Academia Thrillers for Back-to-School Season

Back-to-school season is nearly upon us, and while some of us can’t wait to go shopping for brand new school supplies (and new books!), others are absolutely terrified of starting a new school year. No matter what your new school year has in store, we bet that it’s going to be a lot better than it will be for the characters in these dark academia thrillers for back-to-school season!

While we wouldn’t say any of these books is a comfort read, you might take comfort in reading these thrillers knowing that going back to school can’t be nearly as bad as it is in these books . . . or can it?

Hemlock House

By Katie Cotugno

Last summer there was a murder on Martha’s Vineyard. Now a killer’s on campus in Cambridge.

The follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Liar’s Beach.

Silent Sister

By Megan Davidhizar

The must-read suspense novel of the summer about a mysterious sister’s disappearance during a class trip, her biggest betrayal and a deadly truth screaming to come out.

The Champions

By Kara Thomas

From the author of The Cheerleaders comes another dark YA thriller set in the same town of Sunnybrook. When a mysterious accident befalls a member of the all-star high school football team, the town’s deadly history stands to repeat itself—and the price of discovering the truth is higher than anyone could imagine.

Nothing More to Tell

By Karen M. McManus

From the critically acclaimed author of One of Us Is Lying comes a page-turning mystery about a group of old friends and the secrets that they keep. Four years ago someone got away with murder. More terrifying is that they might be closer than anyone thinks.

The Society for Soulless Girls

By Laura Steven

A sapphic enemies-to-lovers retelling of Jekyll & Hyde, this dark academia thriller follows two roommates who must solve an infamous cold case of serial murders on their campus after an arcane ritual gone wrong prompts another death.

Win Lose Kill Die

By Cynthia Murphy

A high-school slasher with a lethal twist, perfect for fans of Holly Jackson! The students at Morton Academy are high-achievers, selected based on academic excellence. So when a series of murders target the school’s best and brightest, the pressure is on.

Failure is fatal . . .