Suspenseful Fiction

Nothing is ever
what it seems

Twists. Secrets. Lies. Page-turning thrillers by Denise Riddle.

The Novels

Books

The List book cover

The List

As workaholic Brett returns home to an empty house, his initial unease slowly transforms into a gnawing sense of disquiet. With each passing moment, the absence of his wife, Natalie, becomes increasingly unsettling.

Delving into a frantic search for answers, Brett stumbles upon several revelations that send shockwaves through his world — Natalie had learned of his transgression with her best friend. She had abruptly departed from her job without a word to him to pursue a writing career. And she was making a killing.

Confronted by a disintegrating reality, Brett must embark on an agonizing journey of introspection and redemption, piecing together the shattered fragments of his life to win back the trust and love he may have lost forever.

The List is a riveting tale of love, betrayal, and the unfathomable repercussions of keeping secrets.

Buy on Amazon
Cabin of Lies book cover

Cabin of Lies

On her way to their biggest pitch yet, Raye realized that she had forgotten something at home.

The scene awaiting her has her life tumbling apart around her. Pushed to the edge of sanity, she attempts to end her life, only to be saved by her longtime friend and boss, Duncan.

When she trips over her dead husband's body, it soon becomes clear her attempt at rebuilding her life will be much harder than she anticipated.

Life couldn't get any worse.

Then it did.

Her existence is threatened when she uncovers a dangerous web of secrets.

Would they break her?

Or would they kill her?

Buy on Amazon
Playthings book cover

Playthings

An already traumatised Suzie wakes Judica up in the middle of the night, whispering frantically of intruders. In a panic Judica makes her friend lock herself in the bathroom.

Standing with a gun in her hand, ready to do what she has to do to protect them, she overhears the attackers talk. They are looking for someone. Her.

Willing to bet your life on it?

Now, they are after her and they won't stop until they have her in their clutches. If she is lucky, they will kill her, because the opposite is just too terrifying for words.

Willing to bet other lives on it?

She can't handle this on her own. She turns to a dear friend in desperation, which might put a bulls-eye on his back and could result in death.

What if you are wrong?

Opening a can of worms much bigger than she ever thought, Judica has to be two steps ahead at all times.

Buy on Amazon
Diamonds and Stones book cover

Diamonds and Stones

Young parents Helen and Adam move into their new home. When Adam hires a local handyman, he brings someone from her past into their lives.

Trying to prevent another from suffering the same fate, Helen offers her tormentor's wife money to take her son and start a new life, unknowingly sealing the woman's fate.

A sick plan forms in Eric's mind as he is burying his wife whom he had killed in a fit of rage. If they could give her enough hope so she would run away with his son, he would destroy their family the same way.

His actions on a dark rainy night set off a series of spine-chilling events spanning over generations, ruining the lives of so many...

Buy on Amazon
Author Denise Riddle

The Author

Denise Riddle

Denise Riddle writes suspenseful fiction that keeps readers guessing until the final page. Her career began in high school and grew through freelance work for Lowveld Living Magazine — but it was thriller writing where she found her voice.

With five novels and counting, Denise crafts stories full of curveballs, dark secrets, and relentless suspense. Based in Cape Town, she draws on a life rich with family, adventure, and imagination — weaving tales that readers devour in a single sitting.

Unputdownable

Reviews

★★★★★

"What a book!!!! I could not put it down — read it in 1 day. Awesome story... well done Denise... can't wait for the next one!"

— Vicky Sherry Watson
★★★★★

"Very enjoyable read... Could not put it down!"

— Sonette Lamprecht
★★★★★

"Amazing read! What a twist!! Amazing"

— Maria Van Eden
★★★★★

"Exciting plot, a lot of curve balls — suspenseful, page-turning read from beginning to end."

— Karen Dehon
★★★★★

"I'm a big fan of your writing!"

— Jenny
★★★★★

"2nd book by Denise & just for a change I could not put it down — read it in 1 day. Absolutely brilliant... a phenomenal read!"

— Vicky Sherry Watson