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Thu Aug 21 2025

Clare Mulroy | Books Reporter

Happy Thursday, booklovers!

Finding a new niche subgenre is practically a love language of mine. I've written about cozy fantasy, the resurgence of cowboy romances and why we still love paranormal romance decades after "Twilight."

One that's been on my radar lately is trad wife thrillers, especially as social media feeds are filled with demure baking videos, homeschooling tips and picturesque domestic life.

This crop of creepy books riff on the controversial trend of female influencers who promote conservative, "traditional" marriages and gender roles. We have a list of seven trad wife thriller and horror books for you this week, but here are a few to get you started:

Trad wife thrillers are trending in books. Here are seven to read now.

CSA-Images, Getty Images

🥧 "Everyone is Lying to You" by Jo Piazza: Lizzie's estranged best friend emerges 15 years after they last spoke as a trad wife Instagram influencer. Behind the polished facade, is a murder, a disappearance and a web of lies.

🏘️ "House of Beth" by Kerry Cullen: After breaking up with her girlfriend and witnessing a shocking incident at work, a young career woman flees the city for her suburban hometown and begins a new life as a wife and stepmother. All seems well until she starts hearing the voice of a mysterious presence.

🧺 "Motherthing" by Ainslie Hogarth: This book freaked me out in the best way. "Motherthing" is about a young woman who, desperate for a mother figure and wondering what kind of mother she'll be herself, must save her husband from the vengeful ghost of her mother-in-law.

What are your favorite trendy, niche subgenres? Let me know at cmulroy@usatoday.com or reach me on Instagram. Thanks for reading USA TODAY Books this week.