Eileen Cook joins us to talk about her novel With Malice and the kind of summer beach reads that send a chill up your spine.

About ‘With Malice’

Eighteen-year-old Jill Charron’s senior trip to Italy was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. And then the accident happened. Waking up in a hospital room, her leg in a cast, stitches in her face, and a big blank canvas where the last six weeks should be, Jill comes to discover she was involved in a fatal accident in her travels abroad. She was jetted home by her affluent father in order to receive quality care. Care that includes a lawyer. And a press team. Because maybe the accident…wasn’t an accident. Wondering not just what happened but what she did, Jill tries to piece together the events of the past six weeks before she loses her thin hold on her once-perfect life.

When summer turns dark by Eileen Cook

What do the longer summer days mean? Why, more time to read of course! You might think the sunshine and blooming flowers would lead people to want to read happy, frothy stories, like romances or fairy tales, but that often isn’t the case. Instead, they’re turning to tales of murder, mayhem and mystery. Psychological thrillers and domestic-noir, like Girl on a Train or Beware that Girl, tend to fly off the shelves and onto the beach. What attracts readers to dark stories where problems spin wildly out of control this time of year?

There may be a bio-chemical answer to what draws readers. When we feel intense emotions (joy or fear) our brain releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine and oxytocin into our system. This impacts our sense of motivation, happiness, and creates an emotional sense of intimacy. This is why seeing a horror movie can be a great first date option. Books with big emotional impact, like thrillers, create an actual physical impact in our bodies. No wonder we love them. It’s an easy (and non-addictive) rush.

We live in complicated times. The real world can be a scary place. Having problems contained within the covers of a book can be reassuring. As readers, we know that whatever happens in the book stays in the book. We have a chance to be excited and scared, while knowing we’re safe. It can be more enjoyable to turn off the news and open a book instead.

Thriller novels offer excitement and escapism all without having to leave your hammock or beach towel. They’re full of puzzles and problems that the reader tackles along with the main character. One of the most enjoyable aspects of these books is trying to determine how the main character can resolve a complicated situation. We have the opportunity to do mental gymnastics to see if we can figure out a solution before the characters in the book. We’re not bystanders — we’re participants. For many readers it becomes a question of, “What would I do in this situation?”

At the center of many of these novels is a relatable main character. Someone who reminds the reader of themselves. They’re ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. Then, with one small coincidence or mistake, a car accident, a glimpse of something out a train window, or a new neighbor moving to town, their lives are turned upside down. There’s something fascinating about seeing how a random act can change everything — especially if you’re experiencing it from the safety of your patio with a frosty drink in your hand. Many of us wonder what might happen if we had taken a different route and thrillers allow us to imagine how we’d respond.

Many thrillers give us something to talk about, too. We come to the last page and feel compelled to discuss them with friends or family. We want to know if other readers saw the twist coming and we take pride if we happened to see it before them. It gives us a chance to dissect the actions taken by the characters, trying to determine where they went wrong and how they eventually triumphed (or not). The only thing better than a good book is a book that you get to share.

Summer days are longer — it’s Mother Nature’s way of leaving the lights on. Why not take the opportunity to dive into something just a bit darker? Your local bookstore or librarian can make some recommendations and the thrills you’re looking for are just a page turn away.

About the author

Eileen Cook is a multi-published author with her novels appearing in eight different languages. Her books have been optioned for film and TV. She spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. She’s an instructor/mentor with the Simon Fraser University Writer’s Studio Program.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny on her website (linked above). Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two very naughty dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.