By Phoebe Morgan,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Wild Girls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

FOUR FRIENDS.
A LUXURY RETREAT.
IT'S GOING TO BE MURDER.

'An exhilarating, read-in-one-sitting ride' Louise Candlish
'A deadly cocktail of lies, secrets, obsession' T.M. Logan
'A heart-stopping rollercoaster of a read' B A Paris
'This is great. Kept me gripped!' Jane Fallon
'Hold your breath!' Jane Corry

In a luxury lodge on Botswana's sun-soaked plains, four friends reunite for a birthday celebration...

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL
Has it all, but chose love over her friends...

THE TEACHER
Feels the walls of her flat and classroom closing in...

THE MOTHER
Loves her baby, but desperately needs a break...

THE INTROVERT
Yearns for…


Book cover of The Club

Karen Osman Why did I love this book?

I enjoyed this book because it was full of drama, glamour, and a world full of people I wouldn’t usually socialise with. It gave a glimpse into the lives of the super-wealthy as they gathered on a private island at The Club. The novel was told from various viewpoints which kept it interesting and the reader guessing as to who committed the crime. Overall, it was an intriguing, entertaining read – great for a holiday.  

By Ellery Lloyd,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

*** A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick and an instant New York Times bestseller ***

'One of the most riveting books I've read in a long time' - Louise Candlish, author of Our House

'Smart, topical and immensely entertaining' - T.M. Logan, author of The Holiday

'Marple meets Succession' - Sunday Times Style

'Glitzy and twisty and tons of fun' - Observer

*********************************

There's no place like Home . . .

The Home Group is a collection of ultra-exclusive private members' clubs and a global phenomenon, and the opening of its most ambitious project yet - Island Home, a forgotten…


Explore my book 😀

The Perfect Lie

By Karen Osman,

Book cover of The Perfect Lie

What is my book about?

Claire Carmichael leads a charmed life. She has two beautiful sons, Jamie and Joshua, and a handsome and successful husband who loves her. She has been taught well by her mother – the most important thing Claire has is her good reputation.

Even when she was in school, Claire had it all. She was clever, likable, and after passing the initiation tests, she was welcomed into the society of popular girls – The Queen Bees. So when a scandal threatened to ruin Claire's reputation, the Queen Bees closed rank to protect her. Claire may have moved on from her school days, but for one person who she hurt irreparably, those memories are as fresh as blood. And all it takes to reap their revenge, is one perfect lie.

You might also like...

The Yamanaka Factors

By Jed Henson,

Book cover of The Yamanaka Factors

Jed Henson Author Of All In

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Reader Dad Outdoorsman Space cowboy Curious

Jed's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Fall 2028. Mickey Cooper, an elderly homeless man, receives an incredible proposition from a rogue pharmaceutical company: “Be our secret guinea pig for our new drug, and we’ll pay you life-changing money, which you’ll be able to enjoy because if (cough) when the treatment works, two months from now your body will be youthened to twenty-three years old.”

When his treatment proves more difficult than expected, and corporate espionage turns deadly, Mickey finds himself flanked by internal corruption and powerful external enemies, including Chinese operatives desperate to reverse their country’s aging demographics and amoral U.S. government officials who fear the…

The Yamanaka Factors

By Jed Henson,

What is this book about?

Fall 2028. Mickey Cooper, an elderly homeless man, receives an incredible proposition from a rogue pharmaceutical company: “Be our secret guinea pig for our new drug and we’ll pay you life-changing money, which you’ll be able to enjoy because if (cough) when the treatment works, two months from now your body will be youthened to twenty-three years old.”

When his treatment proves more difficult than expected and corporate espionage turns deadly, Mickey finds himself flanked by internal corruption and powerful external enemies, including Chinese operatives desperate to reverse their country’s aging demographics and amoral U.S. government officials who fear the…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in murder, murder mystery, and survival?

Murder 1,031 books
Murder Mystery 542 books
Survival 202 books