CJ Tudor, the bestselling author known for her dark and twist-filled thrillers, recently shared a selection of novels that have influenced her writing and captivated her as a reader. Since her debut with "The Chalk Man," Tudor has established a reputation for blending crime and horror in a way that keeps audiences engaged until the very last page. Her latest novel, "Serenity Falls," continues in this tradition.
Among her top choices is Denis Lehane’s "Shutter Island," set in 1954. The story follows U.S. marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule as they investigate the disappearance of a dangerous patient from Ashecliffe Psychiatric Hospital on Shutter Island. As a hurricane isolates the island, Daniels uncovers unsettling secrets, including suspicious medical experiments and cryptic clues about “Patient 67.” Tudor highlights the novel’s unexpected twist, which prompts readers to reconsider earlier events.
Tudor also praises Samantha Downing’s "My Lovely Wife," a darkly humorous tale about a suburban couple who turn to serial murder to inject excitement into their 15-year marriage. The plot thickens when one partner suspects the other of breaking their carefully set rules, threatening not only their relationship but also their family life. Tudor describes Downing’s work as marked by a “deliciously dark sense of humour” that infuses her novels with a unique blend of macabre situations and engaging character dynamics.
Another influential work for Tudor is Richard K. Morgan’s "Altered Carbon," a futuristic thriller in which human consciousness is stored digitally, allowing people to transfer their minds between bodies, effectively circumventing death. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former soldier tasked with investigating the apparent murder of Laurens Bancroft, an ultra-rich individual known as a Meth. Tudor notes the novel’s combination of high-concept science fiction and grim violence, making it a distinctive entry in the crime thriller genre.
" Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn also makes Tudor’s list. The novel revolves around Nick Dunne, who becomes the prime suspect after his wife Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, the couple’s seemingly perfect relationship is revealed to be far more complex and troubling. Tudor points out that "Gone Girl" set a benchmark for domestic psychological thrillers featuring unreliable narrators, often imitated but rarely surpassed.
Finally, Tudor recommends Ira Levin’s "A Kiss Before Dying," which she first read in her twenties. The story, set in the early 1950s, centers on Budd Corliss, a psychopathic college student who murders his pregnant girlfriend to marry into wealth, only to face suspicion from the victim’s sister. Tudor admires the novel’s expertly crafted narrative and a mid-story reveal that redefines the entire plot, praising Levin’s skill at delivering a story that blindsides the reader while leaving clues hidden in plain sight.
Together, these five novels reflect the dark, twisting storytelling and surprise elements that have shaped CJ Tudor’s literary sensibilities and continue to influence the thriller genre.