Killer Thrillers (Anthology) – Book Review

KILLER THRILLERS: The Anthology, Volume 1
by Billie Jean Wiley, Rachel Graham, Welz Bailey, Marie Cashel, Danielle Fear, Molly Garcia, Amanda Josephine, Jeff Scott, and Keeley Webb.

Synopsis:

Get ready for a pulse-pounding trip into darkness with Killer Thrillers Volume One. This anthology gathers nine chilling stories from nine talented authors. You will meet cunning killers and face eerie mysteries that keep you turning pages long after bedtime. Each tale delivers suspense, danger, and shocking twists that will leave you craving more. Once you step into this world, there’s no turning back.

My Thoughts:

I inhaled this anthology, and I am still thinking about it. The pace never wavers, and every story packs its own brand of shock. I loved that some authors are just starting out, yet their tales feel like they’ve written thrillers for years. It all felt fresh and unputdownable.

🔪 Blood Waters of Venice by Welz Bailey

Synopsis
Christian finally made his dream come true, running his own business in the romantic streets of Venice. But when his wife disappears during a simple breakfast run, the city quickly turns from enchanting to sinister. As he retraces her path through twisted alleyways and misty canals, he uncovers a darkness that was hiding in plain sight.

My Thoughts
Trust? In a Welz Bailey story? Not a chance. Everyone’s a suspect and I was suspicious of everyone, including myself. Venice has never felt so chilling

🔪 The Empty Library by Marie Cashel

Synopsis
Lily is beyond excited to attend her first-ever book retreat and finally meet her favorite author in real life. But the cozy getaway takes a creepy turn as items go missing, strange noises echo through the night, and a hidden library reveals the retreat house’s chilling past. What began as a bookish dream becomes a race to escape a literary nightmare.

My Thoughts
Note to self: if my book club ever suggests a remote retreat, I’m suddenly very, very busy. Creepy, clever, and oh-so-meta for us book lovers.

🔪 Foster by Danielle Fear

Synopsis
Jayden and Callum are two brothers desperate for stability in yet another foster home. Callum hopes for a fresh start, but Jayden’s need to protect takes a dark turn as his fixation on their new foster mother intensifies. In a house meant to heal, obsession and paranoia threaten to tear them and everyone else apart.

My Thoughts
Excuse me, WHAT just happened?! I had theories, I had confidence, and then it smacked me with a twist I didn’t see coming. 10 out of 10 for chaos.

🔪 Wrong Man by Molly Garcia

Synopsis
With overwhelming evidence and a neat little confession, the police are certain they’ve got their killer. Case closed. But behind the scenes, the real threat is smiling quietly—and no one suspects a thing.

My Thoughts
SHOCK SHOCK SHOCK! Plot twist city. I thought I had the map, and this story flipped it upside down. I love being duped by a clever short.

🔪 Obedience by Rachel Graham

Synopsis
Michael is thrilled to be accepted into an elite leadership program—until he realizes it’s less about leadership and more about control. With the director demanding submission over independence, Michael must choose: play the game or lose everything. But how far will he go to belong?

My Thoughts
This one gave major Black Mirror vibes in the best way. It’s smart, original, and eerie in that “this could actually happen” kind of way.

🔪 Deadly News by Amanda Josephine

Synopsis
In sleepy Dogwood Falls, news anchor Bridget Benton is the voice the town trusts until someone makes her the target of a chilling message. As a string of murders rattles the town, local sleuth Dawn and her crime-loving partner Jeremy dig into clues the police dismiss. The closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes.

My Thoughts
I saw myself in Dawn immediately. Give me a podcast, some coffee, and a suspicious murder, and I’m on the case. Loved the vibe and the character connections.

🔪 The Eldridge Library by Jeff Scott

Synopsis
People are vanishing in Eldridge, Maine, one by one, without a trace. Detective Jake Hargrove joins forces with Victoria, the local librarian, and together they follow a trail of mysterious clues that all seem to point to one place: the town library. But in a town full of secrets, the truth may be more dangerous than the disappearances.

My Thoughts
This was just a taste, and now I’m starving. It’s a prequel to Jeff Scott’s upcoming novel and totally delivered on suspense and intrigue. I need the full story yesterday.

🔪 The Cabin in the Woods by Keeley Webb

Synopsis
Rocky Valley is a quiet, off-the-grid town that seems perfect for couples looking to unplug and reconnect. But someone is watching from the shadows, and he’s not looking for love. When guests venture into a secluded cabin, they unknowingly become players in a twisted game where the rules are deadly and escape is optional.

My Thoughts
The killer’s POV? Yes, please. Dark, disturbing, and exactly my flavor of creepy. This one left me with goosebumps. I see you, Keeley, and I’m immediately getting all of your books!

🔪 The Scent of Lilies by Billie Jean Wiley

Synopsis
Seven-year-old Sheila Grayson lives a seemingly peaceful life in the mountains with her deeply religious parents. But the sweet scent of lilies begins to mask something rotten beneath the surface. As the darkness creeps in, Sheila must navigate a world where love and faith twist into something far more sinister.

My Thoughts
Wait, this was a debut?! The writing felt cinematic, like I was living in every scene. It packed the punch of a full-length novel in just a few pages. Absolutely stunning.

Overall, this collection proves that anthologies can punch far above their weight. They deliver variety yet feel cohesive. If you crave twisted plots and nonstop suspense, this one will be your next obsession.

The Vibes It Brings:

🧠 Sinister mind games
🌃 Small town secrets
🔪 Cunning killers
📚 Haunted library retreats
👥 Twisted family bonds
🏞️ Isolated cabin terror
⛪ Dark faith and power
🚔 Amateur sleuth action
🕰️ Relentless chase scenes

Final Thoughts:

Killer Thrillers Volume One hits all the right notes for thriller fans. It’s the perfect choice when you need a quick fix of suspense or want to sample nine styles of terror in one go. I can’t wait to see what Volume Two brings. Whether you read in one sitting or savor each story, you are in for a night you won’t forget.

Releases on June 3, 2025 – Preorder it now!