Monday, September 14, 2026

Seven crime titles that feature outsiders who challenge the status quo

Tanya Grant writes twisty thrillers full of secrets, murder, and gossipy group dynamics. When not conducting highly suspicious web searches (for research!), she also writes romances.

Grant's new psychological thriller is A Beautiful Lie.

At CrimeReads the author tagged "seven novels about characters whose outsider status disrupts the status quo and leads to dangerous places." One title on the list:
Rachel Hawkins, The Wife Upstairs

Jane is an underemployed young woman working as a dog walker in a wealthy community after escaping a traumatic past. She meets Eddie Rochester and feels an instant connection with the handsome man, whose wife is missing and presumed dead. Soon, Jane and Eddie begin dating, and Jane finds herself embedded in his exclusive community, trying to fit in while keeping her secrets safe.

It’s a lot to handle, and that’s before you count the thumping sounds coming from upstairs….
Read about the other entries on the list at CrimeReads.

--Marshal Zeringue