Hey, it’s Diego.

I just finished reading On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass.

And it’s one of those thrillers with multiple storylines that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, until they do.

And it got me thinking about other thrillers I’ve read in the past where I was questioning what one storyline had to do with the next, until they collided.

Here is my top list.

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Thrillers With Colliding Storylines

The Vacation Rental by Katie Sise

When Georgia rents her country home for August, it’s off to the relaxing Connecticut shore for her, her husband, Tom, and their young daughter. It’s just what they need to ease family tensions and reconnect. All that’s left to do is leave behind their house keys… to a stranger.

The Vacation Rental by Katie Sise follows two storylines that seemingly have nothing to do with each other, or do they?

Just the Nicest Family by Alison James

Tim, a veterinarian, and his family are invited to a stunning villa in the south of France for what seems like the perfect vacation. But beneath the luxury and charm, secrets emerge, and when a mysterious death occurs, their idyllic getaway brings all the lies and danger to the surface.

Just the Nicest Family by Alison James unfolds a mystery via flashbacks, and initially, nothing seems relevant until it is.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

The disappearance of a woman sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community. Not long after, another local woman and her young daughter vanish without a trace. The town is thrown into chaos, and neighbors start to wonder if these cases are connected.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica follows a plethora of characters, and I was just confused for the longest time until everything clicked into place.

And the newest addition to the list:

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass

In an exclusive Oregon coastal community, three women's lives intersect: Cora suspects her husband's infidelity, grieving Paige investigates her son's death, while mysterious neighbor Georgia harbors dark secrets.

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass is a domestic thriller set inside an exclusive community.

Glass’s writing is utilitarian and flows naturally. Descriptions are short and to the point. Dialogue, although cheesy at times, conveys subtext and moves the story forward. The start of the story is very slow as we get introduced to each woman in turn, and they go on a long monologue about their backstory.

The story picks up speed towards the 30% mark and starts a relentless pressure that doesn’t stop until the end. Towards the 80% of the book, I was unable to put it down.

We follow the three women in a single timeline as the story develops. All three women have their own agendas and move their story forward in their own ways. Paige, in particular, is the one pushing the plot the most, but all three are proactive, strong female characters. 

There is some romance, but not central to the plot. There is A LOT of swearing (every other word is the F-bomb). And there are no scenes of graphic violence.

So, what about the ending? (No spoilers, obviously)

The ending was glorious. Glass expertly plotted this story and it was delightfully delivered.

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass is a slow burn that picks up pace by the chapter. It has upper-middle-class snobs, infidelity, murder, abuse, and three strong female characters in the midst of it. It’s made it to my top 2 best reads ever. Definitely recommend.

This Week’s Update

• Not much to report in terms of new books or adaptations, January is normally a slow month.

• I finally managed to get some time with my wife to watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix, and it was a blast.

That’s all for this week. See you next time.

— Diego Dunne

P.S. Let me know how I did today by replying to this email.

P.P.S. I would love to hear your recommendations for thrillers you loved. Reply to this email, and I’ll add them to my TBR list. Thanks!