How to Read Egan Hughes: The Recommended Starting Point
Egan Hughes has established herself as a gripping voice in modern British psychological suspense. Currently, all of her novels are standalones. This means there is no strict chronological reading order or recurring characters that force you to read them in a specific sequence. You can pick up either of her books and dive straight into the mystery without worrying about missing key backstory.
However, if you want the best reader experience, we recommend starting with her award-nominated debut:
- Start with: The One That Got Away (2020). This book showcases her ability to build claustrophobic tension in an idyllic setting (a yacht sailing the Mediterranean) and introduces her signature focus on complex female protagonists dealing with psychological control.
- Read next: Leave the Lights On (2021). Her sophomore novel shifts the suspense from the open seas to a high-tech smart home, blending classic haunted house vibes with modern technology and gaslighting.
Egan Hughes Books in Publication Order
For readers who prefer to follow an author's career path and watch their writing style evolve, reading in publication order is always a safe and rewarding bet. Both novels were published in the UK by Sphere, an imprint of Hachette's Little, Brown Book Group:
- The One That Got Away (Sphere, July 2020)
- Leave the Lights On (Sphere, August 2021)
A Deep Dive into the Standalone Thrillers
1. The One That Got Away (2020)
Hughes’s debut novel is a masterclass in domestic abuse, coercive control, and isolated tension. The story centers on Mia, a marketing professional who is trying desperately to rebuild her life after escaping her manipulative, control-obsessed ex-husband, Rob Creavy. Years prior, they had left their lives in England to sail the Mediterranean, a trip that quickly morphed into a nightmare of psychological abuse. Mia managed to escape, but the past comes crashing back when the police notify her that Rob has been found murdered on his yacht.
As Mia becomes a prime suspect in the homicide investigation, she discovers she isn't the only one who wanted Rob dead. The narrative introduces a web of suspects, including Rob's new wife, Rachel, and his protective sister, Sky. Using dual timelines and shifting perspectives, the novel slowly peels back the layers of Mia's traumatic past. Hughes drew directly from her personal experience of living on a boat to write the yacht sequences, giving the maritime setting an incredibly authentic, claustrophobic atmosphere.
2. Leave the Lights On (2021)
In her second book, Hughes trades the open waters for the isolating walls of a cutting-edge "smart home." The story follows Lauren, an animal portrait artist recovering from recent emotional trauma, and her husband, Joe. Looking for a peaceful fresh start, they move into a remote, automated cottage designed by Joe and his business partner, Nicole. Every function of the house—from the locking doors and window tints to the lighting and music—is controlled by a smartphone app.
What is supposed to be a high-tech sanctuary quickly turns into a psychological prison for Lauren. Strange things begin to happen: the lights flicker, music blasts unexpectedly, and the smart locks override. Worse, Lauren catches glimpses of a man from her past whom she knows is dead. When she tries to tell Joe, he dismisses her fears as a relapse of her mental health struggles. Left isolated and doubting her own sanity, Lauren must determine whether she is being targeted by someone exploiting the smart home technology or if she is truly losing her mind.
What to Know Before You Start: Themes and Style
Before diving into Egan Hughes's thrillers, here is what you can expect from her writing style and the recurring themes in her books:
- Timely Social Issues: Hughes does not shy away from heavy topics. Her stories explore the devastating realities of coercive control, gaslighting, emotional trauma, and the vulnerability that comes with our modern, hyper-connected world.
- Unreliable Narrators and Flawed Characters: The protagonists in both novels are deeply human, dealing with past trauma that makes them question their own memories and perceptions. This keeps the reader guessing who is telling the truth until the very end.
- Glamorous Yet Deadly Settings: Whether it is a beautiful yacht in Greece or a sleek, modern architectural marvel in the countryside, Hughes excels at taking settings that represent luxury and comfort and transforming them into locations of dread.
- Read-Alikes: If you enjoy the pacing and atmospheric tension of authors like Ruth Ware (specifically The Woman in Cabin Ten), T.M. Logan (The Holiday), or Lucy Foley, you will feel right at home with Egan Hughes's thrillers.