Queer Feminist Thrillers We’re Loving in 2024
By Clare Borchardt
Novels centering queer protagonists are notoriously underrepresented on “best of” lists—not to mention in the genre of thriller—and though the internet is a great resource, we know how hard it can be to find quality recommendations. We decided to do some of that detective work so you wouldn’t have to. Here are 5 queer feminist thrillers across various subgenres that we think are worth adding to your TBR:
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
With “feminist” in our name, it goes without saying that we support women’s rights, but we also enjoy reading about women’s wrongs. If you’re the same, you might appreciate Fargo’s queer feminist thriller about an English professor who doubles as a vigilante serial killer. Taking place on the college campus of Gorman University, They Never Learn follows Scarlett Clarke, an English professor who kills the worst possible men and continues to get away with it, until things go awry with her newest victim. Meanwhile, Carly Schiller is a new freshman on campus. After a close friend is assaulted at a party, Carly fantasizes about getting revenge on the perpetrator. When their paths eventually cross, things get real. Readers have said this novel is great for fans of Killing Eve and How to Get Away with Murder, and we agree. Dark, violent, and boasting the ultimate antihero, if you like media about women’s wrongs, this one might be for you.
Requiem for Immortals by Lee Winter
Musician by day, assassin by night—Lee Winter’s lesbian thriller is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Natalya Tesvetnenko is a professional cellist who also happens to be a for-hire assassin on the side. In both crafts, she’s grown a reputation for being the best there is—meticulous, calculated, and reliably good. One day, when she’s hired to kill a seemingly ordinary woman named Alice, she finds herself taking pause. Why would anyone want this woman dead? A gripping story ensues, full of intricate plot, expertly-written characters, and enough romance to make our hearts happy without being a crutch for the story. Fans of Requiem for Immortals rave about it (just check out some of the reviews!), so if you want a novel with complex, believable characters and a plot that will leave you thrilled and speechless, definitely give this one a go.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
This compelling debut YA novel from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé tackles the theme of institutionalized racism through the perspective of two queer Black students, Devon and Chiamaka, who attend Niveus Private Academy, a predominantly white school. When the two students start getting harassed by an anonymous bully who dons the pseudonym “Aces,” they quickly realize their situation is more precarious than they thought. This novel manages to provide many jaw-dropping twists and turns alongside thoughtful social commentary on queerness, race, class & gender differences, and how the intersection of these identities inform lived experience. Atmospheric and satisfyingly tense, we’d recommend this one to enjoyers of queer YA, mystery thrillers, and novels that don’t shy away from sometimes-ugly truths.
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Looking for a thriller that leans more into paranormal, witchy horror? Consider Krystal Sutherland’s The Invocations. This novel follows three young women whose paths ultimately converge when a serial killer starts taking victims, each of them women and all somehow linked. Each with their own talents, our three main characters work together to stop a rampant killer and satisfy their own motivations, and the result is a story full of female empowerment, gothic themes, and thrilling reveals. The novel explores themes of misogyny, toxic masculinity, and power in a setting full of witchcraft and women. Equal parts gruesome horror and powerful, complex main characters, this is a book for enjoyers of female rage and folks who don’t mind some serious gore.
Dead Letters from Paradise by Ann McMan
If you’re looking for something with a strong air of mystery, add Dead Letters from Paradise to your list. This character-driven mystery set in the midst of the American Civil Rights movement follows Esther Jane “EJ” Cloud, a postal inspector for the Dead Letter Office whose life has become pretty one-note. When she receives a stack of letters addressed to someone who doesn’t exist and sent by an anonymous culprit, EJ finds herself on a journey to solve the mystery of the letters and learns about herself in the process. With a cast of unforgettable supporting characters alongside EJ, readers describe this novel as a journey full of community, found family, and self-discovery. It just happens to be a captivating mystery as well! If you enjoy a story framed around crime/mystery with the added bonus of a colorful, complex cast of characters, McMan’s cozy, historical novel is worth the read.
